Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Pineda.
Hi Cassandra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
A good place to start would be in 2020. I have worked in Tech, specifically in Corporate Marketing, for about 3 years since I graduated from Texas State University in 2017. In the years I worked in marketing, I learned many valuable skills and worked with some truly amazing people with whom I became close friends. Still, as I approached a stage in my career where I was ready for the next step, I reflected on everything well. I was good at marketing and had an amazing boss, but at the end of the day, I was not happy at my job. I didn’t enjoy going to work. It took me a while to face this because since I was great at my job, I just felt like this was normal, people went to work and didn’t necessarily enjoy what they did, but they did it because they thought they had to. I went to college and got a degree to do this specifically; I should feel fortunate to have a decent-paying, secure job. So as I thought about my future and the next step in my career, I realized no matter where I went, whether I got a promotion or moved to a different company, I didn’t foresee how I felt would change.
Simultaneously, while figuring out the next step in my career, Tiktok was blowing up during the world’s quarantine madness. At the time, many people I knew would share TikTok videos but needed an account where they made videos. I would love to create a Tiktok account, but I’m not funny. I’m not an influencer – what would I even make videos about? This is where I suckered my long-term boyfriend into creating a Tiktok account. My boyfriend, Matt, was a realtor then, and real estate was a great topic to start a TikTok around. With my social media experience, I could help him grow success through Tiktok. After some convincing, I created atx.realestate on Tiktok. At first, it started as a channel to do house tours and feature new listings around the Austin area. I remember the first home we went to film in 78745, during my lunch break from my corporate job, and it was (I may not have realized right at that moment) a, maybe even the most pivotal moment in my life. After filming that first property, I was hooked. I asked Matt if we could do this every day. I finally found my passion for social media/marketing, which ignited a passion for real estate. When I started the Tiktok account, I had no idea I would pretty quickly be changing careers for real estate.
After about a week of having the Tiktok account, I started considering changing careers to real estate. It was a crazy idea for me. Anyone who knows me would say I’m risk-averse, so to up and change careers, especially one I had worked years for to get a degree and years to get to a manager position, was so unlike me. But, once the idea was in my head, my mind was made up. Within 2 months of starting my Tiktok account, I quit my corporate job, started real estate classes, and joined my boyfriend Matt in real estate.
Looking back now, I am so grateful I made the change. Real estate was an interest at the time, and over the past 2+ years, it’s become a passion. I have since grown my Tiktok account to 20k followers, and I share anything and everything real estate related. I am so grateful for my time in the corporate world because I have been able to leverage and utilize those skills to help me gain success through real estate.
Since starting real estate at the end of 2020, it has not been easy by any means, but it has been so worth it. I get to work every day with my best friend and help people achieve their real estate goals. Matt and I have been working together for a few years now, but we recently officially created our real estate team, the Turnage Team, at Realty Austin. It’s a great accomplishment for us, and we are excited to continue our real estate journey.
Our clients truly mean the world to us. I love being a teacher, mentor, advisor, and friend to my clients. Coming from a career where I wasn’t feeling fulfilled and thought everyone hated their jobs, I am amazed. I love what I do now and never thought that was a possibility. One thing that brings me the most joy in real estate is when I get the opportunity to help a first-time homebuyer. It’s an honor to be someone they trust to help them achieve a huge goal/milestone. I look forward to helping anyone I can reach their real estate goals.
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
HA! Not at all. The common misconception is people get into real estate to get rich quickly. If that is why you got or are getting into real estate, you’re in for a big letdown. This career has many ups and downs, and getting your business kicked off the ground requires dedication, hunger, drive, time, money, effort, blood, sweat, and tears. There is the potential for huge rewards in real estate, but it comes with putting in the work. I left a steady paycheck career for a career where a paycheck is not ever guaranteed. If I don’t sell a house, I don’t get paid. When I first got into real estate, I made my first paycheck about 6 months later. Over those six months, I drained all my money and savings into this career. Real estate is not only my career but my passion. There have been times over the last few years when the market has practically changed overnight, times when sales are scarce, and far few between. But every time it gets challenging, I stay laser-focused on my work and the families I’m helping. There is no backup. The only option is a success.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work. What do you do?
I am a Realtor that helps buyers, sellers, and investors achieve their real estate goals.
What do you specialize in?
While I help a wide variety of clients, one of my favorite parts of working in real estate is helping first-time home buyers! It’s a major reward to be that go-to person to help educate and advise first-time buyers to achieve a major milestone. I am so happy to see the excitement of walking into their first home.
What are you known for?
It’s no secret there are many realtors out there. But I am going above and beyond. I truly pride myself in giving my clients the best experience possible. I do this by listening closely to my client’s needs, such as helping sellers maximize their net proceeds, buyers find their dream home to raise their family in, and investors negotiate the best deal. With my assistance, I make achieving their real estate goals that much easier.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of having the courage to find and create a life and career that brings me happiness, fulfillment, and purpose. I wake up excited to be fortunate enough to do what I love and have clients I can help make a difference for.
What sets you apart from the others?
I am genuinely me. I often get comments on my TikTok from people I’ve never met and may never meet, saying how much they appreciate my authenticity. I often say in my videos, “I’m going to keep it real, as always.” While my job is a salesperson by definition, that’s not my personality to be “sales-y” and tell you what you want to hear. I’m going, to be honest. I want my client relationships to be on a personal level – buying or selling a house is a huge freaking decision, so being someone on their side who genuinely cares is just what I’m engrained to do.
Let’s end by discussing what matters most to you and why.
I am creating a positive impact on people’s life. I feel so blessed for all the people I’ve met, got to work with, have relationships with, and have memories of or with. We all have a purpose and contribute to each other’s lives. If I can positively impact someone’s life, that means so much to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.realtyaustin.com/t/cassandra-pineda/agents/turnage-team
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassandrapineda/
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@atx.realestate
Image Credits
The two photos of me in the pink collared dress – photo credit to Emily Synder The three photos of me in the all black outfit- photo credit to Mariah Espinosa
