About Samslockedin-Samantha Vazquez

Washington Real Estate Broker, Homebuyer Education Instructor, and Community Volunteer

Opportunities Are All Around Us

If you ask what I do, I will probably tell you I am a Washington real estate broker. That is the simplest answer, but it is not the whole story.

I am also a homebuyer education instructor, a volunteer, a military wife, a mom, and someone who believes the right information can change a person’s future.

For me, real estate is about more than buying and selling houses. It is about helping people understand a process that can feel overwhelming, answering questions honestly, and creating a realistic plan—whether someone is ready to make a move now or is still a year or two away.

Everything I do is rooted in one belief:

When you have the opportunity to help someone, you take it.

Growing Up Without a Roadmap

I did not grow up learning about credit, mortgages, loan programs, real estate contracts, or generational wealth.

The people who raised me did the best they could with the information and resources they had. Looking back, I realize they were not keeping knowledge from me. They simply had not been given the same education and guidance available today.

For a long time, I thought buying a home was something other people did—people with more money, more knowledge, or a better starting point.

What I was missing most was not necessarily money. It was a roadmap.

That experience shaped the way I see homeownership and financial education. I know what it feels like to want something but have no idea where to begin. I also know what it feels like to hear people use words they assume everyone understands while you quietly wonder what they mean.

Today, I want to help make sure more people are included in those conversations.

Just because you were not given a roadmap does not mean you cannot build one.

Born in 1988, I came of age before homebuying education was readily available online. That gap would later shape my work as a Washington real estate broker and homebuyer education instructor.

The Lesson My Mom Never Had to Teach

One of the most important lessons I learned came from watching my mom help someone at a grocery store just before Thanksgiving.

The person ahead of us realized they could not afford everything in their cart and began putting groceries back. My mom quietly stepped in, paid for the items they could not afford, and then gave them a ride home.

We did not have much ourselves. She was not helping because she had plenty to spare. She helped because she saw someone who needed it and knew she could do something.

She did not expect recognition or praise. She simply believed that when you had an opportunity to help someone, you did.

That lesson has followed me into every part of my life. It is why I teach, why I volunteer, and why I care so much about helping people navigate one of the biggest decisions they may ever make.

Kindness is not measured by how much you have. It is measured by what you are willing to do with what you have.

Finding Home in Washington

I grew up in Upstate New York and eventually moved across the country to Washington.

What began as a move became home. I fell in love with the mountains, forests, water, and communities throughout the South Sound. Washington became the place where I built my career, bought my first home, raised my son, and found a community that truly felt like mine.

Our path to homeownership was not simple.

The first lender we spoke with told us buying a home was not possible. Instead of stopping there, we asked more questions and sought a second opinion.

We were eventually approved for a VA loan, but many of the homes within our price range would not qualify for VA financing. At the same time, I was building my real estate business and did not yet have enough self-employment history for that income to be used toward our mortgage qualification.

So we adjusted the plan.

We saved more money. I accepted a W-2 position while continuing to build my real estate business, and we worked toward meeting the lender’s requirements. Eventually, everything came together, and we purchased our first home in Washington.

That experience changed the way I approach every client conversation.

One person’s “no” does not always mean never. Sometimes it means there are additional steps to take, more information to gather, or another qualified professional you should speak with.

Why I Chose Real Estate

I chose real estate because I was not willing to settle for “no.”

When I was told homeownership was not possible for us, I wanted to understand why. I wanted to learn what was standing in our way, what steps we could take, and how we could get from “not right now” to homeownership.

As I learned, I realized how many other people were being told “no” without being shown what to do next.

I earned my Washington real estate license because I wanted to understand the process for myself—and then teach others how to build their own path to homeownership.

Why I Teach Homebuyer Education

I am a Washington State Housing Finance Commission-certified Homebuyer Education Instructor.

That is something I am proud of, but it did not come easily.

Public speaking has never felt natural to me. I get nervous, sometimes stumble over my words, and still push myself outside my comfort zone every time I teach.

I do it because I think about the people on the other side of the screen—the people who want to buy a home but do not know where to start, the people who have already been told “no,” and the people overwhelmed by credit, down payments, closing costs, mortgages, inspections, and contracts.

I volunteer my time to teach free homebuyer education classes because people deserve access to reliable information about buying a home in Washington, whether they ultimately choose to work with me as their broker or not.

My goal is not to convince someone they should buy a home. My goal is to help them understand what buying may require, what options may be available, and what steps they can begin taking.

Buying may be a short-term goal for one person and a two-year plan for someone else. Both deserve good information.

Serving Beyond Real Estate

My commitment to the community extends beyond real estate.

I serve as Vice President of PB&J for the Homeless, a volunteer-run nonprofit that brings people together every Monday evening to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the Tacoma Rescue Mission.

What began as a small weekly effort has grown into a community of volunteers of all ages. Together, we make hundreds of sandwiches each week while creating a welcoming place where families, children, local businesses, and first-time volunteers can make a difference.

I also organize community fundraisers, including Garage Sale for a Cause and Carnival for a Cause, giving people different ways to volunteer, donate, sponsor, participate, or simply help spread the word.

Not everyone can volunteer on a Monday evening, and not everyone can make a financial donation. But almost everyone has something they can contribute.

Sometimes it is a loaf of bread. Sometimes it is a few hours of time. Sometimes it is a business sponsorship. Sometimes it is simply showing up.

Building a Roadmap Together

Whether you are preparing to buy your first home, considering selling a property, relocating within Washington, or simply trying to understand your options, you deserve honest information and a plan that fits your goals.

My approach is education-first, with clear communication, realistic expectations, and guidance that meets you where you are.

You may be ready to make a move today. You may still be a year or two away. Either way, your questions are welcome.

Sometimes the first step toward a goal is not signing a contract. Sometimes it is finally having a conversation that helps you see the road ahead.

Ready to start building your roadmap?

Contact SAM