Real Estate Consultant Esther Ayuk Is Helping Families Avoid Foreclosure
Esther Ayuk is the Managing Broker at Bess Realty Professionals, a Real Estate company that specializes in home ownership and helping homeowners avoid foreclosure.
To start off, we wanted to find out more about Ms Esther Ayuk’s company and the work she does:
I have been in the real estate business for 11 years and served in the capacity of a managing broker for the past 5 years which have been the most humbling experience for me. The timing of the role increased my resilience and resolve to succeed even in the face of the greatest adversity as was presented by the down turn of the real estate market in 2006. Opening up a real estate brokerage amidst the real estate market collapse in 2007 and being able to navigate through and keep it afloat has strengthened my belief in the principle of abundance even in the face of scarcity. My team of 10 real estate professionals and 2 unlicensed assistance is set up to deliver at any level of expectation for homeowners looking to buy, sell or lease their properties in the greater Atlanta Metropolitan Area as well as selected destinations in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean.
A short sale can be an excellent solution for homeowners who need to sell, and who owe more on their homes than they are worth. In the past, it was rare for a bank or lender to accept a short sale. Today, however, due to overwhelming market changes, banks and lenders have become much more negotiable when it comes to these transactions. Recent changes in corporate policy and the Obama administration have also improved the chances of getting a short sale approved. Many people worry about short sales and the negative impact on credit as well as the time involved in the process. These will all vary based on the prevailing circumstances for each person, so a personal consultation will help determine which way to go. I know what it takes to successfully list and sell short sales in the Atlanta market.
My business helps families avoid foreclosure. This improves life for you, your family and your community. The secret to avoiding foreclosure is simple. You must take action now. Because of my level of proficiency and knowledge of working in the Atlanta Real Estate market I have successfully assisted multiple homeowners through the short sale process.
Tell us about yourself
Esther Ayuk: I was born in Cameroon, Central Africa as the seventh child to my father and one of nine girls in my family. I migrated to the United States in 1987 to further my education, graduating with a degree in Pharmacy from Howard University’s School of Pharmacy in 1992 and a Masters in Public Health (Epidemiology) from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health in 1999. Shortly after graduating from the School of Pharmacy, I got married to Dr. Augustine Ayuk who is an Assistant Professor at Clayton State University, and we are blessed with three terrific children, ages twenty five, seventeen and fourteen. I have been richly blessed in both my personal and professional life.
Why Real Estate?
Esther Ayuk: Real Estate as a career just happened as I was not
necessarily looking for a career change from Pharmacy. I had a lot of interest in houses and the industry in general, so I did a lot of self educating just for information purposes. The more I learned about the housing market I realized this was definitely an area I wanted to look into further which led to my getting licensed in 2001.
What are some of your core values and how do they guide you?
Esther Ayuk: I believe in treating people the way I want to be treated and the rest will follow.
What does success mean to you?
Esther Ayuk: Success to me is doing what I enjoy doing to provide for my family and in the process impact the lives of those around me in a positive way. Making money during this process is an icing on the cake.
Talk to us about the power of persistency and remaining steadfast.
Esther Ayuk: You have to believe in yourself and your ability to achieve your goals whatever they may be. If you have given 110% of yourself then you should not be worried about the outcome because the other variable in the equation is bigger than you and you can’t control that.
How do you balance family and business?
Esther Ayuk: My family comes first, so with the help of my husband we work out our schedules to make sure the children are covered in all their activities. I love the flexibility we both have which has given our children the opportunity to play soccer, dance and tennis with at least one of us always
present.
How do you deal with clients from different cultures?
Esther Ayuk: I serve a very diverse clientele base and have learned to work and interact with each client the way they want to be interacted with. I respect the differences in culture between African families with needs for more space to accommodate extended family, to the Asian family who practices Feng Shui. I try to understand the negotiating rules from the different countries and use that as a base to educate my clients to compete fairly in the current market
Could you share with us a few tips on buying a home in this economic climate; especially for first time buyers or those who have been previously foreclosed on.
Esther Ayuk: With all the hype in the media I will confirm that it is a buyer’s market but not without some challenges. Home prices have come down in most markets around the county by at least 30% of their peek values in 2005 prior to the collapse of the real estate market. Interest rates are very low, making mortgages very affordable but underwriting guideline have gotten more stringent making it tougher to qualify for a loan. The first time buyer who has worked hard to have a decent credit score of at least 640 and has saved 3.5% for their down payment and a little extra to cover closing cost and reserves will most likely buy a home with an unbelievably low monthly payment. In areas like metro Atlanta most of these individuals will end up paying less for more.
A Beautiful Sunset
In 2007, Congress passed the Mortgage Debt Relief Act, creating incredible relief for homeowners in distress and saving them thousands of dollars. This act sunsets at the end of 2012.
As a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), I can give you the details that can save your home from foreclosure. Visit my website: bessatlantahomes.com. Don’t let time run out on you.
(First published in DUNIA Print Magazine – issue 9)
