The things you say and the exact things you do will be forgotten, but how you make others feel will always be remembered. This is why relationships are paramount in real estate, and Andrea Key knows this well. Andrea Key, REALTOR® with Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno and this month’s Rising Star, puts relationships at the forefront of her business.

 

Andrea was born and raised in Mountain View. Her mom grew up in Palo Alto and her dad is from Colombia. “I grew up very close to both my parents and saw what life was like from an immigrant perspective — growing up as first generation in the United States and also life for a single working mother who raised me primarily on her own.”

 

“Both my parents always stressed the importance of education and hard work. My mom and I moved a lot, always renting and sharing various one-bedroom homes around Mountain View,” she shares.

 

At 19, she moved to Los Angeles to finish her education where she earned a degree in Branding, Design, and Merchandising from FIDM Los Angeles. As she puts it, the culture of the big city brought her out of her shell and enabled her to grow her social and networking skills. She moved back to the Bay Area in 2009.

 

During this time between Los Angeles and the Bay Area, she spent ten years in the beauty industry as a Regional Sales Manager for LA and Northern California. She then transitioned from the beauty industry to similar roles in hospitality management. This included overseeing restaurant openings which eventually led to a role overseeing the design of new and existing businesses and sales presentations.

 

“Though I grew up with my mom always being a renter, I always found real estate fascinating, especially after experiencing my own real estate transactions in purchasing and selling our own first home.”

 

As it did for everyone, COVID-19 affected Andrea’s business dramatically. “I enjoyed traveling all over the country and meeting new people, but COVID changed the business model and demand for my work in an instant. I had already started my real estate classes a year before, as it was already a passion of mine, and quickly decided to pivot into a real estate career, part-time at first and transitioned into full-time a year later.”

 

With her background in business, project management, and design, she already had ample experience in what are easily the fundamentals of being a REALTOR®.

 

“What fulfills me most about selling real estate is the profound opportunity it offers to catalyze people's life,” she shares. “Every sale isn’t just about property changing hands, it’s about facilitating someone’s next chapter, whether it’s a first-time homebuyer stepping into the realm of homeownership or a family upgrading to accommodate their growing needs.”

 

Andrea’s business philosophy revolves greatly around building deep relationships: “Every client is either a friend, a referral from a friend or client, or someone I’ve connected with at an open house.” She explains how these relationships form the cornerstone of her work as the foundation of trust and integrity.

 

While design is her passion, Andrea shares how it’s the relationships that she builds with clients that truly drive her. “I aim to showcase how my attention to detail and dedication ensure that my clients not only find their dream homes but also secure the best deals possible. I am committed to their satisfaction.”

 

With her passion for design as a powerful tool at her fingertips, she provides innovative home design and construction ideas for her clients. “Instead of relying on conventional methods, I continuously explore new ideas and trends to create unique and desirable properties. Whether it’s implementing cutting-edge architectural designs, incorporating smart home technology, or integrating sustainable building practices, I do my best to stay ahead of the curve.”

 

To help her make these ideas a reality, she has also forged strong partnerships with top Bay Area construction teams and local Artisans. This ensures that all projects are executed with top-tier expertise, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.

 

Tragically, Andrea’s mother was diagnosed with cancer in November of 2021. ”I was working both my corporate job and in real estate at the time, and once my mom started treatment, I knew I had to shift my work-life balance to be available to her as needed. With the support of my former teammates, I left my corporate job to be with her as much as possible. My mom passed away in February of 2023, and I am forever grateful I had the ability to be by her side as much as possible.”

 

“I reflect daily on my mom’s legacy and the amazing person she was. Her lifelong relationships, her impeccably ethical nature, and her kind persona — she is everything I strive to be. Her absence is a reminder to put my family and close relationships first.”

 

“I’ve always had both my parents’ advice in my ear. My mom always was adamant that the most important thing was to do what made me happy. My father has always pushed me to try harder and be the best at what I do. A blend of both of those feels like the definition of success to me.”

 

With family at the forefront of her life, she is a proud mom of two boys: five and one years old. “My oldest son is as passionate about playing baseball as we are about watching it. My husband coaches his Little League team, and I spend my time watching them and trying to convert them from Braves fans to Giants fans.” In her spare time, she loves to spend time outdoors with her family.

 

Congratulations to Andrea Key, this month’s Rising Star. Her genuine love for people is undoubtable.

 

Website: https://key.agent.serenogroup.com/