Meet Aba Essilfie of Take A Look Real Estate

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aba Essilfie.

Hi aba, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am not only a real estate agent, but an investor and property manager. My story starts in 2014 when I moved back then with my mom after college. She was given a notice that her rent was increasing again. I had told her it would be a good idea and to look into home ownership with how expensive things were getting . I connected her with who has now become my broker, Theresa Barron, and she helped my mom into her first home, which she still lives in today. Two years later I went on to own a home as well. That same year I had referred several people to Theresa, who had encouraged me to get my real estate license. It was probably after the fourth referral I gave her that she broke down the numbers for me and showed me the type of money I could make in real estate. But what really spoke to me was that it was a lot less time than what I was spending at my current job in the laboratory. For me, being able to have a quality lifestyle with my family has always been my number one priority. It was important for me to be able to spend time with my children to be around to watch them grow. It was also important for me to be able to still explore the world and see what’s outside of Ohio. The more I learned about real estate the more I realize that it could really help me achieve the family life that I knew I wanted to build for myself. So in 2019 I decided to take the plunge and get my real estate license. In 2021 I not only got my second home with my husband, we also purchased a fourplex by children’s hospital, now making us property managers and investors. This presented its own set of challenges, which led me to letting go of the laboratory job and focusing fully on real estate. Today I would say that I’m very happy with the life I have built around my family. I get to spend plenty of time with my kids and my husband. Real estate I feel has truly given me the best of both worlds. An opportunity to work towards something outside of myself that impacts others, while also being able to be present in the small and big moments with the kids.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has definitely not been smooth. Getting into this business I only knew one other real estate agent. When my husband and I decided to get into Airbnb and midterm rentals, there wasn’t anyone at around us to really teach us the ropes. So I had to figure out everything along the way. There was a lot of trial and error.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Take A Look Real Estate ?
My brokerage is a small independent brokerage. What I love about it is that we are really about putting community first. I specialize in working with first time home buyers and investors. I truly believe that home ownership is a tool to change your future through leverage. I am most proud of always helping my clients who have been told no by everyone else. I will never tell someone no. I will always walk alongside them and teach them how.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I have learned that social media is smoke and mirrors. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes when it comes to managing short-term rentals and midterm rentals. Well all the rentals really. A lot of people like to make Airbnb look like such a easy money maker and that’s just not the case. You have to really build a group of people you can rely on and trust to keep things running smoothly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aba.takealookrealestate.com/
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/realestatewithaba
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/abatherealtor