Today we’d like to introduce you to Dante Oms.
Hi Dante, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into real estate began long before I even knew what real estate was.
When I was a kid, my parents were purchasing a home, and their Realtor was a man named Cecil Rigney. At the time, I had no idea the impact he would have on my life. Over the years, Cecil became a close family friend and mentor. What stood out most to me wasn’t that he was a successful Realtor—it was the way he treated people. He was kind, generous, and genuinely cared about others. Those qualities left a lasting impression on me.
Years later, I found myself working at our family-owned auto repair shop while attending college. I knew I wanted to pursue something related to business, but I wasn’t sure exactly what path to take. Like many young people, I spent some time trying to figure out where I belonged.
As I considered my options, I remembered how well Cecil had done in real estate. Combined with encouragement from my mother, I decided to enroll in a real estate course at my local college. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was something I truly enjoyed. I was fortunate to have an excellent professor who helped reinforce that feeling. For the first time, I felt surrounded by like-minded people and could see a future for myself in the industry.
After completing the required coursework and earning my license, I faced another challenge: deciding which brokerage to join. With thousands of options available, I wasn’t sure where to begin. By that point, Cecil had passed away, and I no longer had the opportunity to seek his advice.
As fate would have it, another important person entered my life at just the right time.
Years earlier, my mother had picked up a business card at a laundromat and called the Realtor on the card to ask questions about potentially selling a condo. That Realtor was Ruby Watson. Ruby had one of the kindest hearts and warmest personalities of anyone I’ve ever met. Like Cecil, she genuinely cared about people and wasn’t driven by self-interest.
Ruby became a mentor during the early stages of my career and ultimately helped guide me toward Keller Williams. While each Keller Williams office is independently owned, I was incredibly fortunate to land in an office filled with outstanding people. My coach, Ryan Tom, and the entire team at Keller Williams Riverside played a significant role in my development. I spent the first six years of my real estate career there and learned lessons that continue to guide me today.
Like any career, real estate has come with its share of highs and lows over the last decade. Eventually, I made the decision to relocate to California’s Central Coast. Every time I visited, I was drawn to the quality of life. The pace felt slower, the traffic lighter, and the communities more connected. It felt like the kind of place where I would want to raise a family one day.
The transition wasn’t easy. Leaving behind an established client base in Riverside presented challenges, although I still work with many clients there today. Fortunately, my brother is also a licensed Realtor in Riverside, which allows us to continue serving clients together. On the Central Coast, my other brother and sister both work as mortgage professionals, so there are plenty of signs pointing me toward continuing this journey in real estate.
When I first became licensed, I struggled to explain exactly why I wanted to be a Realtor. Looking back now, the answer is clear.
My favorite part of this career has always been helping people.
Whether it’s guiding a nervous first-time homebuyer through one of the biggest decisions of their life or helping someone sell a home they’ve owned for forty years as they transition into the next chapter, every transaction represents a major life moment. Real estate allows me to witness those moments firsthand and help people navigate them with confidence.
This career has given me a unique perspective on life. I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside people during exciting, emotional, and sometimes difficult transitions. While the job can certainly be stressful, I remain grateful for the opportunity to serve others and help guide them through some of life’s most important decisions.
When I reflect on my journey, I realize that the people who influenced me most—Cecil Rigney, Ruby Watson, and many others along the way—didn’t just teach me about real estate. They taught me about kindness, integrity, and the importance of putting people first. Those lessons continue to shape the way I conduct business and the way I live my life every day.
Real estate may be the profession I chose, but helping others is the purpose that keeps me in it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like most people, I’ve faced my share of challenges, both personally and professionally.
One of the first major challenges was purchasing my first home. I was determined to accomplish it on my own and wanted to prove to myself that I could do it without relying on anyone else’s income. It wasn’t easy, but it taught me discipline, perseverance, and the value of long-term sacrifice.
