Ana Avalos is on a mission. As a first-generation American born to Mexican parents, her calling is to help the Hispanic community find homes in their adopted country. “I love working with buyers, whether they are first-time or repeat customers,” she explains. “The number one goal for any American or immigrant is to own a home in the U.S.”

 

From the time she could speak, Ana served as a translator for her parents, even communicating at the closing table for them when they bought their first house. “The majority of my clients are Hispanic, so I help my own community understand their options,” she says. “Even if it doesn’t help me, I will translate for someone just because I like to help and have their best interests at heart.” 

 

Real estate is complicated and can be exacerbated by a language barrier, so Ana enjoys explaining the more intricate portions of the deal. “The number one step to creating generational wealth is to own your own home and that is particularly important with first or second-generation Americans,” she explains. “It’s so rewarding to hand my buyers the keys to their home.”

 

The road to real estate was born out of necessity. Right before graduating from UAB, Ana and her husband, Edgar, found out they were expecting their first child. “I  knew I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, so I stayed home with him that first year,” she says of Karim, who is now seven. “I had just taken a job when I found out I was pregnant with baby number two.”

 

At that point, Ana turned to Google and searched for the best job for a stay-at-home mom. Real estate was at the top of the list, so she enrolled in real estate school and got her license in 2017. Initially she joined Keller Williams—Alabama Metro South office before moving to her current brokerage, Local Realty. “Broker/owner Jeremy Miller saw that I was killing it and asked me if I wanted to double the $2 million I sold that first year,” Ana says. “I’ve enjoyed being part of a smaller brokerage and love that it feels more like a family.”

 

Although Ana has consistently increased her business each year since, she’s not one to track her efforts. In 2021, she had $11 million in volume, followed by $9 million in 2022. “I have a photographer and someone to place my signs, but beyond that, I do everything myself, including the transaction coordinating,” she says. “My clients only want to talk to me, so I’m very hands-on and the direct point of contact for every deal.”

 

Goal setting used to be an obstacle for Ana because she felt like she had failed if she didn’t reach her goal. Now she sets a goal and pushes herself. “I set my goals high, but I also set myself up for success because it’s not an impossible goal,” she explains. “If I’m selling one or two houses a month, that makes me happy. Thankfully I sell more and stay busy.”

 

Not only does Ana serve the greater Birmingham area as an agent, she has become a property investor herself. “We bought our first house before we had our son,” she says. “Now, I own four properties around the city that I rent to people I know or need a place to go.”

 

The belief that property can help build generational wealth is what convinced Ana to jump into the market herself. “The best way to understand real estate is to become part of it,” she explains. “If you are selling, then you should be involved in flipping or renting, too.”

Ana has seen success through her own investments and those of her clients. She consistently works with five base investors who buy and renovate properties, selling them for a profit. “Smart investing can give you equity in a property almost overnight,” she says.

 

Since beginning her real estate journey, Ana and Edgar added two other children to their family: daughters Mila, 5, and Valentina, 3. Although she has a lot of help from from her husband and other family, there are still times that her children come along when Ana needs to show a house or meet with a client. “My daughter will pick up a pretend phone and play real estate,” she laughs. “They know that they have to be quiet when Mommy is working, and my clients understand that my children are my priority.”

 

At least five days a week, you’ll find the entire family on the field playing soccer. Ana also plays in a women’s league and sponsors local Hispanic adult soccer because the sport means so much to her. “Every weekend involves soccer—it’s a huge deal for our family,” she says. “My profession allows me to enjoy my kids and to be at every school event, practice or game.”  

 

At the end of the day, family is everything and real estate has made it possible for Ana to live a life she couldn’t have dreamt of. “I was meant for real estate and being my own boss,” Ana says. “My entire life is different from what I ever imagined. I love everything that has to do with real estate. I’ve seen how it changes lives and I’m here to help.”