SPEAKER_00 1:45

Welcome back to the Hill Talk Web Podcast. Today we're gonna be chatting with Ashley Elmore, a realtor in Columbia, South Carolina, who is passionate about helping residents find their dream homes. With over seven years of previous experience in human resources, HR, most referred to it as, she transitioned into real estate, combining her love for assisting others with her results-driven approach. So you're a top 20% agent. Is that with Keller Williams?

SPEAKER_02 2:15

That's in our office, in our market center.

SPEAKER_00 2:17

Awesome, awesome. And you're an agent of distinction. So you gotta explain to us what that is.

SPEAKER_02 2:21

Yes, so we had that with Keller Williams, um, of course, before all the DEI stuff going on in the world, but it just means that we hold ourselves to a higher standard when it comes to working all with all different types of people.

SPEAKER_00 2:34

Cool. Excellent. And you're like I said, you're dedicated to helping clients, um, include especially particularly us today. Yes and our audience understand the real estate process and you believe in building generational wealth. Absolutely. Um, so today um we're gonna learn a little bit more about real estate market and um how your strategies for client success. Yeah. How are you doing? What's going on? I'm good. How are we doing?

SPEAKER_01 2:57

Doing good, doing good.

SPEAKER_02 2:58

Thank you for being here. Thank you for inviting me.

SPEAKER_01 3:00

This is my first podcast, so um, if the people aren't familiar with you, tell us about your background growing up. What was it like?

SPEAKER_02 3:14

Um, growing up, you know, middle class family. I grew up in 803 in Columbia, right in Woodfield Park behind Russian Northeast High School. Uh-huh. Um and then going to the house.

SPEAKER_00 3:22

Oh, so you like light right around the corner.

SPEAKER_02 3:24

Yeah, right around the corner. Um now my husband and I, we built a house in Blythewood, but I've lived here all my life.

SPEAKER_03 3:29

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 3:29

Um, from elementary on up to um graduate school. Um, and I, my parents middle class, hardworking people. Um, we still live in the northeast side of Columbia. My family does. And I grew up with my parents telling me I could do anything I want to do and be anything I want to be. I feel like, I'm not saying this because it's me, but I was a good child. You know, I did what my parents told me I needed to do. I was I was always involved in stuff in high school from student government to whatever. Um, and the same thing in the college. So um, real estate was a brand new avenue for me after graduating college. I had gotten a banking job after college, you know, we think we're gonna go straight into our dream career, and that didn't happen. So I spent a few years in banking, but wanted an opportunity to earn more income. Um, and anybody that's a realtor is gonna lie if they say they didn't get into it for the money at first because it's a very lucrative career. There's no ceiling on how much you can make. Um and at the time my husband was studying, we were engaged, he was studying to get his CPA license. So that is a very rigorous process. Um, he went through, and I was like, I gotta do more than just go to work and come home.

SPEAKER_03 4:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 4:37

Um, so I had entered a little HR entry-level job, and um one of my managers was like, I think you'd be good in real estate. And I was like, I don't want a door knock, I don't want to, I'm not a salesperson. And next thing you know, I was on social media following a young lady who was killing it in another state, and I just DMed her. I'm like, How do you even do this? What's the first steps? And so she told me, and I basically did that and been in it since 2019. She told you for free, or she's trying to. She told me for free, she did not charge me for a while. No, it's her information. But I was like, hey, what's the first step to become a realtor? And she pretty much was like, go to school, interview brokerages, and find you a mentor. And so I did that about a year before I actually went into real estate school.

SPEAKER_00 5:21

So you went, you said you started real estate 2019.

SPEAKER_02 5:23

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 5:24

So what was it like starting in 2019 and then 2020 happening?

SPEAKER_02 5:27

Oh man. Well, I was dual career, which means I was working another job and doing real estate. Um, so 2020 was crazy. Um, of course. You know, we didn't know what COVID was. We went under contract on our personal home in March 2020, not knowing that COVID and the pandemic was going to be what it was going to be. Um, so 2019 was a good year. Um, that was my first year. And so I didn't sell that many homes, but I learned so much. Like I'm learning based, like hands-on. So I'm under people trying to figure out, you know, the hustle and how to become great at it in 2020. With the low rates, houses were flying off the market, people having to offer multiple times on different properties, paying over asking. It was a very crazy time. I really want to say up until early 2022, we experienced that chaotic um market. So we were all outside trying to get our clients in the houses, and you know, people had to be ready, ready to go with extra cash, paying over appraised value to just get an opportunity to score a home. It was a crazy time in the housing market.

