Raquel Lavender is originally from Venezuela and has lived in the United States, specifically in Atlanta, Georgia since 1987. She is bilingual English/Spanish. Raquel's real estate career began in 2001 being affiliated with Star Properties Realty Inc. working in the residential part of the business; in November of 2002 she joined Metro Brokers/GMAC Real Estate. In the summer of 2003 she became involved in commercial transactions, in addition to her residential sales. In January 2005, Raquel was hired by Exit Advantage Realty as their Managing Broker. Since July 2005 until the present, she has been affiliated with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners formerly Grand South as an Associate Broker concentrating in her Real Estate Sales and Consulting Business. Raquel's passion has always been International Real Estate but understand the importance of thinking globally and acting locally, so she puts that passion to work right here in the U.S. 

 

She is an active member of the Metro South Association of Realtors Equal Opportunity/Cultural Diversity (EOCD) Committee serving as the Chairman in 2005 and 2006, she has remained a member since 2005 until the present. She served as treasurer for the International Real Estate Council of Georgia in 2005 and the Women’s Council of Realtors in 2004 and 2005. Within Keller Williams Realty, Raquel serves as a member of the Agent Leadership Council since 2005 until the present, Regional Agent Leadership Council Representative for 2007-2009, former co-chairman of the Policies and Procedures Committee and presently serving as a member of the Career Development/Productivity Committee.

 

     In addition to her volunteer work with the various local and state Realtor Associations, she also maintains a strong relationship with the local business communities in the area through her membership in the the Rotary Club of Lake Spivey where she has been serving as their Director of International Projects for the past 2 years and Director of Service Projects for the fiscal year of 2008-2009. She has also been invited as a guest speaker for a real estate course at Clayton State University.

 

     During her real estate career, she has acquired several designations: Certified New Homes Sales Professional (CSP) in 2002; Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) in 2003; Graduate of the Graduate REALTOR Institute (GRI) in 2003; Quality Service Certified (QSC) in 2004; Certified International Properties Specialist (CIPS) in 2004, being the first in her Local Association of Realtors with this prestigious designation; Certified Sellers Representative (CSR) in 2003. In the GMAC Real Estate continuous training program she completed the PHD course in 2004, Real Estate Judo and Elegant Homes Certification in 2003. Most recently in 2007, Raquel obtained her Trasnational Referral Certification (TRC) from the National Association of REALTORS which puts her a step ahead in her International Real Estate Business. She also received the Affordable Housing Specialist Designation(AHS) through the Metro South Association of REALTORS. In addition and to complement her business interest, Raquel obtained the International Business Certificate at the Atlanta World Trade Center  in 2005, as well as completing the Grassroot Leadership Institute Certificate through the University of Georgia in the Fall of 2007.