The Why Beneath the License: Nepali Realtor Austin

Obtaining a real estate license is relatively easy. Staying in the business and building a life around it is a distinct experience.

From the beginning, my “why” had less to do with sales numbers and more to do with a simple problem I kept seeing: people like me, especially immigrants and first‑time buyers, did not always know where to start. In particular, I noticed that within the broader Asian and AAPI communities, Nepali immigrants often had lower homeownership rates than some other groups. To me, that was not a statistic. It was faces and families I knew.

Owning our first home in Austin changed how my wife and I saw our future. It gave us stability, a sense of belonging, and a foundation for building wealth over time. I wanted more families—especially Nepali and other immigrant families—to experience that same shift.

My goal was, and still is, to help people acquire their first home and then continue building their assets through real estate. That means treating the first purchase not as a finish line, but as a starting point.

For first‑time buyers in Austin, education is everything. Before we ever talk about specific houses, I walk clients through:

How pre‑approval really works.
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⁠How property taxes, homeowners' insurance, and HOA dues affect the monthly payment.
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⁠Why a “comfortable” budget often matters more than the maximum the lender approves.
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⁠What a realistic timeline looks like in our market—from the first conversation to the closing table.

For immigrants, there are additional layers: credit history, documentation, understanding U.S. lending practices, and navigating a system that was not designed with their story in mind. Many feel they must figure it out alone or rely on second‑hand advice from friends. My role is to replace uncertainty with clear steps.

I also care deeply about representation and cultural understanding. When someone who shares your language, values, and experiences sits with you, it changes the conversation. You do not have to explain why sending money back home matters, or why taking on too much risk would keep you awake at night. That is already understood.

My work with the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), especially on the Policy Committee, has strengthened this perspective. AREAA focuses on AAPI homeownership and advocates for fair access to financing, data, and opportunities. Being part of those conversations—locally and in places like Washington, D.C.—reminds me that each closing is part of a bigger picture. It is not just about one family and one house. It is about narrowing gaps and opening doors for entire communities.

The license on the wall is just paper. The “why” behind it is the belief that homeownership, practiced wisely, can change the trajectory of a life—and that no one should have to navigate that path alone.