Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Alvarado.
Hi Sabrina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
My story begins in Jersey City, New Jersey, where I was born and raised by my parents, who immigrated to the East Coast from the Dominican Republic. I am the youngest of 3 children. Before I was born, my father had a stroke that completely paralyzed the left side of his body. From that moment on, my mother became head of the household. I realized at a young age that my mother was a force! She worked night shifts when we were young, and sometimes we wouldn’t see her, but we always knew it was for the benefit of our family. My mother always made sure my siblings and I were taken care of and well-fed. After school, my sister and I cooked and did chores around the house to help out, and as long as the chores were done, we could go outside and play with our neighborhood friends. One of those days after chores during my 6th grade school year, while at a friend’s house, I met my now husband, Willie.
Years had gone by, we would always see each other in high school and even had some classes together, and we remained friends. After high school, Willie joined the Marine Corps. We reconnected and began a long-distance relationship while he was stationed in Camp Lejuene. After 2 years we got pregnant with our first child Jordan in 2009 and Willie deployed to Iraq. During those months, I figured out the type of woman and mother I wanted to be, just like my mom. Hardworking, caring, and loving. While pregnant I began my studies to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management. Thankfully Willie returned home before the birth of Jordan in 2010. I completed my Bachelor’s program full-time while working my way up within the industry building my career in various managerial roles across New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Virginia.
Fast forward to 2016, we got pregnant again with our second child Leila. She had just turned 1 when we PCS’d to Okinawa, Japan. I continued my career in hotels while stationed overseas. In 2019 Leila was diagnosed with Autism.
We were told we needed to move back to the states to give Leila the best options for care and therapies. This diagnosis turned my life as I knew it upside down. I had no idea how intense this would be. Although I had a job offer at our next duty station at Camp Pendleton, I was unable to work due to the intensive amount of therapy. Leila was attending several therapy sessions a day at different centers five days a week. I knew it was what she needed, so we did everything necessary for her as a family. I am forever grateful for my husband, who supported our family in many ways during this time.
It was almost time for Leila to begin full-time kindergarten when Will and I began discussing our future. He thought real estate was a great opportunity for our family to build generational wealth and educate others to do the same while also allowing me to be flexible with my schedule. I thought it was fantastic! I enjoyed the hotel industry, but there was always a need to work long shifts and it took away from family quality time. I was terrified not knowing much about real estate, but I signed up for classes, studied day and night, passed the state exam, and became a licensed Real Estate Agent.
I am highly honored to be in a position to partner with fellow Military spouses and assist families with one of the most significant financial decisions in their lives. I take great pride in being a resource for Veterans, Active Duty Military members, and their families across the US. I am so excited to see what the future holds for my family and all of the families I will be helping make their financial and homeownership dreams a reality!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road I traveled was far from easy but I am so glad to have made it this far. My journey was tough but not impossible to overcome. Being in a long-distance relationship & being pregnant during a deployment full-time student/department manager/ new mom
Starting over at every duty station including an overseas tour in Japan.
Handling and understanding an Autism diagnosis.
Sacrificing my career that I worked so hard to build to care for my daughter full-time lead to an identity crisis and depression.
Starting a new career in real estate at the age of 32.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a licensed Realtor, Marine Corps spouse & Certified Military Relocation Professional. Recognized by the VALoan.org as a Veteran and Active Duty Advocating Real Estate Professional. I am fluent in English as well as Spanish and have over a decade of firsthand experience in relocating and making a house a home, even while living overseas in Okinawa, Japan.
I am extremely passionate and dedicated to assisting U.S. military families in making the dream of homeownership a reality. I understand the needs, timetables, and requirements to make relocating easier and less stressful. Finding a home is an investment and a choice that affects the entire family. I work hard to help families make the right choice for their financial future while taking full advantage of the military benefits and support.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
My top favorite childhood memories are vacations with family while growing up. My mother always worked so hard for us and always made sure to take us on vacations every year to the Dominican Republic and other states to visit family and have fun!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thejoslinteam.com/agent/sabrina-alvarado
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sold_bysabrina/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sabrina-Alvarado-Realtor-100486069251453
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sabrina-alvarado-the-joslin-team-carlsbad
Image Credits
Sharisse Rowan Photography
