C&J:

After we had such a great time getting to know and learn about you at GAR’s Annual Conference & Expo in September, we wanted to pick your brain a little more about what makes you tick, where you get your seemingly boundless energy and how you keep all those balls in the air. So, thanks for agreeing to sit down with us for this guest blog profile. Let’s start with your background and how you got into real estate.

Cassandra:

Yes, GAR in Destin was a blast and thank you for extending the invitation. Always happy to share my journey and experience!

I moved to Atlanta in 2013 when my corporate job at AT&T transferred me from Detroit. I have always put high value on serving, volunteering and working for the greater good. I’ve always found myself in places where there’s a challenge to fix something or grow it. A series of life twists and turns spurred me to become a licensed real estate agent because I wanted to make a difference and help others realize their own dreams of homeownership. I got my real estate license in 2018 and I hit the ground running in 2019. My first year in business I did $1.2 million in sales, the next year I did $2.4 million despite COVID ruining so many plans in 2020, and I’m on track for $4+ million this year.  

So, I was a realtor for just over a year and doing great work, but it was one eye-opening experience in particular that helped me realize what it really means to be a REALTOR.

C&J:

What do you mean, Cassandra?

Cassandra:

Well, I was out there hustling and making money for sure, but it wasn’t until I attended REALTOR® Day at the Dome in February of 2020 that I felt the full power of the brand.  

As a collective group, we do so much more than sell property. Yes, a real estate agent is a licensed salesperson, but a REALTOR – someone under the well-respected national, regional and local brand – represents property owner rights. The REALTOR brand and PAC is the largest lobbyist in the country and we are bound by an impressive and impactful code of ethics.  

That February, I sat under the Gold Dome in Atlanta and just listened to all we were trying to accomplish. There were a couple of bills then on the house floor that had to do with HOAs limiting renters and I realized the topics are huge almost every single day. The goal is that we – each and every one of us Realtors – represent our community. We represent small business owners trying to take hold of the American dream and make money off their investments. We represent their voice and it’s a large responsibility.

We have fought for many legislative changes in my brief time in the industry and one I’m really proud of is that we blocked the proposed requirement for realtors to hold a business license in each individual city in which business was transacted in Georgia. Do you know how much paperwork that would have generated for realtors working where I do, mostly in Cobb County? Someone like me would have had to register a business license from Marietta to Mableton, Acworth to Austell, Powder Springs, Vinings and so on. This would have involved an exorbitant amount of red tape and a crazy amount of time and money – and we blocked it because of the collective strength of the REALTOR voice.

C&J:

We totally agree, we have a lot of responsibility…guess the old adage is true that “for those to whom much is given, much is required.”  

Cassandra:

I could not agree more. That’s why, in addition to my actual work with buyers, sellers and listings, I’m 110% committed to give back.

C&J:

We know that’s true. What a great segue to ask you about the Women’s Council of REALTORS® Cobb chapter.

Cassandra:

That is correct. I’m the current president of the Cobb Women’s Council. I’m also the 2022 president elect for Women’s Council Georgia, the statewide organization. But my trajectory to Women’s Council leadership is kind of a fast and funny story.

I learned about Women’s Council at the very beginning of my REALTOR journey. In fact, it was early 2019, a full year before I attended that eye-opening event at the Gold Dome, when I heard about a local Women’s Council meeting through an online events board. I walked in the door and I felt like I had found my home. Real estate was a new industry for me and I went to this event and everyone was so welcoming. It didn’t matter what brokerage you worked for or what area of town you focused your business. These women were there to help everyone be successful, share referrals and thereby boost everyone’s business.

I kept attending Women’s Council chapter events and that October at a Cobb chapter meeting, I happened to sit with the then incoming president of Women’s Council, Sharon Browder. She said, “let’s have lunch” and the rest is history. By December I was on the membership committee, somehow in January I got slotted into the secretary position, a month or so later I was on track to be 2020 president elect, and ascended to president in 2021.  

I’m super proud to say that during COVID we didn’t miss a beat. In fact, we doubled our membership and now have more than 60 members. When elections came along for Women’s Council state officer positions, several friends and colleagues encouraged me to apply. Like I mentioned, I’m slated be president elect for Women’s Council Georgia next year in 2022, so that also is now history.

C&J:

You’re right, that is quite a head spinning trajectory. We hesitate to ask, we heard you hold volunteer positions with other professional organizations and associations.

Cassandra:

Yes, I’m also a board member of the Cobb Association of REALTORS as well as Georgia Association of REALTORS (GAR). So yes, I keep busy.

C&J:

Whoa, do you ever take time just for yourself, Cassandra?

Cassandra:

Oh yes, I prioritize family time with my two grown daughters in Atlanta and my son in Missouri who gave me a grandson last year! And I make sure to take pamper days – I do spa, movie and shopping outings with lots of friends. Oh, the shopping for me … especially shoes. I have such an affinity for shoes (especially boots) that in Detroit, I earned the nickname “Miss Boots.” This fabulous shoe boutique knew my size and style so well the owner would handpick the most perfect shoes and boots for me and have them waiting – how could I resist!

C&J:

Ah, that is funny! We’ve really enjoyed chatting and learning about you and look forward to seeing you out and about as we attend industry events and gatherings in the Atlanta area. Guess you’ll be the one wearing the fabulous boots!

In addition to her multiple positions at real estate industry associations and organizations, Cassandra Oliver is a realtor with the West Cobb County office of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate – Metro Brokers. Reach her at the office on (404) 843-2500, via cell at (470) 424-0378, or by email at cassandra.oliver@metrobrokers.com

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