Emry Trantham – Don’t DIY Real Estate Deals, Team Billy Taylor, Asheville Realtor

Updated: Aug 8

Emry Trantham has always enjoyed investing in real estate. She loves the whole process of buying and selling. So, after working in education as a high school teacher for several years, she was looking for something with more flexibility and opportunity, so she decided to turn her passion into a new career.

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

I love helping sellers get their homes ready to put on the market. I love helping stage homes in ways that show their usability, and I enjoy helping sellers focus on where to direct their money and energy in preparation for going on the market. I have a good concept of what will get them the best return on their investments.

Do you work with both buyers and sellers, or do you have a preferred niche that works best for you?

I work with both, but have worked with more sellers. As I said before, I love a house that needs a little work before it goes on the market. I’m also passionate about farming and conservation, so I love to work with buyers with those goals in mind.

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?

For many people, buying a home is the biggest investment they will ever make. Personally, I’m not one to DIY huge investments. It’s true that you can learn a lot of skills online, and that probably works well for some folks. But you can’t learn expertise and experience. My husband and I have a lot of experience in buying and selling houses, and even before I became an agent, we used a Realtor for every transaction.

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?

The TBT team and I love this area with a fierceness that’s hard to describe. I’ve been in WNC for my entire life. My kids are going through the same school system my husband and I went through. That’s not uncommon on our team. Even the team members who are not native to this area have completely enmeshed themselves in the region’s culture. I’m one of the newer members of this team, and coming into such a supportive environment was truly wonderful.

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?

For buyers: I always suggest that you keep in mind what is truly most important to you when looking for a home. You’re unlikely to find a house that embodies your entire wish list, so focus on the five or six things you care about most.

For sellers: I want my sellers to hit the market ready to go. I don’t like playing catch-up, or introducing a home to market that isn’t at its best already. Let’s hit the ground running!

Any predictions on where the real estate market will go next, or new trends you are seeing?

We are seeing more of a buyer’s market than we have had in years, which is great news for local buyers. There is slightly less competition from out-of-town cash buyers right now, so people who may have been priced out of the market a year ago have a much better chance of finding what they need today.

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 have many hobbies. I’m a former high school English teacher, so I love reading and writing. I also enjoy photography and horseback riding. My house is pretty full with my husband, three daughters, and four dogs – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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.