We were lucky to catch up with Genesis Zuniga recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Genesis, thanks for joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

Absolutely. At Z Realty, we are deeply committed to serving the Hispanic community, a group that is often underserved in the real estate market—not just because of language barriers, but because of a lack of guidance, resources, and representation.

Many Hispanic families come to this country with dreams of homeownership, but they are met with challenges at every step—whether it’s understanding how to build credit, saving for a down payment, or simply navigating a system that wasn’t designed with them in mind. Too often, they are taken advantage of or dismissed because they don’t know the right questions to ask, and that’s something I’ve witnessed firsthand.

One moment that has always stuck with me happened when I was a child. I remember my father, an immigrant, being yelled at by his realtor in our own home, pressuring him to sign a contract he didn’t fully understand. I didn’t grasp everything at the time, but I knew enough to feel the injustice of it. No one should ever feel powerless in one of the biggest financial decisions of their life. That experience fuels my passion for ensuring my clients—especially first-time Hispanic homebuyers—are empowered, informed, and treated with the respect they deserve.

At Z Realty, we do more than help people buy and sell homes. We educate our clients about financial literacy, homeownership opportunities, and long-term wealth-building strategies. We make sure they know their rights, their options, and that they have someone advocating for them every step of the way. No matter the budget, every client receives the same level of service and care because everyone deserves to have a place they can truly call home.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Genesis Zuniga, and I’m the founder of Z Realty. My journey in real estate wasn’t something I originally planned. I actually studied Political Science and Philosophy at Texas A&M – Corpus Christi with the intention of going to law school. But life had other plans. After my father passed away, I took a break to process my loss and ended up moving to Waco, where I had an incredible experience with a realtor who helped me find my home. That experience opened my eyes to the impact a great real estate professional can have on someone’s life. I started researching the industry, got my license, and discovered my true passion. Now, over a decade later, I’ve built a career and my own brokerage around providing exceptional service to my clients.

At Z Realty, we provide full-service real estate expertise to buyers, sellers, and investors. But more than that, we are a brokerage built on relationships, not just transactions. Many of our clients, particularly in the Hispanic community, face barriers to homeownership, whether it’s misinformation, lack of guidance, or simply not knowing where to start. We bridge that gap by educating our clients, helping them build a plan, and ensuring they feel supported at every step.

For sellers, we bring a high level of strategy to pricing, marketing, and negotiations, ensuring they get top dollar for their homes. For buyers, we simplify the process, advocate for their best interests, and make sure they don’t just purchase a house, but a home that fits their needs and lifestyle.

What truly sets us apart is our approach to service. We believe every client deserves white-glove treatment, regardless of their budget. Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions in a person’s life, and it should be handled with care, expertise, and a deep understanding of their unique needs.

Additionally, we are passionate about serving the Hispanic community, which is often underrepresented in real estate. I personally ensure that my clients have access to the knowledge and support they need, whether it’s guidance on building credit, saving for a down payment, or navigating the complexities of home buying as an immigrant.

I’m incredibly proud of the relationships I’ve built over the years. Many of my clients have become repeat clients, and some even feel like family. Knowing that people trust me with such an important part of their lives is the greatest honor.

If there’s one thing I want potential clients and followers to know about my work, it’s that Z Realty is here to serve with integrity, expertise, and a true passion for helping people. Whether you’re buying your first home, relocating, or selling an investment property, we are here to guide you with transparency and care.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

For a long time, I believed that to keep my clients happy, I had to agree with them, even when I knew, as the expert, that they were making a mistake. I thought that keeping the peace was more important than standing my ground, and I let people talk me down, dismiss my expertise, and take control of the process. Too often, I heard things like “You’re too young, you don’t know what you’re talking about” or “That’s not how you negotiate” even when I knew I was giving them the right advice. And instead of pushing back, I would swallow my words, let them take the lead, and ultimately allow my role as a professional to be diminished.

But that changed for me after one particularly difficult client. This client would call me multiple times a day, not to check in, but to yell at me. He would vent his frustrations about why no one had toured his property that day, why the transaction wasn’t moving as fast as he wanted, or simply because he was having a bad day. I became his emotional punching bag. It got so bad that every time my phone rang, I would feel a wave of anxiety, bracing myself for whatever verbal attack was coming next. Until one day, I had enough.

Mid-rant, I interrupted him, something I had never done before. I firmly told him that I would no longer tolerate being treated that way. If he wanted to continue working with me, he needed to respect me as the expert and stop the constant barrage of phone calls. I was terrified of retaliation, but to my surprise, he went quiet. For the first time, he actually listened. From that moment on, the entire dynamic changed. I took back control of the transaction, set clear boundaries, and without compromising my mental well-being, delivered the results he wanted.

That experience taught me one of the most valuable lessons in my career: being an expert means leading with confidence, even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s my job to guide my clients, not just agree with them. Real estate isn’t just about making people happy in the moment, it’s about doing what’s in their best interest, even when they don’t realize it at the time.

Since then, I’ve never let anyone make me second guess my knowledge, and I run my brokerage, Z Realty, with that same conviction. My clients trust me because I know what I’m doing, and I make sure they see me not just as their agent, but as their advisor and advocate.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe the key to building my reputation has been the consistency of my service. In real estate, anyone can say they offer great service, but actually delivering it, every single time, is what sets you apart.

From day one, I’ve made sure that whether my client is buying their first home, selling a luxury property, or investing in real estate, they receive the same level of care, attention, and expertise. I don’t believe in cutting corners, and I don’t believe in treating clients differently based on their budget. My white glove service is for everyone, no exceptions.

I also take pride in being transparent and setting clear expectations. If I say I’m going to do something, I follow through. My clients know they can trust me, and that trust has led to repeat business, referrals, and long lasting relationships.

Consistency has also been key in how I market myself and my brand. I show up, on social media, in my community, and in my work. I don’t just disappear after a transaction; I stay connected with my clients, providing value beyond the sale.

At the end of the day, a reputation isn’t built overnight. It’s built through showing up, doing the work, and delivering excellence, again and again. That’s what has made the difference for me and what continues to set Z Realty apart.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.zrealtyllc.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gen.rdz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genesiszng.realtor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZRealtyllc
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/zrealtyllc/