We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Naya Patterson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Naya , thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
When I think about what my parents did right, I immediately recall their unwavering support and the emphasis they placed on service to others, hard work, and integrity. I often smile in reflection, realizing that how frequently I recall things my parents said, or did, that have stayed with me and have guided me as an adult. They gave me love, and lots of it. They showed me how to just be a kind person, and how to live by the golden rule. Living with the light of that inside me has really made a difference in my life. My mom always made everything come to life. She modeled for me what it looks like to be kind, to walk with your head tall, and to advocate for myself and others. My dad always guided me through life’s hard conversations and lessons. It’s because of my parents that service is super important to me, and comes naturally to me. I love to serve others, and I lead my careers and endeavors in service to others.
When I was 5 years old, and in Kindergarten, I joined Girl Scouts. I stayed with the same troop year after year. When we reached high school, some of the girls discontinued, moved, or were less connected, and I begged my mom to allow me to leave and stop “girl scouting” as well. It didn’t seem “cool” anymore, as a high schooler. She didn’t let me. I had already achieved the Bronze Service Award, the Silver Service Award, and the last to earn was the Gold Award, which I’d receive after completing my largest independent service project. She reminded me of the importance of service and of finishing what I’ve started through the end. It didn’t even take years later for me to be grateful that she didn’t let me walk away. My project was amazing, just as the others had been, but most importantly, I learned more about myself, my abilities, and the impact little ol me could have through serving.
My dad always encouraged me to do my best, be my best, give my best. But more importantly, he accepted what “my best” was. The confidence he held in me allowed me to be confident in myself, to stand up for what is right, and to do the right things even when no one is watching. I know that no one is perfect, but I really do not know if there is anyone else in the world, like my dad, who will do the right thing, even when it’s hard, and even if no one else chooses to. As I grew up, the character I developed from his teachings really set me apart. As I write this now, I am encouraged to continue holding my head and chin high, to lead, and to do so with integrity.
The funny thing about parenting, is that I’m sure there are many things they feel they didn’t do right, or well, or wish they could have done more or less or differently. But if you ask me….they got it all right.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Becoming a realtor was not something I necessarily planned or dreamed of for my life. When I was in college, my dad mentioned that I should consider obtaining a real estate license as an extra means of income. At that time, I didn’t give it much thought as something I was ready to pursue. Later on, I became very interested in learning about real estate investing while I was in graduate school. I was deep in the research and exploring the different ways to invest, but I still found myself scared to take the leap. I decided to study and earn my real estate license, learn more about the real estate field in this lens, and then invest with a better understanding.
What sets me apart is my approach. I’m not just here to sell houses—I’m here to educate, guide, and empower. Buying is not only one of the most significant milestones in life but the largest purchase most people ever make. I believe everyone deserves to go through the home buying process feeling confident and informed. Whether it’s explaining the loan process in simple terms or helping clients weigh the pros and cons of a fixer-upper versus move-in ready, I make sure they never feel left in the dark.
Through my Instagram platform and podcast, I’ve been able to share insider tips, market trends, and success stories with aspiring homeowners. By combining social media outreach with personalized service, I connect with my clients in a way that’s both professional and approachable. My goal is to help people build wealth through real estate while making the process as stress-free as possible.
I also offer tools and resources that other agents may not. For example, I provide home buying checklists, budget planning templates, goal setting and affirmation prompts, and even host sessions specialized for first-time buyers. My mission is to create a supportive environment where clients feel empowered to ask questions and take the reins of their home buying journey.
What truly drives me is knowing that I’m not just selling homes—I’m helping people start new chapters, build generational wealth, and achieve dreams they once thought were out of reach. And for me, there’s no greater reward than handing over the keys to someone’s very first home and seeing their faces light up with joy.
Real estate isn’t just my career; it’s one of my passions and a way of making a difference. It’s a direct reflection of my belief that everyone deserves a place to call their own.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn is the need to know everything before saying ‘yes’ to an opportunity. I used to believe I had to have all the answers and be 100% ready before committing to anything new. It felt safe, but it also held me back from stepping into challenges that could help me grow.
The backstory is tied to the start of my real estate journey. In the beginning of my real estate career, there was a time a colleague was inquiring about passing clients along to me. We communicated via text and because I sat in the messages for a long time debating with myself on whether I was able to handle the task, I missed the opportunity. She had already figured it out and solved her problem. I’d overthink, second-guess myself, and sometimes miss out because I didn’t feel ‘ready.’ I realized that just with anything in life, you’ll never know all the answers on day one, and you’ll never feel 100% ready. Just say yes, and figure it out as you go.
I really took this to heart. The next time an opportunity came up that scared me, I said yes—even though I didn’t have all the answers. And guess what? I figured it out. I realized that I didn’t need to know everything right away; I just needed the confidence to trust my ability to learn and adapt.
Now, I embrace the fear of the unknown as a sign I’m growing. Saying yes has opened doors I never imagined, and it’s taught me that taking action is often the best way to learn. It’s still a work in progress, but letting go of the need to have it all figured out has been one of the most freeing lessons of my life.
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
My first-ever listing was a condo, and I was so excited to dive in and make it a success. We got a buyer under contract quickly, but midway through the process, they got cold feet. They were overwhelmed by the thought of taking on the condo fees in addition to their mortgage. I remember feeling the weight of the situation and worrying that I’d have to relist the property and start all over again.
Unsure of how to salvage the deal, I turned to my team lead for advice. She encouraged me to think creatively and suggested an idea: propose that the seller prepay a few months of the condo fees to ease the buyer’s concerns. It was a lightbulb moment. I took the idea to my seller, and they agreed it was worth a try.
When I presented the solution to the buyer, they were relieved and felt more confident about moving forward. Both sides were happy with the arrangement, and we were able to seal the deal and close successfully.
That experience taught me the importance of staying calm under pressure, thinking outside the box, and leaning on my team for support when needed. It was a nerve-wracking moment, but it also became a defining one. My first listing didn’t just work out—it gave me the confidence to tackle challenges head-on and find solutions that work for everyone involved
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.compass.com/agents/naya-patterson/
- Instagram: www.https://www.instagram.com/nayaintheneighborhood/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheSoldSign
- Other: https://btsspodcast.com
Image Credits
William Fields
Chris Thomas
Personal Photo