Vanessa featured on the cover of the September, 2020 issue of 6th Asheville Real Producers

Each of us has gifts and hurdles in our lives. We also have goals and dreams.

Part of the human condition is striving to achieve these mileposts that we set for ourselves. When we reach them, it’s a truly rewarding feeling.

One who knows the joy of driving toward goals and reaching them is Vanessa Byrd, a leading REALTOR® with Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty.

Throughout her life, Vanessa has achieved great things for herself and those around her by building from the ground up with her positive brand of self-made success.

“As I was growing up, I didn’t have a lot, so I had to work hard and find ways to make my own money,” Vanessa recalls.

An Early Spark
Her dynamic drive and competitive fire were apparent from an early age.

"I've always been very goal-oriented and competitive in pushing myself to do more," she remembers. "I played sports with my brothers, which I think helped me in a lot of ways. I’m definitely someone who could be described as an overachiever. One of the worst feelings I can have is feeling like I’m not doing well at something. I’m not going to lay back. If I have a goal, I want to reach it.”

One of her early goals was getting her degree in interior design, which she met. She also had a goal of getting a house of her own, which she marked off her list at the young age of 24. From there, it was on to another goal.

“I fixed up and flipped that house and doubled my money when it sold,” Vanessa remembers. “That was one of my favorite things to do — putting my design degree to work and fixing up houses. I flipped a lot of homes from 1997 to 2008.”

In the process, Vanessa has even won some historic preservation awards for the way her vision and determination have breathed new life into old structures. During her career flipping houses, she guided efforts to complete 42 homes.

“I was working all the time. After that, around 2010, my husband, John, suggested that I take classes and get my real estate license,” she says. “I had a baby and a 4-year-old at the time, so it was kind of a natural thing for me, because I had done so many deals already up to that point, and I had always sold my flipped homes by myself.”

Terrific Transition
Vanessa earned her license and seamlessly entered the business 10 years ago. It didn’t take long before she was a Top Producer at her brokerage. Then, five years ago, she continued her success story when she joined Mosaic Realty.

In addition to normally being among the top-producing agents in the region, another natural extension for Vanessa’s talents has been her growing staging business.

“I used to just stage my own clients’ homes, and then a couple years ago, when things were a bit slower, I also did staging jobs for others,” she explains. “Today, with our company, Asheville Home Staging, we average about 50 staging projects a year. I think one of the aspects of staging that I really enjoy is the fact that it is a creative outlet that balances the other side of what I do in real estate sales, which I also love. Plus, on the staging side, there’s a different dynamic. People are happy and enjoy seeing the results of that creative process.”

Stronger Together
Vanessa is quick to give credit to those around her who have been integral in her success as a REALTOR® and with the staging company.

With Asheville Home Staging, in addition to John, Vanessa is thankful for her team members, Andres and Emily. Through her real estate efforts at Mosaic Realty, Vanessa also appreciates the vital efforts of her full-time assistant, Amy Neshat, and fellow REALTOR® Kathleen Cook, who coordinates marketing efforts.

“I have great people around me who I really appreciate. Working together, we are able to help others. I really enjoy working with Mosaic, and I appreciate the ownership of Owner Mike Figura,” she says. “It means a lot to me to do a really good job for people and try my best to make people as satisfied as they can be.”

Away from work, Vanessa and John enjoy the time they spend with their sons, including 15-year-old Joe and 11-year-old Ben.

In her free time, Vanessa likes being outdoors, including time with her family exploring the woods or the beach. And in normal times, they also have a passion for travel.

Vanessa also has a heart for giving back. In fact, with each closing she has, she donates a portion of her commission to a local organization. One of those she supports is SleepTightKids. She also enjoys being part of Mosaic Realty and being part of the organization’s support of many worthy causes in the region.

Making a Difference
As she considers her own success, Vanessa offers advice for others who are just getting their start in real estate.

"I think one of the biggest recommendations for new agents is to stick with it," she points out. "It takes a while, and it can be frustrating when you work hard, and you don't see results at first. For those who want to get into the business, I think that it really, to a large degree, needs to be your life. Also, you have to have a thick skin and realize that this is a stressful time for buyers and sellers. They're putting their trust in you to help them."

Vanessa continues to build for the future with a sense of gratitude.

“A big part of how I look at success is based on the good feeling I get from helping others. After starting out without a lot in life, I know what it takes to get things done. It takes hard work, determination, and helping other people along the way. I’ve always done something involving houses my whole adult life…and I wouldn’t dream of doing anything else.”

That’s building results that matter…from the ground up.

Magazine - Asheville Real Producers
Photographer - Leea Gorell
Writer - Dave Danielson