Corey Hasting: Broker/Owner Engel Volker First Coast
Release Date: 05/02/2025
Real Estate Excellence
Are your real estate deals falling apart because you're not mastering the art of negotiation and timing? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Bobbie Jean DeMunck joins Tracy Hayes to unpack what it takes to thrive in today's volatile real estate market. With over 15 years in the business and a background in interior design and banking, Bobbie shares how blending aesthetics with strategy helps her listings stand out and sell faster—even in a slower market. She reveals her unique approach to negotiation, how she wins offers by shortening inspection periods and timelines,...
info_outlineReal Estate Excellence
What if your side hustle became your true calling? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits Edwina Burch. Edwina Burch is a dynamic Jacksonville real estate agent, shares her journey from aspiring attorney to becoming one of the top real estate agents in northeast Florida. Starting her career in education administration, Edwina transitioned to real estate after being inspired by a colleague’s challenging real estate deal. Quickly realizing that selling real estate was not as simple as HGTV portrayed, Edwina embraced the challenge and soon achieved...
info_outlineReal Estate Excellence
What does it take to build a thriving real estate business from scratch—while raising three kids as a single mom? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Beverly Hecht, a top Jacksonville Beach realtor, who shares her compelling journey from IT sales to becoming a real estate powerhouse. A Jacksonville native with deep community roots, Beverly dives into how her corporate discipline, single-mom tenacity, and relentless drive helped her transition into real estate and build a loyal client base along Florida’s First Coast. From navigating tough...
info_outlineReal Estate Excellence
What happens when you mix discipline, precision, and deep empathy into a real estate business? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes Cindy James. Cindy is a licensed REALTOR, & Broker Associate, public speaker, and co-owner of Island Construction & Remodeling in Jacksonville, FL. With over 30 years in the corporate world and a background in real estate investing, Cindy blends business savvy, local expertise, and construction knowledge to help clients buy, sell, and transform homes with confidence. She’s built a standout brand by leading with...
info_outlineReal Estate Excellence
What if the key to long-term success in real estate isn’t sales skills—but mentorship, purpose, and adaptability? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes Sarah Olson, a powerhouse broker and mentor with over two decades of experience in Northeast Florida. From leading First Coast Collective at RE/MAX Unlimited to launching her own Real Estate Agent Success Academy, Sarah shares her journey of transformation—from a tax accountant to a top-tier agent and educator. With an innate ability to connect, teach, and inspire, she reveals the secrets...
info_outlineReal Estate Excellence
What if the secret to leveling up your real estate game lies in the systems you don’t see? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes Tiffany Freeman—a former transaction coordinator turned high-performing agent with Ingle & Volkers. With a sharp mind for systems and strategy honed through military family life and 2,000+ real estate transactions, Tiffany unveils her journey from resisting real estate to thriving at its forefront. Listeners get a front-row seat to Tiffany’s unique insights on how backend mastery, tech-savvy tools, and...
info_outlineReal Estate Excellence
Is your brokerage truly giving you freedom, flexibility, and financial growth? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes with Kimberly L. Waterhouse, Veteran USMC. Kimberly shares how her journey from the United States Marine Corps to Jacksonville real estate has been a masterclass in reinvention. With a rich background in media, marketing, and business leadership, Kimberly brings more than just property expertise—she brings people-first values, military grit, and a deep understanding of Jacksonville’s evolving communities. Kimberly dives deep into...
info_outlineReal Estate Excellence
Is your brokerage truly giving you freedom, flexibility, and financial growth? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes dives into the dynamic world of REAL Brokerage with guests Gigi Urbanski and Mike Rolewicz. Together, they explore how REAL is disrupting the traditional brokerage model by focusing on scalable support, tech-driven efficiency, and multiple income streams. From streamlined operations to a thriving agent community, REAL positions itself not as a destination, but a vehicle to entrepreneurial success. The conversation uncovers how REAL's powerful...
info_outlineReal Estate Excellence
What drives a couple to leave corporate careers to transform real estate for their community? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes interviews Jessica Mendez and Joel Gonzalez, the dynamic duo behind the Real 4 Jax team with Rise Realty Advisors. Originally from Venezuela, Jessica and Joel share their inspiring journey from adapting to life in the U.S. to becoming one of the most trusted real estate teams serving Jacksonville’s Hispanic community. Their mission? To help families build generational wealth through homeownership, using a personalized and...
info_outlineReal Estate Excellence
Can you build a billion-dollar brokerage by saying “no” more than you say “yes”? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes Corey Hasting. Corey opened his first Engel & Völkers shop in Jacksonville Beach on April 30, 2018. Since then, Corey has opened 3 additional shops located in Amelia Island, the Beaches Town Center and St. Johns Florida. Since opening Corey has recruited over 80 top producing advisors who should sell more than $700,000,000 in volume and over 1500 transactions in 2021. Corey has been awarded countless awards since opening...
info_outlineCan you build a billion-dollar brokerage by saying “no” more than you say “yes”?
