About Town: Rising Star

About Town: Rising Star

Ashley Wilson Shines as a Top REALTOR® under 30 in the Country

Over 400 REALTORS® from around the country under the age of 30 sent in their application this past January to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) to acclaim the title as one of the Top 30 REALTORS® under the age of 30. Among those applications one rising star from Raleigh, NC stood out among others: Ashley Wilson from Coldwell Banker Howard Perry & Walston Builder Services.

Ashley Wilson grew up in Concord, NC and moved to Raleigh, NC to attend Meredith College on a full academic scholarship. After graduation she was a sixth-grade teacher in Chapel Hill and worked part-time for Real Estate Attorney Michael Sandman. In 2003 Wilson received her real estate license with a $400 donation from Sandman for the education. While continuing to teach, Wilson was a relief agent for Highcroft and the Wakefield visitor center on the weekends. In June 2004 Wilson resigned from teaching and became a full-time agent.

One of the first publications that Wilson received was the June 2004 edition of REALTOR® magazine, which featured the “30 Under 30” article. “After reading the biographies of all the chosen professionals, I was inspired,” states Wilson. “I set a goal to make that list in a few years!”

It was at that same time that Wilson became an onsite sales agent for Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston at Athens Woods. She was faced with the challenge of selling houses in a community where only 18 homes were sold in the previous two years. Not only did she welcome the opportunity, she proved that she was the perfect fit for the job by selling out the subdivision in just four months.

In 2005 she became an onsite sales agent for Heritage Wake Forest. After reaching a sales volume of nearly $30 million on 71 sales transactions in 2007, Wilson thought that it was time to try to get on the NAR “30 Under 30” list.

“I sent an application for the ‘30 Under 30’ list in January 2008,” explains Wilson. “A short time afterwards, the Editor from REALTOR® magazine called to announce that I had made it to the second round of applicants.” After the phone interview, Wilson did not hear a thing until May 1, 2008 when she received an email from NAR with a subject line of “30 Under 30” results.

Reaching A Goal

“I was sitting on the beach with my college roommate,” recollects Wilson. “I did not want to open the email on my blackberry. I thought for sure that an email meant rejection. I thought if I had made the list they would have called. So after about 10 minutes of staring back and forth at a book and my blackberry I opened the email and saw that I made the list! I couldn't have been happier. It is totally an honor to be associated with the others on the list and to be recognized in REALTOR® magazine!”

Winners for “30 Under 30” are selected based on their demonstration of business success, professional leadership and community involvement. “Choosing from the exceptional pool of candidates this year was difficult and we expect that these stellar young professionals will be pacesetters for years to come,” states REALTOR® magazine.

“We are delighted that Ashley has received this recognition,” said Debbie Houston, president of Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston Builder Services. “She is bright, successful and generous in giving back to her community.”

Wilson was also instrumental in co-founding the Triangle Spokes Group, a nonprofit organization that distributes new bicycles and helmets to less fortunate families during the holiday season. The Triangle chapter was launched in September 2007. In their first year the Spokes Group raised $22,000 and gave out 200 bikes. “This year our goal is to give out 500 bikes,” states Wilson. For more information on the Triangle Spokes Group visit www.trianglespokesgroup.com.

Wilson is currently on the executive committee for the Triangle Sales and Marketing Council (TSMC) and has been on the Special Events committee for two years. She was named a top producer in 2006. In 2006, 2007 and 2008 she received the prestigious MAME Award by TSMC for achieving more than $29 million in sales volume and 71 transactions. In 2007 and 2008 Wilson was named the Silver New Homes Sales Top Producer of the Year by TSMC. She currently sits on the Coldwell Banker International President’s Premiere tier, which is the highest ranking for volume.

The Heritage Wake Forest sales team consisting of Wilson, Jenn Norwalk, and Brenda Simpson, was named the National Silver Award for Sales Team of the Year by National association of Home Builders (NAHB). The competition, which is presented by the NAHB National Sales and Marketing Council, draws over 1,200 entries and 1,100 attendees. The team was honored in February at the International Builders’ Show.

Ashley Wilson resides in Raleigh. In her free time she enjoys traveling and her favorite place to be on vacation is the beach.

MICHELLE ANYSZ IS THE EDITOR FOR NEW HOMES & IDEAS MAGAZINE