Two different women. Two different jobs. The same commitment to excellence. Meet Ashley McKenzie-Sharpe of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation and Jessica Ferris of Jessica Ferris Property Advisors at Keller Williams Realty Elite.
Few industries are as dependent on word-of-mouth endorsements as are the real estate and mortgage lending industries. Serving the same clientele puts these two industries hand-in-hand, and as such, dependent on one another for referrals. And referrals are only trusted when they come from consistent experiences that are reflective of honesty, integrity, and excellence.
Ashley and Jessica reflect two different sides of the same coin when it comes to referrals. They are dependent on one another in multiple ways. Jessica needs someone trustworthy to care for her clients and treat them as she would. And Ashley needs someone to help facilitate the process that she can trust to meet deadlines.
With that said, its little wonder that Ashley and Jessica have forged not only a great working relationship but a great friendship, too. There is a genuine camaraderie between them, as well as a respect for their distinctive roles in the world of real estate. And the proof is in the testimonies of others.
EXTRA MILE SERVICE & COMMUNICATION
“I couldn’t have asked for a better person! Not only did she get a great price for my house I sold, but also found me a great condo. Jessica went beyond and above! I would highly recommend her! She is great, and I have a new friend now! Thank you so much!” ~Edith K.
“My business is relational,” said Jessica. “I can’t do what I do without a dynamic team who shares my commitment to communication. I’m never okay leaving a buyer or seller in the dark or wondering. We take time to communicate step-by-step. Anything less would be unacceptable.”
It’s that kind of driven passion that makes Jessica truly an “elite” in her field. “I have worked with other agencies, and communication is one of the key ingredients of the Keller Williams Belief Systems. It’s why I am with them. Their motto is ‘seek first to understand.’ I couldn’t agree more. And it’s what enables my team and me to be successful with our clients. We seek to communicate effectively, so we understand their unique needs. After all, real estate is anything but cookie-cutter!”
“Ashley and her team offer exceptional customer service, and I trust that each client/transaction is handled with the utmost care and diligence. Ashley is a reliable, ‘get it done’ lender, and I know that I can always count on her to help me get my clients to the closing table…seamlessly.” ~Jeremy-Katie G.
Ashley agrees. “At Fairway, communication is a part of our Core Values. We believe in ‘consistent, honest communication.’ A failure to communicate in our industry results in broken trust, so we seek to go above and beyond. We work to educate our clients on what they are signing, so there are no surprises later.
“Moreover,” Ashley continued, “our Core Values also state that we are to ‘create an amazing experience.’ That doesn’t happen with mediocre service.”
It’s a strategy that’s paid off for both Ashley and Jessica! These women have been recognized by peers and their industries for their ongoing commitment to extra-mile service!
FIRST TIME BUYER
“Jessica was always flexible with our busy schedules, always prepared, and very knowledgeable. She made buying our first home stress-free and enjoyable. I HIGHLY recommend!” ~Jessica S.
Buying a home is most often the biggest purchase a person will make in their lifetime. It’s nerve-wracking. Stressful. Tensions run high. Uncertainties prevail. That’s why having an advocate who is an expert in real estate is of critical importance. An experienced agent like Jessica is a first-time homebuyer’s best friend.
“I’ve moved15times in my life,” said a mother of three. “I know the stress of moving very well, and I understand how intimidating the process can be. The real estate industry is overflowing with paperwork that would intimidate most people. It is our job to explain things in a way that makes sense of the confusion and helps calm nerves. Being a new homeowner is stressful, yes—but most of all, it’s meant to be exciting! This is a big deal! And it’s fun to find a place that you can call your own. We want to help our clients discover the joy of home ownership.”
“OUTSTANDING customer service!! Ashley, Jennifer and the entire team at Fairway were there every step of the way during the purchase of our first home. They are friendly, prompt in returning calls/e-mails, and customized our mortgage to meet our needs. An exceptional group of people I hope to have the pleasure of working with again!” ~Matthew B.
“Mount Paperwork” is the name of the game when it comes to real estate transactions. Couple that with how many various loan types and programs—it’s understandably confusing for a first-time buyer. Our team knows the ins and outs of this process.
“The mortgage industry is similar to retail in that we have different products available,” continued Ashley. “We know our inventory. And we know how to match loans to different financial needs and situations. This is a great comfort to those who are shopping for their first home loan. We can talk about mortgage loans without overwhelming the buyer.”
It’s Ashley and Jessica’s expertise in their industries that make them a resource for the first-time homebuyer.
