Hispanic Heritage Month: Realtors® Help Their Communities

PAR continues to commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Month by recognizing two more Realtors® in the Hispanic/Latino communities.

A member of the Realtors® Association of York and Adams Counties, Alberto Mateos has been a Realtor® for three years. He was named “Rookie of the Year” by Coldwell Banker Realty in Central Pennsylvania, which is his proudest accomplishment to date, as well as acknowledged as one of the Top 250 Agents nationwide and “#1 Rookie in the Nation” by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals.

When asked why he became a Realtor®, Mateos said, “I wanted to make a change for my Latino community after seeing a lot of buyers being turned down, language barriers and discrimination due to not believing they could buy a home.”

“Real estate has changed my life and helped me become a more organized person, making sure everything is completed on time,” he adds. “It has also helped me become a great leader for the next generation and a great role model in the community. I have made the impossible possible for a lot of people, and that has also changed my mindset a lot.”

Mateos enjoys working with both buyers and sellers, who are often shocked by how young he is and the extent of his knowledge when it comes to buying and selling.

“I tell them from the beginning that this is what I need and this is how I work, and I believe being honest from the beginning has helped a lot,” he says, adding that he enjoys helping clients make it to the settlement table and fighting for them the entire way.

As a newer Realtor® and a Latino man, Mateos has faced various hardships throughout his career and his life.

“One of the hardships I saw as a Realtor® has been that people will unfortunately just judge you in this industry,” he shares. “When I first started, some agents would give the keys to my clients and say, ‘Here you go,’ yet I was the one looking for the lockbox. I have also been asked, ‘Are you even licensed?’ The worst one was that a lot of my friends, family and people I knew thought my social media videos were dumb. I was very fortunate that I had a strong mindset, and I overcame these obstacles and never said anything because I believed in myself.”

“I can relate to my clients on a personal level from seeing my dad be deported, living from apartment to apartment due to having a slumlord and sleeping on cardboard due to hard times,” Mateos says. “I tell them that I have been through a lot of crazy scenarios in life, and this is why I take my clients seriously because I have been there, working multiple jobs and hours just to make dues meet. I encourage this because not many know the lifestyle of a first-generation Mexican American with immigrant parents. It’s a struggle, but I believe it is important for the real estate industry to see what we have been through.”

Mateos encourages others in the Hispanic/Latino communities to become involved in real estate and get involved locally.

“I strongly believe that giving back to the community is one of the most important things any person can do,” says Alberto Mateos, a member of the Realtors® Association of York and Adams Counties.

“I strongly believe that giving back to the community is one of the most important things any person can do,” he emphasizes.

To fellow Realtors®, he says, “Consistency is the goal! You are going to have to fake it to make it!” He adds, “You are your brand, and if you’re going to do something, do it.”

Nelson Gamez, a Realtor® for 12 years and a member of the Reading-Berks Association of Realtors®, is also advocating for homeownership for the Hispanic/Latino communities.

“I became a Realtor® to help our Latino community navigate the often complex and overwhelming process of buying or selling a home,” he shares. “Understanding the cultural nuances and language preferences within our community allows me to provide personalized and effective service. It’s incredibly rewarding to assist families in finding their dream homes, making smart investments and building wealth for future generations. My goal is to empower our community with the knowledge and support needed to achieve homeownership and create a lasting legacy.”

An experienced Realtor® and a member of the RBAR Board of Directors, real estate plays a key role in Gamez’s life.

“In the beginning, establishing my business required significant effort and dedication,” he recalls. “It took time to set things up properly, but eventually, I reached a point where I could manage my business with greater flexibility. This has allowed me to enjoy quality time with my family and travel the world together.”

Like Mateos, Gamez also enjoys working with both buyers and sellers.

“Working with buyers, especially first-time homebuyers, brings me immense satisfaction. There’s no greater joy than handing over the keys to a new home and being a part of such an important milestone, particularly within the Latino community, as it represents a significant aspect of the American dream. Similarly, working with sellers is rewarding because they trust that I will go the extra mile to secure the best possible deal. My goal is to make the process smooth and reassuring, helping them feel comfortable as they transition to a new home.”

Gamez’s proudest accomplishment has been owning his own brokerage, which has been “a dream come true” and a significant achievement in his professional journey. This milestone was always a part of his career plan, and he feels fortunate to have been supported and trusted by many people along the way, including his wife, who has stood by his side since day one.

He has also faced several challenges throughout his career, including navigating language barriers and cultural differences and educating members of the community on aspects of homebuying and financial literacy. “However, these challenges have also been opportunities to bridge the gaps and provide valuable support to my clients, helping them achieve their real estate goals,” he says.

“In the Hispanic community, I believe it’s crucial to have representation in the real estate industry because it fosters trust and understanding,” Gamez shares. “When clients see professionals who share their cultural background and speak their language, it creates a more comfortable and supportive environment. Representation also ensures that our community’s unique needs and concerns are addressed, helping to break down barriers and make the dream of homeownership more accessible to all. It’s about empowering our community with the knowledge and resources needed to succeed in the real estate market.”

“Unity is strength,” says Nelson Gamez, a Reading-Berks Realtor®. “The only way to make a difference and create an impact is by helping in any way that contributes to our growth as a community. We all need a place to live, and we must get involved in what truly matters – our people and our city. Therefore, it’s important for each of us to do our part.”

Why would Gamez encourage other members of the Hispanic/Latino communities to become involved in real estate?

“Unity is strength,” he says. “The only way to make a difference and create an impact is by helping in any way that contributes to our growth as a community. We all need a place to live, and we must get involved in what truly matters – our people and our city. Therefore, it’s important for each of us to do our part.”

To other Realtors®, he encourages, “Do it because you are passionate and committed to helping others achieve their dream of homeownership. Don’t view it as just a business; see it as a service, and always strive to do your best. No one says it will be easy, but it will be rewarding. Wake up each day with more determination than before and seek out a mentor to guide you. This will make things much easier and help you see better results.”

“As a Latino who was born and raised in Colombia until the age of 17 and came to the United States in pursuit of the American Dream, I can confidently say I’ve achieved it, with real estate playing a crucial role in this accomplishment,” Gamez concludes. “While the future of this industry is uncertain with its constant changes, I am fully confident that we are preparing to face these challenges and will emerge victorious, because ‘That’s Who We R.’”