As a Military Relocation Professional and Regional Director of the Compass Military Division, Celia takes pride in helping veterans and military families use their VA loan benefits. Her passion lies in guiding clients through one of the most important investments of their lives with care, integrity, and expertise.
Celia loves everything about Miami—the culture, the people, and especially the food. Her local knowledge and personal connection to the community make her a trusted adv...
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You’ve done the prep work—got pre-approved, checked your credit, and know what you can afford. Now it’s time for one of the most exciting parts of the VA homebuying journey: finding the perfect home. But here’s the catch—not every home is eligible for VA financing.In this post, we’ll help you understand what types of properties qualify for a VA loan, how to find a VA-approved condo or townhome, and what to watch out for in South Florida’s competitive real estate market.What Types of Homes Qualify for a VA Loan?The VA has specific standards when it comes to the properties it...
On Wednesday, something truly impactful happened in Doral. I had the honor of hosting our very first VA Homefront Seminar at the vibrant Shoma Bazaar, and the experience exceeded every expectation. We welcomed veterans, active-duty service members, and military families from all over Miami Dade County for a powerful session focused on homeownership, financial freedom, and building wealth through VA multifamily purchases.Together with Bryan Landman from The Federal Savings Bank and my incredible teammate Rosa, we walked attendees through the complete process of using a VA loan to buy a 2–4 unit multifamily home—where you live in one unit and...
This morning at the Port of Miami, under a gray sky and steady rain, I had the honor of attending a send-off that reminded me why I do what I do. Invited by Admiral Alvin Holsey, Commander of the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), I joined fellow guests to witness the departure of the U.S. Naval Ship Comfort as it set sail on its Continuing Promise mission — a powerful humanitarian initiative that transcends borders, politics, and oceans.The ship may be heading out to care for others, but the impact of this mission was already felt here at home.As a...
By Celia Ruiz, Regional Director – Compass Military Division As a mom, a military spouse, and someone proudly serving the military community through the Compass Military Division, I work every day to help families just like yours navigate VA benefits — from homeownership to education.But this year, it got personal.👉 My daughter is starting college this fall.And even with everything I know about VA benefits, I still bought this book. Because why not?When it comes to setting your child (or yourself!) up for educational success, you don’t want to leave anything on the table — especially...
By Celia Ruiz, Regional Director – South Florida, Compass Military Division Last Thursday, May 29, the community at U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in Doral, Florida came together for an unforgettable day of food, fun, and connection at the Roast & Reel: Pig Roast & Fishing Competition 🎣🔥. I had the honor of sponsoring this amazing event on behalf of the Compass Military Division and my amazing collie Rosa E Napolitano, and let me tell you—it was more than just a cookout and casting lines. Held just outside the Fitness Center and West Pond, the event was packed...
📸✨ Photos by the talented Roxanne Jeffrey! Happy Birthday, Roxanne! 🎉🥳 We’re so grateful for your incredible work capturing the spirit of this unforgettable event. You can find all her amazing photography at roxannethephotographer.com 📷💫 On May 22, 2025, before the sun even fully rose over Doral, I had the incredible honor of sponsoring and participating in an event that reminded me exactly why I do what I do. The LT Michael P. Murphy Challenge, held at the USAG-Miami Fitness Center, brought together our military families, active-duty service...
Protecting First-Time Homebuyers from Wire Fraud: What You Need to Know In today's digital age, the dream of homeownership for first-time buyers is increasingly threatened by a sophisticated and growing threat: wire fraud. According to a recent article by Florida Realtors, cybercriminals are specifically targeting first-time buyers, exploiting their inexperience and the high-stakes nature of real estate transactions to steal funds during the closing process .(Coalition to Stop Real Estate Wire Fraud) How Wire Fraud Works Wire fraud in real estate typically involves scammers gaining unauthorized access to email accounts of real estate...