Meet Karina De Los Reyes of RE/MAX Universal Northwest

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina De Los Reyes.

Hi Karina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a native from Texas. I grew up in a small border town (Eagle Pass) in a single parent household. My journey began when we moved to San Antonio. I was fifteen years old, just in time to start high school. It was a difficult transition; high school is where I learned about name brands. Trying to fit in, I remember asking my mom to buy me a pair of Guess jeans. Once she saw the price she told me, “Estas loca!”, translation, “You’re crazy!”, basically letting me know we couldn’t afford it. That’s when I came to the realization that we were poor. My mom instilled the importance of education and from then on, I knew I had to work hard for what I wanted.

I always knew I wanted to go into a field where I could help people. After graduating high school, I considered majoring in social work. I attended the University of Texas in San Antonio where I received my BA in Sociology. Soon after I began working on my Master’s in Education while teaching 5th grade. I then realized that what I enjoyed the most was when students wanted to talk to me about their problems. So, I went back to school to receive my second Masters in School Counseling. I enjoyed being a counselor but being given so many administrative duties, I decided to take the extra hours needed to become a principal. Another reason was I needed to make more money since I had bought my mom a house and was financially supporting her.

At this point, I was determined to become a principal and start a doctoral program. I was young and driven. So, I moved to Dallas knowing there was a need for bilingual administrators. Within a year I was accepted to the doctoral program at the University of North Texas and was promoted to assistant principal and a few years later to principal. Fast forward fifteenth plus years and I’m now married and living in Houston.

After serving 20 years in education in various roles as a teacher, school counselor, and administrator I decided to take a sabbatical to take care of my mom while she recovered from a stroke. After a couple of years, I was ready to rejoin the workforce, but I needed a job with more flexibility, so I decided to become a realtor.

My passion is helping people, it doesn’t matter in what role. My experience serving in education has greatly contributed to my strong work ethic and client dedication. My active listening skills, understanding, and caring personality has helped me make a smooth transition into Real Estate. I love what I do, whether it’s helping people buy their dream home or sell their home.

I am happily married to my husband Joe of 12 years, and we have 3 fur babies, Bailey, Blue and Coco. My hobbies include traveling, fitness, reading and volunteering in my community.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I definitely have had some challenges along the way. When I started my educational career, I was working full time as a 5th grade teacher and going to school full time to earn my master’s degree. My first-year teaching was difficult and challenging. I think I learned more from my students my first year than anyone else could teach me; they inspired me.

I always joke that I went through a midlife crisis at 24 years old. That’s because I was determined and goal-oriented and honestly thought I could do it all. That year I bought my mom a house, I finished my second Masters, and it was my second-year teaching. I found myself with a mortgage, as well as other expenses; I knew a teacher salary alone wasn’t going to cut it.

On top of my full-time job, I had to work two part time jobs to make ends meet. I tutored and worked the after-school program and in the evenings, I did group counseling with families that were court mandated. I was basically working about 14-hour days not including the hour commute. I remember everyone congratulating me on my second master’s and the purchase of a home at such a young age and I just felt like I was drowning. Perhaps it was a quarter-life crisis.

Moving to Dallas was challenging and difficult because it was my first-time leaving home and I needed to prepare myself financially. I went ahead and took out an equity loan to pay off my car and credit card debts to afford living in Dallas because now I would have a mortgage and rent. Needless to say, I was living paycheck to paycheck with two roommates.

Another challenge was moving to Houston and adjusting to the district culture. I guess it doesn’t matter whether it was Dallas ISD, Houston ISD, or Fort Bend ISD.; every district comes with their own challenges, systems, and procedures….and of course the red tape and politics.

My challenge when I started my second career in Real Estate was the timing. It was during COVID, so of course it took some adjusting doing business through zoom and a while for my business to get started.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a bilingual, enthusiastic, and dedicated REALTOR® with a true passion in helping people, with the sale, purchase, or lease of their home. I have exceptional customer service, which is of paramount importance, I treat every client with the highest level of respect, integrity, and commitment whether it is finding the ideal home for a new buyer or helping a seller achieve their goals in record time.

I offer a patient and knowledgeable buying and selling experience and enjoy giving clients an insider’s view of local neighborhoods to help them make well-informed decisions. Clients receive my full dedication to meeting the challenges of my responsibilities, from the inception of a first meeting to closing the transaction. The same quality of attention never waivers.

With my down-to-earth attitude and straight-forward style of doing business, my ongoing goals are to connect the right sellers and buyers to maximize the experience for whichever party I am representing. I add value with my connections with top-notch lenders, inspectors, electricians, plumbers, handymen and movers so my clients don’t have to stress. Selling or buying a home can be stressful, but I want to make their real estate experience an exciting and joyous one with superior customer service.

I am hands on and care about my clients. I am willing to help in every aspect during the selling and/or buying process to ensure my clients have a stress-free experience. Throughout the process I am not afraid to roll up my sleeves and assist in preparing a house for the market. I ultimately help my clients with whatever their needs are, whether it’s helping them sell their furniture online or coordinating and helping with a garage sale. My clients know they can count on me.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Referrals are appreciated. Feel free to contact me for a free valuation of your home or a friendly and informed representation of the purchase or sale of your home. You can reach me on my cell: (210) 573-5300 or email: kdelosreyes@remax.net or through one of my social media channels.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.karinadelosreyes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karina.delosreyes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karinadelosreyesrealtor
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KDelosreyes3

Image Credits
Quik Pics