REPEAT CUSTOMERS
“This is the 2nd excellent experience we have had with Jessica and her team. As happy as we were with Jessica the first time to buy and sell our home, she completely raised the bar for our second experience. Jessica is extremely knowledgeable about market conditions, the process of buying/selling a home, how to accelerate readiness for market, marketing the property, and every little detail in between. Very communicative and unwavering in her professionalism, Jessica was in complete control of the process from start to finish, and we had confidence we were in good hands throughout.” ~Rich W.
When you do your job right the first time, you can count on repeat business. “A realtor’s life is interesting,” said Jessica. “I don’t simply sell a house and then walk away from the buyer. While the process is about selling property, what we’re really selling is a relationship and a trusted partnership. In my 11 years in the industry, it’s the norm to walk away from the sale having built some kind of friendship with the buyer.”
That translates into repeat business because of demonstrated trustworthiness.
“Great loan officer, have worked together for years! One of the most hardworking and responsive loan officers I have worked with!” ~Kevin M.
“So much of my business is built on word-of-mouth,” said Ashley. “I’m fortunate to be trusted by so many realtors in the Triad who bring their clients to me. I’ve been doing this for 16 years, and I have built a business on referrals. I’ve found that holding myself—and my team—to a higher standard, yields repeat business.
“The thing about repeat business is that it’s often an underrated honor,” Ashley continued. “But not in my office. Our team is deeply humbled when our clients come back. It means we’ve done something right and they’re trusting us to do it again.
And when realtors bring their clients to me, I appreciate the faith they are putting in me to take care of their clients.”
Every business wants returning customers. But Ashley and Jessica recognize those repeats for the gift they are. It’s all about treating their clients so well, it’s not even a matter of debate when it’s time to do it all again.
PROBLEM-SOLVING
“Jessica Ferris [and her team], without a doubt, helped make what could have been a nightmare selling/buying experience into one where we landed exactly where we wanted to be. We had some complications with a really bad buyer, but these folks assured us that we had options… They are some of the most professional and dedicated people I have ever met. They treated us with the special care and thoughtfulness that rarely comes with such processes. 10 out of 10 stars for them!” ~Nicholas A.
The real estate and mortgage loan industries are never one-size-fits-all. And with each unique circumstance, hiccups can (and will) happen. Having a professional who can handle the curveballs is critical.
“There are few things as nail-biting as waiting for an offer… or waiting for an offer to be accepted,” said Jessica. “In the real estate world—things happen. My team and I have to be prepared to roll with the punches and regroup on a moment’s notice. We can’t panic, because if we panic, our client panics. Fortunately—over time—you’ve seen so much that little surprises you. It takes creative, outside-the-box thinking, but that’s part of the job.”
“I called Ashley when a client’s experience with another lender had gone bad. We had less than 30 days to get the VA loan closed on time. Ashley and her team stepped up and not only closed it on time, but we were CTC early!”~Christy A.
“On the lending side of things, it’s not much different,” said Ashley. “Jessica has already found the best home. So our team is diligent about finding the best deal, the best loan, and creating the best experience.
“Those surprises,” she continued, “are manageable because we know our product and our options. We aren’t afraid to look at alternative programs, even if there is an extra layer of paperwork involved. If it serves the client’s best interest—that’s where we’re going.”
Jessica and Ashley have developed reputations in their industries for being outside-the-box thinkers with a gift for creative solutions. It’s a skill set that serves them, their teams, and their clients well.
These women respect each other tremendously, and it shows. Of Ashley, Jessica says, “Ashley is the hardest-working person you’ll ever meet. Not only is she trustworthy, but she’s genuine. A sincere person with a heart of gold and someone with an outrageous sense of humor.”
Ashley holds Jessica in equally high regard and said, “Jessica’s heart shines in everything she does. She truly loves people and seeks to serve others by looking out for their best interests. She will do whatever it takes to get the job done.”
Ashley and Jessica share similar values and work ethics. They also are blessed to have the support of their husbands, families, and teams. Together—their focus is and will remain making every client feel special and making homeownership a reality.
Whether you’re shopping for a home or trying to sell one, contact Jessica Ferris at Keller Williams Realty Elite, located at 280 Charlois Boulevard in Winston-Salem. Call 336-602-0969. Visit online at JessicaFerrisRealty.com. Be sure to like or follow Jessica on Facebook and Instagram.
For the best financial advice on your new home journey, contact Ashley McKenzie-Sharpe (NMLS ID 100776) at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, located at 2098 Frontis Plaza Blvd in Winston-Salem. Call 336-575-9448, or online at LoansByAshley.com. Be sure to like or follow Ashley on Facebook and Instagram. Copyright©2019 Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. NMLS#2289. 4750 S. Biltmore Lane, Madison, WI. 53718, 1-866-912-4800. All rights reserved. Other restrictions and limitations may apply. Equal housing Lender.
