Reaching success in real estate often takes years of hard work, consistency, and resilience. On a recent episode of The Most Dwanderful Real Estate Podcast Ever, hosted by Dwan Bent-Twyford, Andrea Gordon shared her inspiring journey as a top-producing real estate agent in Berkeley and the East Bay, while also pursuing passions in writing, podcasting, and community building.

Celebrating a Million Podcast Downloads

Before diving into Andrea’s story, Dwan celebrated a major milestone: her podcast officially hit 1 million downloads. This achievement placed The Most Dwanderful Real Estate Podcast Ever in the top 5% of all podcasts—a true testament to the community of listeners who believe in the motto “People Before Profits.”

Meet Andrea Gordon: A Top-Producing Realtor in the East Bay

Andrea Gordon has been a realtor for 27 years, representing clients in Berkeley, Oakland, Albany, El Cerrito, and surrounding communities. She is the top-producing Compass agent in her area and has built a reputation for her professionalism, depth of knowledge, and client-first approach.

But Andrea is more than just a real estate agent. She is also the host of the Realizations podcast, a show that highlights the often-overlooked realities of real estate—beyond commissions and contracts.

Why Andrea Started Her Own Podcast

Andrea’s motivation for launching Realizations came after observing misconceptions around the real estate industry, especially during the ongoing lawsuits involving NAR and commissions.

“People don’t really understand what we do. They don’t understand the depth, the breadth, the vendors we work with, or how much goes into every transaction,” Andrea explained.

Her podcast aims to educate the public on the real role of real estate agents—not just in buying and selling homes, but in building communities, supporting families, and giving back through charitable work.

More Than Real Estate: Andrea’s Creative Passions

Andrea isn’t just a realtor and podcaster—she’s also an author. Her children’s book, Yo-Yo in a Tree, tells the story of a Senegal parrot who escapes but eventually finds its way back home with the help of two children.

You can find Andrea across social media at @AndreaGordonRealEstate or visit her website at www.AndreaGordon.com.

Collaboration Over Competition

Both Andrea and Dwan emphasized the importance of teamwork in real estate.

Dwan, with over 35 years as an investor and more than 2,000 deals completed, stressed how essential realtors are to investors—even those without licenses. Realtors provide accurate comps, handle listing agreements, and help close deals effectively.

Andrea agreed, noting that no one achieves long-term success alone:

“When you have community, when you have people buoying you up, that’s what makes life worthwhile. Collaboration builds resilience and success.”

Real Estate Is More Than Just Commissions

Andrea also addressed one of the biggest misconceptions about real estate—the belief that agents make “easy money” through commissions.

In reality, she explained, commissions are only a small part of the process. Realtors invest countless hours in marketing, negotiations, and client support, often during some of the most stressful times in a person’s life.

On average, Andrea secures 11% more for her sellers compared to other agents in her area—a powerful reminder that experience and expertise directly benefit clients.

Success Through Coaching and Consistency

Like many top producers, Andrea credits much of her success to coaching and accountability. Having worked with Tom Ferry and his network of coaches, Andrea continues to use a production tracker to measure conversations, goals, and results.

This consistency is what sets professionals apart. As Andrea shared:

“A lot of people get into real estate thinking it’s easy, but it’s one of the hardest jobs out there. You have to be consistent in your marketing, your prospecting, and your follow-up. That’s what stabilizes your income and builds a career.”

The Human Side of Real Estate

At the heart of Andrea’s philosophy is recognizing the human side of real estate. People don’t move unless they’re experiencing a major life change—marriage, divorce, children leaving for college, or new opportunities. Realtors step in during these pivotal transitions, guiding clients through what can often be emotional and overwhelming decisions.

This requires more than market knowledge—it requires empathy, patience, and the ability to support people through some of the most stressful moments in their lives.

Learning to Stay Grounded in Real Estate

Andrea Gordon, a top-producing realtor in Berkeley, California, shares that one of the hardest but most important lessons in real estate is not taking things personally. Clients often come to a realtor during some of the most stressful times of their lives—marriage, divorce, death, foreclosure, or financial struggles.

She credits The Four Agreements as a life-changing book that helped her keep perspective: “When you read it, you realize that the problems people project onto you aren’t really yours. If you take them on, you become less effective.”

For Gordon, the key is to remain empathetic and compassionate, but also to stay calm and capable of action when clients are overwhelmed.

The Power of Compassion in Hard Times

Co-host Dwan Bent-Twyford echoed this perspective, drawing from her own experience working with families facing foreclosure. “If you don’t want to hear their story and try to help them, you don’t belong in this business,” she said. Real estate, especially in difficult circumstances, isn’t just about transactions—it’s about offering real help in people’s worst moments.

Building a Team and Letting Go of Control

Another turning point in Gordon’s career was realizing she didn’t have to do everything herself. Hiring her first assistant transformed her business.

“I was doing everything myself—basically being my own assistant. Once I hired help, my business took off.”

Now, she runs a lean but effective operation: two listing coordinators, a full-time transaction coordinator, a virtual assistant in the Philippines, and buyers’ agents. This allows her to focus almost entirely on listings.

While some mega-teams boast hundreds of agents, Gordon prefers a small, highly efficient team that keeps her directly connected to the work she loves.