SPEAKER_01 6:28

So um, starting off with real estate, what are some strategies that you use to, I guess, attract more clients? Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 6:37

So for me, I think when you get in, I'm not gonna say I think, when you get into real estate, they're gonna teach you their traditional tactics. And it took me a while to really hear from other people, like dive into what you like to do and be with the people that you know are like you, because that's gonna be who you know you're attracted to and vice versa. So for me, um, it's all about building kind of one-on-one connection, and people don't believe it, but I'm an introvert at heart, um, even though it's an extrovert job. Yeah. Um, so I like doing client events. Um, I just started doing those consistently last year. So that's a way for me to connect with people one-on-one, whether they're a past client or they have a girlfriend or a spouse or whatever, um, and we know one another, networking. Um, even though that is an extrovert event, it still allows you to have kind of one-on-one connection with people. Um, and social media, that's the other thing. I was heavy into social media um back in 2020. It's changed a little bit because I became a mom last year. But um, social media and then also agent-to-agent referrals, that is a big piece that real estate agents miss and a great opportunity to grow your business. So connecting with agents, even if they're not associated with your brokerage across the country. You know, if I've got a friend in California, I'm not licensed there, but I can very well find an agent to assist them in California and you know, um, get them settled there. So those are probably my main tactics: client events, social media, agent-to-agent referrals, and just touching on my sphere um in a sorority, I'm involved in a lot of different things. So I'm just tapping in with my people.

SPEAKER_01 8:06

So your your client events, you your past clients, like you gather them together? Yes, yes.

SPEAKER_02 8:11

So I do past clients and I do events just to invite people. So earlier in February, I did a Galantine's the week before um Valentine's Day. And so we had about 15 ladies at a closet factory showroom here. They did my master closet. They have a great showroom. Um, if you need your closet done, um, or any organization space, and um, those ladies all weren't necessarily past clients. You know, there were people that knew me or followed me on social media. Um, a free event. Why not come mix and mingle?

SPEAKER_01 8:36

Yeah, I like that because you're you're thinking outside the box.

SPEAKER_02 8:40

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And you have to be, I think for me, it's just building organically. Like you can buy leads as an agent, etc. But you know, it's it's also more difficult to convert. Anybody will tell you that. So for me, it's just building organic relationships. And when I'm at those events, I'm not pushing my business. Um, it's just about connecting with people and they start following me. We build rapport, build a relationship, and if it's authentic, it naturally just happens.

SPEAKER_00 9:07

So um, I got a question, um, especially on when it comes to, like you said, connecting with people. I know you talked about social media, the course, social media placing the technology. So, how has technology impacted the real estate um real estate industry?

SPEAKER_02 9:24

Oh, a big way. Um people don't think they need agents anymore. Okay. And I don't think we I don't see, you know, agents being a thing of the past like ever. There's just a a level of service, and I can always be for me that I feel like I provide to clients and just that personal touch and knowing somebody's in your corner versus what a robot or a computer. Um, we got the iBuyers now, so some sellers they don't want to deal with potentially paying an agent or dealing with people tracking through their house if they're still living there, if they got kids, so they're selling their house to, you know, i buyers like open door, etc. They turn around, put the house on the market.

SPEAKER_00 10:02

Um and also looking at sites like you know years ago, because uh so I bought a house a long, long, long time ago, back in 2015. It seemed like forever now, cause time moves so fast. Yeah. So I remember we had an agent, right? Agent worked with us, got a house. And I remember there was a whole bunch of talk, of course. You know, you gotta bring in an attorney, you know, and you're how does that work with high buyer?

SPEAKER_02 10:29

Um, honestly, I don't know how background process, but if you own a home, you might have gotten a letter in the mail from open doors saying, hey, this is the range of your home. Like I get them all the time. And I look and I'm like, that's not the value of my home. Um but you know, some people find it easier because, again, they don't want to have to compensate their listing agent. Again, they don't want to, they may not have the necessary uh funds if I come in there as a listing agent and say, hey, you gotta get rid of this purple and green walls in this house. We need neutral colors because people want to be able to envision their cell themselves and their furniture and their items in this property. And, you know, these green and purple walls might prevent the sale and you getting the proceeds that you'd like. Um, so they go through directly. You know, if you get a letter to your house and you want to go through open door, whomever um the buyer is, um, they have their own process. So it may look the same as kind of going with an agent, I'm not sure. Um, but they do have the ability to connect directly with those companies and sell their property to them.

SPEAKER_01 11:30

Yeah. So I'm going back to tech technology. Yeah. Um, do you use virtual tours or that option? Yes.

SPEAKER_02 11:38

So um when I market, if I have listings, I do uh social media reels, I do virtual tours because it's important because all my buyers are not necessarily in Columbia. Um I've had a client purchase from Germany and she didn't see her house till the day before we closed. Wow. Um, I've had clients purchase from up north. Some people can't travel back and forth because they have families or whatever it may be, work. Um, so I make sure that I do virtual tours as a part of social media and it goes out to the major sites when the listing goes live. Um and if I'm working with buyer showing them homes, I do virtual as well if they can't attend. Um, but nothing beats being in person. If you have the ability and you're not far, I tell people because they can very well love a virtual tour. But then say if they're about to close in the house, they come in, they're like, oh, well, I thought the bedroom was bigger than what it really was. Right. You know, so that could be a little bit difficult.

SPEAKER_01 12:29

But if they're open to it, we'll do it for them and um does it. I was just asking because I know someone that has that Matterport 3D uh camera. And I'm like, okay, so is that even used here in South Carolina or is that just a West Coast thing?

