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aron Tawiah's finance job ended abruptly in 2020, leaving him and his pregnant wife Ebonee with a daunting reality: bills wouldn't wait for employment. Instead of easing into uncertainty, they decided to take a leap of faith and invest their $20,000 savings into a real estate development dream they'd long envisioned. The gamble paid off, and the Charlotte couple is now celebrating their 20th project – a multifamily development called Black Star Villas in Kannapolis, North Carolina.
The six three-bedroom townhomes boast "luxury features" and "custom style," according to Ebonee Tawiah. Construction is set to begin in early 2025, with completion expected by the end of that year. The couple's venture into real estate began in late 2018, when Aaron felt an itch beyond corporate jobs. They started wholesaling properties before transitioning to a fix-and-flip model after going full-time in 2020.
As their business grew, they shifted focus from renovating existing homes to building new ones from the ground up. Today, A&E Investors focuses solely on new builds, with Ebonee handling project management and interior design while Aaron oversees construction and sales. The couple's key to success lies in their "stay in your lane" approach, respecting each other's expertise.
The choice of Kannapolis as the site for Black Star Villas was strategic, driven by its proximity to Charlotte and affordability compared to urban areas. Ebonee Tawiah hopes the development will bring a unique offering to the market, balancing growth with quality that reflects modern living spaces' focus on uniqueness and style. The couple's philosophy of "luxury meets affordability" speaks to a growing demand for well-designed homes rather than mass-produced models.
With Black Star Villas currently in the permitting phase, Aaron Tawiah expects pre-sales to begin in early 2025. The Tawaihs plan to continue building single-family homes and expand their multifamily portfolio, driven by their mission to provide luxury housing aesthetics at an affordable scale.
