CCRIM Contra Costa Realtors in Motion

In this edition of the CCRIM Member Focus we get to spend some time with the 2007 Contra Costa Realtors in Motion (CCRIM) Realtor of the Year, Rafael Quintero. Rafael Quintero is a REALTOR for Security Pacific in Walnut Creek. Rafael served as the CCRIM Treasurer in 2007. Lets chat with this Cuban Superstar.

CCRIM: Why did you get in the Real Estate business?

Rafael Quintero:

I got into the Real Estate business because of two reasons. First, wherever I worked before, I had this gift and desire to help individuals on whatever they needed and always went out of my way to find the answers that they needed to know and were looking for.

Second, timing, yes, timing is everything, I was working in the technology business and was affected by the dot-com fiasco of a few years ago. I have always believed that when a door closes, another one opens up. A friend at my previous job suggested that I should definitely use my abilities to help individuals purchase and sell homes.

CCRIM: What did you do before Real Estate?

Rafael Quintero:

I worked in technology, aka "computers", I have worked with them all my life and started working with them back when you had to write programs in "machine language", which was not too long ago, none of this pretty screens and boxes and fonts and all that jazz.

The last few years I worked as a consultant, designing and developing specialized databases or pieces of it, aka "data warehouses" that would be utilized for marketing departments at several large corporations in the bay area, helping them with the "target marketing" in order to maximize their ROI. In these consulting jobs, I worked with some of the most brilliant minds in marketing and developed marketing skills which complemented my research abilities and desire to help individuals.

CCRIM: What are you passionate about?

Rafael Quintero:

I am passionate about people, I really go way out of my way to help individuals achieve their goals, sometimes, you have to help them define their goals and show them how to reach them.

I am passionate about animals as well, I love dogs, especially Boxers, Lhasa Apsos, Papillons and Yellow Labs, cats and birds, which I have two and they are the pride of my life right now, but my real passion is people, and through my volunteer work, coupled with my real estate career, I have developed many friendships which have become long lasting relationships.

CCRIM: Tell us about some of the Charitable Organizations you assist?

Rafael Quintero:

I'm glad you asked, I am extremely committed to Caring Hands Volunteer Caregivers Program, an organization whose vision is to promote independence and enhance the quality of life of the aging population in our community through meaningful, one-on-one relationships with caring volunteers. I work with Caring Hands as a volunteer, in addition to being the Hispanic Outreach Sub-Committee Chairman and Vice Chair of the Advisory Council.

I also volunteer for Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in Walnut Creek.

I am a Sergeant at Arms and past Treasurer of CCRIM (Contra Costa Realtors In Motion).

Last but not least, I spend time in several ministries at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church where I have found my home.

CCRIM: Tell us something most people don't know about you?

Rafael Quintero:

I am a pretty open guy, most people know most everything about me, but here are a few facts:

I was born in Cuba and came to this country by myself at 14 without any family over here, thanks to Operation Peter Pan. In Cuba, in the house I was born, there was a beam that the builder engraved with the year it was built: MDLXXIII

I went to De La Salle for 7 years, no, I'm not slow, you could go to De La Salle in Cuba for 12 years.

My son (Raphael) lives in the Bay Area, works and attends SFSU.

My daughter (Vivian) lives in Miami and is getting married in April.

I have traveled to Europe quite a bit, mostly on first class and flew on the Concorde once from New York' to Paris, where I was able to confirm that the Earth is round with my own eyes by looking out the window,.

I worked and lived in Mougin, a little medieval village in the South of France, aka ‘French Riviera' for six months and visited most villages in the area.

I love movies and music and go to the movies regularly (or try to).

I love Karaoke and dancing and can't seem to be able to stay off the dance floor in a party, how do they know???

I like shopping a whole lot and once went on a four day shopping spree to Korea.

By the way, you should know that I like food and wine a lot, especially food and I can cook Cuban food that will leave you always wanting it again.

I still have never being drunk.

I like football a lot and my favorite team is the Miami Dolphins, congratulations to the New York Giants for helping the Dolphins have the only undefeated season ever. My favorite player of all time is Larry Csonka, #39, the only running back in the history of the game to be penalized for ‘unnecessary roughness' on a tackler trying to tackle him.

When I travel to Mexico and pay any charges with my credit card, I'm shown a lot of respect and attention.....

That's enough, like I said, I'm a pretty open guy...

CCRIM: What advice do you have for others in the Real Estate business?