SPEAKER_02 12:43

Yeah, no, like the listing videographers around here do an amazing job. So when my listing uh photographers and video guys do the tours, they it's the Matterport. Um so they take you through um certain ones, you can get the view of the levels of the home, etc., too. So yeah, that is an option if you find the right people.

SPEAKER_01 13:02

Got that right. Do you have any misconceptions about the real estate market or that you would like to clear up that you've heard before?

SPEAKER_02 13:12

Yeah, um, the main one is being the amount of money down. Um, a lot of people think you have to have 20% down, and that's not true. There are so many products out here um that allow you to have no money down. Of course, they'll have eligibility criteria like credit, income, all that good stuff. Um, but you know, I've had buyers not have a down payment because they've gotten approved for down payment assistance. Now that doesn't eliminate you possibly having to come out of pocket with any additional closing calls. You know, there's a lot of negotiations that happen with seller concessions, whatever. Um, but you have the ability, you know, depending on what your credit and income looks like, to get in a lower down payment option or no down payment option. Um, another thing is you don't need an agent. People, you know, for sale by owner is a thing. People try to sell their own homes. Um, and it is statistically known that people, you know, are undervaluing the price of their home and get less than if they use the actual real estate agent. So, you know, people challenge us on our income, right? But it's more than just selling a house. You got to think about if you're a listing agent, you're listing the house, you're paying for the photos usually, you're paying for the videos. I pay for cleaning if my clients want somebody to come in and clean, right? There's a lot of upfront costs before we even get paid, and it's not a guarantee we're going to get paid. Wow. So it's frustrating that a lot of people challenge you on that and try to go the route on their own just because they're like, I don't want to pay out a agent. Um, that's a thing. Um and then you got to fight against AI. Oh, I'm like qualified in AI. You can do everything now with AI. So you're fighting against, you know, misinformation on social media, which we know is a huge thing, and then um all the AI stuff, technology, etc. Um, another thing down um I wrote down was prices. People have to understand their market where they live. Columbia is one of the most affordable cities in South Carolina that is not super rural, right? Um, people have to understand pricing. You go to Charleston, you go to Greenville, Charleston's average price point is like half a million plus. Our average price point in the Northeast Columbia is probably under $270,000. Now, to some people, that's gonna seem expensive because before the pandemic, you probably could have found a nice home for under $200,000. But that price point is a unicorn now. Um, and if it's a great house under that, everybody's fighting for it. You know, that's pre-approved in that range. Um, so you have to understand pricing um for your market. Just because mom got a great deal 20 years ago, that was 20 years ago. Things are much different as we know with the economy. Um, and then I guess I would say not having any money to purchase at all.

SPEAKER_03 15:49

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 15:50

Because the numbers can very well work out where you might get a refund at closing or you only owe a couple hundred dollars, but don't come trying to pursue a home if you have no money saved.

SPEAKER_03 15:59

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 16:00

That's just it's not smart because you there is a thing as house poor. You can get a house, but you gotta, I'm sure you want new furniture, you want to be able to afford to cut your lawn. You know, things happen as a homeowner. So I think those are pretty much the the misconceptions I hear.

SPEAKER_00 16:15

So I do have a question for you. And I've always wondered this. And I guess this is kind of related to misconceptions too. Of course, you got a lot of people who are into house flipping. Yeah. Stuff like that. So um as um as as I guess uh when working in real estate, um, do you have do you work with a lot of buyers who are into flipping houses? Is it more just like they want to, is it more residential?

SPEAKER_02 16:36

More when a move-in ready. So usually first-time buyers are relocation. Okay. Yep, yep, yep. A lot of my buyers are first-time buyers, they don't have the funds to flip. They may, you know, down the road want to do a little reno here and there, change the cabinet, change the carpet. You know what I'm saying? But not a whole flipping of property. That's more, I've had that experience. Um, happened very rarely with certain investors. Even the few investors that I have helped over my career, they kind of want things to kind of be in order a little bit. You know, they're a little bit more. Um, the ones I've worked with at least have been a little bit more uh more delicate with those situations. They want some place. Um, I just had a young lady purchase a brand new town home that she's Airbnb, you know, on the other side of town. Um, they want to move in with, you know, minimal work to do or something new where they can just get somebody in at ASAP. And you know, there are people, of course, that love to flip, like that's their thing, but majority of my clients, they've wanted to touch something already move and ready. Okay. Yeah, whether it's for them or the tenant. Okay. That kind of goes into our next question.

SPEAKER_01 17:37

Move and ready. So, what are some key factors that people miss or don't consider when they're moving into their house?

