NPBOR President Andrea Bakewell stresses importance of involvement

September 7-13, 2015

By Becca Bona

Although born in California, North Pulaski Board of Realtors (NPBOR) President Andrea Bakewell considers Central Arkansas her home.
“My dad was stationed at Camp Pendleton as a Marine,” she says, “But when I was five years old we moved here because this was where all the family was.”
Bakewell got into real estate in March of 2007. She remembers specifically, because there was a point in time when she was bitten by the housing market bug.
She explains, “The reason why I got in the real estate business is because my husband and I purchased our first investment property in 2005. I just liked that whole experience so much that I decided to get my real estate license.”
Bakewell started off with Re/Max in North Little Rock, but then she moved to RPM, which would later merge with Coldwell Banker. She loves her work environment as she pinpoints those around her for getting her involved with the NPBOR in the first place.
“We had a broker here at the time and she submitted a nomination to the board for me to be voted in as director. … I guess she saw leadership qualities in me,” she says. Bakewell was doing committee work before she became a full on director with the NPBOR in 2010. In other words, she’s always been a believer in the organization, as she says, “I stay very active with my Board.”
Current goals for the NPBOR include implementing safety topics and focusing largely on safety education in the wake of Beverly Carter’s tragic death. Also, in addition to supporting Special Olympics, Bakewell hopes to steer the board into a relationship with the Arkansas Freedom Fund, a charitable organization for Arkansas veterans.
“Dad was a marine and I just have a big heart for veterans. I think it’s an honor to be able to be a part of their home buying experience,” she says.
Choosing real estate as a career right before the market crash was an experience for Bakewell, but she has since learned some tricks of the trade. “I did alright, you really have to get out there and bust your business,” she says. Working on your sphere of influence as well as following up on your leads are her two biggest pieces of advice.
That, and of course, board involvement. “Just because you’re a newly licensed Realtor doesn’t mean that you can’t get involved from the get go because you feel you haven’t been in the business long enough. I strongly encourage new agents to start getting involved from the very beginning,” she says.
Throughout her time as a Realtor, she has learned from some of the best, including fellow board member and director Bob Walker, who she considers a true mentor.
Bakewell is a hard worker, and a believer in continuing education. She currently holds the following designations and certifications: Graduate Realtors Institute Designation, Certified Residential Specialist, Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource certification, and tech-savvy skills via the e-PRO certification. She is also working toward obtaining two more this year – her Military Relocation Professional certification as well as Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation.
When not working, Bakewell enjoys spending time with her family in her Park Hill home. She is excited about the bustle of activity in Argenta as she says, “I’m so glad that that’s starting to be up-and-coming.”