En este episodio de Five Stars Realty Podcast, Jantsie van der Veen conversa con Melisa Santamaría, top producer de Five Stars Realty con 15 años de experiencia en el mercado inmobiliario entre Colombia y Estados Unidos.Melisa nos habla de cómo empezó desde cero, por qué Florida es uno de los mejores mercados para invertir hoy, qué debes saber antes de comprar un lote en Connecticut y cómo convertirte en inversionista sin importar desde dónde empiezas.Si alguna vez te preguntaste cómo construir patrimonio en EE.UU., este episodio es para ti.Lo que vas a aprender en este episodio:✅ Por qué invertir en Miami y Florida en 2025✅ Cómo funciona el Airbnb en condominios de Florida✅ Qué revisar antes de comprar un lote (y el error de $150K que nadie quiere cometer)✅ La diferencia entre un realtor común y un top producer✅ Cómo empezar como agente de real estate desde cero✅ Por qué comprar una propiedad por año es la clave para jubilarte bien⏱️ TIMESTAMPS — Mejores momentos del episodio0:00 – Intro: Bienvenida a Melisa Santamaría2:30 – 15 años de experiencia: de Colombia a Estados Unidos8:00 – Por qué invertir en Florida y Miami hoy14:00 – Property management en Florida: cómo rentar tu apartamento desde lejos17:30 – Lotes y terrenos en Connecticut: el error que puede costarte $150,00024:00 – Todo lo que hace un realtor que el cliente nunca ve30:00 – La historia que le cambió el corazón (el cliente más especial de su carrera)37:00 – Consejos para realtors nuevos: cómo arrancar y crecer desde cero44:00 – La fórmula para jubilarte comprando una propiedad por año49:00 – Cómo contactar a Melisa y unirte a su equipoConecta con Melisa Santamaría:Instagram: @melisantamariarealestateWeb: www.msantamariabusiness.com— — —Five Stars Realty opera en Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts y Rhode Island.¿Listo para dar el primer paso? Contáctanos.

¡Bienvenidos a un nuevo episodio del Five Stars Realty Podcast! En esta ocasión, nuestra host Jantsie Vander Veen tiene el placer de conversar con una de las agentes más queridas y exitosas de nuestra empresa: Rosa E. Gallego (@rosaaerealtorct).La historia de Rosa es un testimonio de resiliencia y determinación. Originaria de Colombia, Rosa llegó a Estados Unidos hace 11 años y comenzó trabajando como cajera en un supermercado. Hoy en día, es una Top Producer Realtor en todo Connecticut, demostrando que el "Sueño Americano" es posible con disciplina y pasión.[WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE]🇨🇴 Los Inicios: Cómo su padre le inculcó el amor por los bienes raíces en Colombia desde los 23 años.🛒 La Transición: El proceso de homologar su carrera de contadora y superar el miedo al idioma y al acento.🔑 El Primer Cliente: Cómo consiguió su primera venta (¡una multifamily complicada!) el mismo día que sacó su licencia.🧠 Mindset Inmobiliario: Por qué Rosa dice que hay que "amar el NO" y no tomarse el rechazo como algo personal.🏠 Consejos para Inversores: El poder de las multifamiliares para vivir sin pagar hipoteca de tu bolsillo.📉 Mitos del Mercado: Por qué esperar a que bajen los intereses o los precios de las casas es un error costoso.❤️ Pasión por Servir: Por qué para Rosa este negocio se trata de "cambiar vidas", no solo de vender casas.[EPISODE TIMESTAMPS]0:00 - Introducción y bienvenida a Rosa Gallego.3:30 - Quién es Rosa y cómo empezó en bienes raíces en Colombia.9:15 - De cajera a Realtor: Superando el miedo al inglés.16:00 - La historia de su primera venta (¡una multifamily con desalojo incluido!).24:45 - Cómo manejar el estrés y las emociones en un mercado agresivo.32:10 - El secreto para ser Top Producer: Disciplina y persistencia (sin depender del Social Media).41:30 - Tip para compradores: Multifamiliares vs. Single Family.50:00 - ¿Esperar a que bajen los intereses? Por qué es un error mental.58:30 - El valor de un preaprobado y los peligros de esperar demasiado.1:05:00 - Conclusión y mensaje final de Rosa.[CONTACT & RESOURCES]🔗 Connect with Rosa E. Gallego:Instagram: @rosaaerealtorctPhone: (203) 585-4526📍 Five Stars Realty:

