Episode 362 – Rick Gonzalez, The Gonzalez Group, powered by REAL Broker LLC

DESCRIPTIONRick Gonzalez is a seasoned real estate agent based in Florida's panhandle, with a unique focus on serving military members and their families. Born in New York and raised in Puerto Rico, Rick's father's service in the Air Force during the Vietnam War instilled in him a deep respect for the sacrifices made by military families. This, coupled with his own experience serving in the Navy, has given him a unique perspective on the challenges faced by military families, particularly when it comes to real estate. Rick leverages his military background and customer service experience to provide unparalleled support to military families, helping them navigate the complexities of real estate while their loved ones are deployed. His dedication to serving VA buyers and sellers and his commitment to building long-term relationships with his clients underscore his passion for his work. Join Bill Risser and Rick Gonzalez on this episode of The Real Estate Sessions podcast to learn more about Rick's unique approach to real estate. DETAILED OUTLINE00:00:00 - Supporting Deployed Military MembersSupporting Deployed Military Members is a topic that Rick Gonzalez, a real estate agent, is passionate about. With a background in the military himself, Rick understands the unique challenges faced by military families when they are deployed. He aims to be a buffer for military members, ensuring that their families have support and assistance with any housing-related matters. Rick's focus is on VA buyers and sellers, as well as families who are PCSing (Permanent Change of Station) in and out of the area. He strives to make sure that military members can focus on their duties without worrying about their families' well-being. By providing guidance and being a go-to resource for the families, Rick helps alleviate stress and allows military members to concentrate on their mission. Overall, Rick's dedication to supporting deployed military members and his commitment to helping people make him a trusted and valued agent in the real estate industry.00:02:31 - Moving from England to FloridaMoving from England to Florida at the age of 15, Rick Gonzalez shares his unique experience of adapting to a new country and leaving behind his British accent. Born in Holland to an Air Force father and a British mother, Rick spent his childhood in England before his father's retirement brought them to Florida. Initially, Rick's British accent caused quite a stir among his classmates at Choctaw High School, with many mistaking him for being from Australia. Determined to fit in, Rick quickly shed his accent, surprising everyone with how swiftly he lost it. Despite the challenges, Rick fondly remembers his time in England, living with British families and attending British school. His journey from England to Florida ultimately led him to a career in real estate, a path he never anticipated while growing up.00:08:44 - Disqualification from the Marine CorpsDisqualification from the Marine Corps can sometimes lead individuals to unexpected paths, as seen in the case of Rick Gonzalez. Despite his initial desire to join the Marines, Rick's dreams were shattered when he was disqualified due to his asthma. This setback prompted him to explore other options, ultimately leading him to join the Navy instead. Rick's journey took an interesting turn when, dejectedly leaving the Marine Corps recruiter's office, he was approached by a Navy recruiter who offered him an alternative. Rick seized the opportunity and embarked on his military career in the Navy, undergoing basic training in Orlando. This unexpected twist in Rick's story highlights the resilience and adaptability that can arise from unforeseen circumstances, ultimately shaping the course of one's life.00:14:46 - Real Estate CareerLooking for a fresh start after the BP oil spill, Rick Gonzalez found himself considering a career in real estate. With the money he received from the spill, he decided to give it a shot as a last-ditch effort. Rick had previously worked in various industries, including door-to-door sales and the restaurant business, which equipped him with valuable soft skills for dealing with people and conflict. Despite starting from scratch, Rick's charismatic personality and determination helped him navigate the real estate industry successfully. Today, he is known for his expertise and ability to connect with clients, making him a trusted agent in the field.00:19:54 - Handling HurricanesHandling Hurricanes: Real estate agent Rick Gonzalez shares his approach to handling conversations about hurricanes in Florida. With a focus on helping people rather than sales, Rick aims to be a reliable resource for his clients during hurricane season. He provides