Rafael Quintero:

Real Simple

•1. You have to love the people first, pay attention to them, shut your mouth and listen, find their 5s, 6s and 7s. It's a great business and it will be frustrating at times, but as long as you love the people and always put the people first, there will be a paycheck at the end, and only when everyone is happy, there will be referrals.

•2. You have to work not for a good company, but for a great company, Security Pacific IS that company for me. Always be aware that if you are going to make it in this business, it's up to you.

•3. Don't do this business for the money, because it will go away in medications...

In this edition of the CCRIM Member Focus we will chat with Nate Ellis a lender for Residential Pacific Mortgage (RPM) the 2007 Contra Costa Realtors in Motion (CCRIM) Affiliate of the Year. Nate is the Vice President of CCRIM for 2008 and also served as the VP in 2007. He keeps us entertained every Tuesday morning with his selection of music for the day. CCRIM had a chance to interview Nate and find out a little more about him.

CCRIM: How did you get into the Real Estate Mortgage business?

Nate Ellis: Honestly it found me. Just before I got into the business in 2000, I was working in my worst job ever. It was a completely thankless job that was running me ragged. Honestly how many shoes does a woman need to try on during Prom Season?

CCRIM: You sold Woman's Shoes?

Nate Ellis: Yes, Just like Al Bundy. It's amazing what a woman will do so her feet look cute. I must have said "I don't have that shoe in a 10, only a 6 ½ "a thousand times and they almost always reply "I'll take the 6 ½". So when I got a call from a finance company that saw my resume on Monster.com asking me if I was looking for a change, I kicked my heels in the air and ran for the door.

CCRIM: What other jobs did you have before getting into Real Estate?

Nate Ellis: I only sold shoes for two weeks and two weeks was enough. Before that I sold fine pieces of art by the "Painter of Light" Thomas Kinkade,a survey taker for Gallup, a massage therapist and worked for 8 years helping men dress better selling suits at the Men's Wearhouse. I don't believe how much money I've spent on clothes.

CCRIM: What drives you?

Nate Ellis: Currently a Gold Ford Focus. Oh, that's what I drive. Seriously, I love helping people reach a goal they may have thought was out of reach. The joy and energy created when that new home owner get the keys to their first home dives me. Being able to find the down payment assistance to help them buy that home drives me. Knowing that they have been prepared to manage this large debt and can begin building wealth drives me. And then this gig pays pretty well also.

CCRIM: You also volunteer your time teaching financial education. Tell us about these organizations you assist.

Nate Ellis: Hey you did your homework. I have been a Certified Money Management Volunteer (CMMV) for Money Management International and Consumer Credit Counseling Services of the East Bay since 2005. Working with Shirley Dean, Regional Director of CCCS East Bay, I have facilitated classes on Budgeting, Home Buyer Education and Credit Improvement. I remember helping out a gentleman at the Salvation Army Shelter in Oakland clear up some negative marks on his credit so he and his two boys could move out of the shelter and rent an apartment. It's a great feeling helping someone build the skills so they can improve their lives. I also have been asked to lead the development committee for the Mount Diablo Housing Opportunity Center. This is a Center that assists people with resources for all housing issues or questions in Contra Costa County located in Concord. We recently hosted a First Time Home Buyers fair at Diablo Valley College (DVC) in November. We had representatives from several of the local City Housing divisions, including Walnut Creek, Concord, Pittsburg and Contra Costa County, talk about the programs available. We are looking to host another Fair in May in conjunction with Home Ownership Month. Concord Mayor Susan Bonilla and State Senator Tom Torlakson are supporting the May event.

CCRIM: Have you been on TV?

Nate Ellis: I have or am or something like that. I was a featured speaker for the Tri Valley Housing Opportunity Center's Home Buyer Fair in 2006. You can sometimes see me discussing ways to improve your credit late at night. At the time I was working for Wells Fargo.

CCRIM: What advice do you have for others in the Real Estate Business?

Nate Ellis: Find your niche. Figure out where you can make the most impact and the business will follow. As long as you are in this business to truly help people you will be successful and rewarded for your actions.

CCRIM: Thank you, or should I say Danke Schoen.

Nate Ellis: "Danke schoen, oh darling, danke schoen."

Despite what you may think about the Real Estate Market, one thing is for sure, Contra Costa Realtors in Motionmembers reinvest in their communities by giving to local charities. Their donations to Five local charities, (Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties, Christmas for Everyone, St. Matthews Scholarship Fund, CCAR Scholarship Fund, and Toys for Tots), totaled over $18,000 this holiday season.