Welcome back to the 5 Stars Realty Podcast! In this episode, our host Stephanie sits down with a true powerhouse in the industry: Luis Omar Figueroa. Luis is a top mortgage lending expert, a seasoned real estate investor, and the author of the essential guide, "The ABCs of Hard Money: How to Use Short-Term Lending to Build Real Estate Wealth."[ABOUT THIS EPISODE]Luis’s story is the definition of the American Dream. Born in Puerto Rico and raised by a single mother in the Bronx, he went from working as a doorman to becoming a massive success in the liquor business, and eventually, establishing his own mortgage bank, Hern Capital.In this candid conversation, Luis demystifies the world of Hard Money, explaining exactly how to use it as leverage to acquire and stabilize properties quickly—without the red tape of traditional banks. We also dive deep into the crucial role of mindset, discussing his concept of "Aggressive Patience" and why consistency always beats intensity in the long run.[WHAT YOU WILL LEARN]

• The "Block" vs. The World: How NYU opened Luis's eyes to the bigger mechanisms of life and finance.
• The $100k Quarter: How Luis transitioned from owning a liquor store to making over six figures in just three months as a new loan officer.
• Demystifying Hard Money: What it actually is (bridge financing), how fixing & flippers use it, and how to exit into a conventional 30-year loan.
• Creative Deal Structuring: A real-life example of using hard money to save a Brooklyn property with equity from foreclosure.
• Aggressive Patience: Luis defines this powerful mindset—pursuing your goals with intensity but having the humility and discipline to wait for the results to unfold.
• Investing in Pennsylvania vs. Miami/Connecticut: Where to find the best cash flow in today’s market and why you should "play in your own pocket."

CPI: Luis’s acronym for success: Consistency, Proficiency, and Intensity.[EPISODE TIMESTAMPS]0:00 - Intro: Welcoming Luis Omar Figueroa.3:30 - Story of origin: From Puerto Rico to the Bronx & NYU.8:15 - Meeting celebrities and learning common human struggles.13:40 - The switch: From liquor stores and nightclubs to a bank speculation deal.20:05 - Making over $100k in 3 months as a loan officer.26:30 - SurSurvival 2008: Learning the ropes during the crash.33:15 - Authoring "The ABCs of Hard Money" during double hip surgery recovery.38:40 - What is Hard Money? Debunking the miseducation.44:10 - Creative financing: Saving a property with extreme equity.50:20 - Don't hide! The importance of communication with hard money lenders.58:00 - Real Estate Step 1: Start with cash-flowing properties (Example: Pennsylvania).1:05:30 - Playing your own game: Don't look at markets you aren't ready for.1:12:00 - Building a brand through brand awareness, not just sales.1:19:30 - Aggressive Patience defined: The screensaver story.1:25:00 - CPI: The Consistency, Proficiency, Intensity framework for success.1:31:00 - Evolving as a leader and managing energy.[CONTACT & RESOURCES]📖 Order the Book: "The ABCs of Hard Money" on Amazon.🔗 Connect with Luis Omar Figueroa:Instagram: @askluisomarYoutube: ‪@RealwithOmar‬ #LuisOmarFigueroa #HardMoney #RealEstateInvesting #FixAndFlip #5StarsRealty #Podcast #WealthBuilding #MortgageLending #Mindset #AggressivePatience #CPI #BronxRealEstate #ConnecticutRealEstate

Welcome to a powerful new episode of the Five Stars Realty Podcast with Stephanie! Today, we are joined by a guest whose life is the ultimate testament to the power of transformation: Sean Martin.Growing up in the Bronx during one of its toughest eras, Sean’s early life was a battle for survival. At 29, a prison sentence became the unexpected turning point that forced him to confront his true identity. Today, Sean is a visionary leader and entrepreneur who has mastered the art of the "Identity Shift."[WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE]

• The Power of Belief: How a simple quote from his mother—"If you think you can, you can"—changed the trajectory of his life.
• The Prison Turning Point: Why Sean calls his time in a cell "the best thing that ever happened to him" and how he found peace in the middle of chaos.
• Identity Shift vs. Temporary Change: The psychology behind truly changing who you are (from being a "drinker" to being "fit and sober").
• Action Over Knowledge: Why high-level CEOs focus on leadership and action rather than getting bogged down in the details.
• Building the Plane While Flying: The entrepreneur’s mindset of taking the leap before you think you’re ready.
• The Mastermind Effect: Why investing in yourself and surrounding yourself with "giants" is the only way to scale your business.

