What Makes a Broker Great? Jonathan Lickstein on Building Real Brokerage Culture
Real Estate Excellence
What if the key to scaling your real estate career wasn’t selling more—but letting go? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Jonathan Lickstein, the award-winning COO of one of the nation’s fastest-growing independent brokerages. From launching his career unexpectedly in Honduras to leading a 5,000-agent operation across six states, Jonathan reveals how he uses cutting-edge AI, strong culture, and deep mentorship to scale operations, without losing the human touch. Jonathan dives deep into how brokers can truly support agents in today’s...
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How to Buy Equestrian Property in Florida’s Top Horse Regions
Real Estate Excellence
Can mastering a niche early in your real estate career be the secret to selling million-dollar homes in your 20s? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes second-generation real estate agent Emma Horvatincic, a driven and self-made rising star specializing in equestrian properties in Northeast Florida. Emma shares her journey from growing up immersed in a business-minded household to building a flourishing career in real estate—all before turning 25. Her unique blend of professionalism, niche marketing, and dedication to elite service shines throughout...
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How To Make Real Estate Agents CEO's
Real Estate Excellence
Are you holding back your real estate growth because you’re afraid to let go of control? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with the sharp and candid Sasha Tripp, founder of Story House Real Estate in Central Virginia. Sasha opens up about her journey from independent boutique brokerage owner to partnering with Real and Place to scale her operations without sacrificing her brand. With a strong emphasis on leadership, systems, and strategic partnerships, she shares how she broke through growth plateaus and found new ways to elevate both her...
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He Bet Everything on Real Estate — And It Worked
Real Estate Excellence
Would you be willing to remove an organ just to escape your 9-to-5 and chase your dream? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Drew Kazemba. Drew shares one of the most unconventional entries into real estate ever told—he voluntarily had his appendix removed to get time off work and take his real estate exam. Drew walks us through how he transitioned from a miserable medical sales job into building a thriving real estate career in Jacksonville, Florida. From cold-calling hedge funds and wholesaling to learning the ropes at DJ & Lindsey,...
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From Recruiting to Real Estate: Karen Saez’s Rise in Northeast Florida
Real Estate Excellence
What would you risk—your career, your comfort, or your security—to build the life you really want? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes Karen Saez. Karen shares her incredible journey from corporate recruiting at Deutsche Bank to owning a bar and eventually finding her true passion in real estate. As a bilingual advisor and former military spouse, Karen brings heart, hustle, and unique experience to the Jacksonville market. She dives deep into what it takes to break into the industry, create a client-first business, and overcome the personal and...
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Selling $5M Homes in Ponte Vedra Beach
Real Estate Excellence
What if the key to succeeding in the luxury real estate market isn't flash or fame—but quiet consistency and old-school relationship-building? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with luxury real estate veteran Michael Curet, a former pro tennis writer turned top-tier coastal agent. With nearly three decades in the game, Michael shares how he transitioned from ATP rankings to real estate royalty in northeast Florida. He opens up about the early hustle, key relationships, and how his sports background uniquely positioned him to serve elite clientele,...
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She Flipped the NYC Brokerage Model --And Agents Are Thriving
Real Estate Excellence
What does it really take to lead one of Manhattan’s most iconic brokerages through a historic acquisition while preserving its soul and scaling its influence? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Kevelyn Guzman, a visionary leader who took a 100-year-old boutique Manhattan brokerage through a transformative acquisition by Coldwell Banker. She opens up about her journey from Wall Street to real estate, her philosophy of treating agents as clients, and her approach to maintaining culture, innovation, and collaboration in a fiercely competitive...
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How to 2.5x Your Sales in a Down Market: $8M to $20M in 2025
Real Estate Excellence
What if the secret to your real estate breakthrough isn't a better market... but a better mindset? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes Kaitlin Chernyshov. Kaitin shares how she went from uncertainty and switching seven brokerages to becoming one of Northeast Florida’s top-producing agents. Despite working in what headlines call the worst real estate market in recent years, she has already closed over 40 homes and is tracking more than 20 million in sales for 2025. Kaitlin unpacks the mindset shift that sparked her explosive growth, her transition...
