Meet Xavier Santiago

Today we’d like to introduce you to Xavier Santiago. 

Hi Xavier, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I was originally born in Puerto Rico and came to Michigan at around the age of nine, along with my two brothers and mother. When 2008 mortgage crash happened, my mother lost her house, and I was clueless on ways that I now know that would’ve allowed her to keep it. My interested in real estate kept growing from being involved in the stock market and my drive to learn other ways to make money. After partnering up with my best friend who owned several homes, we began to acquire homes through a process called “adverse possession.” We acquire several home several homes in different states, at times properties for as littles as $200 and sold for $50,000 or more. While I was trying to get my feet wet in real estate, I never stopped working my 9-5 job, and during my breaks and after work, I did an online course to obtain my license. Immediately scheduled my test on a Friday, and by Sunday night, I meet with the partners of Bellabay Realty who offer me to come on board. Side note: I model from time to time, and I want to get into acting in the future. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing is ever easy, but I have learn that is the best part of life. People tend to look at a road with obstacles as the path they don’t want to take because is not easy instead of getting excited about overcoming something new. I could tell you stories of many instances where everything you could think of went against me, but that has taught me that I can’t react to things and forced me to be more discipline to overcome them. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a realtor in Michigan. I speak Spanish and English fluently. I have a passion for helping people and my past experience in this market has allow me to develop unique skills to set me apart from anyone starting in this industry. 

What do you like and dislike about the city?
The best thing about Grand Rapids is the it still has so much room to grow. That is also what I like the least. When there is more people, there is more problems. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.xaviersantiago.realtor
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xavier_realtor_mi/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/xaviersantiago