Member Voices

Redefining Real Estate with Heart and Authority

A Story of Leadership, Service, and Community Advocacy

For many, success is about personal achievement. For Ruth Demetriou, success is measured by how many lives you uplift along the way.

Born in the Amazonas region of Peru, Ruth was raised by parents who led through service, hard work, and generosity. Her father, with only a high school education, built schools, developed farms, and even helped establish an airport—not as a politician, but as a man with purpose. A natural leader, he taught Ruth that true leadership is not given by title; it is earned through service to others.

Years later, Ruth immigrated to the United States, where she built a professional foundation as a CPA and Controller in New York City. By what she describes as a “beautiful accident,” she entered the world of real estate—and found her true calling.

Standing Up for Communities Others Exploited

Ruth began selling homes in Jackson Heights, serving the Spanish-speaking community. She then worked in Richmond Hill with the Guyanese community, in Jamaica Hills with Indian, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani families, and in Briarwood, a diverse small town with Greek and Italian neighbors. In South Jamaica, St. Albans, and Springfield Gardens, she serves the Black community, whom she works hard to protect. She worked closely with Black families who were at risk of losing generational wealth. At the time, many investors were pressuring elderly or uninformed homeowners to sell their properties far below market value, exploiting their lack of guidance. Across Queens, she has helped immigrant families move into better neighborhoods and win their homes.

Ruth refused to stand by. She educated homeowners about the true value of their properties, fought to protect them from predatory offers, and helped them sell at full market price. In doing so, she not only safeguarded their assets—she preserved their legacy. This is the work behind her 35+ years of expertise.

A Voice for Her Own Community

As a proud Peruvian immigrant, Ruth also dedicated herself to serving her roots. From 2016 to 2018, she served as Vice President of the Peruvian American Chamber of Commerce of Long Island (PACCLI), where she helped raise $15,000 for Peruvian families affected by the devastating huaicos (mudslides) and flash floods in Piura.

Her mission was—and continues to be—clear: protect the vulnerable, uplift the underserved, and lead with courage and heart.

A Legacy Built Not on Sales—but on Service

From knocking on doors in immigrant neighborhoods to speaking three languages to connect across cultures, Ruth built her business not through advertising, but through trust. Families didn’t just hire her—they believed in her. They referred her. They helped make her brand unstoppable.

In Queens, Ruth encountered immigrant families from Latin America, Guyana, and the Caribbean—hardworking people, full of dreams, yet lacking guidance. Many did not speak English fluently or understand the complex process of buying a home. They had the desire—but no one to show them the way. Ruth stepped forward.

Today, as the owner of Best Team Realty and past president of the South Queens Chapter of LIBOR, Ruth is recognized not just as a top broker, but as a protector, an educator, and a voice for those who needed one.

Her story is a testament to one powerful truth: When you use your success to protect others, your name becomes more than a brand—it becomes a legacy.

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About the Author Ruth Demetriou Licensed Real Estate Broker | CIPS, SFR, PMN Notary Public | Owner, Best Team Realty

Ruth Demetriou is a Licensed Real Estate Broker in New York since 1990 and the founder of Best Team Realty, serving Queens and surrounding areas. A Certified Public Accountant in Peru, she brings financial expertise and strong negotiation skills to every transaction. With more than 35 years in real estate and over 1,000 transactions, she has helped families and investors build wealth through real estate, always with…

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