SPEAKER_02 17:44

Um, trying to save money with not doing an inspection. I've had that happen a few times, um, especially with new construction. People think you can't get an inspection with new construction, and you very much can. Um, you can get it on resale in the contract. We have what we call a due diligence period. So you have a certain amount of time to get any inspector in there you want. Um, and we recommend at least a home inspection where they go from the foundation of the home to the roof. They're looking at plumbing, electrical, everything. Uh running the water, checking the outlets, all of that. Um, so don't jeopardize you moving into some place and things falling apart because you didn't want to spend three to five hundred dollars on an inspection. Um, also just making sure you understand uh your daily routine and your life, like what is important to you? Do you want to be in a certain school district, even if you don't have kids now? You know, you and a spouse or significant other may want kids in the future. Are you gonna move again? Because now you're looking at schools, you know, those are things that I think people don't think about. Um, also, I would say um that goes back to inspection, the age of the home, the condition of the home. A home built in 98 can be great, but it could also have older systems still within it and whatnot, you know, and moving in, everything can be fine. We can negotiate with the seller to fix things, they can fix things, and the day you move in, something can break down.

SPEAKER_00 19:05

You know, it's just so do you like selling old homes? Do you like selling new new homes?

SPEAKER_02 19:09

Oh, I love selling new construction. Okay. I love selling new construction. Now I've done a lot of resale. Um, I do feel like this a little bit more tedious behind the resale end, which I don't mind because you're doing a lot of negotiation with the the selling side, um, especially when it comes to inspections. You know, they got to get quotes on these repair requests that we're sending in and determine if it's worth it for them because they still want to net a certain amount of money on the sale. Um, but new construction, we're dealing directly with the builder. And side note, have your own agent if you're buying new construction. Um, when you're in community community, those people represent the builder on site. Um, so yeah, I would I would say that. And um also, I think I already said schools, yeah. Inspections, uh, with moving ready, looking at loan options as well. Okay. Um, I tell people when I meet with them, I give them recommendations on my lender partners. And when an agent is doing that, it is illegal for us to get any type of kickback. So if you hear that your agent is doing something real shady, okay. We're recommending our vendors and our lenders because we already built a relationship with them. Communication, we're no, we know they're gonna work hard just like us to try to get the deal closed. Um, they have specific programs that might meet your interests, et cetera. But I tell my clients, like any agent should be, that the lender choice is completely up to you. So I tell them, hey, you can even start with your local bank or credit union and see what options they have and then determine which is the route you want to go. Um, also look at the numbers and see if they make sense.

unknown 20:34

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 20:35

Now I have a question about raising the value of your property. When is a good time to make rent renovations to your house?

SPEAKER_02 20:42

Yeah, um, I would say depending on the age of the home. Again, back to an example. If you bought your home and it was built in 2000 and it looks like that or 99, you know, aesthetics change. You know, people grow into, you know, there's been a phase with the gray and white cabinets. You know, like I've seen that in a lot of new construction. You know, the next phase may be something different. A lot of people don't like carpet anymore. They want LV or hardwood flooring throughout their house because people tracking dirt in. Um, so you know, if you got a full carpet home and now you see a lot of um that want from people, that might be something you want to look into. And of course, it's an expense you got to be prepared for. Um, but it just depends. Um, when I tell people they're getting their home ready for the market, you need time to do that because we do come in and do a listing appointment. So if you don't have the funds to change carpet or anything like that, of course, you're gonna recommend for it to get deep clean, maybe offer a credit on the front end to a potential buyer saying, Hey, we know the carpet needs a little help. Here's a couple thousand dollars. We're advertising to give you a credit on getting that repair, you know, when you want to move in. So I think it um just depends. The older homes, if you have the funds to update along the way, then I would say do it. So along the way. Yeah, okay along the way. I mean, some people will do a full renovation on their home. I have a family friend, they're renoing, or they're all doing all the work. It looks great because it was less expensive and they love doing that. Um, but yeah, they're doing everything.

SPEAKER_00 22:08

Talk about an old home. Have you ever had to sell one of those old homes that still got the old school wood, fake wood paneling?

SPEAKER_03 22:14

Yeah, no, I haven't.

SPEAKER_02 22:16

No, I have not, but I've seen a lot of listings for them, and I'm like, yeah, the right buyer. You know, there's a specific buyer for that or somebody that already has plans to put some money into flipping the property or changing that, but no, I have not personally sold one of those.

SPEAKER_00 22:30

Oh, okay. I gotta ask.

SPEAKER_02 22:32

Yeah, but I would say Reno overtime, um, especially if you've been in there for a while. And then it depends too. Do you think you're gonna move again? You know, some people buy a house and never move again. Um, but I feel like younger people like millennials, I service, we're definitely going to move again. And I've seen a lot of them, um, majority of them want things that are kind of more modern. Um, and I've had a few um young people that wanted a home that was older, but they already got plans to change carpet, cabinets, paint, all that good stuff.

SPEAKER_01 23:00

So what have you, matter of fact, since we're on millennials, um, I know like a lot of of us are purchasing homes and just jumping out like that. So what has been the the sh I guess a shocking moment for to you, like a millenni a millennial purchasing a home compared to an older person?