[EPISODE TIMESTAMPS]0:00 - Introduction: Meeting the man behind the transformation.4:15 - Growing up in the Bronx: Navigating the crack epidemic and survival.11:30 - The Henry Ford Lesson: How belief shapes reality.22:45 - The Turning Point: Facing a 2-year prison sentence at age 29.31:10 - Finding Peace in Prison: Why the absence of distractions was a gift.42:50 - Perception is Reality: How to change the story you tell yourself.53:15 - Why most experts aren't successful (Knowledge vs. Action).1:05:00 - Investing in Yourself: The high cost (and higher reward) of Masterminds.1:18:20 - The "Identity Shift": Overcoming addiction and transforming his health.1:32:00 - Leadership Secrets: How to lead people who are smarter than you.[CONTACT & RESOURCES]🎙️ Five Stars Realty PodcastYour #1 resource for Real Estate, Mindset, and Wealth Building.🔑 Guest: Sean MartinInstagram: @theseanmartin🏠 Five Stars Realty:Website: www.buy5starsrealty.comInstagram: @fivestarsrealty_podcast

Welcome to a brand-new episode of Property Perspectors! In this session, our host JG Kempel (Five Star Realty) sits down with a true pillar of the Connecticut sports and local community: Coach Tim Roberts, CEO and Head Coach of the East Hartford Stingers.With over 30 years of experience shaping the youth through football and wrestling, Coach Tim opens up about his life philosophy. It’s not just about winning medals; it’s about building resilient, disciplined human beings with unbreakable values.[WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE]The Humility of the Mat: Why wrestling is the toughest sport and how it teaches kids to handle adversity when someone "puts an elbow in the back of your neck."Impact on Minorities: The importance of minority youth seeing a support system that extends far beyond their own local club.Discipline over Talent: Why the words "I can’t" are banned in Coach Tim’s gym and how persistence consistently beats size.Community Leadership: Tim’s unwavering commitment that "money should never be a reason why a child cannot participate."The "Gritty" Reality of Wrestling: The challenge of competing against year-round athletes and how that preparation mirrors the real-world challenges of life.Real Transformation: Witnessing the journey of "D" students becoming honors graduates and scholarship recipients through the power of focus, education, and sports.[EPISODE TIMESTAMPS]0:00 - Introduction: Meeting the "Wizard" behind the East Hartford Stingers.4:15 - 30 Years of Impact: Why coaching is a calling, not just a job.9:30 - The Personal Connection: "You can't motivate a kid until he knows you care."15:45 - Injustice in Sports: Staying calm while standing up for our youth.22:10 - Building Community Pillars: "It’s up to us to create the programs we want to see."30:50 - The Coach’s Sacrifice: Working 3rd shift and spending 12-hour days at tournaments.38:15 - One Sport or Many? Coach Tim’s philosophy on youth development and multi-sport athletes.45:30 - The Future of the Stingers and the intersection of Sports & Real Estate.52:00 - How to join the East Hartford Stingers family.🤼 East Hartford Stingers Wrestling:Follow them for more updates on youth wrestling in CT!

¡Bienvenidos a un episodio de lujo en Five Stars Realty Podcast! Hoy nos acompaña una verdadera leyenda del emprendimiento en Connecticut: Esaul Rodriguez, el visionario detrás de Puerto Vallarta Restaurants (@puertovallartausa).Esaul nos cuenta su increíble trayectoria desde sus raíces en Unión de Tula, Jalisco, hasta convertirse en el "Restaurateur of the Year". Hablamos sobre cómo escalar un negocio, la importancia de la hospitalidad y los detalles detrás de su evento de 3er Aniversario en Stamford junto a chefs estrella Michelin.[LO QUE APRENDERÁS EN ESTE EPISODIO]

• El Legado Familiar: La historia detrás de la red de 400 restaurantes familiares en EE. UU.
• Escalabilidad: Cómo pasar de un solo local a dominar el mercado estatal.
• Marketing de Experiencias: Cómo atraer a más de 30,000 seguidores siendo auténtico.
• Filantropía y Negocios: Por qué dar de vuelta a la comunidad es la mejor inversión.
• Colaboración de Alto Nivel: Los detalles del "Chef's Friends Dinner Series" con Tatiana Mora y José Luis Chávez.

