I thought my career at DHL as a driver and handler was set. However, a shoulder injury unexpectedly changed the course of my life.
Early on, I learned it was my responsibility to figure out my life. It started in high school when my parents opened an ice cream shop that wasn’t profitable. The financial stress caused conflict between them, eventually leading to their divorce. I lived with my dad and brother while my mom moved elsewhere. My parents couldn’t afford college, so I tried attending junior college while juggling two jobs as a handler for UPS and FedEx.
During this time, my dad developed a substance addiction. At just 19, I found myself taking on the role of a parent, providing for him while working two jobs to pay for my education. It became overwhelming, so I dropped out of college and focused on my full-time job as a driver at DHL, where I worked for 10 years. At the time, I thought that was my career path.
My life changed forever when a severe shoulder injury caused by years of heavy lifting put me out of work. After surgery and two years of recovery, I began seeing a chiropractor, where I met Olga, the office secretary. I looked forward to my appointments just to see her. We fell in love and got married in 2007.
By then, my perspective on life was shifting. I started reading books on personal finance and even bought a property in Arizona, thinking of myself as an investor. I didn’t want to return to a physically demanding job, and real estate seemed like the perfect fit for my interests in investments, so I got my license in 2007.
The transition wasn’t easy. I had a mortgage to pay, Olga was pregnant, and I had just committed to a commission-based job—during the market crash. Still, I was determined to succeed. I hired a real estate coach using my credit card, deciding, “Either I’ll go broke or make it in this business.” Those coaching sessions became foundational, and by 2008, I was named Rookie of the year at Bay East Association of Realtors.
Despite the market challenges, I persevered by focusing on short sales and selling one of my Arizona investment properties to stay in business. From there, my investment career grew beyond anything I could have imagined. I began purchasing properties, remodeling them, and either renting or selling them. I learned property management—dealing with tenants, managing repairs, and even handling evictions when necessary.
My investments expanded to include fourplexes, and my family grew too—Olga and I welcomed Raychel, Oceana, Madison, and Joshua into our lives. My children became my greatest motivation to work harder and provide!
My career was advancing at an exhilarating pace, but the rapid success began to weigh heavily on my personal life. A serious car accident only added to the strain, and eventually, Olga and I found ourselves in a brief but painful period of separation. That challenging time forced me to reassess my priorities, and I'm grateful that we ultimately reconciled.
I’ve since sold many of my properties to simplify my life and focus on what truly matters: my family, my health, and my passion for being a REALTOR®. These days, I’m more motivated than ever to improve myself as a person and a real estate agent. I start my mornings at 4 a.m., meditating, hitting the gym, and reading books on self-development, autobiographies, and spirituality. I revisit my weekly goals and make time for my family while giving back to the community by donating a portion of my earnings to churches and charities.
Looking back, I’m grateful for the vast experience I’ve gained through my years of investment. Some lessons were tough but valuable. I’ve learned that challenges are inevitable in life, and that’s okay. We have the power to choose what we focus on, direct our attention toward what matters, and keep growing.
I specialize in residential real estate –– assisting buyers and sellers –– as well as helping investors who want to expand their portfolios. My favorite part of the job is guiding clients through the often complex real estate process, ensuring it’s as smooth and manageable as possible with the right support. My goal is to provide expert advice while offering creative, tailored solutions that meet each client’s unique needs. When you work with me, you’re partnering with someone who’s fully committed to the craft. I’m highly organized, disciplined, and dedicated to achieving my clients’ goals as if they were my own. To provide top-tier representation, I continually invest in a real estate coach and ongoing education.
Beyond my expertise, I bring energy, kindness, and a personal touch to every transaction. I actively listen to my clients’ needs, follow up diligently, and work consistently to help them achieve their goals. My customer-centered approach ensures you’ll receive exceptional value and unwavering support, making your real estate experience seamless and rewarding.
