After years of working behind a desk, I needed a change. I wanted a career where I could serve people and do something positive for my community. My past work experience and my wife at the time led me to that career. After my wife died, I discovered how much my community truly supported me.

I wrapped up my workday, happy to be finished for the evening, and I began to get ready. I shaved, changed into a fresh shirt, and gave myself a final once over in the mirror before leaving. Where was I going after all this preparation? The grocery store. But I didn’t care. I had an excuse to get out of the house, and I was making the most of it!

I grew up with an understanding that I had a unique mind. I did well in school and skipped a grade, graduating early. Being the youngest person in a class can feel isolating. But when it came to the classwork, I felt comfortable and confident. In other words, I was a nerd. I mean no offense by the term. I’m comfortable with the label. But I also didn’t have a focus. I was interested in a lot of different things and felt like a jack of all trades. I wasn’t sure which one I wanted to master.

Unlike many of my fellow nerds, I was outgoing and extroverted. But I couldn’t find a path that combined my outward personality with my scientific mind. Finally, I chose to pursue computer science. In my last two years of college, I found work as a property manager. I loved the work. I had the opportunity to interact with so many people. I was even smitten with one of the tenants. I actually went on to marry that tenant!

In the meantime, I became a computer programmer. I was shut up inside all day, and it felt like my soul was slowly draining out of me. That was what led to me getting dressed up before mundane errands like grocery shopping. I liked to travel and backpack through Europe. How had this become my career?

I wanted to make a change. There was a test to discover your Love Language, and I discovered that mine was “Acts of Service.” There was only so much service I could do cooped up behind my desk. I’d preferred working as a property manager. Maybe my path lay in real estate?

I already knew a lot about that world from my experience, so I zipped through the classes and tests in record time! In addition to that, my wife was an attorney and did a lot of work in the field. She was wonderfully helpful in those first few years when I was still finding my footing and learning the legalese. And what better way to serve than guide people through this massive transaction?

Then the rug got pulled out from under me. Seven years into our relationship, we found out my wife had cancer. And she wasn’t getting any better, only worse. I became a widower at the age of 37. It felt strange to continue working in a field that had been so wrapped up in my life with her. She had been with me when I got my license and had helped me with the contracts. Now it was just me.

Luckily, my love for the work didn’t fade. Serving people still made me happy, and I found support within my community. Through the combination of those things, I began to heal.

I was incredibly lucky to fall in love again when I met my current wife, Linzy, and was able to open a new chapter in my life. I still love my community and the work I do to strengthen it. It’s a special way of giving back. I look forward to having the opportunity to bring you into the community too!

There are many ways to support your community. One of the ways I do that is by providing fresh eggs! Linzy and I care for 60 chickens. Past clients who have moved out of town have stopped by for fresh eggs when they’re in the area. They're that good!

But of course, being a real estate agent means more than that. I never only wanted to do this job part-time. I dove into this role by studying marketing, finding a mentor, and even attending real estate boot camp. But the best way to create connections is to grow them organically.

People are drawn to working with me for my competency and even-keeled personality. It’s a joy for me to get up and go to work every day. It’s about more than making a sale. When a client gets the keys to their new house or the payment so they can move on from their old one, I feel as elated as they do. I can hardly wait for my next transaction with you!

Sincerely,

Andy Stahl
Broker-Owner