Lighthouse Leads Winter through Challenges of Life

Wanted:  One lighthouse, located on the shore of a secluded island.

That’s a real estate ad Bernie Winter would jump at.

The 48-year–old Calgarian’s eyes sparkle when she talks about that dream.

When she finds that lighthouse, she’ll pack up her northwest Calgary condo and move into the peaceful tower to write about her work and her life.

Her life has been full of challenges including divorce, cancer and financial struggles.  She’s had to pull herself up and start all over again more than once.

Her work has made her well known in the local condominium industry.

In 1995, Winter started Condominium Support Services Inc.

She and her staff of three provide a service called condo-check for prospective buyers.

“It’s a review of how a condominium corporation operates.  Are there arrears, legal battles, receivables…what are the bylaws, can they have pets or children?” says Winter, pointing out this is the only service of its kind in North America.

After 15 years of managing rental and owner-occupied condos, and eight years of selling real estate, Winter has witnessed horror stories when people don’t understand the paperwork and possible consequences.

“Seeing people foreclosed on or put into a place where, financially, they’re ruined because of a cash call to replace a roof or a crack in the swimming pool…it drove me crazy.”

Financial ruin is something Winter knows a thing or two about.

She lost everything after dealing with a devastating illness.

In 1989, Winter was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“I had a foster son, was a single parent, I had been divorced.  I had to file for bankruptcy because I needed 10 months off dealing with surgeries and all that.”

In 1994 came another blow, a diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Winter says, with a smile and a sense of relief, her health is now excellent.

As her company reaps the rewards of success – business has tripled since she created it – Winter would like to start slowing down a bit.

She is setting her sights on that lighthouse, somewhere out there, and wants to spend more time with her family.  Her 29-year-old daughter recently gave birth to Winter’s first grandchild.  Weekly visits with her 22-year-old special-needs son inspire her to stay strong.

Winter is now a highly sought after real estate speaker and has branched out to motivational speaking.

As she unveils the story of her life in her seminars, she shares the one simple and powerful philosophy that has helped her start over time and again.

“It really boils down to focus of being alive instead of dying or being a victim.  If you’re alive, you’re going to feel the pain, you’re going to worry about it, you’re going to cry through it, then you’re going to move on.”

As she sits back, relaxing in her comfortable condo, dressed in capris and bare feet, Winter says she likes where she’s at.  It’s a sentiment she believes we could all use now and then.

“That’s all it is.  I like being me.”