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County is an incredible organization. With donations down this holiday season the Food bank is grateful for every dollar it receives. While it is great to donate canned and other non perishable goods, the real strength of the food bank is with the donation of cash. For every dollar the food bank receives they can buy $6 worth of food.

Larry Sly, Executive Director was on hand to receive the donation from the Contra Costa Realtors in Motion in the amount of $2,565 or $15,390 worth of food! That's enough for about 700 Family Holiday Dinners.

Remember that just because the holiday season is over there are still lots of people without enough food out there. Please remember to donate to the food bank year round. They are especially hard hit during the Summer when kids get out of school.

Toys for Tots began in 1947 when Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. The idea came from Bill's wife, Diane. In the fall of 1947, Diane handcrafted a Raggedy Ann doll and asked Bill to deliver the doll to an organization, which would give it to a needy child at Christmas. When Bill determined that no agency existed, Diane told Bill that he should start one.

Sgt. Derrick Ligert, U.S. Marine Corp, brought his Color Guard to present the Flag and collect several boxes of Toys. In addition to the Toy Drive, Contra Costa Realtors in Motion gave a donation of $6000 and raised an additional $2934 by auctioning off donated table prizes, even a Marine was auctioned off for charity. That's a total of $8934. With the Marine's discount that's an additional 1000 toys.

There are always enough toys for the younger kids. The most looked over group is children between 10-13, mostly boys.

Education is an important factor in growing a community. The Contra Costa Realtors in Motion supported two Scholarships this year, St Matthews Scholarship and The Contra Costa Association of Realtors Scholarship Foundation. $1000 was given to support the St. Matthews Scholarship and $4745 was raised for the Contra Costa Association of Realtors Scholarship Foundation.

The CCAR Scholarship Foundation fosters the highest standard of professionalism in the real estate industry by providing college scholarship grants to aspiring students in the fields of finance, business and real estate.Mary Chatton Brown, CCAR Scholarship Foundation President accepted the the check for $4745. The Contra Costa Association of Realtors Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships for students from central Contra Costa County enrolled in classes with an emphasis on Business, Finance or Real Estate.

Over $47,000 was awarded in 2007 to 15 students. The deadline for applications for the current year are usually due by early May. Check their website for details and deadlines.

Mary Perez, Founder of Christmas for Everyone accepted the donation from Contra Costa Realtors in Motion. The donation of $1500 was a welcome check for the charity.

Christmas for Everyone's goal is that no one spends Christmas alone. Volunteers provide free transportation to and from the host church. Each person receives a new gift, and almost new clothing. They serve a Traditional Christmas meal, provide entertainment for both children and adults. Food and a gift can be delivered to the homebound upon request.

Many member of Contra Costa Realtors in Motion donate their time on Christmas morning to help serve food and provide merriment to those in need. Our member always say they receive so much more by giving back to the community than they receive through business.

Danke Schoen ~ Nate Ellis

Nate Ellis "Mr. Danke Schoen" is the Vice President of the Contra Costa Realtors in Motion (CCRIM) real estate marketing group. Nate Ellis specializes in assisting First Time Home Buyers with no money down by leveraging Down Payment Assistance in the form of grants and "silent seconds". Nate Ellis is a certified lender for the City of Walnut Creek, City of Concord and City of Pittsburg First Time Home Buyer program, as well as several other San Francisco Bay Area Cities. Nate Ellis is also the Chairman of the Mt Diablo Housing Opportunity Center (MtDHOC) steering committee. The MtDHOC acts as the central resource for Contra Costa County's housing needs and education regarding: First Time Home Buyers, Foreclosure Prevention, Senior Housing and Landlord and Tennant resources. Nate Ellis is also a Certified Money Management Volunteer (CMMV) for Money Management International and assists people with credit evaluation and financial education. Nate Ellis is a certified CalHFA, CalPERS and FHA Lender. Nate Ellis is a Loan Officer for Residential Pacific Mortgage 3201 Danville Blvd, Alamo, CA 94507. Equal Housing Lender. Any rates or programs quoted or referenced are not guaranteed and are subject to terms and conditions. All offers and programs may be withdrawn at any time. ©Copyright 2008 MrDankeSchoen Nate Ellis http://www.cahousingblog.com/ Nate@BuilditBuyitRefiit.com Help a Teacher, Cop, Firefighter or EMT be a Good Neighbor.