information on hurricane preparation and has even written a blog on the topic. Despite living in an area prone to hurricanes, Rick mentions that these conversations surprisingly don't come up frequently. He attributes this to the fact that many of his clients, who are military personnel, are already well-trained in emergency preparedness. Overall, Rick's goal is to ensure that his clients feel supported and can focus on their safety during hurricane events.00:28:43 - Real Random PodcastReal Random is an exciting new podcast venture by Rick Gonzalez, inspired by the format of the popular Smart List podcast. With three hosts and mystery guests, Real Random aims to delve into the personal stories and experiences of individuals in the real estate industry. The podcast will provide a unique perspective, going beyond the tactics of real estate and exploring the person behind the profession. Rick has carefully selected fellow agents from different parts of the country to ensure a diverse range of guests and demographics. Real Random is set to launch with at least ten episodes, offering listeners an hour-long deep dive into the fascinating lives of real estate professionals. TRANSCRIPT00:00:00 - Rick GonzalezBut so that's what I try to do. I try to make sure that they understand that, hey, I've PCs. I know what this is like. I had a family like this is this is not uncommon to me. And let them know that, look, I'm going to be your family's goto for whatever they need so you can focus on what you got to do to get home safe. And you don't have to have those phone calls about the frantic family member back here. They're saying, hey, how do we pay the mortgage or owe the insurance? And trying to know that role as well.00:00:34 - Bill RisserYou're listening to the Real Estate Sessions podcast. And I'm your host, Bill Risser, executive Vice President, Strategic Partnerships with Rate My Agent, a digital marketing platform designed to help great agents harness the power of verified reviews. For more information, head on over to Ratemyagent.com. Listen in as I interview industry leaders and get their stories and journeys to the world of real estate. Hi, everybody. Welcome to episode 361 of the Real Estate Sessions podcast. As always, thank you so much for tuning in. Thank you so much for telling a friend today. Rather than a remote recording over the Internet, I'm actually sitting down with my guest in the halls prior to day two of the Tom Ferry Summit in Dallas. On this episode, I'm thrilled to be talking to Rick Gonzalez of the Gonzalez Group, powered by Real Brokerage, LLC. Rick is up in the panhandle of Florida. We're going to talk about that. We're going to talk about his military service and as an agent, how he continues to serve those in the military with their real estate needs. We're going to have a great time. So sit back, relax, enjoy, and let's get this thing started. Rick, welcome to the podcast.00:01:38 - Rick GonzalezHey, thanks for having me, Bill.00:01:39 - Bill RisserSo I owe you apology. We met via inman but also via the industry syndicate and podcasting and all that stuff. And to have you on as a guest this late is flat and embarrassing.00:01:53 - Rick GonzalezJust having the best for last. What's what I keep telling myself, thanks.00:01:57 - Bill RisserFor bailing me out. Thanks for bailing me out. Look, you've listened to the podcast before. I have a very routine setup, but I love to start at the beginning and with you. I know you've been in Florida a long time. I see that you go back to early 2000s. You were in Florida working, doing some things, and I know you served in the Navy. Thank you for that.00:02:16 - Rick GonzalezRight.00:02:17 - Bill RisserBut let's talk about the beginning. Were you born and raised in Florida? Are you a native?00:02:22 - Rick GonzalezNo, I graduated high school in Florida, but I didn't get to Florida until 89, so I was 15.00:02:31 - Bill RisserOkay.00:02:31 - Rick GonzalezAnd I actually grew up well, we'll go back further. I was born in Holland.00:02:36 - Bill RisserOh, okay.00:02:37 - Rick GonzalezSo my dad was Air Force, so stationed in Europe a lot. So he had met my mom in England. Then he had gotten transferred, and so I was born in Holland, and we immediately went back to England after I was born. So I was raised in England until I was 15, so I had a really cool British accent when I moved here.00:02:56 - Bill RisserWow. So your dad serves there's an Air Force base that he worked at, was he no, no.00:03:02 - Rick GonzalezThere was multiple Air Force bases where we lived. It was Bentwaters Air Force Base in Woodbridge. Which Woodbridge for the UFO nuts out there. There's lots of UFO activity in the Woodbridge area.00:03:12 - Bill RisserOkay.00:03:13 - Rick GonzalezBut yeah, Rendelsham forest for the UFO people...