We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Peter Trevino a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Peter, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, let’s jump into one of the most exciting parts of starting a new firm – how did you get your first client who was not a friend or family?
My journey began when I was working to establish my brokerage. I started using a classic but effective platform—Craigslist. At the time, I was posting over 100 ads daily, promoting the best move-in specials available to attract clients. On average, I would receive more than 50 calls per day.
But it’s that very first client that I’ll never forget.
He needed to move the same day and had a broken lease on his record. He was specifically looking for a second-chance leasing opportunity with a fast move-in special. Back then, it was more common to find promotions like “$199 move-in” with a small deposit—even for those with broken leases. Rents were significantly more affordable as well, with one-bedroom units starting around $600.
After contacting nearly 20 properties, I finally secured a same-day showing that met his criteria. I called him to schedule the tour, helped him complete the application, and within two hours, he had the keys in hand. It was a fast, seamless process—and incredibly rewarding. That experience made me realize how much I enjoyed helping people with urgent housing needs.
Peter, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Honestly, I was just looking for work and came across an ad in the newspaper—yes, I’m newspaper-old! The ad said, “Our agent made $20,000 this week.” I kept seeing similar ads over and over, but I didn’t take them seriously at first.
Eventually, when I needed to find a place myself, I used an apartment locator. Coincidentally, it was the same company that had been running those ads. I asked the agent, “Do you really make that kind of money monthly?” He confidently said yes. I challenged him to show me—and he did. The proof was undeniable.
From that moment, I was sold on the business. I knew I wanted to help people find housing solutions and, in the process, build a solid career doing something impactful.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I focused on providing real value—especially by helping clients who faced challenges like broken leases or tight timeframes. Going the extra mile to meet their needs built trust and loyalty, and that’s what really shaped my reputation.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Word of mouth has been incredibly powerful for me. Happy clients refer others. Social media has also been a strong channel—being consistent and authentic in sharing success stories and housing opportunities keeps people engaged and builds credibility.
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