I
was introduced to the mortgage business in 1986 by my good friend
Dave Dean. He had recently founded American Capital Mortgage
Corporation. I learned many aspects of the business from him.
I am forever grateful.
I left
a year later. Jim Parsons of Tidewater Mortgage Company literally
saved my life by taking me on as an originator. But the charm
of business wore off around 1990.
My
family and I moved to Kent Island in July 1991. Oh my, the changes
we have seen but that would take volumes to write. Most changes
were not good. I walked away from mortgages after we moved for
two nearly years. By 1993 I was getting the itch to reenter
the mortgage biz.
I went to work for Consolidated Mortgage and Moe Iacoboni in
historic Stevensville in January 1994. I enjoyed working for
a local honest mortgage company. About a year later In March
1995 the owner (Moe) of Consolidated Mortgage decided to sell
or close the business. After two weeks of sleepless nights I
decided to take a chance and buy it. I knew the business inside
and out which gave me some confidence. I borrowed the money
from an attorney friend and closed on the purchase for $15,500
in May 1995.
It
was the best move I ever made. Luck had the timing perfect.
I intentionally grew the biz slowly. Next thing you know the
refi boom hit and the business really grew and took off. Three
loan reps, a processor, and me. The company was very successful.
I had finally found my calling by owning a small business doing
something that I loved, helping people, while being at the top
of the pyramid.
During
that time I learned to create web sites for my business on my
own with help from Sam Guilianno of Amingo. I decided to open
a Web Site Design business, American Web Page Design. Which
led me to open a VHS Video to DVD Transfer business, DVD Video
Services, and then a few years later become involved with a
Data Recovery business with my friend Tom Tomkins, The Data
Recovery Center. Maybe others that I don't remember. I kept
busy.
I was the owner of Consolidated Mortgage and Consolidated Mortgage
Corp. (a closely held corporation) on Kent Island for 13 years
(1995 until 2008). The Great Recession
of 2007/2008 forced Consolidated and many other mortgage companies
to close their doors. It also forced my other business projects
to close. I hung in there until 2008. Everything was shuttered.
I then went with Countrywide Home Loans for 6 months while they
were closing down. What a mismanaged mess that Company was.
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2008
turned out to be a bad year. On top of having to close my businesses,
on New Year's Eve 2008 around 4 p.m. my wife rushed me to the
hospital. I had a 105.7 fever and arrived unconscious.
As
I lay in the E. R. the doctors could not figure out a diagnosis.
My brother in law Navy fireman, EMT, Army combat medic, special
forces airborne, (and all around bad ass) Jeff Hahn pointed
out my feet which were purple and said this guy has sepsis.
He was right. The sepsis was caused by a prostate biopsy on
December 30 (the day before).
I was unconscious on a respirator for the first 3 days in the
Critical Care Unit. The fever peaked
after midnight New Year's Day 2009 at 107.8. The doctors did
not expect me to make it through the night. They told my wife
Terri to inform my family. I did make it through that night
thanks to the many prayers from friends and family, and I believe
divine intervention. Top notch medical care helped too.
I ended up being in the CCU for 8 days and was released after
11 days.
I still have not figured out why I made it through the night.
I was discussing it with my dear friend John Wayne Kennedy a
few years before he passed. He said it was because I am destined
for success and greatness. He was serious. All I could do was
laugh! I still chuckle when I think about it. May John Rest
In Peace.
Funny
thing, during a time in my room there is a memory of hearing
ocean waves breaking on the beach and Hawaiian reggae type music
playing. Music wasn't playing and no one else heard it. Kind
of weird. I have no explanation.
Anyway,
that high fever caused a brain injury that affected my memory
and other areas of my brain. I have been told I am not the same
person.
Bottom
line is that I have never felt the same since that battle with
sepsis.
Because
of my memory and other health issues I opted for early retirement
at 62.
I'm
still waiting for that success and greatness John was so certain
of.
Burt
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