“Should I stay or should I go?” It was a soul-searching question that Erick Quintero had to decide in late 2013. After a year in dental school, he weighed his options.

“My brother Jose was in the construction business. He was going to school to be an electrician, but his dream was to be a builder. I would help him during vacation. When January rolled around, I had a hard decision to make.” Erick carefully considered his options. Being in the medical field was a dream of his; however, the call for real estate was greater. After all, his father preached real estate to him and his brother. “That was the seed planted in our brain,” he explains. 

Ultimately, Erick decided to start a construction company with his brother. Erick and Jose founded Sunset West Construction to develop real estate in Tucson. After completing their first remodel, they purchased two pieces of land for $10,000 and started in the new construction industry.

“We saw that everyone was in the remodeling business and we didn’t want to do what everyone else was doing,” explains Erick. “My brother and I wanted to ensure we were producing quality products. We liked building everything from the ground up. We built our first home and that's how we started in real estate.”

Ironically, Erick broke his leg when they were building the first house by falling into a trench, but he wasn’t deterred. Upon realizing the impact and satisfaction of helping a family purchase the first home they built, he discovered that real estate was meant for him.

“I fell in love with helping people,” he adds. “I was lucky enough to help buyers get into homes.” While most people dread seeing the dentist, Erick’s clients were always happy to see him. He found his profession to be rewarding.

Although Erick got his license in 2016, he was working part-time until he went “all in” in 2018. “I had a mentor who told me, ‘You are good at sales and you are good at acquiring property. 

Focus on what you are good at rather than digging trenches,’ That’s when I became a full-time real estate agent,” he says.

Best of all, he loves what he does. “I was meant to be a real estate professional. God put me in the way of helping people and building homes. I made the right decision and I am really happy,” he smiles.

Erick, who started the Erick Quintero Real Estate Group at Tierra Antigua Realty, found his business booming in 2020-2021, achieving more success than he thought possible.

 

“All of my hard work started paying off,” he says. His referral business grew. “I started getting in a better groove and I hired better help for my construction business,” he says.

 

That’s when the unthinkable happened. “My Dad got cancer again in late 2020 and by early 2021 he knew something was wrong with his body.” Rapid weight loss concerned him. When he went to his oncologist, he was told that he was fine. By the time further scans were approved, Erick’s father was in dire shape.

 

“He had lost a lot of weight, could barely walk, and was almost out for the count,” says Erick. “But his resilience paid off. I strongly believe that he survived because of his attitude.” Erick and Jose took care of their father who was determined to overcome cancer.

 

With cell T transplant therapy, the newest medicine for cancer patients, Erick’s father fought with all his might. The future was uncertain. “It could either save you or kill you,” says Erick. With this new treatment, his father had to sign a ton of paperwork not to hold the hospital responsible. It paid off. “Now he is doing so well,” raves Erick.

 

At the same time, his mother was diagnosed with some medical issues. Thankfully, she also made it through without a problem. Fortunately, none of this dampened Erick’s resolve in real estate. Drawing from the determination he saw from his parents, he continued making a name for himself in Tucson.

 

 

Erick loves making a difference for his clients, something that he does easily as a Top Producer. He says, “The main thing is quality not quantity.” He likes building and selling quality affordable homes in all areas of Tucson to give opportunities to buyers to purchase a “great product at a great price in a market that is so crazy and expensive.”

  

Even in established neighborhoods, Erick has found his niche in putting out a quality product. “It’s a great way to give value to people,” he points out. Adult children can live closer to their parents, which adds to meaningful memories and tighter-knit families.

“I’ve helped over 300 clients,” says Erick. “Customer service is how I built my business. I make sure that my clients are happy and understand everything that they are doing. It’s always about the right decision for the client. That’s something I pride myself on.”

 

To Erick, it’s all about promoting equity. He explains, “Real estate gives you the power to be an owner, earn equity, and build a foundation for your family.”

When not working, family is the priority for Erick who is a loving husband and a dedicated father. “I have a beautiful family,” he shares. He is married to his wife, Selene Quintero, a professional hair stylist who specializes in weddings.

They are blessed with two children, Erick Mateo, his firstborn. “He’s an amazing kid who loves to play games, baseball, and movie nights.” Benjamin Emiliano, his second child, is 2 years old and is such a smart toddler. “He loves singing, dancing, and also loves cars.”

Together, they like to travel and see new places. It’s perfect family bonding for this tight-knit family of four.

Looking back over his career, Erick has a heart of gratitude for taking the fork in the road to real estate. The road less traveled has led to some unbelievable moments, creating lifetimes of happiness for his buyers and sellers, and a life of purpose for Erick Quintero and his family. He is living a wonderful life and can’t imagine doing anything else, including dentistry.