Carlito's Way - A Journey Beyond RealEstate

It’s rare for a teenager to see a clear path into his future, but Carlos Lorenzo was one such teenager. Born and raised in Hialeah, FL, with Cuban roots, Carlos was fortunate to learn the values of hard work, customer service, and dedication from his family’s grocery store business, which they established after immigrating from Cuba. In 1992, his father transitioned from grocery stores to real estate investing, paving the way for Carlos’ own journey.

Carlos became a licensed realtor at just 18 years old, the same year his son, Jonathan, was born. Carlos and his wife, Belkis, met during their senior year of high school, and together, they have two wonderful children: Jonathan, now 28, and Amanda, 23. Jonathan pursued a career as a Yacht & Concierge Car Broker, while Amanda is Carlos’ business partner, serving as the vice president of Keys Deep Apparel, and working toward her clinical mental health counseling degree.

Life seemed perfect until 2013, when Carlos was diagnosed with Stage 4 Appendiceal Cancer. This rare form of cancer led to 12 rounds of chemotherapy and a significant surgery known as HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) combined with cytoreductive surgery. In 2016, the cancer returned, metastasizing to his lungs, resulting in six more rounds of chemotherapy. Despite these challenges, the disease was suppressed. Unfortunately, in 2021, Carlos faced another recurrence and underwent five additional rounds of chemotherapy.

In 2022, his treatment shifted from chemotherapy to immunotherapy, using new medications called Opdivo + Yervoy. “My quality of life has significantly improved over the past two years, with much milder side effects,” Carlos says. “I owe a great deal of gratitude to my oncologist, Dr. Peter Hosein, and his dedicated team at the University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center for their unwavering support and care throughout his journey.”

During Carlos’ initial battle with cancer, he and Belkis purchased a condo in Landings of Largo. From the moment Carlos woke up in Key Largo, he knew it was where he wanted to be. After living and working in Miami Lakes for 15 years and making Key Largo their second home for 7 years, they decided to make the Keys their permanent residence in July 2020.

Carlos reached out to American Caribbean Real Estate and immediately knew it was the perfect fit for him. “The culture and professionalism of this company are unparalleled, ” he says. In the four years since joining, Carlos has sold over $125 million in real estate.

Carlos’ diverse background—holding state licenses as an appraiser, mortgage broker, and home inspector, as well as being a licensed realtor since 1996—enhances his ability to make the buying and selling process enjoyable for his clients. He has also bought and flipped over 100 homes, allowing him to navigate challenges seamlessly, whether dealing with vacant lots, luxury waterfront properties, or commercial restaurants.

Carlos’ social media presence amplifies his listings, and he enjoys sharing his culinary adventures at local restaurants, where his followers often seek his recommendations. A significant part of his online content includes sharing his cancer journey, as he aims to inspire and provide hope to others facing similar battles. Carlos’ dedication to the community extends beyond real estate. He proudly owns a local apparel brand, Keys Deep Apparel, with a store in Islamorada.

Carlos set out on his journey with family and real estate in his sights, and even though cancer has thrown many obstacles into his path, Carlos has never lost his way. His love for this community is woven into everything he does, and he is committed to making a positive impact both personally and professionally.