[EPISODE TIMESTAMPS]0:00 - Introducción: ¿Quién es Esaul Rodriguez?5:30 - Sus inicios en Jalisco y el sueño americano.12:45 - El primer Puerto Vallarta: Retos y miedos en 1999.22:10 - El secreto para mantener la calidad en 9 ubicaciones.35:00 - Redes sociales: El impacto de los 30k seguidores.45:15 - Aniversario en Stamford: Una cena de 8 tiempos y chefs Michelin.55:00 - Consejo para el nuevo emprendedor latino.[CONTACT & RESOURCES]🍽️ Puerto Vallarta Restaurants:Instagram: @puertovallartausaWeb: www.puertovallartausa.com

¡Bienvenidos a un nuevo episodio de Five Stars Realty Podcast! En esta ocasión, nos reencontramos con una de las agentes más dinámicas y queridas de nuestra comunidad: Antonela Fernandez (@antonelarealtor).Antonela ha llevado su negocio al siguiente nivel, estando licenciada actualmente en Connecticut, Georgia y Florida. En esta charla profunda, nos cuenta cómo equilibra su fe ("God First") con la ambición necesaria para dominar tres mercados diferentes y ayudar a sus clientes a construir riqueza real a través de la inversión.[LO QUE APRENDERÁS EN ESTE EPISODIO]

• Inversión Multiestado: Las diferencias clave entre invertir en CT, GA y FL.
• Mentalidad de Crecimiento: Cómo Antonela pasó de ser una agente local a expandir su marca personal a nivel nacional.
• Negocios con Propósito: El papel de la fe en la toma de decisiones y el manejo de clientes difíciles.
• Estrategias para Compradores: Qué buscar en una propiedad de inversión en el mercado actual de 2026.
• Escalabilidad: Cómo gestionar un equipo y mantener la calidad de servicio en diferentes zonas horarias y estados.

[EPISODE TIMESTAMPS]0:00 - Introducción: El regreso de Antonela Fernandez.4:20 - Expandiendo fronteras: ¿Por qué sacar licencias en GA y FL?10:15 - El mercado de Florida vs. Connecticut: ¿Dónde está la oportunidad?18:30 - "God First": Manteniendo los valores en una industria competitiva.25:45 - Errores comunes de los inversionistas primerizos.32:10 - Cómo gestionar propiedades a distancia.40:50 - Consejos para agentes que quieren escalar su negocio.50:00 - El futuro de Antonela y cómo contactarla.[CONTACT & RESOURCES]🔑 Antonela Fernandez - Real Estate Agent:Licensed in CT, GA, FL.Instagram: @antonelarealtorEmail: [email protected]🏠 Five Stars Realty:Tu recurso número uno para Real Estate e inversiones en Connecticut y más allá.Visítanos: @fivestarsrealty_podcast

Welcome back to the Five Stars Realty Podcast! In today's highly inspiring episode, our host Stephany Suarez sits down with a true force of nature: Sonia Alvelo Lynch (@salvelo).Sonia is the CEO and founder of Latin Financial and Sharp Capital. Her story is the ultimate blueprint for the American Dream. Sonia moved to the U.S. from Puerto Rico at 17 with no coat and no English. From her first job closing late at night at Burger King, she worked her way up through banking and mortgage lending to become a powerful entrepreneur who has secured funding for hundreds of Hispanic-owned businesses across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada.[WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE]🇵🇷 The "Bridge" to Capital: How Sonia is closing the gap for Latino businesses that traditional banks overlook.🍔 Burger King to CEO: The gritty, honest truth about working multiple jobs while learning a new language.📊 Inside Traditional Banking: The misconceptions about document requirements and why most banks say "no".🤫 The Underwriter's Perspective: Why too many insufficient monthly deposits will get your loan declined immediately.🏆 Winning the Debate: The story of how Sonia walked into a room full of men, was scared five times, but ultimately won a major banking debate.🍼 Grandma Era: How being a new grandmother has changed her perspective on juggling business and family.Sonia’s quote, "Stop hoping, start deciding," isn't just a motto; it's a call to action for every entrepreneur stuck in "trying" mode.[EPISODE TIMESTAMPS]0:00 - Intro: Meet Sonia Alvelo Lynch.4:15 - "Stop Hoping, Start Deciding": The meaning behind the quote.10:30 - The traditional bank denial letter: It’s about education, not luck.16:45 - What "Insufficient Funds" per month really means to an underwriter.23:10 - Sonia’s story: From small-town Puerto Rico to a Connecticut winter.30:50 - "My Auntie Nora": Seeing a future in a working, educated mother.38:00 - The Jump: Going from a 9-to-5 to founder with $300 in the bank.45:15 - "Fake it until you make it": Entering the male-dominated world of finance.53:30 - Fighting for Spanish-language contracts for Puerto Rican businesses.1:02:00 - The "connector": Why referral is everything in this business.[CONTACT & RESOURCES]🔗 Follow Sonia Alvelo Lynch:Instagram: @salveloWebsite: Latin Financial📍 Connect with Five Stars Realty:Instagram: @fivestars_realty

