Try starting a real estate career right before a major recession. Now, put that career on hold and later return, just in time to carry your new business through the chaos of COVID.

It takes more than mere tenacity to succeed against all odds – it takes a willingness to evolve.

Ashley Motter is an independent realtor at House Broker Realty, one of York County’s leading “boutique style” brokerages. A real estate pro since 2006, Ashley was awarded Rookie of the Year and has gone on to be a multi-million-dollar producer with experience with both listing homes and assisting buyers with their needs.

Ashley says her readiness to change course has been instrumental in her ongoing success.

“Being creative is key. Being able to bend and weave and be flexible is the recipe for success in any industry. I feel like my middle name should be ‘resilient.’”

Ashley's roots run deep in York. A graduate of West York High School with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a minor in marketing from Penn State, Ashley's entry into real estate was not a hasty decision.

"It’s kind of funny because my parents put me through college for four years, and I was like, oh, wait, I'm going to get into real estate,” Ashley laughs. “But I don't regret my choice. If I had gotten into real estate at 18 years old, I would have been too wet behind the ears. Learning about business was beneficial. Applying the actual experience was what I needed.”

Ashley’s interest in real estate sparked when she decided to sell her first home. “I bought a little two-bed, one-bath condo, in 2003 when I was 19. I decided to sell it in 2006, when the market was still great. I did a for sale by owner because I didn’t want to pay a commission. ‘I can sell this,’ I told myself. “They're selling like hotcakes in here.’ So, I put a for sale by owner sign in my window, and I negotiated top dollar for my condo in that community.”

Licensed since the end of 2006, Ashley faced the challenges of the recession shortly after starting her career. “In 2007, I started as an independent agent with Coldwell Banker Bob Yost. I was Rookie of the Year and then 2008 hit.” Balancing her personal life with her professional life, Ashley temporarily put her license in escrow to focus on her family and a restaurant venture.

“My son was born July 4th, 2010, and I started taking continuing education classes to get my license out of escrow,” Ashley says. “When my son was a year and a half old, I got back into real estate. I was now a single mom, and I was doing what was best for my son. I have no regrets. It was the best choice to make at the time.”

Returning to real estate in 2011, Ashley made consistent progress. “I just continued to propel forward and elevate.”

Ashley's career saw a stint on a team, a decision she initially questioned.

“When I first started in real estate, I saw other agents who were new in the business getting on teams,” she says. “I’ve always valued my independence and wanted to be my own brand.”

But Ashley also recognized that being on a team was best for her situation at the time. “I was a single mom in my mid-20s. I didn’t have the luxury of waiting six months for first my first paycheck.”

Ashley says she learned a lot during her time working with a team, and her business continued to grow. However, it eventually became clear the next stage of her evolution was imminent. “I'm loyal to a fault. But looking back, I should have left the team, realistically, in 2014. When your clients are coming back, and they're coming back for you, and when you’re starting to source your own business, that’s a time to part ways.”

After close to seven years with her team, Ashley began to research her options. “I respected my team leader, but I was spinning my wheels.”

Multiple agents from the York area recommended House Broker. “It seemed like it could be a good fit. I spoke to my broker, Tiffany, asking her every question in the book, and she was an absolute confidence booster, telling me I had the talent and experience to make this transition. One small regret was waiting for that best time to leave. I subconsciously started to do less business. I was caught up in “Oh my gosh, what's going to happen?”

When Ashely finally made the move to House Broker in 2018, she felt prepared. “All the chapters in my story, all the growing and learning, had led to me being ready. I knew I was a good agent. But I had so much to prove.”

Since 2011, Ashely has been “non-stop” as agent, and her achievements reflect not just a seasoned professional's track record but her enduring commitment, adaptability, and dedication to providing top-notch service.

Describing herself as someone who dislikes being told what to do but who also avoids micromanaging others, Ashley says her preference is for “hands-on control” when it comes to scheduling, document management, and coordination.

“I ‘ve been the top producer at House Broker for four years and in the top 1% for production in York County for several years,” she says. “Last year, I sold 56 houses. As a ‘one-woman show,’ I take pride in hard work, and I feel good about what I’ve accomplished. I’m in a good place.”

Ashely remarried in 2014 and says life with her husband Jason Motter has been the “biggest chapter” in her life. Ashley’s family now includes her 15-year-old stepdaughter, her 13-year-old son, and the couple’s youngest son, born in 2017.

Her busy household also includes three dogs. “I have a 16-year-old Maltese, my ‘elderly queen,’ Ashley says. “She recently turned 16 and received a big cheeseburger as a gift.” Her four-legged brood also includes a soon to be three-year-old English bulldog, Poppy, and a one-year-old, Maverick. “He's the biggest brute of all of them. I love my dogs!”

Looking ahead in the real estate industry, Ashley says she tries to avoid getting caught up in market buzz and speculation.

“If I listened to every single thing I read about the market or watched on television or saw on Facebook or Instagram, I’d be in a fetal position waiting for the market to bottom out or to be replaced by robots and not have any importance. I do hope the interest rates plateau and reach a level point.”

“I try to take it day by day and not get all caught up in the hype. My goal, both in my personal life and professionally, is to embrace change. When we evolve with each new situation, we can move forward in success.”