San Bernardino brothers chasing dreams in the town they grew up in

Rosa Murillo and her sons, real estate agents Ricardo Ponce, left, and Jose Ponce, in the neighborhood the brothers grew up in on the west side of San Bernardino.

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Dec. 22, 2015 2:45 AM PT

Ricardo Ponce shares a smile with Emilia Mendoza and her son Emiliano, 8 months, at the Mendozas’ new home in San Bernardino.

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Ricardo Ponce, left, shows a home in San Bernardino to prospective buyers Gilbert Flores and his wife, Amy, with their daughter GeeAnna, 6.

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Jose Ponce, left, takes measurements with his main contractor, Marcos Martinez, inside a kitchen being renovated at a home in San Bernardino.

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Rosa Murillo cleans a home for sale in Highland. The home was purchased by her sons, Ricardo and Jose Ponce, and is part of their side business, buying homes in need of repair, fixing them up and putting them back on the market at a higher price.

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Jason Ortega paints the exterior of a home being renovated in San Bernardino that was bought by Jose Ponce and his brother Ricardo of Ponce & Ponce Realty. Ortega is a childhood friend of the Ponce brothers.

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Ricardo Ponce in front of his 2,400-square-foot home in Highland with daughter Daisy, left, wife Cristina holding daughter Penelope, son Richy and daughter Lily.

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)