It’s one thing to close a deal. It’s another to battle four liens, a seller trying to back out, and nearly a year of waiting. For Rosie Rodriguez, that wasn’t just a closing. In her words, “Un milagro, y una bendición. That closing was a miracle and a blessing.”
And like any good story, this one deserves to be told over cafecito.
The Closing That Took a Year
Some deals test your patience. Rosie’s tested hers for almost 12 months.
Rosie remembers one family in particular: Miguel Ramirez and his loved ones. “This is probably one of the most grateful and kind families I ever worked with,” she says.
Their home was a short sale during the crash of the market. From the start, it was complicated. The property carried four separate liens, each one needing to be negotiated before anything could move forward. The months dragged on.
At the final hour, the situation nearly unraveled. Because the process had taken so long, the property had appreciated by about $100,000. The seller suddenly wanted out. They pushed Rosie’s client to remove contingencies early and even issued a “notice to perform” — essentially threatening to cancel the deal unless the buyer met their terms.
But Rosie and her client were ready. “We fought very hard for that property,” she says. The persistence paid off. Miguel got his home, secured with a 15-year loan. In just a few years, it will be completely paid off.
The victory wasn’t just financial. It was personal. “The family was so grateful that to this day, they show up randomly at my office,” Rosie shares. “Delivering random gifts or bringing me a letter they got from the bank. Just to make sure they understand I did everything right.”
Her advice for agents who find themselves in a deal this complicated is straightforward. “Communication is key. And be prepared to close at a moment’s notice. Have all your ducks in a row, be patient, and stay professional.”
The First Closing That Shaped Everything
Every agent remembers their first. Rosie’s came with a single line that changed everything: “I trust you.”
Over 25 years ago, Rosie sat at the closing table with her very first client. He looked at her and said: “I do not speak English. I do not know your company or the Manager that sits next to you. But I trust you.”
That moment defined her career. “When dealing with Latinos, trust and reputation are incredibly important. Amongst our communities, and especially because of the language barrier, we rely on the recommendations of our friends and families to guide us to people who will treat us with respect and honesty.”
Rosie credits her upbringing with teaching her to welcome clients like family. “Every client is special, like every guest was in our home. It’s important to make them feel welcomed, to make them feel appreciated, and to make them feel at home.”
Cafecito and Culture
Family, horchata lattes, and pan dulce — the fuel behind Rosie’s hustle.
On Sunday mornings, her little brother Jorge often shows up with Horchata Lattes from Tierra Mia Coffee or chocolate mexicano. Sometimes there’s pan dulce on the side.
“Our culture is full of flavors and rituals from coffee to traditional teas like ponche for the holidays and an endless list of homemade pastries and foods. What makes it all special is how it brings family and friends together, and the memories it creates.”
For Rosie, those rituals tie directly into her work. “When I meet a client, I see more than a transaction. I see their dreams, their roots, their hopes and their hustle.”
Heritage and Hustle
Rosie doesn’t just see contracts. She sees roots, dreams, and legacies waiting to be built.
Many of her closings end with invitations to carne asada housewarmings. She shows up, celebrates, and often meets future clients among the extended family.
On Hispanic Heritage Month, Rosie reflects on what matters most.
“Hispanic Heritage Month means celebrating diversity, means coming together as a community, and of course, it means having a few excuses to get out with the family and see the warm smiles, share hilarious jokes, and of course it would not be complete without some great food and lively music. On a personal note, I am very proud to be Mexican, an immigrant, and a successful business woman who loves to see other Latinos and Latinas rise above. I’m inspired by the stories, and I’m proud to be one of those inspirational stories as well.”
She also highlights the importance of building legacy through real estate. “Homeownership is one of the most powerful wealth-creation vehicles there is. Someone who invested in their home 10 or 15 years ago today has accumulated easily a quarter to a half million in wealth. This is money that can be used to help children purchase their first home or pay for a college education. The idea is that we stop focusing just on income and really educate ourselves in our communities on creating that legacy.”
Walking With Coffee and Purpose
While others sleep in at conventions, Rosie laces up her sneakers and grabs cafecito at sunrise.
At NAHREP Avance in San Diego, Rosie is inviting others to join her for Walking With Coffee and Purpose. The tradition started years ago at the NAHREP convention in Miami, when Rosie and a group of friends chose an early morning walk over late night parties.
“What inspired me to create this morning walk was actually a gathering from a few years past with a few of my good friends. I’m not much of a late night party goer, I’m more of an early morning sunrise person. A few years back a group of powerful ladies got together and decided to meet for an early morning walk at the NAHREP convention in Miami. Ever since then we continue to meet up bright and early. This is a really great and authentic way to connect with other individuals. No makeup, no pictures, just real conversations.”
The walks take place September 18, 19, and 20 at 6:00 AM. Meet at Spill the Beans behind the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Rosie will also be speaking at the event on international growth and expansion and hosting a mastermind with cafecito con pan.
At NAHREP Avance in San Diego, Rosie is inviting others to join her for Walking With Coffee and Purpose. The tradition started years ago at the NAHREP convention in Miami, when Rosie and a group of friends chose an early morning walk over late night parties.
“What inspired me to create this morning walk was actually a gathering from a few years past with a few of my good friends. I’m not much of a late night party goer, I’m more of an early morning sunrise person. A few years back a group of powerful ladies got together and decided to meet for an early morning walk at the NAHREP convention in Miami. Ever since then we continue to meet up bright and early. This is a really great and authentic way to connect with other individuals. No makeup, no pictures, just real conversations.”
The walks take place September 18, 19, and 20 at 6:00 AM. Meet at Spill the Beans behind the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Rosie will also be speaking at the event on international growth and expansion and hosting a mastermind with cafecito con pan.
Final Pour
Rosie’s advice goes best with coffee: stay human, stay honest, and remember where you started.
“Remember where you started. This moment is huge, not just because it will be your first closing, but it’s the beginning of what you become. Be human. Don’t worry about perfection. Be honest, be consistent, operate with integrity, delivering on what you promise.”
If she could share a cafecito with anyone, Rosie says it would be Warren Buffet. “Outside of just being a good human being, this man is wise and he’s consistent. He has a high value of education, knows his craft, yet continues to be grounded in family. He has the true understanding of wealth creation, and paired with family values, I think that would be one absolutely phenomenal interview.”
From the year-long battle for Miguel Ramirez’s home to Sunday horchata lattes and sunrise walks, Rosie Rodriguez proves that real estate is about more than transactions. It is about trust, heritage, and the joy of gathering people together, cafecito in hand.
