When Zuleima Quintero and Nelson Acosta arrived in Orlando, they carried more dreams than plans. What began as a way to rebuild their lives soon turned into a mission to grow through real estate.
Today, the Venezuelan-Uruguayan couple transforms every project into an opportunity for growth and connection.
Foundations of a new life
For Zuleima and Nelson, moving to the United States was more than a change of country — it was a chance to change their lives . Looking for security and a new start, they were attracted to the country’s strong economy. They saw Florida as a place to grow.
Like many immigrants, the couple started with regular jobs. She worked in restaurants, while he, with prior experience in countertops and construction, used his knowledge and skills to reinvent himself professionally.
It was in Orlando where they met, and that mutual determination to create a better life laid the foundation for everything they would build together.
Starting something real
“I’ve always seen real estate as an opportunity,” Zuleima says. “Money invested in real estate will always feel safe — it’s something that lets you grow and earn, depending on how you manage it”.
In 2020, they made their first investment together — their own home. That same year, Zuleima earned her real estate license, and thus began with the knowledge and new opportunities that this professional journey was going to bring to their lives.
When it comes to business, she handles the administrative side — client relationships, and management. While Nelson operates the technical and construction aspects, and together they put the finishing touch on the negotiation.
The bid that built their future
Their real estate journey evolved in 2024, when curiosity led them to explore something new: the world of property auctions.
Thanks to social media, they came across the world of property auctions. At first, it seemed almost unreal — how could people buy properties for just a few thousand dollars? They began researching the tax deed and tax lien system that few people seemed to truly understand.
Experience is the key, and that’s why to learn more, they joined mentorship programs to learn from those who had already achieved it and had experience in that.
Unlike traditional real estate, buying at auctions required more research and risk. “You have to be there, paying attention, analyzing everything,” Zuleima explains. “Sometimes a property looks perfect online — but when you check in person, it might be burned or in terrible condition.”
In the regular market, listings are public and straightforward. “You just search and the house is there,” Nelson says. “You can see the property, analyze the area, and make an offer.”
Their first auction experience came in Oklahoma. They described it as an unforgettable — the moment they realized it was truly possible. “It felt just like in the movies,” Zuleima recalls. “You pick up the piece of paper and say, ‘I bet this.’” They bought the property for $4,000 and later sold it for $14,000.
Choosing the right property for each investor
Their priority is always to adapt to their clients’ goals. “If security is the goal, land is the answer,” Nelson explains. “You know it’s there — and over time, it always gains value.
Some are willing to take on more work for a better return, while others prefer safer, long-term opportunities. The couple focuses mainly on residential and commercial growing areas.
“When you see development coming,” she adds, “you know growth will follow.”
Finding the best return on investment for their clients is key. They say they always try to ensure that investors recover their invested money and therefore they seek the best prices compared to the market price.
Where effort meets reward
“Sometimes there are good surprises, sometimes there aren’t,” Nelson says.
Emphasizing the idea that in real estate, results depend on patience and intelligent decisions.
Discovering a property that doubles its estimated value is the kind of pleasant surprise that reinforces their philosophy: with persistence, discipline, and faith, the potential of an investment is limitless.
Today, their work continues to grow through their real estate platform Acoazul, where they connect investors to start a growing future for both parties.
