RISMEDIA, October 5, 2010—As the country’s economic crisis continues to negatively impact people’s lives, many are still leery of the mortgage and real estate industries and those who work in them. One California resident and real estate agent, William Soto, is working to restore the integrity of his profession while benefiting those in need through his everyday business transactions.
Being a real estate agent is tough right now. Agents need to be more hard working and resourceful than ever before. Those left in the industry tend to believe in what they do and are working hard to reinvent them selves and learn new ways of navigating today’s market. Will’s goal was to reinvent himself and help others at the same time.
Earlier this year, Soto put together a charity donation program with a colleague entitled Commissions for Causes. This program enables his clients to donate half of his commissions during a transaction to any charity of their choice. By giving clients the opportunity to donate several thousand dollars to a cause in their own name, he aims to become a vehicle for a greater number of people to get in the spirit of giving.
“When people get to pick their own charity to contribute a significant amount of money to, it gets them thinking about what issues and causes are out there and which of those are uniquely important to them. When people are involved in the process of giving at this level, they begin to look at the world around them in a more concerned and compassionate way,” said Soto.
In addition to his commission donations, Soto also partners with other charitable organizations, supporting them directly through fund raisers, drives and others venues. His website C4Cnow.com has become his passion for sharing news on events, promoting causes and reaching out to other real estate agents.
Soto works as a real estate agent in Hunting Beach, Calif. and lives in Aliso Viejo, Calif. with his wife and nearly two-year-old twins. “I’m not a top agent, and I’m not a millionaire, but if I can do this, so can others in the same position,” he says. “We have to follow a budget to make everything work, but the way I look at it is that I have so much already. I’m earning a living, taking care of my family and we are all healthy. There are so many others out there right now that don’t have those basic things, and this is something I can do to help.”
When asked about his future plans for the program, Soto says he is open to growing Commissions for Causes into its own nonprofit or foundation to help more people on a larger scale. But for right now, he is content in enjoying the process of leading a small grassroots movement and giving back in his own way. “By taking this one step at a time, I’m free to give to anyone in anyway, and that is most rewarding to me. We’ll see what the future brings,” he says.
For more information,contact Cheri Creighton at 949-389-9016 or e-mail cheri@spectrummarcom.com.