Marketing Lessons That Last a Lifetime

Gordon’s background in theater and advertising shaped her marketing philosophy. From her time at an ad agency, she learned that consistency is everything.

Her most surprising success? Bus benches.
“People laughed at me, but I’ve had them for 23 years. They’re worth gold. During the 2008 downturn, I actually added more because I knew if I stayed visible, people would trust I was still standing strong.”

Like Warren Buffett buying stocks during downturns, Gordon doubled down on marketing when others pulled back—cementing her reputation as reliable and resilient.

Breaking Through Fear

Fear, Gordon emphasizes, is the single biggest obstacle to success. She shared a personal story about skipping a wedding in her youth because of insecurity over a blemish on her face. “No one would have cared, but fear stopped me from experiencing something wonderful. Those moments when you push through fear are when breakthroughs happen.”

Bent-Twyford agreed, saying much of her early life was ruled by fear until she decided to let it go: “Now, I don’t care what people think—I try everything.”

If Not Now, When?

Andrea Gordon lives by a powerful motto: “If not now, when?”

This philosophy has inspired her to:

• Return to school for a PhD program in her 60s
• Write and publish a children’s book (Yo-Yo in a Tree)
• Launch Rainbow Zebra Productions, a theater company now resident at the Magic Theater in San Francisco
• Create a play reading series showcasing women playwrights over 55
• Resume piano lessons after decades away, eventually rewarding herself with a Steinway grand piano

Like legendary cellist Pablo Casals, who practiced daily into his 80s because he believed he was “still getting better,” Gordon continues to pursue growth, creativity, and excellence in every chapter of her life.

Living Without Fear of Failure

On her desk sits a paperweight that reads:

“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”

For Andrea Gordon, the answer is simple: everything.

Her story is a reminder that whether in real estate, creative pursuits, or personal growth, the biggest barrier isn’t the market, the competition, or even circumstances—it’s fear. Overcoming that fear opens the door to fearless living and boundless possibilities.

Listening First: The Client Intake Process

Andrea Gordon believes the foundation of real estate success lies in deep listening. With every client, she conducts a detailed intake to uncover what truly matters to them—beyond square footage or price points.

“I write down what it is they want and what seems important to them. You have to go in depth with people about this stuff,” she explained.

One client’s dream included something as rare as a shared communal garden—and when Andrea found a home that matched perfectly, she knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Negotiating with Strength

When the client hesitated over price, Andrea didn’t back down. Despite competing with a strong all-cash offer, she encouraged her client to step up with confidence.

“I told her, if you want this house, you have to do this. Otherwise, you’ll be looking for another six months, because this is a unicorn. You’re not going to see this again.”

The client followed Andrea’s guidance and won the house—a reminder of why a strong, experienced realtor makes all the difference.

Teaching the Next Generation of Realtors

Andrea’s expertise extends beyond transactions. After teaching a class at Compass, she began transcribing her lessons into a forthcoming book titled Realizations.

The book is a practical guide for aspiring realtors, covering both technical and human aspects of the business:

• Understanding laws and contracts
• Knowing when to involve attorneys or managers
• Asking the right questions—and learning when to trust your own judgment

“Whether you’re successful or not in real estate, you need to learn the fundamentals. But there’s a lot you also just have to figure out for yourself.”

A Love for Music and Creativity

Beyond real estate, Andrea has a deep appreciation for music and creativity. Her favorite band of all time? The Beatles.

She reminisced about growing up with their music, pretending to be “married” to her favorite Beatle, John, while her best friend claimed Paul.

She even shared a quirky life story: encountering Yoko Ono in bathrooms on two different continents—a surreal reminder of how interconnected life can be.

Sunset Reflections and the Beauty of Home

When asked about her happy place, Andrea didn’t hesitate: sunset.

Living on a 24,000-square-foot lot in Berkeley, her canyon view transforms into a peaceful oasis each evening.

“The way the sun dapples off the leaves is just exquisite. That’s why we didn’t leave here—it’s peaceful and beautiful.”

For Andrea, home is not just a property—it’s a sanctuary.

A Single Word of Wisdom: Breathe

Andrea left listeners with one powerful word: breathe.

She explained that pausing to take six deep breaths can reset the body and mind, lowering stress and helping people regain clarity.

As a former voice and diction teacher, she understands how essential proper breathing is—not just for speech, but for health and well-being.

“Most people breathe very shallowly. Taking a moment to breathe deeply will revitalize you.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding how to value a commercial property is a vital skill for any investor who wants to make smart, profitable decisions. By applying the right valuation methods, doing your due diligence, and staying informed about market trends, you can confidently determine a property’s true worth and maximize your return on investment.

(Dwanderful is a real estate investor and a podcast host, and through her platform, she shares tools and resources to help aspiring and seasoned investors succeed. Dwan, the founder of Dwanderful, even offers a free book entitled Real Estate Lingo to help you master industry terms, as well as a paid book, Five Pillars of Real Estate Investing, for those who want a deeper dive into proven strategies. You can also take her fun quiz game to discover how you could generate six figures in the next six months—whether you’re buying your first property or your next. It only takes less than a minute!)

By combining the knowledge you’ve gained here with Dwan’s expert insights and resources, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your real estate goals. Contact us now!