SPEAKER_02 23:22

Mmm. Having done their research, I had a client that found me on social media. She was like, I saw you sold a lot of homes to people that I know. And she already had her lender. She's like, I don't even need to entertain your lenders. I already got my lender. And I'm like, oh and that same lender in a she was so amazing. I asked her to lunch, because in our industry, the lenders asked. Us to lunch because they won't, you know, try to get business, whatever. But I asked her to lunch and I have sent her clients. We have done home buyer seminars together this year because she is just so detailed and communicative, and I appreciated that. Um, you know, with the older generation, I'm sorry, but they think they know everything, you know, and they bought their home 30, 40 years ago, and it's like, hey, it's a whole different world out here to consider. It's a whole different world. And so I think sometimes it's harder for them to trust us, especially younger agents. And, you know, younger agents, and I'm in my 30s, I'm 34, but we deal with that. Oh, I've been in the business 35, 40 years, and it's like, okay, girl, okay, yeah. Don't need the job numbers. Exactly. Exactly. So I think seeing millennials do their research and know um what they want, who they want to use, what areas they want to be in, etc., is pretty impressive because honestly, I feel like that's something we kind of struggle with because we don't know if we want to be in a certain place long term. You know, we have career goals and things like that. So that's been shocking to me with some of the clients I've dealt with. Like they have all the specifics already.

SPEAKER_00 24:52

So with that said, um, do you have like a specific area that you specialize in selling homes in?

SPEAKER_02 24:58

Um 99% of my clients want to be on the northeast. I know the northeast backwards and forwards. Um, I've had a few clients venture out to Chape In because their family may be out there and they have kids. Lexington, I show all over, um, I can service all over, but majority of my clients want to be in the northeast area of Columbia. Okay. That's where it's at. You took the question right out of my head, too.

SPEAKER_01 25:18

That really was my next question.

SPEAKER_02 25:20

The Northeast is where it's at. Now, I will say, you know, it frustrates me, especially growing up here. Like I said, I grew up in Woodfield Park. Decker was the spot in the 90s and like the mall, we had Target, Fred lost all got all the things. And now it's a um, you know, international corridor. We've lost a lot of businesses on that strip, whatnot. On the other side, near where I live, and Blythewood is growing. People love Blythewood, people love the schools out there. Um, that's an area that's really growing in Elgin. That's an area that's growing. Um, the infrastructure I feel is not there yet to support their growth, as I'm sure a lot of Columbia people feel. Um, but those are areas that are growing. But I think um people like being over here because their kids are in the schools over here. This is where they work, this is where they their friends are. Um, but I've had clients, you know, move all over, but majority of them stay on this side.

SPEAKER_00 26:13

Yeah, it's like a whole different world over here. It is. It really is because like because I know, well, because outside of a course with work and then us coming over here coming over here to do Hilltop Glove, yeah, like, yeah, there wouldn't be no other route, because I stay over on Ermo's side. Yeah, yeah. And it's like everything is right over there on that end. Yes, yes and stuff. And so it's very interesting just seeing that same dynamic.

SPEAKER_02 26:34

Yeah, and I feel like the Northeast still has so much more opportunity to grow with things. Um, I'm excited to see what they're doing down in the Bull Street district, you know, over there. But I think the Northeast, we deserve some, you know, nice sit-down restaurants. We deserve some non-chain things, some some more stores. There's so much opportunity. Sand Hills, I don't know what they got going on. It's a lot of construction, and I don't know what that project is about.

SPEAKER_00 27:00

This is what the Northeast needs. And I guess you could technically say that with um with Doko Meadows. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. But you need more parks over here.

SPEAKER_02 27:09

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. That is that's a great idea. I do agree with that. Um, because I haven't been to Sisque in years, so I'm not sure what it looks like back there, but I do agree with that. We do need more parts. The kids need more things to do. Um, because, you know, unfortunately, you know, we've heard a lot of things happening in the Columbia area. So I think more things for the kids to do to stay out of trouble. Um, it's just also for families, too. Um, I think we're missing that over there. I feel like, you know, certain parts of Columbia have that because the demographic is different. But I feel like there's a lot of opportunity on the area over here for sure.

SPEAKER_00 27:45

Yeah, because y'all got, like I say, because y'all got retail.

SPEAKER_02 27:48

Yeah, obviously.

SPEAKER_00 27:49

And it's just like you said, it's those other things.

SPEAKER_02 27:51

But y'all got the mall on Ermo's side. We have no mall. We got the load of harvest and all the things.

SPEAKER_00 27:55

Well, y'all technically have a mall. It's well, that area is like a mall. It's just the new school outdoor mall.

SPEAKER_01 28:01

Oh, it's the new school outdoor. Look at how many stores are actually there.

SPEAKER_00 28:05

We don't have a cover over it. Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 28:07

It's just that's all like stores left on malls. It's not.

SPEAKER_00 28:12

But you guys got JC Penny.

SPEAKER_02 28:15

JC Penny is like a pack of a JC Penny. It's not even like a full you know, JC Penny, dealer's still over there, belt. I'm a belt girl. Um, but yeah, we we need a mobile. It's not enough. It's not enough.