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Jamie McLaughlin: From Classroom to Closing - Top St Johns Cty Realtor
Real Estate Excellence
Are you just buying a house, or are you investing in a lifestyle that matches your future? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes former middle school math teacher turned real estate agent, Jamie McLaughlin. Jamie shares her inspiring journey from the classroom to becoming a trusted realtor in St. Johns County, Florida. With deep roots in the community and a teacher’s heart, Jamie brings patience, structure, and honesty to every transaction—serving not just clients, but building long-lasting relationships. Tracy dives into the challenges and...
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Tiffany High: How Wholesalers / Flippers Build Predictable Scalable Businesses
Real Estate Excellence
What would change if you stopped chasing one off flips and rebuilt a real business that runs without you? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Tiffany High. Tiffany lays out how she left a demanding corporate path to be present for family, stumbled into flipping, then scaled from 40 flips in year one to a virtual operation closing 20 plus deals a month. The turning point was tearing everything down in 90 days and rebuilding with systems, training, and leadership so the company could run without constant firefighting. She explains why newbies...
info_outlineWhat happens when passion meets persistence in one of Florida’s hottest coastal markets?
In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes a true powerhouse of Amelia Island real estate, Tammy Tingle. Tammy shares how she went from a stay-at-home mom to a Grand Centurion Award-winning top agent with Century 21 in just four years. She dives into her love for the Amelia Island community, her grassroots approach to lead generation, and why consistency—not flashy tools—is the key to her unstoppable growth.
Through laughter, grit, and a relentless work ethic, Tammy explains how building authentic relationships and embracing change, like buyer broker agreements and AI, have propelled her career. From neighborhood farming to creating a thriving community-focused Facebook group, she’s proving that when you lead with value and show up every day, success is inevitable.
Want to dominate your market like Tammy? Tap into the power of consistency, connection, and creativity. And don’t forget to follow her legendary Eats & Events Facebook group if you're on Amelia Island!
Highlights
00:00 – 15:17 Starting Strong: Tammy’s Real Estate Launch and Mindset
- Tammy’s entry into real estate and early achievements
- Balancing family life with new professional goals
- Daily structure and commitment to office hours
- Approach to the buyer broker agreement
- Establishing professionalism in client relationships
15:18 – 23:41 Life Experience and Finding a Career in Real Estate
- Personal background and multiple relocations
- Finding home in Amelia Island
- Influence of life transitions on real estate empathy
- Return to the workforce and choosing real estate
- Building a new career with purpose and community
23:42 – 31:04 Brokerage Choice, Training, and Local Farming Strategy
- Choosing Century 21 and value of direct training
- Early success through condo community farming
- Deep dive into condo expertise and client education
- Importance of hyper-local knowledge
- Focusing on service and personal connection
31:05 – 38:00 Client Relationships, Grit, and Navigating Setbacks
- Relationships as the foundation of her business
- Turning inspections into opportunities
- Handling setbacks with optimism and action
- Prioritizing long-term client satisfaction
- Viewing every deal as future business
38:01 – 47:15 Community Engagement and Branding Through Social Media
- Creating and growing a Facebook lifestyle group
- Promoting local events, restaurants, and businesses
- Consistently branding real estate within the group
- Community engagement turning into lead generation
- Maintaining fun, useful, and positive content
47:16 – 01:05:00 Tech Tools, AI, and Market Adaptation
- Using ChatGPT for marketing, planning, and efficiency
- Leveraging AI for listing descriptions and social content
- Embracing structure and goal-setting tools
- Observing a market slowdown and shifting strategies
- Teaching open house systems and maximizing exposure
- Conclusion
Quotes:
“Strangers are just friends I haven’t met yet.” - Tammy Tingle
“If you’re not willing to fix the problem to keep the deal moving, you’re in the wrong business.” - Tammy Tingle
“Consistency is the secret sauce. I show up every day. My clients know it.” - Tammy Tingle
“That Facebook group is just fun… and it turned into my biggest business driver.” - Tammy Tingle
To contact Tammy Tingle, learn more about his business, and make them a part of your network, make sure to follow him on Email, Website, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Connect with Tammy Tingle!
Email: tammystingle@aol.com
Website: https://www.century21.com/real-estate-agent/profile/tammy-tingle-P80107491
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amelia_island_realtor/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-tingle-471a69193/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movetoameliaisland/
Connect with me!
Website: toprealtorjacksonville.com
Website: toprealtorstaugustine.com
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