Agent Spotlight: Keren Bolanos

July was a month to remember for Paramount Home Group agent, Keren Bolanos, who closed 5 homes totaling nearly $1.5 million. But her story is about much more than production numbers. It’s about grit, reinvention, and the determination to give her kids a better life than the one she grew up with.

Keren was born and raised in New York City. She grew up in the projects without the traditional family structure many people rely on. That upbringing shaped her into the mother she is today — fiercely dedicated to her children and committed to being the kind of parent she never had.

From Sneakers to Sales

Before real estate, Keren’s path was anything but glamorous. She worked in sneaker shops in California and at a check cashing place because she didn’t have a degree to get into banking. What drove her was simple: she wanted to be around money, to deal with people, and to prove herself.

When her bosses doubted her and shipped her off to the worst performing branch, Keren turned it around. In a role where the monthly goal was three credit card sales, she sold over fifty in just two months. The difference was her customer service. People trusted her. They felt heard. That same energy followed her in shoe sales, where she quickly became the top seller.

But the retail world wasn’t without frustration. Time and again she outperformed, yet she wasn’t valued by her peers.

Betting on Herself

Real estate wasn’t even her idea at first. Her aunt and uncle were real estate investors in New York who later moved to Florida. When her aunt struggled with slow agents, she half-joked that Keren should get licensed because she’d probably pass the exam.

Keren took that bet and ran with it. She studied relentlessly, earned her license in just 27 days, and passed on her first attempt. She started helping her aunt with acquisitions, learning the ropes by working within the safety of family deals. Soon she was writing offers for her aunt’s friends, most of them investors. She wasn’t really advising yet, just opening doors.

By her second year, she had joined a brokerage known for accountability. But as a mother with young kids, she felt torn. Childcare was expensive, her guilt was heavy, and her confidence wavered. She told herself motherhood was an excuse. It wasn’t until she joined Paramount Home Group that everything shifted.

No More Excuses

When Keren came to PHG, she was on her last month of savings. She hadn’t had income in half a year, and friends told her to just get a job. Instead, she showed up every single day like a top agent, even when she wasn’t yet closing deals.

The market was cooling, headlines were bleak, but PHG agents were thriving. That energy rubbed off on her. At first, she was hesitant to take on leads, worried she couldn’t balance family and business. But she pushed through, showing over forty homes in a single month and averaging three closings monthly.

Her motivation wasn’t just about commission checks. She started focusing on her reputation, delivering white-glove service, and creating a buzz that led to referrals.

Social Media and Consistency

Since 2014, Keren has been active on social media. She didn’t even own a phone until after high school, but once she did, she found her stride online. What struck her most was that strangers often supported her more than people she knew personally.

She branded herself as the “Tampa Bay Realtor,” showing up consistently so no one could forget what she did. Fitness became a big part of her content, and the encouragement she got for her discipline opened her eyes. Consistency wasn’t just for workouts — it could apply to her business, too.

July Success

What made July different? Keren credits her kids. With school out, she brought them along for the ride. They became part of her business. After showings, they’d grab pizza or ice cream in whatever neighborhood they visited. It wasn’t just work — it was fun.

She said yes to every client, regardless of pre-approval. She leaned into tough conversations. And when stress piled up, her brother reminded her: “You deal with people every day, and you do it well.” That perspective helped her click into gear.

Even with six pendings and five closings, she carved out time daily to stop, reflect, and plan her next move. She cut back a bit on fitness to flex a different muscle — her business.

What She Wants You to Know

Keren’s story is proof that beginnings don’t define endings. Growing up in the projects didn’t stop her. Being a single mom didn’t stop her. Living off savings didn’t stop her. She made it clear: if she can do it, so can you.

Her service, her personality, and her determination are worth waiting for. She’s focused on partnerships, sharpening her strengths, and staying true to her belief that if one door closes, she’ll find a window.

Gratitude

Keren wants to thank the people who supported her journey:

• Carl Aarons for teaching her to slow down and process things

• Claudia Hayden for always being there with numbers and systems

• Mateo Zapata and Cari Guzman, who knew her from the very beginning of her career and stuck by her

• And Keegan Siegfried, owner of Paramount Home Group, who encouraged her to keep her foot on the gas. Earlier this year he named her a Rising Star, and though it scared her at first, she’s proven him right.

Keren Bolanos is having her best year in real estate yet — and she’s just getting started.