I traded solar panels for sold signs—after one honest conversation with my dad changed the course of my life.

 

Real estate is the job I was meant to do—it just took me a while to figure that out. The tipping point came during a conversation with my father—one of those honest, heart-to-heart moments. “So, how’s everything going?” he asked. I told him I was seriously considering switching careers and becoming a REALTOR®. Without hesitation, he said, “You should do it.”

 

That vote of confidence meant the world to me. My dad had been a real estate investor himself, so his opinion carried weight. I’d been wrestling with the decision for a while because, let’s face it, change isn’t easy—especially when you’re already established in a career.

 

In my 20s, I joined an oil refinery as an operations manager, wearing multiple hats—laid off, I was one of the few who stayed on. I continued climbing the ranks and even purchased my first house on my own at age 30. On paper, I was successful; in reality, I was unhappy. The sterile work environments left me feeling unsatisfied and disconnected from the work itself.

When I met my wife, I knew I wanted more—a cleaner, more fulfilling job that was connected to people and purpose. That’s when I pivoted into the solar industry. We moved to Arizona, where I sold solar panel installations for several years. The job was stable enough for my wife to homeschool our sons, which was important to us, but the sense of meaning I craved remained elusive.

 

Life was stable, but even then, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. I wasn’t waking up excited to go to work. I didn’t feel lit up by what I was doing. I needed something meaningful. Something that felt like me.

 

Of course, with a family to support, I couldn’t just quit and start from scratch. But the idea of real estate kept calling me—especially after that conversation with my dad. And there’s something you should know about him: he set the bar high.

 

My dad came from humble beginnings. His father, my grandfather, migrated from Mexico and worked on a farm. My dad was expected to do the same, but he had other plans. He put himself through college, studied aerospace engineering, and went on to work for NASA on the space shuttle program. He also invested in real estate and believed deeply in the value of hard work. He taught me that I could do great things too—I just had to find my path, have faith in myself, and offer no excuses.

A few months after our heartfelt conversation, my dad passed away. Yet, his words stayed with me. I knew it was time to step into his legacy. I left my job and took a leap of faith, getting my real estate license in 2023. I quit my job because I wanted no distractions to get in the way of my real estate career. I was fully committed.

 

It was a calculated risk that turned out to be the right one. Real estate gave me the purpose and meaning I had been searching for. I get to help people and contribute something valuable to my clients’ lives. Life now feels fuller; in addition to having a meaningful job that I enjoy, I coach my sons’ football, basketball, and baseball teams. I also enjoy hiking and hunting (I’m no expert, but I’m learning more every day).

 

I finally feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be—doing great things and following my path.

 

I run my real estate business with integrity, clear communication, and a commitment to delivering exceptional service. With years of experience as a project manager, I know how to coordinate the many moving parts of a real estate transaction and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. I also partner with a transaction coordinator to keep documents organized and everything on track. My clients always know what to expect because I keep them informed every step of the way. 

 

I’m punctual, dependable, and hold myself accountable—when I say I’ll do something, I follow through. My goal is to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. I work closely with lenders, inspectors, and other professionals to ensure every detail is handled on the client’s behalf. Beyond the logistics, I genuinely enjoy building real relationships with my clients. I’m honest, always looking for common ground, and genuinely care for their well-being. I strive to earn their trust by consistently staying updated on the industry’s best practices, being a professional in every sense of the word, and looking out for my clients’ best interests from beginning to end. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Martin Partida 
REALTOR®

623-218-4166
martinp@westusa.com
martinpartida.com