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Elijah Banks knows western NC – inside and out. He was born and raised here, attended school here and has mostly worked in the hospitality industry here – till now. He still has his hand in the restaurant business a bit, but he’s quickly transitioning to making real estate his full-time career. He says the restaurant business was tough on the body and he wanted a career where he could combine his people skills and regional knowledge. Enter – real estate.
What do you love most about working in real estate – do you have a favorite part of the process?
Dealing with the people. Having worked in the hospitality industry, it just comes naturally. And, every day there’s something new. New people, new situations, new challenges. I like that.
Do you work with both buyers and sellers or do you have a preferred niche that works best for you?
Right now, mostly buyers which is great because I know the area so well so I can hone in on their likes and dislikes when it comes to neighborhoods. I’m hoping to work with more sellers as my career progresses.
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?
Nothing compares to working with an experienced person who has insight and expertise. Our real estate team has 75 years of combined experience. They’ve seen everything! We share resources and don’t work in a silo.
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?
Over the years, our team has built some great connections. We all work together – we don’t compete – so it’s easy to bounce ideas off each other as needed.
Takeaways from what you’ve learned in your industry: What is the most important piece of advice you would give to prospective homebuyers? And to home sellers?
My advice to buyers and sellers is the same: Trust the process.
The WNC real estate market is certainly booming – any predictions on where it will go next, or new trends you are seeing?
The markets around Asheville are starting to explode. Towns like Burnsville, Old Fort and Spruce Pine are real gems and as the mecca of Asheville grows, they’re quickly becoming more suburban, versus rural. More and more amenities are popping up further out and people have more opportunity to find land in those areas too.
Can you share the funniest or most memorable moment – anecdote or experience – you’ve had during a real estate deal (positive or negative)?
I’m still new to the business, so I have not accrued enough time for that yet – or maybe I’ve just been lucky! I’m sure they will come. I’ve got plenty of bandwidth.
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?
I’m a foodie, so I have a list of favorite restaurants put together and I add to it as I go along. I’m always happy to talk about food with my clients. I also enjoy snowboarding so for those outdoor winter enthusiasts, I can be a good resource too.
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.