Karen Rodriguez: FACES of Atlanta
She's driven. And she's never been OK with being "OK." Find out what pushes Karen Rodriguez and the secrets to her success in today's FACES of Atlanta article.
She moved to Atlanta at age 22 and never looked back. Today, known as the Condo Queen of Atlanta, the incredibly driven Karen Rodriguez helps her clients find luxurious homes in Buckhead high-rises. She is hands-on from start to finish, and she loves the reward of filling up a building with extremely satisfied clients. Today, we welcome Karen as our FACES of Atlanta feature.Β
Where did you grow up? And how did you wind up in Atlanta?
I was born in Alabama and moved here to Atlanta at the age of 22 to begin my career.
Have you always worked in real estate? And how did you decide on a careerΒ in that field?
I have worked in real estate since I was 23 years old. I loved sales andΒ wanted to make money. I knew I didnβt want a boss and I was obsessedΒ with interior design, so real estate was the perfect fit! I earned my realtorβsΒ license at the age of 23, had my brokerβs license by 26 and landed my firstΒ luxury Buckhead high-rise project by 27, and Iβve never looked back.
Youβre the third highest individual producerΒ at your firm, Dorsey Alston Realtors, which is the number one firm in Buckhead for six years running.Β What is the secret to your successful sales achievements?
The truth is I have worked very hard for more than 10 years to get to whereΒ I am today. I worked 24/7, including nights, weekends, holidays and duringΒ vacations. Most people are not willing to do that, but since this is aΒ commission-based business, the more I sell, the more I make. MyΒ fearlessness and relentless passion for what I do, along with the fact that IΒ have never been βOKβ with just being βOK,β has guided my path. If I amΒ going to do it, might as well be the best at it.
Youβre known as the Condo Queen in Atlanta. What is it about sellingΒ luxury condominiums versus traditional homes that you love?
I started selling condos in Buckhead in my early 20s to my friends, becauseΒ at the time, that is what we could afford. I was touting the Buckhead cityΒ skyline before there was one, but I realized very quickly that I had found myΒ niche and loved selling the glamorous lifestyle, incredible city night views and the levels of security that one finds in a luxury high-rise. These were allΒ things that appealed to me and fit my personality.
Tell us about the most beautiful place youβve ever sold.
Wow, there have been many! But I would have to say the newly finishedΒ Residences at Mandarin OrientalΒ are very special. I had theΒ privilege of working closely with the owner of the project, John Kubicko,Β and the architect and designers on the floor plan and finishes. HavingΒ buyers respond in the way they have when we took these to market wasΒ incredible.
What is your number one tip for someone looking to buy a luxury condo inΒ Atlanta?
Hire an experienced buyerβs agent who is an expert in the area you areΒ looking in and has sold other condos. Buying a condo is very different fromΒ buying a single-family home. A good buyerβs agent will negotiate with theΒ sellerβs agent on your behalf and, if they are experienced, will know aboutΒ things like condo docs, bylaws, association dues, etc.
Do you find there are any significant gains or challenges with being aΒ woman in real estate?
I think that real estate is absolutely one of the most rewarding and lucrativeΒ careers a woman can have. At the end of the day though, to be successful,Β you have to be extremely disciplined and self-motivated, just like anyΒ entrepreneur, and be willing to do what it takes. No one is going to handΒ you business. I also love working with developers and being involved withΒ buildings, from predevelopment to selling the building out. GROUP KORAΒ really came to be because for years, I have been the go-to person for manyΒ of Atlantaβs developers for my opinion of their future projects, my marketΒ advice, etc. I realized it was time to finally begin to charge for all this adviceΒ I had been giving away for years for free!
What is your take on the current housing market in Atlanta?
The in-town luxury market is hot! There are low interest rates, lowΒ inventory and high demand, which make for a competitive sellerβs market.
What is a goal in your career that youβre working toward?
Launching my own company and managing so many others now posesΒ many new challenges that I really never had to deal with before. Success isΒ growing GROUP KORA into a recognizable and respected luxury real estateΒ brand and more importantly, being the best leader I can be to inspire andΒ help those who are with me on this ride to be as successful as they can be, as well.
Shifting gears, if you werenβt working in real estate, what would you love toΒ do?
I would be the owner of an e-commerce business that allowed me to travelΒ extensively and still work even when overseas.
Describe your ideal day or night out in Atlanta.
An aperitivo at Barcelona, followed by dinner at one of the many newΒ restaurants in town, and home before midnight to snuggle on the couch withΒ husband and my two fur babies, Brody and Saban. The night must end withΒ a glass of red wine and possibly a little piece of dark chocolate!
When you have a quiet moment, how do you unwind?
I have a really hard time unwinding from work and turning it off. I hadΒ major burnout right after the recession and was getting physically ill due toΒ the stress. I realized I had to find something that would help me findΒ balance, and it had to be something that I would stick with. Yoga has beenΒ that for me. It keeps me centered and sets my focus for the week. EvenΒ when I canβt go to the studio, I have a place in my home that I can escape toΒ and practice. I also love to read, which is definitely a form of relaxation for me,Β with a glass of red wine, of course.
What is your dream vacation destination?
International travel is something my husband and I love. I love planning it,Β preparing for it, shopping for itβthe whole process! I wish I could do moreΒ of it. So far, hands down, it has been Florence, Italy. We spent two weeksΒ there in 2013, and I love the energy, fashion, cafes, food and culture, not toΒ mention everything literally looks like it should be in Vogue magazine. MyΒ husband and I loved it so much that as soon as we got back to the states,Β we went out and bought a traditional Bialetti MOKA espresso pot andΒ bottles and bottles of prosecco. To this day, we still love a good espresso inΒ the morning and try to have a glass of prosecco before every meal.
Are there any upcoming events in town that youβre looking forward to?
Yes! The To Live and Dine Event [August 17] by InteriorsΒ magazine sounds like fun!
What are three things you canβt live without, excluding faith, family andΒ friends?
- My two yellow labs, Brody and Saban (who definitely fall in the familyΒ category)
- My Macbook Pro. My life is on this thing, plus itβs light enough that I canΒ carry it with me everywhere, including overseas.
- My Mason Pearson brush. Itβs pure insanity spending this much on aΒ brush, but I am now a believer!
Kudos to you, Karen, for being an inspiring, driven woman in Atlanta real estate! And thanks to Catrina Maxwell, of CatMax Photography, for the gorgeous photos.
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Ashley Haugen
Ashley is a StyleBlueprint contributor who was born and raised in the South. She loves hiking, travel, photography, and spending time with family and friends.