Five Questions With: Bryant C. Da Cruz

Bryant C. Da Cruz, a real estate agent at Century 21 Guardian Realty in South Kingstown, recently became president of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors after being elected by his colleagues last year and serving most of 2022 as president-elect of the 6,500 member association.

Da Cruz, a graduate of Johnson & Wales University and a resident of South Kingstown, also served previously as the publicly elected vice president of the South Kingstown Town Council, and he is also currently president of the South Kingstown Lions Club.

PBN: You recently became president of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors. What are your thoughts on serving in this position, and what kind of leadership do you hope to provide?

DA CRUZ: I feel blessed to have been chosen by my peers to lead our great organization for 2023 and believe that I’m the right person at the right time. As a leader, I like to be able to bring people together to help others in our profession and in the communities that we serve. I believe in leading with kindness, compassion, integrity, thoughtfulness, actively listening, checking egos at the door and serving a higher purpose than ourselves.

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PBN: Why is it important for real estate professionals in Rhode Island to have this organization to advocate for them and provide them resources?

DA CRUZ: It’s important because as Realtors, we subscribe to a strict code of ethics, which helps protect consumers and our industry. With our strength in numbers, we advocate at the municipal, state and federal levels to protect homeownership and the American dream.

Nationally we are the largest trade organization in the United States of America, which gives us access to some powerful tools and resources when it comes to advocating, learning and supporting those in our industry.

PBN: What are your thoughts on the current real estate market in Providence and how that could change in 2023 and beyond?

DA CRUZ: The current real estate market in Providence is still strong but going through some changes. Providence and Rhode Island are the best of several worlds and being located close to Boston and New York continues to make our housing market very attractive, especially now where folks have a little more flexibility with their employment. We’re still seeing an increase of buyers from other states, and I don’t see that waning.

PBN: You served previously in town government. What kind of lessons could Realtors learn from spending time serving in public office?

DA CRUZ: Realtors can learn a tremendous amount by serving in public office. One, they will learn that you can never please everyone, while hopefully developing a thick skin. Two, they can learn how to disagree, talk things out, civility, respect, and at the end of the day how to be one voice. Three, how the big picture can trickle down to everyday life and to that of their constituents. Four, you can get better at solving complex problems.

PBN: What have been one or two of the highlights of your professional career in the Rhode Island real estate industry? Any favorite sales or accomplishments you could share with us?

DA CRUZ: One of my favorite sales of all time was an older couple that was friends with someone I knew in their neighborhood. They asked me if I could stop by and just talk to them because they had met with someone else about selling their beach house but were stressed and worried. I let them know that I would be in the area that day, but I wouldn’t be prepared with any information on their property. I was, however, happy to come by and have a conversation. The impromptu conversation went well, and I could see that they were feeling better about their major life decision.

I ended up stopping at their neighbor’s house before heading back north. While there, we heard a knock at the front door. It was the husband. He said, “My wife and I just spoke and wanted to know if you would be able to help us sell our home.” Minimizing stress and helping people out, that’s what it’s all about.

Marc Larocque is a PBN contributing writer.