Overall Capabilities
Customer Oriented ~ Superior Problem Solving and Decision-Making Skills ~ Exceptional Negotiation Skills ~ Excellent Communication Skills ~ Multi-Tasker
Career Summary
Coldwell Banker Apex, Realtors® 05/1997 - present
(formerly Coldwell Banker Gosslee and Coldwell Banker J. Wesley Dowling & Associates)
Shreveport, Louisiana
Independent contractor/sales agent…licensed REALTOR®
• ABR - Accredited Buyer's Representative
• CRS - Certified Residential Specialist
• CRRS - Certified Residential Relocation Specialist
• e-PRO 500 - First class to graduate from the internet-ready course
• PSA – Pricing Strategy Advisor certification
• GRI - Graduate REALTORS® Institute
• PMN - Performance Management Network
• PSA – Pricing Strategy Advisor certification
• SRES - Senior Real Estate Specialist
• SRS - Seller Representative Specialist
• Ombudsman Trained
• Mediation Certified
• Certified Luxury Property Specialist – Coldwell Banker Global Luxury®
• AHWD - At Home With Diversity certification
• CBU - Coldwell Banker University graduate
• CMRS – Certified Military Residential Specialist
• SFR - Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource Certification
• Nehemiah Specialist (First Time Home Buyer Financing)
• Smart Home Certified – Coldwell Banker certification
• Floyd Wickham Graduate
• Certified Green Professional, National Association of Home Builders
Education
Baker Real Estate School 4/1997
Shreveport, LA
Northwestern State University 08/1987 – 05/1991
Natchitoches, LA
• Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a triple emphasis in Public Relations, News Writing, and Broadcasting; and a Minor in Political Science
Business Accomplishments
• 2023-2025 Member of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing
• 2021 - #1 at Coldwell Banker Gosslee in Listing Units, Buyer Controlled Sales, and Total Units
• 2018 - #3 at Coldwell Banker Gosslee in Listing Units, Buyer Controlled Sales, and Total Units
• 2005 - 2022 Top 5 Agents for Coldwell Banker Gosslee in Buyer Controlled Sales
• 2005 - 2022 Top 5 Agents for Coldwell Banker Gosslee in Closed Units
• 2005 - 2022 Top 5 Agents for Coldwell Banker Gosslee in Listing Units
• 2006 - 2008, 2010-2022 Top 5 for Coldwell Banker Gosslee in Volume Production
• 2017 Coldwell Banker Gosslee Referral Excellence Award
• 2016 Coldwell Banker Gosslee – Chairman’s Award
• 2015 Northwest Louisiana Association of Realtors – Realtor of the Year
• 2015 Real Trends Best Real Estate Agents in America by - #2 in North Louisiana, #6 in the State of Louisiana – Ranked by Number of Sides
• 2012 Real Trends – The Thousand – Ranked #247 in the United States – Ranked by Number of Sides
• 2011 Top 10 Sales Associates, Southern Region of Coldwell Banker in Total Units
• 2006-2015 Top 10 State of Louisiana of all Coldwell Banker agents
• 2009 Women’s Council of Realtors, Shreveport-Bossier Chapter, Member of the Year
• 2009 - 2011 Coldwell Banker J. Wesley Dowling & Assoc. Broker Advisory Council
• 2006 #1 Shreveport Office for Coldwell Banker J. Wesley Dowling & Assoc. in Total Units
• 2005, 2007 #1 Seller’s Agent, for Coldwell Banker J. Wesley Dowling & Assoc. in Listing Units
• 2005-2006, 2008 #1 Buyer's Agent, for Coldwell Banker J. Wesley Dowling & Assoc.
• 2009-2018, 2021 Coldwell Banker International President’s Premier (Top .5% Coldwell Banker Nationwide)
• 2001-2005, 2007-2008, 2019, 2020, 2022 Coldwell Banker International President’s Elite (Top 1% Coldwell Banker Nationwide)
• 1998-2000, 2006, 2023 Coldwell Banker International President's Circle (Top 2% Coldwell Banker Nationwide)
• 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2011 Coldwell Banker Circle of Excellence
• 1998, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2012 Coldwell Banker Circle of Honor
• 1999 Coldwell Banker Diamond Award
• Keynote Speaker for Coldwell Banker rallies (Little Rock, Arkansas and Mississippi)
• Coldwell Banker University, 1998 - First to graduate in less than one year in our company
• Northwest Louisiana Board of REALTORS® Member, since 1997
o 2020 By-Laws Committee Chairman
o 2020 Government Relations & Advocacy Committee Chairman
§ Committee Member 2018 - current
o 2018 NWLAR Past President and NWLAR MLS Past President
o 2017 NWLAR President and NWLAR MLS President
o 2016 NWLAR President-Elect and NWLAR MLS President-Elect
o 2015 NWLAR Secretary-Treasurer and NWLAR MLS Secretary-Treasurer
o 2010-2015 NWLAR Board of Directors and NWLAR MLS Board of Directors
o 2014-2018 Executive Committee
o 2014 AE Search Committee
o Budget Committee 2014-2016, Member Services Chairman 2013-2104 (Created a Membership Directory and Housing Profile Guide for Distribution), Programs Chairman 2012, Forms Committee Chairman 2006, 2009, Technology Committee Chairman 2009-2011, Professional Development Committee Member 2009, MLS General Committee Member 2009, Home Is Where the Heart Is Foundation Committee Member 2009, Risk Reduction Committee Chairman 2004, 2005
o Chaired and/or served on numerous committees since 1999 – By-Laws, Budget and Finance, Legislative, Realtor of the Year, Professional Standards, Forms, Technology, Education, Risk Reduction, Issues Mobilization, MLS Administrative (Multi-Listing Service), Home Is Where the Heart Is, Programs, and Cultural Diversity
o Created two continuing education courses that have approval from the Louisiana Real Estate Commission. Created the handout, the presentation material, and co-taught the course.
