Alyssa Horner – Helping People Make Houses into Homes, Team Billy Taylor, Asheville Realtor

Updated: Oct 8

Born in Orlando, Alyssa has lived in Asheville since she was 10. Prior to getting her real estate license in July 2024, she worked as a veterinary tech for five years. It wasn’t until she started tagging along with her mother, also a TBT Realtor, for showings and open houses that she got interested in making real estate a career of her own.

What do you love most about working in real estate - do you have a favorite part of the process?

I really enjoy looking at houses and imagining how I’d decorate or remodel to truly make it into a home. I like to share those ideas with potential buyers too.

Do you prefer working with buyers? Sellers? Do you have a specific niche?

Buyers. I went through the process of buying a home myself last year and it was so exciting. I love being able to provide insight from both sides of the transaction and am a good resource for my clients regarding any questions they may have.

Technology has created far more resources than ever before for both buyers and sellers who think they can "do it on their own" — what do you say to folks who think they don't need a real estate agent anymore?

I would recommend using a real estate agent to make the process as easy as possible. We go through the contracts page by page and line by line to ensure everything is accurate and thoroughly completed.

Real estate is considered a fairly competitive industry in the greater AVL area, with numerous agencies and a steady stream of new agents - what differentiates you and TBT agents from the rest of the WNC real estate crowd? What is your favorite thing about working with the TBT team?

I’m a newer agent and am eager and excited to learn. I truly enjoy the whole process that’s involved in buying a home. I’m not sure all real estate agents would feel the same way. I also just love working at TBT. Everyone gets along so well and whether we’re doing things at work or outside of work, we just have so much fun. It’s an added plus that my mom works at TBT too.

Takeaways from what you've learned in your industry: What is the most important piece of advice you would give to prospective homebuyers?

For buyers: Don’t rush into a home. The right home will FEEL like the right home!

For sellers: Listen to your Realtor’s advice. This is what we do for a living.

Do you have a favorite hobby, pursuit, or interest that might surprise your clients - or that has worked to your advantage in connecting with clients?

My boyfriend and I bought our first house together last year and we’re working our way towards a farm. We currently have 42 animals and people are always very surprised to hear that! We have three snakes, 2 bearded dragons, a leopard gecko, a crested gecko, a Pac-man frog, 21 chickens, 5 ducks, 4 pet rats, 3 dogs, 2 bunnies and a turtle. That’s a real conversation starter!

Team Billy Taylor RealtorsⓇ is a top-producing real estate team, a division of Allen Tate | Beverly-Hanks, REALTORS, based in Asheville, North Carolina, and serving all of western North Carolina. Team Billy Taylor Realtors was founded by Billy Taylor, an Asheville native with a long history in Asheville real estate, from managing a ranch to grading land. He bought his first property at 18. Billy already has many years of construction, development, and real estate experience, and holds Real Estate licenses in North Carolina and South Carolina. He has quickly turned into the front-runner for real estate success in Western North Carolina.