Paragon’s Rocky Zablan is All About Family

Family defines life for Rocky Zablan. From his biological family to his chosen family and, of course, his real estate family.

There’s no doubt why he ended up in the real estate world because if you are at the right brokerage, it’s like a family.

CandysDirt.com: Give us a little background.

Rocky Zablan: I was born in Dallas at Children’s Hospital. I’m the youngest of 8 in a blended family with siblings in California and Texas, but my mom is in Texas, so this is home! My family is Filipino. My dad went to NYU, and my mom went to the University of the Philippines.

CD: What brought the family to Dallas?

RZ: My dad was an engineer and took a job at the Statler Hotel. I remember going there as a kid for family staycations. It was surreal going back with my mom and sisters after it reopened. It brought back a flood of memories. I hated seeing it dilapidated, and I’m so happy they kept the midcentury modern vibe to it. The history at that hotel is amazing.

CD: How did you come by your first name?

RZ: It’s Spanish, and the actual spelling is Roque. I love it, but it was always misspelled and mispronounced. After college, it was easier phonetically to change the spelling.

CD: What led to a career in real estate?

RZ: I think it was inevitable. I’ve been fascinated with building and architecture since I was a kid. My dad was always taking things apart and putting them back together, so I got the design aspect and how it will work from him. When I was 12, he even let me design the floor plan for the guest house. 

My service side comes from my mom. She loves people, hosting parties, and family dinners. She’s always the life of any party. Our family dinners are easily three hours long. We have a strong family dynamic, and I’m sure that’s why I like the service part of my job so much. 

CD: How did you decide on Paragon?

RZ: Brandon Travelstead and Tony Nuncio are good friends and were at Paragon back when it was Dallas City Center. I knew I wanted to join a boutique brokerage. They were centrally located and were a great fit. I’ve been there since I started. They are a great brokerage.  

CD: Are you married? Kids? Pets?

RZ:  I met my partner Ryan Simmons in 2003, and we married in 2018 in Carmel, California. He owns Massage Heights in Lakewood’s Hillside Village, opening in February! We have two rescue dogs, an Anatolian Shepherd, Gunner, and Jack, a pit bull-collie mix. 

CD: Where do you and Ryan live?

RZ: We were living at Central Expressway and Knox Henderson. But when the pandemic hit, we headed to the lake house we’d purchased near Graford in 2012. It quickly became our full-time residence. Out here, it felt normal during the most challenging part of the pandemic. 

CD: What words/phrases do you live by?

ZB:  There are several. “It’s not why, but why not?” “Only you can hold yourself back.” “Everything is possible.”

CD: Who are the most inspirational people in your life? 

RZ: My parents. They are both so different. Opposites attract! I got the best of both worlds. In architecture, I’m inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and I.M Pei.  

CD: What do you do for fun?

RZ:  We love being outdoors. Hiking, skiing, and surfing on Possum Kingdom Lake. We love traveling and cooking. I’m more of an island guy, and Ryan is the complete opposite. Give him snow any day, but hey, snowboarding translates to my love of surfing! 

CD: What are your favorite destinations for holidays?

RZ:  In America, it has to be Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Whistler in British Columbia. We love Hong Kong for its culture and food, and Spain. My great-great-grandfather was a friar who brought Catholicism to the Philippines, so I’m interested in tracing my Spanish heritage.  

CD: What should people know about working with you? 

RZ: My clients come first. I will find out whatever they need to know and make the process fun. It does not have to be stressful. The client with a 2 million dollar budget is the same to me as the client with a 200,000 budget. I serve the customer, no matter the price point. It’s about the connection to your client. You have to have trust because you are representing them through one of the most significant purchases of their life.

CD: What is your favorite part of the real estate business?

RZ: Handing the keys over!

CD: The best advice for real estate?

RZ: I always tell friends don’t wait to buy real estate. Purchase real estate and wait! Hindsight is 2020.