o Created and Chaired a member event called Beat the Rush which evolved into Realtor Expo, and now currently Realtor Day
• Louisiana Association of REALTORS® Member, 1997 – current
o 2015 - 2019 Louisiana Realtors Board of Directors
o 2018 Strategic Planning Committee
o 2018 - 2019 Legislative Committee
o 2018 Professional Development Committee
o 2015 Professional Standards Committee
o 2015 - 2018 Membership Committee
o Trained Mediator
o Ombudsman Certified
o 2013 Fall Conference Committee
o 2007 Graduate Louisiana REALTORS® Association Leadership Academy
• Louisiana Association of Realtors Political Action Trustee, 2018-2027
o Major Investor, 2012 – current
• Louisiana Chapter RRC (previously CRS) Member, 2000 - current
o 2022 State President, 2021 Membership Chair, 2020 Finance Chair, 2019-2018 Newsletter Chair
• National Association of REALTORS® Member, 1997 - current
o MLS committee 2019-2021
• Women’s Council of REALTORS® Member, 1997 – current
o 2021 Leadership Team
o 2009 Programs Chairman for Dancing with the REALTOR® Stars (fundraiser)
o 2008 Women’s Council of REALTORS® Businesswoman of the Year
o 2005 President, 2004 President-Elect, 2004 Fundraising Chairman, 2003 Secretary, 2011-2012 By-Laws Chairman, 2013-2014 Ways and Means Chairman
• Commercial Investment Division Member, 2012 - current
• National Association of Home Builders Member, 2008 - current
• Northwest Louisiana Home Builders Association Associate's Council, 2008 - current
• Shreveport-Bossier 40 Under 40, Class of 2009
Community Involvement
• Women's Council of REALTORS®
o Have helped raise over $120,000 to donate to the Volunteer of America (Pregnancy and Adoption Program), Oscar Cloyd Real Estate Scholarship at Louisiana State University Shreveport, and various other charities such as Bikers Against Child Abuse, Caddo Council on Aging, Bossier Council on Aging, Volunteers for Youth Justice, and Rock Solid
• Rotary International Member, 2001 - current
o District 6190 Assistant District Governor, 2007-2010
o River Bend Chapter Charter Member 2001 - current
o President 2006-07; President-Elect 2005-06; Vice President 2004-05; Treasurer 2003-04
o Paul Harris Fellow, five times
o Sustaining Member, 2002 – current
o Our Chapter has raised and donated, over $100,000 to various charities such as The Rotary Foundation, Polio Plus Partners, Rotary Youth Leadership Academy, Gingerbread House, Providence House, Shreveport Police and Firefighter Memorial, Philadelphia Center, Toys for Tots, and more
o We have invested time with hands-on work into various charities such as the YWCA (I lead three literacy events), Tree Planting/Beautification Project at Oak Terrace Elementary, Caddo Middle Career & Technology, and Atkins Elementary (wrote the grant and headed the project), serve food at the Rescue Mission, Inner City Boy Scout group to Applebee’s and Tinseltown, packing boxes at Northwest Louisiana Food Bank, painting and hanging blinds at Gingerbread House, craft projects at Shriner’s Hospital, and more
o Helped the Fuller Foundation with the construction of homes in Shreveport
• Independence Bowl Foundation Member, 1999 - current
o Pep Rally Chairman, 2007, 2008, 2009; 2008 Ernest Young Volunteer of the Year; Executive Secretary 2009, 2010; Selection Committee 2009; Hospitality Committee 2021 - current
• Community Renewal International, Women of Community Renewal member, 2008 - current
o Croquet Classic Chairman 2011, Croquet Classic Co-Chairman 2010, Decoration Chairman Croquet Classic 2009
• Young Professional Initiative Member, 2008-2018
• Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority Alumni, 1999 - current; Lifetime Member since 2019
• Northwestern State University Alumni Lifetime Member since 2015
• Strand Theater, Friend 2019
• Shreveport Little Theatre Guild, Lifetime Member since 2007
• Robinson Film Center Supporter/Member, 2014-2018
• Pirates of the Red Member, 2011-2013
• Krewe of Gemini - Member/Reveler, June 2007- current
o Party Chairman 2024-25, 2025-26; CWC Chairman 2020-2024; Merchandise Co-Chairman 2021-2023; Queen 2019; Float Lieutenant 2014; Float Secretary/Treasurer 2015 - current; Board of Directors Member 2010, 2024; and Newsletter Chairman 2010
• Krewe of Demeter - Member/Reveler, 2020 – current
o Board of Directors 2021-22, 2023-24; Coronation and Grand Bal Chairman 2023-24; Grand Bal Chairman 2022; By Laws Committee 2023-24
• Northwest Louisiana Board of REALTORS® Member, 1997 - current
