Today we’d like to introduce you to Terri Young.
Terri, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I didn’t start in real estate—I started in structure, discipline, and high-stakes decision-making. I spent 20+ years as a Contracting Officer/Manager and Program Manager in the federal and private sectors. I was negotiating million-dollar contracts, managing risk, and protecting organizations. What I didn’t realize then? I was being trained to protect people… just in a different way.
Then came the shift. My mother died in 2018 and while attending her memorial I heard people talk about the impact she made on their lives. And I asked myself what will my children hear at my memorial – and all I could come up with was she moved up the corporate ladder.
In 2019, I made a decision that changed everything—I stepped into real estate. Not part-time. Not casually. I went ALL IN.
Why? Because I saw the gap:
People weren’t being educated
People weren’t being empowered
People were making emotional decisions instead of strategic ones
And I knew I could do it differently.
Fast forward to today…
I’m the Owner & Team Leader of Z3® Carolinas, ranked in the top 5% of agents in the Charlotte Metro
We close 25+ transactions a year—that’s 5x the national average
I’ve helped clients negotiate over $300K in concessions
I’ve built a top 3% real estate team—from the ground up
But I didn’t stop there… because my vision was never local—it was GLOBAL 🌍
That’s when Z3® Ghana was born.
I saw a bigger opportunity:
Diaspora buyers wanting to invest in Africa
Fear around fraud and lack of guidance
No clear, trusted bridge between the U.S. and Ghana
So I became that bridge.
Today, I help clients:
Buy, sell, and invest in the U.S. and Ghana
Navigate international real estate with confidence
Build wealth, legacy, and ownership across continents
This isn’t just real estate for me…
This is about:
Breaking generational cycles
Creating global wealth strategies
Helping people stop surviving… and start building
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Let’s be real, it has NOT been a smooth road. And if anyone tells you it is… they’re skipping the truth.
Growth doesn’t come polished, it comes with pressure, pivots, and a whole lot of faith.
Here are some of the real struggles I’ve faced along the way:
Transitioning Careers
Going from a stable 20+ year federal career into real estate?
That wasn’t a cute leap,it was a calculated risk but most importantly it was FAITH.
No guaranteed income
No built-in pipeline
No safety net
I had to bet on ME before anyone else did.
Inconsistent Income Early On
Real estate will humble you QUICK.
Deals fall apart
Clients ghost you
Closings delay
You go from structured paychecks to eat what you kill literally and that requires discipline and mental toughness.
Building a Business, Not Just Selling Homes
Most agents sell homes… I had to learn how to build systems, lead a team, and scale.
Hiring the right people (and letting go of the wrong ones)
Creating processes from scratch
Learning marketing, branding, and leadership on the fly
That’s a different level of pressure.
Expanding to Ghana
Now let’s talk GLOBAL…
Building Z3® Ghana wasn’t easy, it required:
Navigating international laws and regulations (REAC, compliance, licensing)
Building TRUST in a market where people fear fraud
Creating partnerships on the ground while managing from the U.S.
That’s vision + execution + patience.
Personal Sacrifices
Let’s not ignore this part…
Late nights, early mornings
Missing moments with family
Carrying the weight of leadership
Because when you lead… people depend on you.
But here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear:
The struggle is the strategy.
Every challenge sharpened me:
Taught me how to negotiate at a higher level
Forced me to build systems that scale
Strengthened my faith, resilience, and clarity
So no, it wasn’t smooth.
But it was WORTH IT.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a Global Real Estate Advisor & REALTOR®, and I help people buy, sell, and invest in real estate,both in the U.S. and Ghana.
But let me be clear… I don’t just open doors. I help you build wealth, strategy, and legacy through real estate.
I focus on results, strategy, and protection:
Residential Buyers & Sellers (Charlotte Metro & Carolinas)
International & Diaspora Investments (Ghana)
Wealth-Building Strategies Using Equity
First-Time Buyer Education & Workshops
Off-Plan & New Construction Investments
Contract Negotiation & Deal Structuring
My reputation/ what I am known for is my…
Negotiating POWER: saving clients thousands in concessions
Education FIRST: clients will understand every step before you sign anything
Global Vision: helping clients think beyond their zip code
Execution, not just ideas… RESULTS
People come to me when they’re serious about making smart, strategic moves.
I am proud of expanding into Z3® Ghana—creating a trusted bridge for diaspora investors
Helping clients walk away with:
Equity at closing
Reduced out-of-pocket costs
Protected investments through due diligence
But I’m most proud of the lives changed, families becoming homeowners, investors building portfolios, people creating LEGACY.
When my clients hire me they do not just get an agent… they get a STRATEGIST and FORWARD THINKER.
I focus on the transformation NOT transactions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.z3carolinas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/z3carolinasgroup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerriYoungZ3
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@z3carolinas