Sincerely,
Ray Marquez
Broker-Associate | DRE# 01800314
Mobile 925.575.7605
Ray@RayMarquez.com
www.RayMarquez.com
Early on, I learned it was my responsibility to figure out my life. It started in high school when my parents opened an ice cream shop that wasn’t profitable. The financial stress caused conflict between them, eventually leading to their divorce. I lived with my dad and brother while my mom moved elsewhere. My parents couldn’t afford college, so I tried attending junior college while juggling two jobs as a handler for UPS and FedEx.
During this time, my dad developed a substance addiction. At just 19, I found myself taking on the role of a parent, providing for him while working two jobs to pay for my education. It became overwhelming, so I dropped out of college and focused on my full-time job as a driver at DHL, where I worked for 10 years. At the time, I thought that was my career path.
My life changed forever when a severe shoulder injury caused by years of heavy lifting put me out of work. After surgery and two years of recovery, I began seeing a chiropractor, where I met Olga, the office secretary. I looked forward to my appointments just to see her. We fell in love and got married in 2007.
By then, my perspective on life was shifting. I started reading books on personal finance and even bought a property in Arizona, thinking of myself as an investor. I didn’t want to return to a physically demanding job, and real estate seemed like the perfect fit for my interests in investments, so I got my license in 2007.
The transition wasn’t easy. I had a mortgage to pay, Olga was pregnant, and I had just committed to a commission-based job—during the market crash. Still, I was determined to succeed. I hired a real estate coach using my credit card, deciding, “Either I’ll go broke or make it in this business.” Those coaching sessions became foundational, and by 2008, I was named Rookie of the year at Bay East Association of Realtors. Despite the market challenges, I persevered by focusing on short sales and selling one of my Arizona investment properties to stay in business. From there, my investment career grew beyond anything I could have imagined. I began purchasing properties, remodeling them, and either renting or selling them. I learned property management—dealing with tenants, managing repairs, and even handling evictions when necessary.
My investments expanded to include fourplexes, and my family grew too—Olga and I welcomed Raychel, Oceana, Madison, and Joshua into our lives. My children became my greatest motivation to work harder and provide!
My career was advancing at an exhilarating pace, but the rapid success began to weigh heavily on my personal life. A serious car accident only added to the strain, and eventually, Olga and I found ourselves in a brief but painful period of separation. That challenging time forced me to reassess my priorities, and I'm grateful that we ultimately reconciled. I’ve since sold many of my properties to simplify my life and focus on what truly matters: my family, my health, and my passion for being a REALTOR®. These days, I’m more motivated than ever to improve myself as a person and a real estate agent. I start my mornings at 4 a.m., meditating, hitting the gym, and reading books on self-development, autobiographies, and spirituality. I revisit my weekly goals and make time for my family while giving back to the community by donating a portion of my earnings to churches and charities.
Looking back, I’m grateful for the vast experience I’ve gained through my years of investment. Some lessons were tough but valuable. I’ve learned that challenges are inevitable in life, and that’s okay. We have the power to choose what we focus on, direct our attention toward what matters, and keep growing.
I specialize in residential real estate –– assisting buyers and sellers –– as well as helping investors who want to expand their portfolios. My favorite part of the job is guiding clients through the often complex real estate process, ensuring it’s as smooth and manageable as possible with the right support. My goal is to provide expert advice while offering creative, tailored solutions that meet each client’s unique needs. When you work with me, you’re partnering with someone who’s fully committed to the craft. I’m highly organized, disciplined, and dedicated to achieving my clients’ goals as if they were my own. To provide top-tier representation, I continually invest in a real estate coach and ongoing education.
Beyond my expertise, I bring energy, kindness, and a personal touch to every transaction. I actively listen to my clients’ needs, follow up diligently, and work consistently to help them achieve their goals. My customer-centered approach ensures you’ll receive exceptional value and unwavering support, making your real estate experience seamless and rewarding.
Sincerely,
Ray Marquez
Broker-Associate | DRE# 01800314
Mobile 925.575.7605
Ray@RayMarquez.com
www.RayMarquez.com