Happy 2026! What's new with you?
I have a new real estate partner!
Some mark the New Year with a resolution, or “one word for one year.” But actually, every morning, we have a new opportunity at life. A new job, friend, or learning new knowledge can happen anytime.
Something radically new for me this year is that I have joined forces with a new real estate partner, Sora Lim!
During 2025, Sora and I shared a few clients and transactions together successfully. We discovered we each have different strengths that benefit and complement our partnership. We began praying about expanding our partnership, and the end result is we are sharing everything in 2026: all clients, transactions, income, and expenses will be split right down the middle. It’s a total leap of faith!
In the industry, there are more and more teams and partners like this, but each team member may have a different role or stake. Sora and I agreed that instead of dividing various tasks 50/50, we will both be “all in” and do whatever tasks need to be done. 200% is our motto!
Our clients are winning
Two agents for the price of one. Two agents to cover showings. Two agents ready to write up a time-sensitive offer. Two responsive agents. Two sharp minds and two caring hearts working for our clients.
Teaming up has taken our individual real estate practices to a whole new level—for the better. Of course, there have been a few miscommunications and misunderstandings as with any relationship. But we believe this partnership is guided by God and grounded in love, grace, and forgiveness. Sora was actually ready to leave real estate when a series of divine promptings led her to me.
To introduce our partnership, Sora and I put together a fun Q&A bio. Here are a few questions we both answered:
What did you do prior to real estate?
Ali: Before becoming a full-time agent in 2012, I worked in hotel and retail management, taught English in Japan, and ran a small local TV station. I credit these backgrounds to honing the analytical, service, and people skills I use in real estate. My various careers also usually had some aspect of teaching or training.
Sora: I taught elementary school and found it especially rewarding to work with students from diverse backgrounds in China, England, and the U.S.
Why do you love real estate?
Sora: I enjoy real estate because it lets me work closely with people and support them through one of the most meaningful decisions of their lives. Every client has a story, and I deeply value the trust they place in me to listen, understand their goals, and walk alongside them throughout the process.
Ali: Real estate market knowledge, analysis, and experience are just the starting point for the actual work. I enjoy all of these, but the true heart of the job is interacting with our clients and their families, and industry peers. I look at these relationships as lifelong friendships, not something transactional.
What do you appreciate about your partner?
Ali: I knew Sora would be an excellent partner because she not only has the intelligence and skills for the work, she is kind and caring. We have the same moral compass and values, so there is an implicit trust that we are both giving our clients our best and our all. As a team, we accentuate our strengths and minimize any weaknesses and work very well together! Our clients are the winners and beneficiaries!
Sora: Ali is a meticulous and highly experienced professional who is outstanding at what she does. More importantly, she leads with integrity and a genuine desire to serve. Through many client communications I’ve been included on, I’ve seen firsthand that Ali is thoughtful, thorough, and committed to protecting her clients’ best interests, even long after closing. She also generously supports the agents at 20 Degrees North by providing training, resources, and mentorship.
In keeping with our New Year theme, what’s new with you?
Sora: This may be surprising, given my profession, but I’m a first-time homeowner. Five years ago, my husband and I were living in China. We came to Hawaii to have the support of my family as we welcomed our first children, twin boys, and then COVID happened and we were unable to return. My parents have graciously taken care of us since 2020, giving us space to discern what our next steps ought to be. Our family are fully committed now to life in Hawaii and excited to be planting new roots here!”
Ali: What’s new for me is watercolor painting! I reawakened the child painter in me last summer. It has been humbling not to be good at something but motivated to practice and improve. It can take me dozens of tries and versions before I finalize a painting—now I understand why there are so many versions of Monet’s water lilies! The inspiration for what to paint has come from a Bible verse or a song.
I look forward to connecting with you in 2026 and introducing you to Sora! Please reach out any time with real estate questions or help, or just to say hi. Aloha, Ali