SPEAKER_00 28:26

We have to figure out what to do with Macy's, because you know Macy's over there.

SPEAKER_02 28:28

I know. I'm surprised Macy's still holding on at Columbia Mall. I'm not gonna lie to you, but I used to be the spot. That must be the foundation of the mall. I remember back to school shopping at JCPenney over there every year and going just being in that mall. Um, and being that uh Red Wing back in the day as a young person, like skate nines and stuff. It's just like when I drive through this side of town, which is kind of rare because I'm in Blythewood and on the other side, it's just like dang, we don't just have so much, it's so much nostalgia that just hits you like, oh, I remember when.

SPEAKER_00 28:58

This was the cool side of town. Because the thing is so um, so when my brother and I moved up, my brothers and I moved up here, we stayed over in Lexington. Okay. And of course we went to school over there. But for us, yeah, you had harvesting and stuff, but at that time, this was the cool side of town to come to and go hang out at. Like, yeah, you got harvest. It's not the same as what it was when Columbia plays ball and all that was at its peak back. Yeah, it was very different.

SPEAKER_02 29:21

Just like the era of school. Like, I'm like, man, these kids today have no idea. Like high school back in 2000, I went on graduate, 2009, that era, it was just different. Things are different now, but you know, it's it's all a part of growth and change that we adapt to.

SPEAKER_01 29:36

But speaking of uh growth and change, let's talk about investing. Yes. What advice would you give anyone interested in investing in the real estate market? Oh gosh, of course, have your money together.

SPEAKER_02 29:47

Um, investing is um there's not an opportunity per se, like buying your primary residence because you're putting more money down, it's not your primary home. Um, even though there are some options where your money down could be a little bit less than a normal 20%, um, being aware of the different programs that exist, figuring out if you want to buy and hold or you want to flip, you want to build new construction, there's so many different avenues. Um, I also think um location, figuring out where investing is. Like 29203 zip code is popular for people flipping homes or investing there, also down by the university, because I mean that's a goal of mine with student housing, and you know, there's parents that actually buy property for their students, you know, and put them and their friends in there. It's true, and wow, they keep it, you know what I mean? Yeah, it's um I never thought about that. Yeah, people people do that. It's it's crazy, but people, it's not crazy, but it's just crazy to think about. Right. But it's smart when you think about it. If you have the ability to do that, and I mean you don't have to sell it once your kids graduate, right? They might have friends coming behind them, let them be printed it out or pass it on to your kids, you know, as an investment. So um that's pretty smart. Um, but figuring out, I think, your plan for investing. Um, you know, I have a goal to be an investor, but I know I don't want to flip. I know I just want to try to buy something, you know, spruce it up a little bit, but I don't want to go into my first project full gut and all things. And granted, you don't know when you're buying a property, you know, what to expect behind the walls and things like that. But I think figuring out what you want to do once you invest as well, um, and being aware that it it costs money. It costs money. Also, too, people don't realize in South Carolina there's two tax rates. So at investing your tax at six percent versus being at primary residence at four percent, that's a huge difference in your monthly mortgage payment. So being aware that your taxes are going to skyrocket as well. Wow, I did not know that. Yeah. Yep, yep, yep. So people, even when you buy your first home or buy a home period and it's gonna be your primary home, they tell you at the attorney's office, make sure you file this paperwork so you're a tax because they automatically do it, but you have to make sure you file your documents so you won't be hit with the six because they don't have what they need at the tax assessor's office showing that it's your so you have to submit like your driver's license, vehicle registration, get all that updated and send it in. And it's a one-time type of thing. Um, but they tell you at the attorney's office, make sure you do this because there's no real deadline, but you don't want to get your mortgage in the in the mail and it's double what you thought it would be. Thought it would be because the tax rate is up. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 32:20

Wow.

SPEAKER_02 32:20

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 32:21

I didn't actually. Do you have any kids? I have one.

SPEAKER_02 32:23

She's about to turn one next week. Oh wow. I was about to ask.

SPEAKER_01 32:27

I was about to ask her what type of uh real estate tips you give her already. Listen, she's been with me.

SPEAKER_02 32:33

She's been with me on closes. Listen, she's been with me on closes and showings. Listen, she's probably learning already. She's learning already. She's been the closes, she's been with me to showings, marketing. She's she's been with me.

SPEAKER_00 32:45

So she already knows.

SPEAKER_02 32:46

She's looking a little, of course she's only about to be one, but still she's around it.

SPEAKER_00 32:50

So I guess a buy seller's market out.

SPEAKER_02 32:53

Yep, she's telling all her friends to tell their parents to buy a house with me.

SPEAKER_01 32:57

That's right.

SPEAKER_03 32:59

Oh man.

SPEAKER_01 33:00

So how do you balance everything that you have going on with work?

