Business Leader, Wife, Mom And Top Real Estate Broker, Sarah Spencer | #39

There’s something about the Outer Banks that stays with you. It’s not just the beaches or the slower pace, it’s the feeling that people here are building something meaningful. They work hard, raise families, and find ways to stay close to the coast no matter what life brings. Sarah Spencer has done all of that and more. She’s managed to grow a thriving career while staying grounded in the place she loves most.

Sarah is a longtime real estate broker, business owner, and community leader who’s spent nearly thirty years helping shape the local market. She built Keller Williams OBX, now home to about 80 agents, into one of the area’s largest and most respected brokerages. What really stands out is how she leads with a focus on people, teamwork, and doing things the right way. Her approach to culture, training, and shared success has made her business a reflection of her values, not just her accomplishments.

We dive into how it all started from waiting tables in college, falling in love with the Outer Banks, and finding her path in real estate. She shares what she’s learned along the way, what she wishes she’d done sooner, and how she keeps her priorities straight when life gets busy. It’s an honest, grounded look at what it means to build a business, raise a family, and stay connected to what matters most.

In This Episode:

• [01:58] Sarah Spencer shares her long career in real estate.
• [02:45] Conversation about balancing business ownership and family life.
• [03:28] Thoughts on teamwork, community, and the positive culture in Outer Banks real estate.
• [04:26] Sarah credits her husband and business partner for shared success.
• [05:19] Insights on building a strong team and not focusing on rankings or titles.
• [06:03] How Sarah first came to the Outer Banks and what drew her back.
• [07:19] The story of meeting her husband while waiting tables on the island.
• [08:15] The biggest lesson Sarah wishes she’d learned earlier—investing sooner.
• [09:47] Reflections on how younger generations view homeownership and passive income.
• [11:11] Comparing the housing market then and now, and how it’s changed over time.
• [12:06] Why having clear exit plans matters for real estate investments.
• [13:30] A conversation about parenting, education, and helping kids find their own path.
• [15:04] Sarah reveals her next big goal: creating a new beachside office for Keller Williams OBX.
• [17:15] Thoughts on competition in real estate and how collaboration leads to success.
• [18:29] How trust and teamwork helped build lasting business partnerships.
• [20:23] The story behind how Keller Williams OBX began and what it took to make it work.
• [22:46] Sarah credits mentors and team members who helped the brokerage grow.
• [22:53] Keller Williams OBX now includes around 80 agents serving the Outer Banks market.
• [25:04] Advice on staying positive, learning from rejection, and keeping perspective.
• [26:03] Guidance for new agents on confidence, emotional resilience, and communication.
• [27:26] How the market has shifted since COVID and what agents must learn now.
• [28:49] The importance of honesty and managing tough client conversations.
• [30:11] Reflections on negotiation, mindset, and lifelong learning in real estate.
• [31:28] Why ongoing training and coaching are central to the Keller Williams OBX culture.
• [33:22] How agents can find their own path instead of following a single model.
• [34:22] Discussion on the rise of social media and influencers in real estate.
• [35:09] Thoughts on authentic connection and two-way conversations with audiences.
• [35:55] Sarah describes her perfect day off—relaxing on the sand while her family surfs.
• [36:33] Closing thoughts on balance, family, and what makes the Outer Banks feel like home.

Resources: 

• Beach Road Banter - Instagram
• Sarah Spencer
• The Spencer Team
• Sarah Spencer - LinkedIn
• The Spencer Team - OBX Facebook