We recently connected with Anna James Miller and have shared our conversation below.
Anna James, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.
Helping low-income first-time buyers come home is at the heart of my business, and one of the reasons I became a REALTOR. These buyers are often overlooked by other agents, as they often require extra support through the process, and often don’t have large down payments saved. Because I have experienced the difficulty of purchasing a home as a self-employed individual, I understand the challenges as well as how incredibly rewarding it is to see these buyers dreams come true.
A recent family I helped almost gave up three separate times, but I wouldn’t let them. With each new challenge they faced, I contributed creative solutions, even offering my own financial support toward an unexpected closing cost. I was fortunate to work with a very kind listing agent who also shared the expense with me in order to help this family come home. This family recently shared, “Anna went above and beyond for my family to be able to purchase our dream home. She is an extraordinary woman. This is our first purchased home but Anna was our second REALTOR, she was very attentive to what we wanted and she did her best to find a home within our budget. I could contact her anytime of the day with certain questions and she would answer me with the best of her knowledge. She gave us step by step information if I needed it and when we felt like giving up on the process she would not let us. Honestly I will be recommending her to anyone who feels they are ready to buy a home.”
Anything I give in service to my clients comes back to me in other ways multiplied. I am honored to walk alongside buyers on their journey home and I look forward to my next opportunity to do so. Another incredible part of my work is meeting other real estate professionals who share my heart for service. I truly believe this service-based model should become the new normal. Our community is only as healthy as our least fortunate residents – together we can make a difference!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Anna James Miller is dedicated to helping you meet your property goals in California’s Central Valley and Central Coast, ensuring your home sale or purchase goes as quickly and smoothly as possible, with eye-catching marketing and top-level service, always going the extra mile with creative solutions and a heart for service.
AJ has a background in nonprofit leadership. Passionate about real estate since buying their first home at age 23, AJ has experience buying, selling, refinancing, and managing rental properties over the last 15 years, as well as real estate photography and marketing consulting. AJ applies firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing self-employed buyers, first-time buyers, single parents, and non-traditional buyers in competitive markets, as well as the complexities of selling and showing tenant, owner, and pet occupied homes, to benefit clients in California who wish to buy or sell a home.
Originally from the East Coast, AJ spent the last two decades in the Seattle area before relocating to California. AJ now lives in the Central Valley, in Fresno’s Old Fig neighborhood, with visual artist spouse Bryan and daughters Cassidy “Coco” Madeline and Della Jane.
AJ’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in arts administration from University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master of Arts in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University. AJ was recognized as a community leader in the Wenatchee Business World’s 30 Under 35 in 2012 and the Puget Sound Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2015.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
My clients become friends. I enjoy following their journeys after they come home, and when I can I like to surprise them with small gifts and cards throughout the year. My past clients are also my best source of referrals so I do all I can to stay top of mind.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When my spouse and I were purchasing our first home in California, the first agent we worked with didn’t understand or empathize with our challenges as low-income self-employed individuals in a high cost-of-living area. I took it upon myself to advocate for us with listing agents and lenders until we found our way home! This experience motivated me to get my real estate license and help make sure other buyers don’t have to experience this. 
Contact Info:
- Website: https://aspirepropertieswithaj.com/
- Instagram: @aspirepropertieswithaj
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aspirepropertieswithaj?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: https://www.zillow.com/profile/ajaspireproperties
Image Credits
Portrait is by Samantha Josette