o Committee Member for the Home Is Where the Heart Is Foundation - personally raised $1800 in donations in three days to kick off this committee’s existence in December 2008
• Louisiana Association of REALTORS® Member, 1997 - current
o The Certified Residential Specialists (CRS) in our Board raised over $1000 in less than 2 months to donate to the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank
o Work day with Habitat For Humanity in Lake Charles, 2015
• Northwest Louisiana Home Builder's Association Member, Associate's Council, since 2008
o Sold tickets for the Community Renewal International House For Hope
• Women’s Republican Club Member, 2014 - current
o 2016 Publicity Co-Chairman; 2016 Guns & Republicans Committee Member; 2015 Guns & Republicans Co-Chairman; 2014 Guns & Republicans Committee Member
• Mud Bug Madness Volunteer, 2021-2024
• Kappa Sigma Mothers Club, 2020 - current
• Moms of Alpha Phi, 2023 - current
• Caddo Middle Magnet Pegasus Society; Taught Home Living Classes with cooking demonstration, Fall 2015
• Eden Gardens Fundamental Elementary School Workroom Volunteer and Room Mom, 2009-2013
• Riverside Elementary School Room Mom, 2012-13, 2014-15, 2015-16; 5th Grade Celebration Chairman 2016
• St. Paul’s Day School Workroom Volunteer and Assistant Room Mom, 2007
References
Available upon request
Karen was wonderful to work with! She worked hard and found us the perfect house for us. We are new to the area and she considered all of our needs and helped us find the perfect home in a timely manner!
Karen Baker is able to explain the complexities of the market in a way that truly makes you feel knowledgeable and empowered to make the right choice for you and your family. I highly recommend hiring Karen Baker if you want to know you're interests are a top priority.
I want to express my utmost satisfaction and gratitude to Karen Baker for her exceptional service as my realtor. Working with Karen was an absolute pleasure and I highly recommend her to anyone in need of a reliable and knowledgeable real estate professional.From the moment I connected with Karen I was impressed by her expertise and professionalism. She took the time to understand my unique needs and preferences ensuring that the properties she presented to me were tailored to my requirements. Her knowledge of the local market was evident and she provided valuable insights that helped me make informed decisions.Karen's attention to detail and commitment to excellence were remarkable. She was always available to address my questions and concerns responding promptly and with utmost professionalism. Her communication skills are exceptional keeping me informed throughout the entire process and ensuring a smooth and seamless experience.Negotiating with Karen by my side was a true advantage. She demonstrated strong negotiation skills advocating for my best interests and securing a favorable deal. Her guidance and advice were invaluable and I felt confident in every decision I made thanks to her expertise.In addition to her excellent service as a realtor Karen also connected me with a network of trusted professionals including inspectors and lawyers who played a crucial role in the purchasing process. This further exemplified her dedication to ensuring a seamless transaction and a positive overall experience.Thanks to Karen's hard work and dedication I am now a happy homeowner. Her commitment to customer satisfaction and her genuine care for her clients make her an exceptional realtor. I would not hesitate to work with Karen again in the future and recommend her without reservation to anyone in need of a top-notch real estate professional.Thank you Karen for your outstanding service and for going above and beyond to help me find my dream home.
Property Address | Details |
---|---|
4140 Baltimore Avenue Shreveport, LA 71106 | Beds: 2 Baths: 1 Total SqFt: 1,273 |
601 Dodd Drive Shreveport, LA 71107 | Beds: 3 Baths: 3 Total SqFt: 2,363 |
14470 Peaceful Pines Lane Vivian, LA 71082 | Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Total SqFt: 1,680 |
Property Address | Details |
---|---|
259 Acadiana Creek Drive Shreveport, LA 71106 | Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Total SqFt: 1,787 |
591 Demery Boulevard Shreveport, LA 71115 | Beds: 4 Baths: 4 Total SqFt: 2,981 |
173 Cypress Lane Stonewall, LA 71078 | Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Total SqFt: 1,930 |