Ali Fayz

ACHIEVING GREATNESS BY EXAMPLE

By Robbyn Moore

Photos by Jermaine Buie with Perfect Light, LLC

Photos taken at Cranbrook Custom Home at Montcaret in Northville

Prior to his real estate career, Ali Fayz was a full-time college student and worked seasonally at a construction job. He earned a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management from Wayne State University, and even though he had several opportunities to pursue a career within that field, Ali was more excited to follow in his father’s footsteps instead. With 30 years of lucrative real estate success, Ali’s father was an inspiration to him. “As the operating broker at the Fayz Group within Real Estate One — Dearborn Heights, the idea of learning from and working with my father was very compelling to me,” Ali shared. “My father is someone who has independently amassed almost $1 billion in sales, which added to my enthusiasm and eagerness to learn everything I could within the real estate industry. To accomplish this feat in sales, he’s obviously doing something right.”

Ali was born in Dearborn Heights and raised by his parents, both of whom emigrated from Lebanon in the mid-80s as a result of the Lebanese Civil War. “Watching my father have successes in business inspired me to learn all I could about real estate and to follow in his path,” Ali said. “I wanted the same for myself.”

With only three years under his belt, Ali has achieved a career volume totaling more than $10 million — $6 million of which he acquired last year — and is on pace to surpass $12 million this year. “Seeing a smile on my client’s face once we close on their home gives me a satisfaction that goes beyond any commission,” Ali said. “For some individuals, purchasing a home is the biggest accomplishment of their life, and I’m privileged to be a part of that — it inspires me to get up every day. I’m also motivated when there’s a hiccup in a transaction because overcoming those issues better prepares me for future occurrences.”

What Ali loves most about real estate is the ability to be involved in community development. “It is like I’m a kid in a candy store with so many flavors to choose from,” he said with a laugh. “Real estate is a business that allows individuals to discover what suits them best, and then expand on it. For me, it’s the joy I get to bring to my clients that’s most rewarding. I mean, you can earn a good living in any field, but wanting to serve others is the most gratifying.”

Beyond having a passion for serving others, Ali is an avid student of the business and welcomes any opportunity to grow and learn. “There are so many advantages to having knowledge,” he said. “In real estate, there’s something to learn every day; honestly, it is never-ending.”

Ali’s greatest teaching moments have come from his father: He mentored Ali and his younger brother Hussein — also known as Sam, who recently joined the family team — in education, business development, client relations and personal growth. “We are a family who works seamlessly together, and that makes us very unique,” Ali shared. “When a client is working with one of us, they are getting a family of agents who are there for them, offering the best client experience.”

When Ali first began his career, his biggest challenge was getting over the fear of rejection. “In the beginning, I was afraid of rejection from everyone,” he said. “However, as any agent will tell you, rejection is a big part of this business, so I overcame this fear by facing it head-on.”

Ali fearlessly did daily cold calls and slowly became more comfortable with adverse responses typical to the real estate business. “While doing this, I faced an unreal amount of rejection — but that was fine because, after a while, I started to become numb to it. Rather, I saw it as a closer step to the ‘yes’ that I was looking for. I believe the best way to handle any issue, especially in real estate, is to deal with it up front and as soon as you can — it’s the smartest way to remain in this business for the long haul,” he said.

To anyone looking to get into real estate, Ali suggests accepting failure and rejection as a means to make you stronger. “If you don’t fail and learn from the experience, then this industry will be a difficult road to travel,” he advised. “I view setbacks and obstacles as opportunities to be used to my advantage.”

As one of five boys, Ali fondly remembers his mother ushering him and his siblings outdoors to play in the backyard. Today, Ali still enjoys time outside with his brothers — Ahmed, Hassan, Hussein and Mehdi. They like to go four-wheeling, snowmobiling and hiking as a family.

In addition to being focused and committed to his work, Ali also has a fun, creative side to his personality that’s highlighted through his social media interactions. He can be found on Instagram @alifayzrealty. There, he provides real estate content and information such as weekly market updates and humorous skits. “This is a great platform where fun and creativity can be applied within the business,” he said.

Whether it’s from his father, a broker or another agent, Ali wants to continue to learn within the business. “There’s not a day that goes by where I’m not learning something new,” Ali explained. “My goal is to be as accomplished and respected as my father has been, and follow in his footsteps.”

Ali Fayz - Rising Star