As a first-generation American and talented high school athlete, Alex Duarte has learned
that great rewards come from self-discipline, hard work and the desire to win. After
attending a real estate investment seminar, Alex saw that tremendous opportunity could
come from applying those values to real estate, and he obtained his license with the goal
of building an investment portfolio. It wasn’t long, however, before Alex realized that
there was also great reward in finding commonality with other people and helping them
find the home of their dreams.
That realization came with his very first transaction. 'After I told my client her offer had
been accepted, she started crying,' Alex remembers. 'That’s when I knew this is what I
wanted to do with my career. It really does impact people’s lives. I have completely
fallen in love with being a Realtor®. I love helping people, especially buyers. There is a
lot of satisfaction in handing someone the keys to their new home and being a part of
that big memory for them.'
Alex is a persistent reader of self-improvement books, and he recommends 'The Magic
of Thinking Big' by David J. Schwartz. 'The book is about not setting boundaries for
yourself, but always setting ridiculous goals instead. The mind is what limits you, not
the environment you’re in. I’m definitely heavy into setting and writing down my goals.
I’ve learned that whatever you put out there comes back to you. If your energy is good
and you work hard, you receive a lot of reward and satisfaction.'
In keeping with his mission of positivity and growth in his profession, Alex recently
joined First Team, where he is benefiting from one-on-one mentorship with a seasoned
agent. He has also acquired more tools and resources to provide better service to his
clients. 'We have a good, family-oriented atmosphere in our office. When I’m on top of
it, it makes me better for my clients.'
Alex’s youth is a big plus, as he brings great vitality and gusto to his real estate practice.
His proficient use of technology helps him to be more efficient, more responsive and
more connected than the competition. 'I’m enthusiastic and passionate, and I love what
I do,' Alex says. 'I respond to clients within minutes, and the feedback I get from people
is that they love that I’m on top of it. Not many clients these days want to sit down and
review every line of every document. I can provide everything through zipForms and
DocuSign, so they can just get it done and not get bogged down in the paperwork stress.'
Alex observes that social media is a means for people to feel connected and build trust,
even before they have met in person or done business together. 'I connect a lot through
Instagram, and my mentor and I are designing a plan to use that platform to connect
with more first-time homebuyers. Once people feel connected with you, they are more
comfortable trusting you with a major financial decision.'
A happy client who gave Alex a five-star review on Zillow agrees. He said Alex is a 'very
helpful agent who was always on time and available for our meetings. Always responsive
to our many emails and calls. Very recommendable for first-time buyers who have a lot
of doubts about the home-buying process. He is young, knowledgeable and enthusiastic
with his work, which is probably more important than having years of experience in this
field.'
Alex is also current with industry regulations and market trends, qualifying him to give
up-to-the-minute advice about where and what to buy in north Orange County. 'I study
everything and am very knowledgeable about what I’m saying,' he says. 'Finding the
right home or investment requires reliable and accurate information.'
Alex credits his character and work ethic to his parents, who raised him and his siblings
in a Christian household. One of the goals that drives Alex to succeed is his
determination to buy his parents a home.
He is also connected to his community. Before becoming a Realtor®, Alex worked with
disabled children at a local school, and he continues to help out there as a volunteer.
'Working with those kids changed my life. I look at things from a different perspective
now. It helps me to be truly grateful for what I have.'
Alex’s honesty, professionalism and gift for connecting with people are the foundation of
his real estate practice. 'Customer service is really just getting to know a person. This is
a communication business. If people don’t feel a connection with you, they won’t want
to work with you no matter how good a salesperson you are. When you find common
ground, then you have something solid to build on.'
Rookie Of The Year - 2015
