The newest WE tv reality show, “Selling It: In The ATL” follows seven diverse female professionals who are changing the face of Atlanta real estate. In an industry once dominated by men, these women use their business acumen and large-than-life personalities to close major deals amidst the booming Atlanta housing economy.
It’s a seller’s market in the growing city and there’s not enough inventory for the influx of buyers and investors looking to call Atlanta home. Every property has a story and as the new, gentrified Atlanta moves in, embracing a progressive culture that encourages residents to “live, work and play,” the old South fights to stay alive and relevant.
Let’s meet the women starring in “Selling It: In the ATL,” debuting Nov. 5 at 10 p.m. ET
There’s a good reason why Chrishena is a major player in the new high-rise skyline of downtown Atlanta: she’s brought a bit of a Big Apple attitude to Atlanta. When she was growing up on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Chrishena’s dad used to flip properties and her mom, Bernice, specialized in NYC condo deals for 15 years.
Chrishena attended the prestigious Dwight School where Paris Hilton was briefly one of her classmates. She went on to attend Marymount Manhattan College where she earned a BA in Communication Arts. After college Chrishena spent time working at CNN Financial news and in radio. Before moving to Atlantain 2007, Chrishena lived in both Miami Beach and Los Angeles.
It was during the real estate mortgage bubble of 2007 where Chrishena earned her chops as a specialist inAtlanta high-rise condo real estate. She weathered the market when it burst and has been a major forcein helping Atlanta’s Midtown and Downtown see a solid resurgence in value. Today, Chrishena is known for her new construction condo saavy. She foresees Atlanta one day having a skyline to rival that of Manhattan.
Chrishena’s brokerage includes her mother who is an Atlanta native and is tapped into more of the “old money” estate properties. Chrishena has a boyfriend who splits his time between Canada and Atlanta. Inher spare time, Chrishena is active in social causes including animal welfare, Habitat for Humanity and local Atlanta Arts and Culture. She has two dogs named Max and Buddy.
A’lana originally hails from Mississippi. She exhibited a unique and empowering drive at a very young age, so much so that she graduated high school at the tender age of 15. A’lana attended the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned both a BA and MA in Criminal Justice. She was well on her way to fast-track a career in law enforcement when she decided to tap into her entrepreneurial spirit. She earned her Georgia Real Estate license in 2001 and started several businesses. In addition to herindependent real estate brokerage, Opulent Real Estate Services, she owns and operates a concierge company called “Diva At Your Service” and an on-line hair extension boutique called “Hair Spot Extensions.”
A’lana is always paying attention to trends in real estate. She’s been very active as the state of Georgia has become the Hollywood of the South. She’s worked with celeb clients including T.I., Mariah Carey and Tyler Perry. Now, A’lana is tapped into the new money looking to invest in Atlanta real estate coming from the African continent.
A’lana says she’s so busy building up her portfolio, she doesn’t have time for any man who can’t keep up. But as a single mom and entrepreneur she goes out of her way to make time for her two children and her dog, Pepper.
Sarah originally hails from Macon, Georgia where she grew up with a traditional southern upbringing. She’s turned her natural southern charm into a successful sales skill in the Atlanta real estate market. Sarah caters to a primarily upscale clientele in the exclusive and upscale neighborhoods of Buckhead and Sandy Springs.
Ever aware of the exciting and changing dynamic of the city, Sarah is now also making deals inneighborhoods seeing a resurgence along the Beltline redevelopment project. The Beltline is currently thelargest city public works project in America. It is bringing together dozens of Atlanta neighborhoods with walking trails and public transportation along the old rail lines that used ring the city.
Sarah is in the process of preparing to take her brokerage exam so she can be licensed to have other real estate agents work under her. She is a single mom who knows that the best way to provide for her daughter is to keep the commission checks coming in!
Gwen was born in NYC. She moved to California in 1991 for almost 6 years, and relocated to Atlanta in1999. She has 14 years of real estate experience in the Atlanta market. She originally created a niche helping clients buy and sell luxury-branded high-rise condos in the Downtown and Midtown areas. Three years ago, Gwen left real estate behind to sell luxury cars.
Recently, Gwen’s come to the realization that she needs to get back into the real estate business so she has unrestricted income potential and more flexible hours. Gwen’s a divorced mother of three teenage boys. The father of two of her sons is pro basketball player, Damon Stoudamire.
Tahlia got a taste for real estate at an early age, watching and learning from her father who flipped homesin Atlanta. She originally started her career in property management but she quickly tired of the routine 9-5 lifestyle. Always independent and entrepreneurial, Tahlia earned her real estate license in 2008. Withthe collapse of the mortgage loan and resulting economic recession, she entered the real estate business at the worst possible time. But Tahlia prevailed, learning to network and build relationships with clients.
As a result of her ability to network, connect and her natural ability to take a really great photo – Tahlia has found it easy to connect with rappers and athletes. She has specialized in finding high-dollar leases for musicians making albums in Atlanta. Now she’s aggressively finding investment opportunities for professional athletes who are looking to purchase and flip homes in the ever-expanding Atlanta market.
Tahlia is currently living with her boyfriend, LaKyle.
Okevia has ten years of real estate under her belt. She survived the economic down turn and the collapse of home values during the recession. Through it all, Okevia has learned to adapt and to multi-task. She once specialized in listing high-end homes in new suburban developments. Now, many of her clients are first time buyers who are finally able to afford a home.
To augment her commissions, Okevia opened her own hair salon, Lux: The Salon, with her now ex-husband. For four years she’s balanced being a real estate agent with running the daily business of a salon that employs a half-a-dozen hair stylists. Okevia has found it convenient to network with her real estate clientele while they are getting their hair done. “If they can trust me with their hair, they’ll trust me withtheir home.”
In addition to juggling two very different careers, Okevia is raising her two teenage sons. She says her ex-husband, who was her high school sweetheart, has been a great partner in co-parenting their children. Now she’s gotten to the point where she’s ready to get out and start dating for the first time in 15 years.
Jae originally hails from Nashville, Tennessee. She’s been a real estate agent in Atlanta for just under two years. Driven, focused and not one to back down from a challenge, Jae has maintained a real estate license in Tennessee while simultaneously working in Atlanta. Jae is looking to align herself with a more-established, senior Atlanta real estate professional who can mentor her and help her create her own client contact list.
Since moving to Atlanta, Jae has focused her marketing efforts on first-time home buyers, while also keeping an eye on any opportunities that may come her way. In her spare time, Jae enjoys training at a local Atlanta boxing gym.
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