eXp Realty has announced that Carmen Mercado has joined the brokerage as a real estate agent. Mercado previously served as National President of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) and as Director of Affordable Lending at Freddie Mac.
Mercado brings more than 20 years of experience in residential real estate, brokerage leadership, housing finance, and affordable lending. She has worked as a broker, trainer, growth strategist, and New York Department of State-certified real estate instructor. HousingWire named her one of the 25 Most Influential Women in the Housing Economy. She was also a finalist for the Inman 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders list.
Leo Pareja, CEO of eXp Realty, welcomed the addition. “Carmen has spent her career pushing the industry to be more inclusive and better prepared for what’s ahead. That’s exactly the mindset our model was built for,” he said. “We’re not just gaining an experienced leader. We’re gaining someone who’s spent her whole career making other people better at this business.”
Mercado entered real estate in 2002 after a difficult first-time homebuying experience with her husband, a military veteran. She was working on Wall Street at the time. The September 11 attacks shifted her career priorities. She left Wall Street to build a business centered on family and helping others with major life decisions.
“Throughout my career, I’ve found that the agents who thrive aren’t necessarily the ones who predict every market change perfectly,” Mercado said. “They’re the ones who prepare before opportunity arrives. As the Roman philosopher Seneca wrote, ‘Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.’ That’s a philosophy I’ve carried with me throughout my career.”
Beyond residential sales, Mercado led growth initiatives and affordable lending strategy. She also took on national housing advocacy roles and built relationships across the industry.
Mercado chose eXp Realty for its agent-first approach and the quality of professionals joining the company. At eXp, she plans to grow her own team and expand her residential and investor business. She will also work with corporations, nonprofits, and industry partners on new business development. In addition, she will continue sharing market insights to help agents identify opportunities.
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