November 2022 Newsletter | Team Member Spotlight: Ashley Boykin
Ashley Boykin is Firefly's newest team member, and she's often referred to as our "secret weapon." She is our showing partner, and as such, she helps all of our agents show properties to active buyer clients. Having Ashley in this role ensures that our clients are able to see the homes they want to see on a more flexible schedule, and allows our team to show more homes overall. Once a buyer is under contract, Ashley can also help with meeting inspectors and other home visits throughout the due diligence period.
While Ashley is new to the team and relatively new to the Asheville area, she has experience as an independent agent with Keller Williams in Alabama. She was introduced to the world of real estate when working with her brother in his custom cabinet shop, and she started honing her showing skills at a job at a resort in Orange Beach, Alabama. As Group & Events Coordinator, she was constantly showing units to groups and wedding parties. She loved that part of the job, and she became more intrigued as she talked to friends who went into real estate around that time.
"The Showing Partner position consisted of all of my favorite things about real estate. The team atmosphere helps to hold me accountable and excel in my goals as well. These factors combined made the job very appealing. Little did I know how perfect the role and team were for me," Ashley said.
We agree that she is a great fit for her role and for the Firefly team. Having the experience as an independent agent, Ashley understands how difficult it can be to balance showings and tasks for multiple clients, especially in a competitive buyer's market. She is able to focus on what she does well and that helps our agents and our clients. As a bonus, she is always willing to help out the operations team with special projects - she really is our secret weapon!
Ashley's primary goal for our clients is for each one to have the most efficient and pleasurable experience possible while making the big decision of purchasing a home. She also wants them to feel nurtured and appreciated even after the purchase is complete - cultivating relationships that last for a lifetime.
Ashley has the unique point of view of showing homes to clients from all phases of life, in multiple areas and price ranges. Her advice for all of them is this:
"Realize that the perfect 10/10 home is about as common as a unicorn. So if you find a house that is an 8 or 9 out of 10, jump on it. If it makes you feel like home upon walking in and you can visualize yourself there, make the leap. You may miss out on the home you truly wanted due to fear. No other house will measure up, more than likely, and you may live with regret."
Looking to the future, Ashley hopes to bring the Firefly experience to folks in other parts of WNC and beyond through expansion sites and increasing our scope of expertise within the real estate industry. We are thrilled to have Ashley along for the ride as we grow!
Ashley's real estate goals also include creating her own life by design. Traveling is her ultimate favorite thing to do, and she is going to use her experience to invest in real estate and be the catalyst that allows so much more freedom to see the world. So far, some of her favorite places are Hawaii, Toronto, Seattle and Portland. Next on her radar is to do an extended trip around parts of Europe.
If you notice that Ashley always seems well put together and her outfits are on-trend, it's because she studied fashion marketing and has worked multiple fashion shows - even interning with a Project Runway contestant! She also has experience setting up short-term rentals from the ground up in both Atlanta, G.A., and Highlands, N.C.
Like so many folks drawn to Asheville, many of Ashley's hobbies are nature-centric - she loves kayaking, swimming, and anything on a boat or around water. She also enjoys hiking to waterfalls or beautiful vantage points, catching sunsets and going to music festivals and concerts. You can also find her reading anything that teaches her something and helps her grow.
We are thrilled to have Ashley on our team, and we know our clients will love working with her.