If I wanted to see things done differently, I knew I had to be the one to do it. I’ve never been the type to sit back and accept the way things are. I believe in taking action to build something better. 

 

Starting my own real estate company wasn’t just a business move—it was something I felt I had to do if I was going to continue to grow and offer better services to my clients. After years in the industry, I saw too many agents treating clients like transactions, pushing them into homes that weren’t right for them just to close a deal. That never sat right with me. Buying a home isn’t just a sale, it’s a huge financial and personal decision, and people deserve honesty and integrity, not pressure. That’s why I started True Homes in 2014. The name says it all. It’s about helping people find what actually works for them, not what lines someone else’s pockets.

 

Reaching this milestone in my life came after years of hard work, finding the right path that aligned with my skills and interests. Out of high school, I wanted to be a doctor or therapist. I got my degree in pre-med with a psychology major, but while I was in school, I got introduced to the mortgage business. I liked it. There was strategy, numbers, and a way to help people structure loans that actually worked for them, not against them. 

 

That turned into a 22-year career. I ran my own mortgage company for eight years, but when the 2008 market crash hit, everything changed. Business dried up overnight, and I had to make some tough decisions. I got licensed in insurance, tried out other industries, but none of it felt right. Then a friend suggested I start doing loans for a real estate company. One day, when things were slow, they asked me to hop on a call and take a sales lead. That turned into my first deal, and I was hooked. That’s how I ended up shifting into selling real estate in 2011.

 

By 2014, I had my broker’s license and started True Homes, establishing a team of professionals who share my commitment to putting the client first. Entrepreneurship was the right fit for me because I never want to have a limit on what I can build or achieve. I’m very self-motivated and have strong convictions to do what is right, always.

 

Every day, I work to be different than I was the day before. I absorb new information, push myself, and stay disciplined. My morning starts at 4 AM—10-minute cold shower, meditation, training, reading. No junk food, no alcohol, no excuses. I’ve done martial arts since I was 17, first Japanese jiu-jitsu for 12 years, and now Brazilian jiu-jitsu, where I also coach. That discipline and consistency drive everything I do.

 

That same approach carries over into my business. I am always learning and adapting to offer the best service to my clients. I know how the system works, and I know how to guide people through it without them getting taken advantage of. That’s why I started this company, and it is why I built The Iron Circle of Trust, a network of attorneys, inspectors, and lenders who work together to make every deal as smooth as possible. No surprises, no runarounds. Just the right people handling things the right way.

 

My goal is always to keep growing, keep learning, keep improving. Whether it’s expanding True Homes, earning my black belt, or being the best father I can be, I don’t stop. Providing for my family is everything, and when I’m not working, I make sure to spend time with my daughters—whether it’s bringing them to jiu-jitsu with me or just enjoying time at home. Finding that balance between work and family is important and keeps me at my best.

 

Having worked in the industry for over 25 years, I’ve been involved in nearly every part of it: buying, selling, investing, flipping, mortgages, short sales, foreclosures, and loan modifications. Understanding how all these pieces connect gives me the ability to guide clients through every step with confidence. Whether someone is purchasing their first home, selling a property, or looking for investment opportunities, I make sure they have the right information to make smart decisions.

 

Real estate transactions can be complex, and my job is to simplify the process, explain options clearly, and ensure my clients feel confident in their choices. I take the time to listen, educate, and guide people so they don’t end up with buyer’s remorse six months later. It’s not just about closing a deal—it’s about making sure it’s the right deal for them.

 

Markets change, financing rules shift, and new opportunities come up all the time. That is why I stay ahead of the game, always continuing to learn and adapt so that the guidance I provide is always based on the latest information and the best strategies.

 

Sincerely,

 

Antonio Russo

Broker-Owner | LIC# 10311204720

Primary (516) 805-6283

thebjjrealtor@gmail.com

truehomesinc.com

512 Sunrise Hwy, Suite A

West Babylon, NY 11704