Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonia Vasquez.
Sonia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
What really started this whole lifestyle was a recommendation from “the Boss, the Judge” that I was working for in 2001. He called me into his chambers and told me I was in the wrong profession. He said you should consider being in real estate and shared that his mom was a Realtor and had been for several years. He also added, I talk too much, overly social and never sit still. At first, I was disappointed. Initially started working there as a Bookkeeper and then told I was next in the “ hot seat” to be the Chief Clerk at this Dallas JP Court and a position clearly I didn’t want but he insisted that I fill it. Not long after we started to build a home with a reputable builder in Las Colinas and what an experience. We went in there without representation, we got qualified and immediately started building our home and I asked for a red restroom. We selected everything from the ground up and had to move into motel 6 for 3 months until finished as we didn’t have anywhere else to go. We gave $3000 to start and then entered into the dangerous “design center” and deposited $6000 more.
Once finished we were told to go the title company in Desoto far from our modest Motel and docs never came 9 am-noon, 3 pm and finally 5 pm we signed. Our lender was with a large retail bank and he left for the Easter holiday and not available. We signed and they told us to come back on Monday for the keys. No funding ever came at all or that week period. We were on the phone with the builder rep and she told us not to fret she was going to bat for us. What bat and for what?? What is going on? No one was explaining. The manager called us a week later and very apologetic and asked if we could write a check for $12,000 and if so, we could get our keys that day. She told us that the lender had us down for the first time buyer down payment program and never reserved the funds and they no longer have any. Oh my, I was beyond devastated our family had no home, no more money and we were a very young family. The rep then suggested for me to write a letter to the VP, deliver it and state my case to see if they will give my money back. So, I did just that, went to the corporate office off 75 waiting for the VP and he came in, didn’t sit down at all, grabbed my letter and threw in trash. He told me , I know who you are a young lady and if anyone owes money it’s you and walked out. What just happened here?? A whole year went by, I humbled myself and called my cousin who is was an attorney in Corpus, she referred her colleague here in Dallas. He called me and we shared the whole scenario, he then called me back within an hour and asked where did I want my check mailed. Whoa!
I knew we were entitled to our money back and that contract didn’t leave my bedside for that whole year. It was something I kept reading and knew we had some rights. After we received our check, I told my husband I will be a Realtor and I will protect the interest of my clients, represent them and make sure this does not ever happen to anyone we know ever. How many out there have lost thousands? Thankful for my cousin who helped us, she has no idea what that did for our future.
We then moved in with my parents in Mesquite and noticed a coming soon to Mesquite sign for a new real estate office. I told my husband that’s where I will work. He kept telling me to go for it but they don’t even have an office. Well, I watched and waited. Once they opened, I called and had an interview with the owner. She told me, everyone here has to be licensed and we don’t have a position for anyone without experience. I shared that I would make copies, coffee or even clean if I needed. Honestly, the opportunity is all I prayed for. She laughed and told me should something change she would let me know. Guess what? It changed, she called for a second interview on my birthday 🙂 and created an advertising position for me. Once started, I did clean, make coffee and made copies, LOL. In the midst of that, she expressed that I needed my license and given a year to obtain. That was it, I studied, worked, active in ministry, did my wifely and mommy duties and after a year, took my test and passed. She kept telling me I needed to prove myself never understood that until later. So very blessed to have my husband and children, they are my number one supporters and encouraged me to never give up. Also, she and many others scared me to death, with you won’t have a closing maybe for six months and make sure you have a savings account. Little did they know, one: the God that I serve and second: my sheep/children are hungry now, they will not wait for six months to be fed. My faith and motivation to survive allowed me to not only be a Top Producer for my first months in and closed several each month for the years to follow. One year, I was able to close 38 homes that was a great year! I found my power spot, my love to help people accomplish their dreams of homeownership is my passion and it still continues almost 14 years later.
Beyond thankful for all who trust me and invested in me.
I am truly living my best life.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth? I have had the smoothest experiences throughout my whole career. Said no one ever. My roads are bumpy, curvy and dead-ends at times. I’ve learned that nothing you desire wholeheartedly comes easy. We have to face our fears and failures, learn and keep growing and going.
My struggles have been very real to having no money and only faith, no gas, no home to actually call our own and the constant questions of when are you buying? Instead of asking those questions, offer help, be a blessing otherwise its no one’s business what your personal status is unless you want to post it.
The lesson I learned is to always save money, do not follow the crowd half of them may not be 100% supportive anyway. We need those in our circles that cheer for us, rejoice with us when we succeed and will be there for you In the good, bad and ugly. Be selective with who you share your goals with not everyone wants to know or desires to see you advance in life. Guess what? That’s ok, it’s just where they are and you do you ma.
Have mentors in everything, spiritual, financial, business, health and so on. We need proven people in our lives. And lastly, genuine successful people will invest in you without hesitation the ones you are a threat to will not. Competition is fierce but you be that trailblazer. You got this chica!
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
Everyone who knows me knows that I’m very transparent and genuinely love what I do. I prefer to be your friend as well as your professional financial advisor when it comes to real estate investments of any kind. My business is mostly referrals or from social media.
My heart is deep and my passion to help is my assignment here.
Effective communication is my mantra. Communication is the most important non-negotiable gift I have.
For my sellers, my goal is to market their home, get sold in 30 days or less and deliver them SOLD signs. Being thorough before, during and after the process is something we all as professionals should offer for our clients as they depend on us. When selected to be their go-to, I sincerely want them to be satisfied and trust me for any future needs and when they hear of someone buying or selling they think of me.
It’s also exciting when buyers share with me what their dream homes consist of… open kitchen, island must, fenced backyard for their fur babies, please get him a man cave he needs that alone time, or can we have 2 sinks in the bath she needs to keep her makeup on her side! Their list then becomes my mission and we find it together.
As of March 2019, I’ve been blessed to be apart of the Coldwell Banker Apex Family who offers an immense amount of resources that will not only impress but is definitely proven in DFW. We are confident in what we do and proudly know that we have what it takes to accomplish any goal given to us.
Free Commercial here, very happy to share that recently, I was nominated to be the next 2020- Women’s Council of Realtors, Southwest Dallas County Chapter President-Elect.
Lastly, happy to share that recently, I was nominated to be the next 2020- Southwest Dallas Women’s Council of Realtors, President-Elect. This organization is nationwide and has helped me over the years connect with the most inspiring and integral women in real estate. Women’s Council of Realtors 2020 is about to be explosive!
Stay tuned!
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
We as women have unlimited access to opportunities. We have to connect ourselves with the right people to become what we’ve been uniquely designed to be.
Opportunities can easily become challenges if we allow them. Visionary women can change the world and make an impact it all starts with our thoughts and the actions we take. Faith without works is dead. We have to apply ourselves and trust the process.
As mentioned earlier, regarding Women’s Council of Realtors it requires commitment and responsibilities. I can look at this as a challenge or see it as an opportunity. Women are very driven, powerful and yet gentle all at the same time that is what makes us who we are.
Follow your heart and not what someone is telling you to be, you be what has been inside of you since day one. Connect, invest and become that woman you’ve wanted with no restrictions. Once we can accept our own identity we can all create the opportunities others are looking for.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://soniavasquez.cbapex.com/
- Phone: 972.322.3668
- Email: soniasellsmany@gmail.com
- Instagram: @soniacvasquez
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/Sonia.c.vasquez.3
Image Credit:
Letty Duarte Photography
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