LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL A PROPERTY?

I can help! My expertise lies in connecting my clients with credit repair programs and first time home buyer mortgage brokers for preapproval. Full step by step guide to get you to where you need to be in order to go from renting to buying.

Selling your starter home or downsizing? I can help with that too!

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REAL ESTATE SERVICES

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the best way to find and hire a Realtor to work with?

Word of mouth is #1. Good news travels fast and if someone you know had a good experience, that will be willing to tell you about it and refer you. Another tip is driving around your target area and seeing who is selling homes in that area. Lastly, Google is your friend. Read reviews and make your own decision in the end. Personal fit of who you want to work with will outweigh any other deciding factors.
Does the buyer pay their Realtor?

The short answer is no. The seller pays the buyer’s agent commission. However, in certain circumstances that could vary. Be sure whatever contract you sign, you are clear about expectations.
Should I buy a “fixer upper” or something more move in ready?

It all depends on what you are able to get a loan for. There are loans that can factor in work to be done on a property, however there are many guidelines around any type of loan and stipulations for different types of houses. Your mortgage officer and Realtor can walk you through what is right for your situation.
Do I make enough money to buy a home?

Knowing your debt to income ratio is key. Your budget is based on what you are pre-approved for and your personal comfortability. Having funds in the bank is very important, however your mortgage loan officer will be able to guide you on how much you should have and will need for closing costs and down payment. Be sure to do your homework. Mortgage lenders will let you know upfront what is needed for down payment to cash to close. Be clear, it does take funds to close on a home. From your Attorney’s fees and taxes, there are upfront costs aside from your down payment. Be sure to get good faith estimate on what your monthly mortgage will be as well. You do not want any surprises.
Do I need to be pre-approved before looking at homes?

Yes! Contacting a mortgage lender and getting pre-approved is so important. Necessary these days. Not many agents will work with someone who is not pre-approved. Why? Not knowing your budget and looking at homes that you may not be able to afford is a good way to be disappointed in the long run. The pre-approval process is pretty easy. If you have not been pre-approved, start by visiting your current bank or credit union or ask your Realtor. They work with mortgage loan officers every day and could share with you a few names.
How long does the home buying process take from pre-approval to closing?

That depends on so many factors. It takes time to find the right home and the time may vary from the contract, negotiations, inspection, appraisal and bank underwriting to all be done. The best thing to do is to be patient, realistic and flexible.
Do I need a home inspection?

Absolutely! Buyer beware means the buyer needs to do their due diligence in order to make the best, informed decision about a home buy hiring a licensed home inspector to tell you everything about the property.
Who should be giving me Real Estate advice?

Be careful with taking advice from someone who is not a licensed Realtor in the State in question. The market changes from moment to moment and although you may have a family member or friend who have already purchased a home or you may have purchased or sold a home years ago, things have changed. A Licensed Realtor will give you information that is prudent to how the market is working currently.
I just started a job, will I be able to buy a house right now?"

Always, especially now a bank will want to see job security. If you have only been at your job for a short period time, I would air on the side of caution and keep working and saving your money. Your loan officer can give you an appropriate time you should be working at a job before you are considered in the clear, I would say no less than 6 months.
What can I do to repair my credit score in order to buy a home?

Getting a copy of your credit report and knowing what is there prior to starting your home buying process is ideal. Clearing up any issues and paying things off and definitely making sure you have no delinquencies or major credit concerns is necessary before you start the process of purchasing a home. Your credit score will affect your mortgage options. There are many programs out there. Connecting yourself to the right mortgage loan officer and realtor will determine your experience in the world of being prepared. You may not always hear the answer you want to hear but the right professionals will be candid and keep you informed about your options. These are not all of the questions I am asked frequently but these are definitely my TOP 10. My favorite thing to tell buyers is when in doubt, ASK!

REVIEWS FROM CLIENTS & PEERS

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"Ayana has always been a great support system and friend. From connecting me with like minded people to supporting my career moves. Change is not always easy, but Ayana has a positive, uplifting personality and provides encouraging words of advice. She’s an inspiration to her community and anyone who has the pleasure of working with her is guaranteed to be in the position of personal growth as they work toward where they want to be in life! She would always tell me, if it’s for you, it’s FOR YOU!"
Krystal B.

"Knowing Ayana Taylor for many years and working with her professionally as Real Estate agents, I have learned and grown so much! Ayana is an overachiever to say the least. She goes above and beyond for clients as she does for herself, her family, friends AND community!! Even with all that she does, she does very well balancing it all! Her professional approach in Real Estate (and more) is one I’ve admired! I recommend Ayana Taylor for all of your real estate needs!"

Janie H.

"I have had the pleasure of working with Ayana Taylor of Ayana Kai, for 6+ years. During that time, I've not only witnessed a consistent display of professionalism and expert coaching abilities, I've personally benefited from her unique motivating leadership style as well.

As a manager, mentor, and coach of academically brilliant college students through the INROADS program, Ayana would connect with students on a much deeper level than your traditional mentor/mentee working relationship. Using focused listening skills as they shared their career goals and displaying genuine care and concern for their well-being, Ayana would tap into the intern's natural abilities and develop them into corporate leaders in their areas of expertise. With her extensive experience, it would be very easy for someone like Ayana to simply tell them what to do but, instead, she connected with each student, putting them at ease, encouraging them through each stage of their development, making them realize that their success was collaborative, never dictated. You can tell that developing leaders is her passion, not simply a job.

Personally, Ayana has played a critical role in many of the goals I've recently accomplished. At one point, our schedules were so busy during the normal workday that we carved out time very early in the morning, twice a week, for several weeks to talk about things that I'd always wanted to do but hadn't yet accomplished. During our conversations, she encouraged me to write down each goal along with actionable steps toward achieving them and met to check on my progress at different intervals. To this day, we still make time to have these conversations. She is a key part of my personal development team.

Ayana Taylor is a true leader, the consummate professional, and simply one of the warmest and most caring individuals I've ever met. Knowing and working with her is a true joy and an asset in my life.

Erica G. Bradley

Crimson World Travel

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