Riezl Baker Recognized as a 2023 Real Estate Newsmaker at CEO Leadership Meeting in Washington DC
*Washington DC, September 14, 2023* – In a distinguished gathering of industry leaders and veterans, 22-year-old real estate luminary Riezl Baker stood out as a shining example of success and dedication in the world of real estate. The event took place at the historic Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC, where over 100 industry stalwarts converged.
Riezl Baker was honored in the "Achiever" category, a testament to her outstanding journey in the real estate sector. With more than two decades of experience as a realtor in Lake Oconee, Riezl's career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable. She started her real estate journey over 20 years ago, quickly rising to become one of the lake area’s top producers, a position she has consistently held year after year.
In 2020, amidst the pandemic,Riezl and her husband, Ted, took the bold step of launching their own luxury brokerage, Luxury Lake Oconee. In just three years, they have catapulted it to the pinnacle of luxury real estate brokerage in the area, producing over $180 million in sales this past year.
“While some may argue that we were fortunate due to the influx of people that migrated here because of Covid, it's crucial to understand that luck alone cannot sustain a business over the long term,” said Riezl. “Our decades of experience and the ability to navigate through many previous tough cycles had equipped us with the skills and determination needed to weather the storm, “ she added. Despite this year’s market shift, the small brokerage has produced over $100 million in closed and pending transactions to date.
What sets Riezl apart is not just her professional success but also her unwavering commitment to philanthropic endeavors. She played a pivotal role as part of the original foundation board that steered the opening of the hospital in the Lake Oconee area in 2013. In 2010, she and her husband, Ted, established the Lake Oconee Food and Wine Festival, dedicated to supporting education. Riezl has also been an active member of the Oconee Performing Arts Society and currently serves on its board of directors.
Remarkably, Riezl embarked on her real estate career before becoming a parent and successfully raised her two children, now aged 21 and 17, with her husband in Lake Oconee. Her ability to balance a demanding career and family life serves as an inspiration to many.
Reflecting on her journey, Riezl Baker stated, "There is no such thing as balance. Of course, there were moments when I felt guilty about working too much, but my kids turned out well. Watching me work gave them a lot of confidence and taught them the value of hard work,” she stated. Her eldest child currently attends Yale University, while her daughter is enrolled at the Interlochen Performing Arts Academy.
Riezl attributes much of her success to her dedicated support team. She emphasizes, "We are fortunate to have a good support team. They understand that our mission is to serve our clients as professionals. Real estate is a demanding profession. To be successful, you have to be available at all times, but I love what I do even after 22 years,” she added.
Riezl has been invited recently to share her insights and speak at conferences and webinars, including a national empowerment conference in Las Vegas. There, she addressed an audience of over 500 attendees, sharing her wisdom on successful entrepreneurship. Her journey serves as an inspiration to budding and seasoned professionals, highlighting the importance of hard work, dedication, and resilience. “You have to learn how to pivot when situations and markets change. That's the secret to longevity”, said Riezl.
