No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to share our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
This week’s neighbor is a best friend to those looking to purchase their first home. A proud supporter of the Keys’ Latin community, mortgage loan officer Rolando Monteagudo recently hosted a first-time homebuyers’ seminar entirely in Spanish in collaboration with his employer, Tewes Mortgage, and already has plans for future educational events in the works.
“I like to call myself a not-for-profit person,” he said. “Meaning that, even if you’re not ready to buy, I don’t care. I want to spend an hour just teaching you how to get there and achieve your goal.”
ROLANDO MONTEAGUDO
Mortgage loan officer, Tewes Mortgage
How did you first come to Marathon? I came from Italy, about 10 minutes away from Milan, and arrived in the U.S. in November of 2012. I came to visit a family member in December of 2012, and as soon as I hit the first bridge, I fell in love. My mind was totally enchanted, and I moved here in January of 2013.
What would you like to be remembered for? I want to be remembered as a family man, focused on helping whoever crosses my path. I want to be a Mike Forster type of person, being in the community and serving them and helping them to thrive. Honestly, that’s my main goal in life, to be there for those who need me.
What song always gets you on the dance floor? Salsa music gets me on the dance floor, and if I need to focus, classical music.
What is your dream vacation? My dream would be the Seychelles Islands. If the ocean isn’t close and I’m in Europe, it would be the Alps.
What is the last book you read or TV show you binged? “Atomic Habits” by James Clear.
What would you do if you won the lottery? I don’t spend a lot. Half of the money would go to donations to charity, and the other half would be for family, for myself and for building up my business
What’s the weirdest or funniest app on your phone? Face App (a photo editing app for faces)
What’s one thing that is always on a menu, but you will never try? Caviar. I don’t even want to try that.
What’s one thing most people never knew about you? People see me as a serious person, and they don’t know that I love to help people and I’m not serious at all. With my inner circle, I’m very funny and always joking.
Two truths and a lie? I got into a university within 18 months of coming to the U.S., I’m trilingual, and I’ve traveled to 15 different countries. (If you guessed that last week’s Neighbor of the Week, Lydia, could always use a little more cash, you were right!)
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received or given? Is there a piece of advice you think is overrated or wrong? Believe in yourself. I don’t agree that everyone has the same opportunities. I’m a loan officer, but even if I went to school for writing, it doesn’t mean I’ll be able to brainstorm ideas to write something, and I have the self awareness to know that won’t happen. (Other people) are good at what they do. But I strongly believe that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
