Meet Andrea Paniagua | Real Estate Professional

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Paniagua and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I considered myself a risk-averse person for most of my life. I had a 5-year plan and a 10-year plan since I was in high school. I look at the menu of the restaurant before I go so that I know what I’m going to order. I prepare detailed PowerPoint presentations for every vacation I go on. So taking risks was not what I was known for. But that changed a few years ago when I found myself very unhappy with my career choice.

The year 2020 was tough for everybody and for me it was a year where I spent a lot of time reflecting introspectively. Besides having to deal with postponing my July 2020 wedding (#COVIDBridesUnite) I realized the career I had in Consulting was not fulfilling to me. Although I was grateful for the stable income during unprecendented times, I had great colleagues, and had opportunities to travel, it wasn’t what I truly wanted to spend my life doing.

Coming from a family of immigrants, I valued financial stability above everything else and it’s been the driving force in most of my career decisions. I chose a major in Finance in college because I knew I’d be able to find a well-paying job. I chose Consulting because it had good salaries, benefits and opportunities. So when making the decision to switch from Consulting to Real Estate, all my mind could see was “RISK” in red bold letters.

I have been interested in Real Estate for many years, and I knew that Real Estate was my end goal. But as you probably know, it is a commission-based career. So I was faced with a difficult question: Do I stick with the job that offers a stable income and benefits or do I start from scratch in a new industry that is also fully commission based?

Spoiler Alert: I took the risk and switched to Real Estate. Now that I’m on the other side of it, I can say the reward is well worth the risk. It is so empowering to be in charge of your career. To wake up everyday with a desire to be the best version of yourself and help people while doing it. Life is too short to not take a risk and always wonder “what if.”

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I don’t just help buy and sell Real Estate. I help build generational wealth and achieve your version of the American Dream.

I remember vividly when I moved to the United States with my family and we used a dishwasher for the first time. In my eyes, that was the American Dream. Looking back, it seems a little silly but the feeling and emotions my family and I had as we settled into our new home was of hope and optimism, and it is my goal to help as many people as I can feel that same sense of hope and optimism.

I believe a new home represents new beginnings, new opportunities, new memories. And I pride myself in helping people start a new chapter in their lives. Whether it is buying a home for the first time, or buying your first investment property, or selling your home because you’re upgrading to the house of your dreams, I serve as your advisor, your teammate, and your partner in helping it become a reality.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Atlanta has so many great places to check out! Here’s how I would spend a day in some of my favorite neighborhoods.

West Midtown: We’ll start with breakfast at West Egg Café. We can then grab a coffee at Prevail Coffee Co. and check out some of the books they have available there. If we want a healthy lunch we’ll check out Upbeet or we can go to Slim + Husky’s for some of the best pizza in the ATL. Then we can go over to Jeni’s Ice Cream for a sweet treat. We’ll spend the afternoon at Puttshack, sharpening our putt-putt skills, and then we’ll go upstairs to Drawbar for happy hour and to enjoy the sunset from one of the city’s best views. We’ll finish up the evening with dinner at Barcelona with some tapas and delicious wine.

Inman Park: We’ll do breakfast at Folk Art for some yummy pancakes and waffles. We can then walk along the BeltLine and grab a coffee at Bread & Butterfly. Then we go to lunch at Bar Taco for a fun twist on tacos. Then we can take a tour through Inman Park to look at the neighborhood’s unique architecture and beautiful historical homes. We can then go over to Pour off the BeltLine for happy hour and then finish up dinner at Delbar with great Middle Eastern food.

Midtown: We’ll start with breakfast at Café Intermezzo and then take a stroll around Piedmont Park. We can then do lunch at Joy Café (they have the best grilled cheese and the best potato salad in the city, in my opinion). We can then tour the Margaret Mitchell House and do the Federal Reserve’s free tour! We can do dinner at Pasta da Pulcinella for some of the best pasta, and close out the evening at Politan Row for some drinks at JoJo’s Beloved Cocktail Lounge.

Buckhead: We can start with breakfast/brunch at The Southern Gentleman for an enjoyable atmosphere. Then we can check out the Atlanta History Center and grab a coffee at Brash Coffee right there. We can then do lunch at South City Kitchen for some great southern cuisine and finish off with a sweet treat at Henri’s Bakery. Then we’ll finish off with dinner at King + Duke and grab a cocktail at The Garden Room.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Husband – My #1 hype man. My partner. I would not have felt as confident making this change if it wasn’t for him. He asked the tough questions, he believed in my potential and helped me see it when I doubted myself.

My Community – My friends and family, who listened to my concerns and ideas, who offered words of encouragement and affirmation, and who are always supporting me and my initiatives in my career.

God – my transition into Real Estate was sponsored by the Holy Spirit. Taking a risk and trusting in God’s plan is my testimony that He never fails us and if we put our trust in Him, the rewards will come. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Website: https://andreapaniagua.atlantafinehomes.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreazpaniagua_realtor/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/andreazpaniagua

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Andrea-Paniagua-Atlanta-Realtor-109285371776900

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