Another significant challenge has been relocating my business to California’s Central Coast. I’ve been living here full-time for about a year and a half, and while I absolutely love the area and the quality of life it offers, rebuilding a business from the ground up has been difficult. In many ways, it feels like starting over. Even though I have siblings in related industries here, earning the trust of new clients and building relationships takes time. The advantage is that I didn’t start from scratch in terms of knowledge or experience, but I did have to start over in terms of establishing myself in a new community.
Outside of work, I’ve also faced the challenge of balancing multiple responsibilities. I help care for my uncle, who struggles with mental illness, while also trying to make time for family, friends, and the people who matter most to me. Finding that balance can be difficult at times, but it’s something I continue to work on every day.
What has carried me through all of these challenges is my faith. There have been moments in life when things felt uncertain, and honestly, without my faith, I don’t know where I would be or whether I would have kept pushing forward. It provides me with strength, perspective, and the belief that difficult seasons are temporary.
Much of my determination also comes from my family, especially the example set by my parents and my grandmother. My grandmother immigrated from Peru with five children and built a life through hard work and perseverance. She worked in the fields, cleaned homes, and did whatever was necessary to provide for her family. She never relied on government assistance, and no matter how difficult life became, she made sure her children had a roof over their heads and food on the table. She never quit.
When I think about the obstacles I’ve faced, I often think about what she endured. The challenges I’ve experienced are significant to me, but they don’t compare to what she overcame. Her example reminds me that resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship—it’s about continuing forward despite it.
That mindset has become part of who I am. No matter how difficult a situation may seem, I know that if my grandmother could overcome the challenges she faced, then I can overcome mine as well.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Realtor serving California’s Central Coast and Inland Empire, helping buyers, sellers, investors, and families navigate some of the most important decisions of their lives.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients, from first-time homebuyers to investors, business owners, retirees, and families transitioning into new stages of life. While every transaction is different, I particularly enjoy working with people who value advice, strategy, and long-term planning. Whether someone is purchasing an investment property, selling a longtime family home, downsizing as an empty nester, or buying a luxury property, I enjoy helping clients make informed decisions that support their goals.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a particular sale or achievement. It’s the trust I’ve earned from the people I’ve worked with. Many of my clients have become lifelong friends, and a large portion of my business comes from referrals and repeat clients. To me, there is no greater compliment than someone trusting me enough to recommend me to their family and friends.
I believe what sets me apart is that I view real estate as a relationship business rather than a transaction business. Anyone can open a door or fill out paperwork. My goal is to understand what is important to my clients and help them make the best decision for their unique situation.
I was fortunate to learn from mentors who taught me that character matters more than commissions and that treating people well is always the right long-term strategy. Those lessons have shaped how I conduct business today. I believe in being honest, accessible, and willing to have difficult conversations when necessary, even if it’s not what someone wants to hear.
Real estate is often one of the largest financial decisions people make, but it’s also deeply personal. Homes represent memories, sacrifices, accomplishments, and future dreams. I never lose sight of that responsibility.
If there’s one thing I hope people remember about me, it’s that I genuinely cared about helping them achieve their goals and that I always put their interests first. The transactions eventually fade, but the relationships last. I always tell my clients that once I am their realtor, I am their realtor for life.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people know me as a Realtor, but what they may not know is that I originally came from an auto repair background and spent years working in my family’s shop before getting into real estate.
They also might be surprised to learn how much of my life revolves around family. I help care for my uncle, stay closely connected with my siblings, and draw a tremendous amount of inspiration from my parents and grandmother. Her story of immigrating from Peru with five children and overcoming incredible challenges continues to motivate me today.
I think people see confidence and success on the outside, but the truth is that much of what drives me comes from faith, family, perseverance, and a desire to honor the sacrifices that were made before me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://countryrealestate.com/agent/dante-oms
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oms.homes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omshomes7/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dante-oms-732422108/
- Other: https://www.ratemyagent.com/real-estate-agent/dante-oms-b0qnsf/sales/overview
