My name is Aleia Woolsey. I am 41 years old. I grew up in Cottonwood, Arizona. I went to a small boarding high school in Sedona, Arizona and then attended Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina where I received a BA in Photography and Latin American Studies. I have spent the last 20 years as a restaurant manager. My hospitality industry background has taught me the importance of superior customer relations and the guest experience.

I have also invested my time over the past 3 years into short term rental (STR) property management, Airbnbs specifically. I entered the STR market during the global pandemic and saw the impact it made on my local community. Sedona was already a highly tourist-oriented area but became quickly over-taken by investors and travelers alike, as Arizona was more “open” than many other nearby states.  The real estate market responded with increased prices and an incredible number of buyers from all over who saw Arizona as an opportunity.  As the pandemic slowed and society began to normalize, Sedona’s community was left with an abundance of out of state-owned investment properties that were being underutilized because the pool of accommodations was so great.  As hotels and resorts became an option again and pricing was competitive, Airbnb stays became less frequent, and bookings were not drawing the high dollar amount they once were during the pandemic.   

I quickly realized I was about to miss an opportunity. I had a unique background in guest satisfaction, attention to detail, people and property management. I had spent 3 years managing and studying the local short term rental market. I was poised for my next career move. I strongly believed that as the real estate market continued to evolve in the Verde Valley, we would see a good portion of those investment properties come back on the market for sale after under-performing as a short term rental property.  I felt confident about entering the Real estate community during what I believe will be a significant uptick in the cyclical nature of the market.

I attended Real Estate School in Scottsdale, Arizona in July 2023, passed my state licensure exam in August, signed on with Coldwell Banker Realty in September, got my first listing in October, and closed my first deal in November. To say I feel blessed to have this opportunity would be an understatement. I recognize and honor the history of the Real Estate Market in our community and look forward to being a part of it. I believe Coldwell Banker Realty can support me and my clients in a way that allows us to feel safe and confident as we navigate through these significant and life changing transactions.