An instrumental part of Suntender Valuations success is also the team we built over the years, our CEO is remarkable and our General Manager is awesome. We have a great developer helping enhance our online portal experience for all customers. Suntender Valuations’ Customer Service Managers who handle the day to day activities understand our mission and fully commit to giving our Clients the best experience possible. I am forever grateful for everyone on the Suntender Valuations Team which is allowing Suntender Valuations to flourish and provide exceptional customer service.
How does Suntender Valuations contribute to promoting Latino homeownership, and why is this mission particularly significant to you?
Ricardo: Suntender Valuations contributes to and promotes Latino homeownership by delivering excellent customer service to all our clients. When we first started, some of our initial lender/mortgage companies that gave us an opportunity were Latino lender/mortgage companies. The way to show appreciation and gratitude for that opportunity was to ensure we did our very best for our clients and always find solutions when there doesn't appear to be one. Working 365/24/7 regardless of the obstacles, understanding how crucial the appraisal is in the transaction for those future Latino homeowners. The mission of Latino homeownership is significant to me because I want to be a part of the team that helps increase Latino homeownership to historic levels.
Your career spans 25+ years in real estate. What inspired you to join NAHREP and actively engage with the community?
Ricardo: In my first 20 years of real estate, I had never been introduced to a Latino-based real estate group or anything as powerful and impactful as NAHREP. I joined a social Latino-based organization at San Jose State University, but never in my mind did I think such an impactful organization built by Latinos existed in the real estate world. In 2018, five years ago when I was introduced by a friend to NAHREP, I became a member. I attended the NAHREP National Conference in San Diego and knew I wanted to be more involved and help as many people as I could.
What inspired me to join NAHREP and engage with the community was seeing so many successful Latinos helping families achieve homeownership dreams and making a positive impact in the community. It’s been a huge blessing to be a member of the NAHREP family, and I’m forever grateful. I look forward to continuing to share HWP’s the Top 10 NAHREP Principles and continue to empower others.
As a NAHREP 10 Certified Trainer, what initiatives are you planning to empower others within the community?
Ricardo: As a Top 10 Certified Trainer, the initiatives I want to empower others within the community are understanding that they can achieve their goals, but the first step is identifying what those goals are. Identifying what they want to achieve and then putting a plan in place. Time management, planning, and consistency are three critical factors to achieve any goal. Educating the community on how each of the HWP’s NAHREP Top 10 principles relates to them and how it is key to their long-term success.
You've mentioned your belief in diversification and tapping into the NAHREP community's expertise. How do you envision these efforts contributing to individuals' financial freedom?
Ricardo: NAHREP has professionals in all fields who can help you achieve all your financial planning goals and life goals. The NAHREP community has a foundation in Real Estate, but it expands beyond real estate to Certified Financial Planners, Stock Market Professionals, Tax Professionals, Life Insurance Professionals, and many other important aspects for diversification. The initial goal is homeownership, but once you have that first home, it’s critical to find other ways to create additional streams of revenue which can lead to financial freedom. Additionally, you want to protect your investments with proper planning and guidance. NAHREP brings all professions to your fingertips to allow you to diversify and grow your wealth and, more importantly, retain it for generations and allow you to leave a legacy.
Can you share a specific instance where Suntender Valuations' bilingual support made a significant impact on a client's experience?
Ricardo: A specific instance where Suntender Valuations’ bilingual support made an impact was when an appraiser needed help scheduling an inspection. The borrower did not speak English, and the appraiser did not speak Spanish. The Lender Client informed us of the situation. We looked to find a Spanish-speaking appraiser in the area, but due to limited appraisers, no Spanish-speaking appraiser was available. Once we assigned the appraiser to take on the order, I personally set up a three-way call with the appraiser and the Spanish-speaking borrower to translate the availability and schedule the inspection. On the day of the inspection, I was able to assist. Both parties were thrilled that we could facilitate and make this happen. Thanks to our bilingual support, all parties had a great experience, and the appraisal process was a success.
Homeownership is often viewed as a cornerstone of the American Dream. In your opinion, how does it contribute to creating economic wealth and financial stability?
Ricardo: In my opinion, it is 100% correct that homeownership is a cornerstone of the American Dream and contributes to creating economic wealth and financial stability. It's almost like a forced savings with significant tax benefits, appreciation advantages, and, most importantly, family stability benefits. The house is important firstly because it creates stability and comfort. If you are renting, you are paying 100% interest and don't have the assurance of not being moved out. By paying down your monthly mortgage, you are saving money and building equity. Even if the house doesn't appreciate in value, each monthly mortgage payment is contributing to equity, in addition to the tax benefit of owning your home. Whether the home appreciates or not, once you own the one home, you can refinance and pull cash out to buy a new primary residence or a rental property. At that time, you would have two assets working for you, creating an additional revenue stream that leads to further economic wealth and financial stability. It all starts with one house, and from there, you can create multi-generational wealth.
What advice would you offer to aspiring real estate professionals looking to establish themselves and make a positive impact?
Ricardo: The advice I would offer to aspiring real estate professionals looking to establish themselves and make a positive impact is to create relationships and look to help others, regardless of whether it directly benefits you. When you focus on helping others, great things happen. Moreover, you attract what you put out into the world. With a positive mindset, you will attract others with your infectious personality. Failure is part of the game; you will not always get the deal or have everyone on your side. However, when you have great intentions, the world will reward you. Focus on the joy you will experience when you assist a family in purchasing their first home.