SPEAKER_02 33:05

Oh man, since having my daughter, I don't it at first I was like, oh, balance, work-life balance. There's truly no work-life balance. Okay. Um, but I do live by I lived by my calendar before, but I truly live by my calendar now. Um, because um she's at an in-home daycare now, so the schedule is a little different. Um, my husband is an accountant, so this time of year is crazy for him being at tax season. Um, but my calendar and you know, um also setting boundaries with my clients when I have my consultation. I'm like, hey, I'm only available by phone till 7, 7:30. And honestly, that's being gracious because once I pick my daughter up from daycare from five to eight o'clock to bedtime, it is chaotic. Uh, you know, trying to get dinner, wind down, bathtime, bedtime is crazy. Um, but my calendar is the most important thing for us. And then uh communicating, of course, with my husband because we're using each other's calendar, like, okay, Charlie got an appointment this day. I got a show on this day. Just like today, I had to plan for my daughter to be with my mom because my husband had to go into work for a bit. So yeah, it's it's a lot. Um, but I try to show certain parts of the day. If I can show before I have to pick up my daughter, that's great. On the weekends, of course, that's when people are more available. So I let them know, hey, I'm available for showings, or I'll get another agent from my office to help me if I'm out of town or if my daughter's sick, if I'm sick, whatever. And I do let them know that up front, just so you know, they won't be caught off guard if somebody else is at the house, they're wanting to look at it and it's not me. Um, so I think in this business, you have to set boundaries because clients will text you at nine, 10 o'clock. And you can get in the habit of responding even on email. But if I'm reading emails at 9, 10 o'clock, it's scheduled for 8 a.m. to go out because I don't want you to think that I'm responding at 10 p.m. and you can respond back. You're not having dialogue. I'm in the bed. Um, but yeah, that's pretty much calendar, high communication, and just um knowing what I'm doing throughout the day. Um, of course, for us to get business, we have to lead generate. So I have a dedicated time on my calendar every day of two hours to just lead generate during that time every single day. Um, so yeah.

SPEAKER_00 35:11

Actually, I got a question for you. Yeah. And I don't I always want to ask a real um someone in real estate this. So, what do you think about HGTV? Like before you were a real realtor and then after you're a realtor.

SPEAKER_02 35:26

I love HGTV. I don't watch it as much now because I'm not a huge TV person right now. Um, I have my favorite shows. Watch Hulu. I mean, watch um Paradise if you haven't. Lil' Plug. Yeah, I have to do that. Um but HGTV, I feel like people have to realize that it's not always reality. But I do feel like there are good shows. Like I follow Um Egypt, and I haven't really watched her show, Egypt Sherrod. I think she's based in Georgia. Her and her husband have a show. And you know, a lot of the shows about renovating homes and things like that. But then too, I've seen a lot of clips on social media where people make fun of like, oh, it's a stay-at-home mom, and um the dad is an entrepreneur making uh $50,000 a year and their budget is $2 million. It's like really, is their budget really $2 million? So that's an extreme example. But I think people have um, you know, challenged that aspect is if, okay, is that really like an affordable house for a couple with this type of job and this type of income? Because I will tell you in this business, you'll run into a lot of people that need credit help, yeah. Um, that the income just doesn't support what they want to purchase. So I don't know if HCTV does a great job at presenting that presenting the reality that people really face trying to pursue a home. Um, but I think that's the biggest thing. I don't mind it now because I do love seeing um people get their homes renovated and it looks like a brand new place even from the outside. So I enjoy that part of it. And I think from investor, you know, aspect, they may enjoy looking at that part of it too. Um, but I think the the hard part is the people and if that perception of this family of four buying this million dollar home, like, is that really realistic for what you do? Yeah, that's a that's a little struggle.

SPEAKER_01 37:16

Yeah, yeah. You answered all the questions. Oh the questions and some. Yay, that's good. Right.

SPEAKER_02 37:24

I had to make notes because mom's brain is real. Um, my memory is not the same since March 26, 2024.

SPEAKER_00 37:32

Um, but so you does your daughter, you got a daughter, right? Yes, her name's Charlie. Oh, cool, cool. So does she sleep? How does she sleep at night?

SPEAKER_02 37:39

Oh, she sleeps perfect. We've trained her to sleep in her room. She sleeps through the night, and I'm praying it stays that way. She's hit in one, but she sleeps well. She sleeps in her room. Um we transitioned her at six months.

SPEAKER_00 37:50

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 37:51

Thought it would be a challenge, but she did very well.

SPEAKER_00 37:53

So she's a good sleeper. Yeah, she's in the crib, right? Yes, she's in the crib.

SPEAKER_02 37:57

And it's been lowered already because she's she's in everything right now. She's in that phase where she wants to touch everything and be in everything, but she sleeps in her room. Daddy said from the beginning, we're not going to get her comfortable in our bed. And we stood on that.

SPEAKER_01 38:11

Do you have any um, I guess, available uh listings to show together?