Welcome back to the 5 Stars Realty Podcast! In this episode, host Stephanie sits down with Alex Walton (@sellconnecticut), a Top 5% Realtor in Connecticut with RE/MAX Heritage.Alex isn’t your "typical" high-energy salesperson—he is a self-described former introvert who used behavioral psychology to completely rewrite his narrative. In this exclusive session, he reveals how he went from crying in his room after zero cold-calling leads to achieving an eye-popping 334% growth in sales volume year-over-year.This isn’t just an interview; it’s a masterclass for any real estate agent looking to build a sustainable, listings-first business model in any market.[WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE]The Introvert’s Playbook: The exact step-by-step process Alex used (with help from a therapist and behavioral psychology) to conquer his fear of strangers and become a people person.Dominating with Cold Calling: Why cold calling is his favorite part of the day and his daily formula for getting 30 "Nos" to guarantee success.Listings are King: How Alex secured a $2M expired listing from a cold call and found the buyer a week later.Mindset is Everything: The practical mindset reframing exercise Alex does in the car before every important meeting (and before this podcast!).Thinking Outside the Box: What happened when Alex door-knocked an "ass" on the phone with cookies—and got two referrals.Building Your Tribe: The importance of accountability partners and how Alex grew by prospecting on Google Meet with other "lone wolf" agents.Transitioning to Social Media: Why an outbound leader is now focusing on town updates and local shop spotlights to build a local community.[EPISODE TIMESTAMPS]0:00 - Introduction to Alex Walton: Top Producer in CT.3:45 - High school introvert: Practicing conversations in the mirror.8:10 - REBT & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Rewriting your negative beliefs.14:30 - How Alex achieved 334% growth in sales volume.21:15 - The daily formula: 30 contacts = 30 necessary failures.28:50 - SECRETS of a $2M Cold Call: An Expired Listing Story.35:10 - Why a listings-first business model is king in Fairfield County.42:00 - Thinking Outside the Box: Door-knocking with cookies and apologies.50:30 - Do I recommend starting in Real Estate in 2026? Yes and No.57:15 - Building a Tribe: Accountability partners on Google Meet.1:04:45 - Mastering Town Updates over Social Media for Consumers.[CONTACT & RESOURCES]🔗 Connect with Alex Walton:Instagram: @sellconnecticutPhone: (917) 714-1416Website: alexwaltonct.com

Welcome back to the Five Stars Realty Podcast! In this episode, our host Stephany Suarez sits down with one of Connecticut's most impressive rising stars: Mateo Avila (@mateojavilac).Mateo’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Originally from the Dominican Republic (born in Puerto Rico), Mateo moved to the U.S. at 18 with no English. Today, he is a Top Producer who skyrocketed his sales volume from $4 million in 2024 to over $10 million in 2025—a staggering 102% increase.[WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE]🇩🇴 The Journey: Growing up in the DR as the son of a civil engineer and moving to CT to find his own path.💪 The Fitness Connection: How 4 years in management at LA Fitness gave Mateo the people skills and discipline needed to dominate in Real Estate.📈 Doubling Production: The exact moment Mateo decided to "cross out" his $7M goal and aim for $10M—and how he surpassed it.🍼 New Dad Life: How parenthood has changed his "why" and his daily routine.🤝 The Relationship Strategy: Why Mateo views home buying as "shopping" and why he’ll work with a client for a whole year to find the right home.⚠️ Part-Time vs. Full-Time: The "scary" leap to full-time real estate and why being available 110% is his biggest value proposition.[EPISODE TIMESTAMPS]0:00 - Intro: Meeting Top Producer Mateo Avila.3:15 - "Dominican at heart": Mateo’s background and upbringing.7:50 - From Computer Science to LA Fitness: The sales foundation.14:20 - The "Scary" Leap: Leaving a stable job for full-time Real Estate.22:10 - Numbers don't lie: Breaking down the $10.8M year.30:45 - Why "shopping" for a home requires a year-long commitment.38:30 - How being a new dad changed his business perspective.45:15 - Tips for new agents: Why 80-90% fail and how to be the exception.55:00 - Closing: How to connect with Mateo Avila.[CONTACT & RESOURCES]🔗 Follow Mateo Avila:Instagram: @mateojavilacPhone: (203) 923-7891📍 Connect with Five Stars Realty:Instagram: @fivestars_realty