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...