SPEAKER_02 38:17

Yeah, I do have a listing right now. I have another one coming up in the summit, so follow me on Instagram. Hopefully, it'll be live in the next few weeks. But I currently have a listing right off Percival Road near Fort Jackson Gates. It is 255, new construction 2021. Um, only one owner, excuse me. And if you like taco nair, it's right, you should walk down the road. You know what I'm saying? Um, but there is no HOA, which is very unheard of in Northeast for Newer Home. Um, but yeah, that is my current listing. We have a home buyer seminar um on March 27th. So I don't know when this episode is going to drop. But um, when people follow me, we are committed to try to do one every single month this year. That's been a goal of mine um virtually because it's easier for people to show up virtually. And then when you throw events in person, you know, people snag up the free tickets and person show up. Yeah, you know, so we've had a great turnout so far this year with our two virtuals that we've done. Um so every month we're planning to do a home buy seminar.

SPEAKER_01 39:12

And how can people find you on social media or contact me?

SPEAKER_02 39:15

Yeah, um, it's Ashley Elmore Realtor, A-S-H-L-E-Y-E-L-M-O-R-E Realtor on Instagram and Facebook.

SPEAKER_01 39:24

Thank you. Do you have anything else you would like people to know? Um about you or about the market?

SPEAKER_02 39:31

About the market, patience. Patience. I think a lot of people right now are waiting to see what's going to happen with this administration. I'll say that. A lot of promises made. Um, but are they going to be kept? Um, you know, what is that gonna look like for pricing of homes? Um, I've gotten that objection a lot. So um, but I will say if you have a goal of buying or selling and you've been sitting on it because you're waiting for the perfect time, there's no perfect time. If you got your money saved up and you're ready to go, just do it. Like, don't let people talk you out of doing something, especially if they're not gonna be involved in the bills. Okay. Like that is no matter what. It's a lot of opinions where people are buying homes and they're not even helping purchase the home. You know what I mean? So that is a frustration as an agent. Um, but you know, I think uh people have to just be realistic with the economy right now and understand the price is the price. We can always try to negotiate, but at the same time, don't just keep sitting on the sidelines because you're only gonna price yourself out of the market. We've we've seen it over the past five years since COVID. I mean, houses pricing are going up, and then with things with the tariffs, you know, that's probably gonna affect, not probably, materials are gonna be affected, which is going to be reflected on the side of builders building, which is going to be reflected in the price. Wow. That's something to think about. Domino effect.

SPEAKER_00 40:56

So with domino effect. So with the housing prices, right? Because it's like prices always going up. Yeah. And so you're 34 now, right? Um, of course, you're probably gonna it seems like you're gonna be working in real estate for a while. Do you see yourself at some point in your career that you're the same houses that you're selling now in Northeast Columbia for like 250,000, you're gonna be selling that same house one day for like 700,000?

SPEAKER_02 41:21

Oh, yeah, the price is gonna go up. Um 2020, we purchased our home for 219,000. Our neighbor sold in 21 for 313.

SPEAKER_03 41:31

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 41:31

And his house was pretty similar. So he was already up almost 100k. Now, granted, appreciation isn't skyrocketing like it was then, but absolutely. Um, my client I'm helping get ready for put their home on the market. They bought in, I want to say it was 21. And I didn't realize they they bought from 157. We're about to put their house on the market for like 230. So the appreciation is there if you're in the right area, and people have to realize that too. Like, your house is not gonna skyrocket in value necessarily, but it depends on what's around you, what's coming around. Right. Um, your appreciation may look different versus somebody else in a neighborhood that people really want to be in, and development is really coming. Like for those people in Brighthewood area and Elgin. I mean, they're putting publics on the corner over by Wood Creek Farms. There's gonna be a food line further down, um, the two-notch end of like where sand hills is. There's a lot of growth and um new construction happening around there.

SPEAKER_00 42:27

Oh, then you got scout too.

SPEAKER_02 42:28

Yes, scout is a huge project that is coming. I just went to originally to Realtors' breakfast the other day, and they were talking about the Scout project and the jobs and what it's gonna do to intro infrastructure, excuse me, and schools. Um, you know, because schools may get more crowded, people are moving into the area to work at Scout. So um, yeah, it's zoning is important. Zoning is important. I mean, I asked them at the breakfast, I was like, is choice gonna change? Because of course, as a new parent, I'm trying to learn what I can about the schools, and right now parents can send their kids to any school in Richland too through the Choice program. But a lot of people I've been hearing are sending their kids to specific schools, which are now their capacity is getting higher and higher. So it's like, huh? But they said it's gonna be a long-term thing. So I'm just interested to see. I'm sure more schools will come. Um, but we got to get the roads right first. Yeah. First and foremost, South Carolina, all the projects that are coming. Oh, yeah, hard scramble is number one. What's going on between that strip by Ridgeview High School and McDonald's? But it's been a long time, and the people are tired. You know, but yeah. Well, thank you.

SPEAKER_01 43:36

You're welcome. This is a good episode.

SPEAKER_02 43:38

Thank you guys for having me. I appreciate it.

SPEAKER_01 43:41

Yeah. So we're gonna sign off with this episode. Thank you guys for tuning in and learning all the facts about the market. We want to thank Miss Ashley, and we have and Mike and Anwar in the background. So make sure you guys tell someone you love them and tune in for the next episode.

SPEAKER_00 43:59

Peace.