In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes Corey Hasting. Corey opened his first Engel & Völkers shop in Jacksonville Beach on April 30, 2018. Since then, Corey has opened 3 additional shops located in Amelia Island, the Beaches Town Center and St. Johns Florida. Since opening Corey has recruited over 80 top producing advisors who should sell more than $700,000,000 in volume and over 1500 transactions in 2021. Corey has been awarded countless awards since opening the Jacksonville franchise including being a member of the class of 2020 for the prestigious 40 under 40 list by the Jacksonville Business Journal and in 2021, Engel & Völkers Jacksonville, under Corey’s leadership was awarded the 12th fastest growing company in Northeast Florida and the #1 fastest growing Real Estate brokerage by the Jacksonville Business Journal.
Corey fosters a high-performance culture, the non-negotiables he upholds in agent recruitment, and how technology—especially AI—is being used to empower advisors. From managing listings that linger to creating scalable systems that support both agent growth and work-life balance, Corey offers a masterclass in leadership and vision in modern real estate.
If you're a broker, team lead, or top producer stuck at a ceiling—this episode is your breakthrough.
Highlights:
00:00–12:13 Building the Foundation & Elite Brokerage Culture
- Corey's leadership values: humility, curiosity, and discipline
- From D1 athlete to award-winning broker
- Reaching just under $1B in sales with 136 advisors
- Engel & Völkers' reputation in luxury and international markets
- Establishing high standards for culture, production, and full-time commitment
12:14–25:47 Market Dynamics, Pricing Challenges & Seller Education
- Shifts in market behavior and seller psychology
- Empowering agents with data-driven listing conversations
- Cash buyers regaining leverage post-COVID
- Listing strategy adjustments in high-supply neighborhoods
- Creating structure and confidence around value and negotiation
25:48–38:59 Elevating Agent Performance Through Systems & Support
- Transitioning agents from $6M–$15M with backend support
- Exclusive in-house marketing and TC team models
- Time-saving tools that boost daily productivity
- High agent engagement in training and meetings
- 89% of agents grow production in 6 months
39:00–50:52 Culture-Driven Recruiting & Strategic Growth
- Vetting for cultural fit before adding new agents
- Turning down high-volume producers to preserve standards
- Competing through support and service—not splits
- Reinvesting profits into systems over headcount
- Organic team growth via pride and internal referrals
50:53–01:03:59 Leadership Evolution, Vision & Self-Discipline
- Lessons from launching a brokerage at 27
- Milestones to $300M, $500M, and the $1B target
- Balancing ambition with appreciation for the journey
- Vulnerability and personal growth as a founder
- Mental discipline from sports background applied to real estate
01:04:00–01:13:31 Tactical Advice for Brokers & Long-Term Impact
- Mastering recruiting, value proposition, and vision setting
- Full-service vs. capping model decisions
- Why enjoying the wins matters more than just chasing them
- Redefining success as impact, not income
- How broker support creates ripple effects across agent careers
- Conclusion
Quotes:
“Technology is useless if you don’t know how to use it or where to find it.” - Corey Hasting
“If you’re not using some sort of AI, you’re falling behind pretty quickly.” - Corey Hasting
“Not every business is good business—sometimes you have to say no.” - Corey Hasting
“People buy people before they buy product—this is a customer service industry first.” - Corey Hasting
To contact Corey Hasting, learn more about his business, and make them a part of your network, make sure to follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Connect with Corey Hasting!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corey_hasting
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corey.hasting.3
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasting/
Connect with me!
Website: toprealtorjacksonville.com
Website: toprealtorstaugustine.com
If you want to build your business and become more discoverable online, Streamlined Media has you covered. Check out how they can help you build an evergreen revenue generator all powered by content creation!
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW as we discuss real estate excellence with the best of the best.
#RealEstateExcellence #CoreyHastings #EngelVolkers #LuxuryRealEstate #JacksonvilleRealEstate #BrokerLeadership #RealEstateTech #AIInRealEstate #TopProducerMindset #RealEstatePodcast #BrokerageSuccess #RealTrends #RealEstateRecruiting #RealEstateStrategy #MarketMastery #ListingTips #RealEstateCulture #TopAgentSupport #BrokerTips #TeamGrowth