Real estate and relationships

PHOTO: Raul Zamora, owner of Z1 Properties Management & Sales in Davis

By Sophie Stacy

BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–

Raul Zamora moved to Davis in 2006 and five years later embarked on a significant new chapter in his life. 

Zamora, originally from a farm in Washington state, is now the proud owner of the Z1 Properties Management & Sales in Davis. His real estate business has been around since October, 2011, nearly 12 years.

His journey began while working for a Fortune 500 company. The landlord of his wife’s business, a real estate broker named Dan Dowling, reached out to recruit Zamora into his property management and sales business. “By then I was tired of corporate, and there was just another opportunity to expand my horizon and truly understand what real estate is,” Zamora said.

He quickly got his real estate agent’s license, and inspired by his growing love for the business, he took it a step further. Within a year of obtaining his agent’s license, he got his broker’s license, granting him greater  responsibility and authority to manage others. With this new title, Zamora transitioned from being an employee to an employer. 

As he formulated his business plan, he sought something that would set him apart in the market. Davis, being a college town, has a lot of real estate tailored for students. He decided to go in a different direction: he wanted his company to attract families and professionals, “I wanted to do very little with students,” Zamora said.

His new clients were tenants searching for well-maintained homes in good neighborhoods and homeowners who wanted mature tenants they could trust with their property. He felt his role was to facilitate these relationships.

During his time working for Dowling, Zamora had the opportunity to see how a successful business was run.  “Then you think, how can I tweak it to make it grow in a different direction… to grow better for me,” Zamora said. Using his prior experiences and preferences he formed about the real estate business, Zamora created the foundations for how his own business was going to be run.

Through the years, Zamora has made many business associates. Davis rental homeowner and founder of Freeman productions, Greg Freeman, has worked with Zamora for 16 years. “Raul Zamora is not just a skilled professional; he is a guardian of community bonds… he carefully matches renters to homes,” Freeman said.   

“Raul goes beyond business, embodying the spirit of a compassionate advocate, always ready to lend a helping hand and nurture a welcoming community in Davis,” Freeman said. 

Aside from being a business owner, Zamora actively participates in the planning and volunteering for community events. He helps with events including the Celebrate Davis event as well as the annual Fourth of July parade. 

Much of Zamora’s involvement in the community is through the Chamber of Commerce. This group reaches out to business owners who help provide insight into the community as well as contribute to the decisions about future community events.

As both a business owner and an active member of the Davis community, Raul Zamora has made many connections with clients and colleagues alike. Reaching out and building these relationships is crucial to the success of a business, “That’s how businesses are made. You have to be fearless,” Zamora said.