For more than two decades, Paula Heer has lived on the same street in Ansley Park. In a city like Atlanta, defined by its rapid transformation and ever-shifting skyline, that kind of continuity is rare. It is a testament to both the enduring allure of the neighborhood and the character of a woman who chooses to plant deep roots. 

While her first building on Lafayette Drive was later lost to a fire, Paula had already made her move to secure a permanent stake in the neighborhood she loved. When she decided to transition from renting to homeownership in 2004, she jumped at the opportunity to buy a home just a few doors down at Ansley House Condominiums. She didn’t look for a newer build in a different ZIP code; instead, she chose to deepen her roots right where she was, beginning a new chapter that continues to this day.

 “I didn’t just move here once,” Paula says with a smile. “I kept choosing it. Every time I walk down Lafayette, I’m reminded why.”

 Today, she remains a fixture of the street, a neighbor who has seen the seasons change the canopy of Winn Park for twenty-five years.

Before Ansley Park became her sanctuary, Paula’s life moved to a much faster beat. Her career began in the high-stakes world of the New York City music industry, working in artist development for legendary labels like Atlantic and Arista Records. Her role was pivotal: she was the bridge between raw talent and the global stage, helping introduce emerging icons like Matchbox Twenty to the world. 

That era shaped Paula’s professional DNA. Artist development is an exercise in patience, intuition, and the rare ability to listen, not just to the notes being played, but to the ambition behind them. When her career eventually pulled her toward the South, she found in Atlanta a city that mirrored her own spirit: a blend of creative energy and Southern warmth. In Ansley Park, she found the neighborhood version of a classic record: timeless, soulful, and full of stories.

While Lafayette Drive is her home base, Paula’s perspective is decidedly international. A Swiss citizen who is fluent in German, she maintains a soul-deep connection to Europe, with most of her family still residing in Switzerland and Germany. 

For Paula, travel is far more than a vacation; it is a source of spiritual renewal. Whether she is navigating the sleek streets of Zurich or embarking on a recent, transformative journey through Kenya, she approaches the world with a hunger for exploration. This global lens has sharpened her eye for architecture and design, allowing her to appreciate the profound intersection where a home’s aesthetic meets the culture and community that surround it. 

“Travel fills my soul,” she says. “But it also brings me back to Ansley Park with fresh eyes. It reinforces what makes this neighborhood so incredibly special. It feels like living in a forest oasis: a quiet, green sanctuary tucked away from the concrete of the city. Yet, the beauty of this oasis is its connection. You can walk out from under the tree canopy and, within minutes, be at the High Museum or your favorite restaurant in the heart of the city. It is the perfect balance of serenity and urban vibrance.”

Paula’s two decades in real estate have been a masterclass in the skills that defined her early career: intuition, discernment, and the ability to spot a “spark” before anyone else. She brings a rare balance of strategy and sensitivity to every transaction, guiding Atlantans through their most significant milestones. 

What sets Paula apart is her ability to see a property’s potential. As a creative visionary for sellers, she leverages design and marketing expertise to identify a home’s best elements and craft a compelling narrative. Her global influences keep her on the cutting edge of style, pinpointing updates that ensure a home stands out and sells for its true value. For buyers, Paula’s superpower is listening between the lines. Her measured approach and thoughtful questions ensure clients feel confident, turning a transaction into a homecoming. 

Paula leverages the Engel & Völkers brand to enhance her client experience, utilizing its boutique service and global infrastructure to support her international network. 

“I recently referred an Atlanta client to a shop in Spain,” Paula notes. “It is a wonderful feeling to know my clients will be taken care of with excellence, no matter where they go.” 

With shops in 33 countries, the brand provides the ideal global stage for her local expertise.

Paula’s devotion to the neighborhood is perhaps best illustrated by what she does when no one is watching. For years, she volunteered with the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, serving as a literal guardian of the urban streams that wind through Ansley Park.

 Week after week, she collected water samples to EPA standards, testing for contaminants. It was quiet, often muddy work, but it was vital. Her consistency led to the identification of multiple active sewage leaks. Rather than simply reporting the data, Paula took it upon herself to navigate the labyrinth of city departments, following through until the leaks were repaired. 

“It gave me a way to protect the place I love,” she says. “Real estate is about more than four walls; it’s about the environment we share and the health of the land we live on.”

When asked what has kept her on Lafayette Drive since 1999, Paula points to a sense of belonging. Much of that connection is fostered during daily rounds with Pearl, her 12-year-old rescue. As a neighborhood fixture, Pearl has walked every square inch of the park by Paula’s side, through spring dogwoods and autumn hues. 

These walks aren’t just exercise; they are the way Paula stays tethered to the heartbeat of the neighborhood, engaging in the “porch talk” and sidewalk greetings that make this community feel like a small town. This organic connection defines Paula as a neighbor first: someone who shows up for her clients, the causes that matter, and the people next door. 

As an advisor, Paula’s goal is to translate that feeling for her clients. She wants them to experience the same profound sense of belonging she found here, whether they plant roots in Ansley Park or another unique Atlanta enclave. Looking ahead, her mission remains unchanged: to protect the neighborhood she calls home and help others find where they truly belong. For Paula, Ansley Park isn’t just an address; it’s where her story, and the stories of those she helps, continues to unfold.

If you’re considering buying or selling a home in Atlanta, or simply want to chat about the best walking paths and restaurants in the neighborhood, reach out to Paula!

Email: paula@atlmyhome.com
Phone: 678.427.7194
Instagram: @paulaheer