Ann Terry, the broker with Choice One Realty Group, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the obstacles new homeowners face and the importance of financial literacy in achieving homeownership. Terry joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick to discuss her passion and drive to help homeowners navigate the homebuying process while sharing different approaches to assisting people and how that has allowed her to form a unique connection to the Atlanta community.
Originally from Philadelphia, Terry is a licensed real estate agent who got her start in new home sales but moved into general agency real estate where she found a true passion. Her education started her on the path to becoming a real estate broker, earning a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Hampton University and later, a master’s degree from the University of Georgia in Housing Management and Consumer Economics.
The goal of Choice One Realty Group is to help underserved people realize their dream of homeownership, spreading the message that if you work hard, you can one day own a home. However, not just any home; a home that meets the needs of your family. Terry’s educational background and experience help her emphasize and focus on the socio-economic aspect of purchasing and owning a home. Most of the business Terry conducts is on the south side of Atlanta but she will go wherever necessary to help clients realize their dream of owning a home.
“For members of your household to be able to grow and thrive, the house has to be able to meet the needs of all the family. Let’s talk about who is going to live in that house and how it’s going to work for your family.” said Terry.Through the efforts of her non-profit organization, Foundations Empowerment, she builds a rapport with clients and conducts educational workshops. Terry chose to hold her workshops outside of Choice One Realty because she wanted clients to know her passion for education has nothing to do with hiring her as a realtor. The emphasis is to educate and prepare homeowners on the various aspects of homebuying. Most people who attend these workshops are first-time homebuyers or previous homeowners who have been through a foreclosure.
“Our slogan is ‘Pathways to Homeownership,’” Terry said. “We recognize that the pathway is different for everyone.”Her workshops are easily accessible to homebuyers with different experiences – those who are mortgage ready and others who have credit challenges and need assistance navigating obstacles. The workshops cover topics such as basic first steps of homebuying, repairing your credit, as well as her Homebuyer Education course. The course is a 6–8-hour course where participants receive a certificate upon completion that can qualify them for down payment assistance, lender assistance, as well as behind-the-scenes credit assistance.
Terry said, “No one workshop is like the other. It’s based on the needs of the people who attend.”Financial literacy is a leading obstacle for potential homeowners. As an educator, Terry understands the importance of financial literacy in the home building process. No matter what obstacles are in your financial history, they can be overcome, and you can own a home. People generally have a mistrust of the system and educating yourself is three-fourths of the battle of purchasing a home.
Her passion and approach to the market have also laid the basis for a great partnership with New American Funding. This partnership helps her reach a larger audience and assist them in their journey of purchasing a home.
Through her church, Terry instills in her fellow parishioners the importance of stability in the current climate. She feels a responsibility to educate people on what is coming up and how to be prepared when the assistance offered during the pandemic ceases.
