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Who is Antonio?
Antonio is a native Colombian who has been an East
Bay Realtor since 1985. He was first a world traveler
with dreams of becoming a Simultaneous Interpreter and
Translator. He lived, studied and worked in Europe for
many years and visited some twenty-five countries.
The people skills acquired during his extensive times
abroad have enriched his practice of Real Estate. There
was a time when he read, wrote and translated five languages:
Spanish, Italian, French, German and English.
Antonio lives in San Leandro where he is a full-time
Realtor and active in the community. He enjoys playing
racquetball, painting and long walks in the neighborhood.
In 1998 he discovered Ballroom Dancing, and it was through
dancing the he met his bride-to-be, Real Estate and dance
partner, Alexia McGowan.
Who is Alexia?
Alexia was born and raised in Oakland. She trained in
ballet from age four to seventeen and has always loved
dancing, but had |
decided to not go professional. Many years went by without
dancing for her until she took up Ballroom Dancing in 2000,
when she met Antonio.
Before becoming a Realtor, Alexia spent twenty-five years in
corporate Health Care as a Director of Credentials and Quality
Assurance departments for several large HMOs. She also consulted
for and with medical associations.
In 2001, with encouragement from Antonio, she made a career change to become a Realtor. Antonio and Alexia have been
dancing and working together since.
This high-energy, hard working couple is extremely dedicated to their jobs.
They have extensive training and experience and specialize in
the high tech end of Real Estate business.
Their Web page includes their personalized “Visual Tours”
of every listing they take.This tool maximizes the seller's
home exposure to the greatest numbers of people and creates
a unique marketing that very effectively and quickly benefits
their clients.
They work out of their home office in Estudillo Estates in San Leandro and ReMax in Motion in Castro Valley, California.
When not selling Real Estate they can probably be found on a dance floor, including
endless hours of practice in their own ballroom that Antonio had built onto his home.
Dancing is a passion for them and they compete locally and nationwide against other amateurs, and increasingly against
professionals. A favorite competition for them is in the International Standard Style, which includes a set of five
dances, the Waltz, the Tango, the Viennese Waltz, The Fox-trot and the Quickstep.
Their passion for dancing also has them dressing up in their elaborate competition costumes during midday in the middle
of the week to perform at local senior centers, at schools as well as for Scout troops, Girls & Boys Clubs, hospitals
and anywhere else they might be invited.
Antonio & Alexia also paint vibrant dancing figures on glass as a hobby and they donate these wherever they perform as
a sort of trademark. Their upbeat, high-energy demonstrations are appreciated and in much demand. They train by attending
group classes, taking weekly private lessons and practicing in their private ballroom. They are regulars at the “Just Dance Ballroom”
in Oakland, CA.
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“After we dance,
we typically like to encourage people to ask us anything
they want about Ballroom Dancing, and this is a very special
time for us.” says Alexia. “We encourage people
to take up dancing. Dancing keeps us physically and socially
very active, and we have met some wonderful people while
dancing. After all… I am marrying one of them soon!”
She winks while looking at Antonio.
“Real estate is like dancing.” says
Antonio. “You need to know where you are, and
where you are going at all times. You have to have a plan
and execute it perfectly. And above all, you need to be
accountable to all those involved. Experience, knowledge,
and 100% commitment is absolutely necessary. It is the
same on the dance floor as it is in any
real estate transaction”
Antonio & Alexia were married
in Oakland, on May 22nd, 2004. They reside on Estudillo
Avenue, where they have their private real estate office
and also their private Ballroom.
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