Kati Spaniak: "Sell Your Home with Kati Spaniak" YouTube Star
Real Estate Excellence
If rejection is the price of success, how many “no’s” are you willing to endure before you get your breakthrough “yes”? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with powerhouse agent, author, and YouTube influencer Kati Spaniak. From her beginnings in photography and graphic design to building a half-billion-dollar sales career, Kati shares the pivotal moments that shaped her journey—navigating 9/11’s economic crash, re-entering real estate post-divorce, and scaling to become one of the top agents in her market. Her story reveals the...
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Eden Jordan: Top Clay County Florida Agent
Real Estate Excellence
What does it really take to thrive in real estate for nearly three decades through every market shift imaginable? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Clay County real estate icon Eden Jordan. With 27 years of experience, over 800 families served, and countless agents mentored, Eden shares a candid look at the grit, adaptability, and strategic thinking needed to not only survive but thrive in the industry’s constant cycles. From the early days of handwritten contracts to the rise of social media marketing, Eden’s story blends hard-earned...
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Michele Tremblay: Signature Open Houses | Top Ponte Vedra Beach Agent
Real Estate Excellence
What happens when a Broadway-bound performer turns her stage presence into real estate success? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits Michele Tremblay. Michelle shares her inspiring journey from center stage to top-producing real estate agent in Northeast Florida. With a rich background in performance, voiceover, and hospitality, Michele brings a rare blend of empathy, creativity, and grit to her clients—earning accolades such as a 2024 Five Star Rising Star award and ranking #55 out of nearly 12,000 agents by the Jacksonville Business Journal. Tracy...
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Delaney Henderson: It Takes Grit / Top Jacksonville Agent
Real Estate Excellence
What if the hardest transaction you face becomes the one that teaches you the most? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with top-producing agent Delaney Henderson to uncover the mindset, grit, and strategies that catapulted her from a burned-out paralegal in DC to one of Northeast Florida’s most respected and relatable real estate mentors. Delaney doesn’t sugarcoat the truth—she opens up about industry misconceptions, failed transactions, emotional burnouts, and the quiet resilience required to succeed in a chaotic market. Delaney shares the...
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Julianne Grant-Johnson: Team Builder and Top Agent JAX/Pensacola
Real Estate Excellence
What if your biggest limitation became the launchpad for your real estate empire? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Julianne Grant-Johnson, a top-producing real estate agent in Northeast Florida, for her second appearance on the show. This time, they dive deep into the business side of her success, exploring how she built the Grant Johnson Group while on pregnancy bedrest, leveraged her military ties to dominate the VA market, and now leads a thriving, multi-location real estate team. Julianne gets real about the challenges of growing a...
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Dana Johnson: Top Jacksonville Agent "She's Owning It"
Real Estate Excellence
How can one woman’s mission to stabilize families through homeownership ripple out to transform entire communities—and even the world? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Dana Johnson, a dynamic leader in real estate and economic empowerment. Dana shares her journey from aspiring fighter pilot to real estate mogul, highlighting how owning a home can offer not just wealth but stability, resilience, and generational impact. She delves into her work with the "She's Owning It" Home Buyers Club, a 10-module course that arms women with the tools...
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Willie Lane: Building Trust Top Agent Jacksonville Beach
Real Estate Excellence
How do you gain trust and authority in a high-stakes industry when you're young, inexperienced, and just starting out? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Willie Lane—northeast Florida native, luxury real estate expert, and founder of the Willie Lane Group at Compass Realty. Willie reveals how he built a successful real estate business from the ground up starting at just 22, facing skepticism, inexperience, and a tough market. He discusses the power of consistency, networking over coffee (or beer), and the importance of putting your head...
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Mandy Morrow: Top Ponte Vedra Luxury Agent
Real Estate Excellence
What happens when decades of tech experience collide with luxury real estate and the power of artificial intelligence? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with real estate powerhouse Mandy Morrow, whose journey spans Fortune 50 leadership, tech innovation at IBM, and top-tier performance in Ponte Vedra’s luxury housing market. Mandy unpacks how her corporate and tech roots uniquely position her to serve high-net-worth clients with precision, authenticity, and deep local knowledge. They explore how Mandy integrates artificial intelligence into...
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Bella Taazieh: All Things Real Estate AI
Real Estate Excellence
What if your smartest, most efficient business partner was already on your laptop — and free? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes dives deep with with 24-year-old trailblazer Bella Taazieh — a rising force in Northeast Florida real estate who’s harnessing AI to build a modern, personal, and wildly productive business. Bella unpacks how she’s blending ChatGPT, Gamma, Notebook LM, and more to save hours, close deals faster, and create lead-gen systems that work for her — even while she’s at the beach. From building her own GPT assistant to turning...
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Sharon Alters: Excellence In Real Estate Top Jacksonville Agent
Real Estate Excellence
Can mastering storytelling and creative production turn you into a top-performing real estate agent? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Sharon Alters—one of Northeast Florida’s most respected and dynamic real estate agents. With a unique background in advertising and film production, Sharon shares how her creative roots shaped her customer-first philosophy in the competitive real estate landscape. Through storytelling, staging, and strategic mindset work, she has transformed hundreds of lives and homes, becoming a community pillar in...
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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 the nuances of VA loans, new construction challenges, and the power of truly knowing your client. From advocating for veteran homebuyers to spearheading relocation success stories, Kimberly's authenticity and dedication shine. Whether you're a new agent, seasoned pro, or simply passionate about purpose-driven business, this episode will leave you energized and informed.
Loved Kimberly’s story? Share this episode with a veteran, aspiring agent, or someone relocating to Jacksonville!
Highlights:
00:00 – 13:59 Starting Strong: Military Roots and Real Estate Beginnings
- Kimberly’s Marine Corps experience and discipline
- Transition from military to business world
- Lessons from Camp Pendleton
- Embracing military values in real estate
- Starting with Berkshire Hathaway
14:00 – 25:59 VA Loans Demystified
- Why many veterans don’t use their VA benefits
- Key misconceptions about VA loans
- How VA loans compare to other options
- Educating sellers about VA buyers
- Leveraging VA loan assumptions
26:00 – 38:59 The Power of Pre-Listing Inspections
- Importance in today’s insurance market
- Real examples of inspection deal-breakers
- How it builds trust with buyers
- Avoiding renegotiation pitfalls
- Saving time and money upfront
39:00 – 50:59 Homeownership Journeys: Personal and Professional
- Kimberly’s first-time homebuyer story
- Budgeting, planning, and long-term vision
- Unexpected life changes and real estate impact
- The rise of single women homeowners
- Using her journey to guide clients
51:00 – 1:04:59 New Construction: Expect the Unexpected
- Why new builds still need inspections
- Issues with builders during high-demand years
- Being a client advocate during construction
- Virtual check-ins and milestone walkthroughs
- Learning to speak up for the buyer
1:05:00 – 1:22:31 Market Trends and Local Expertise
- Navigating Florida’s competitive housing market
- The impact of interest rates and inventory shifts
- Balancing seller concessions and buyer needs
- Strategic marketing and community presence
- Staying ahead with local knowledge
- Conclusion
Quotes:
“You learn so much about yourself when you're out in the field, digging your own latrine and pitching your own shelter.” – Kimberly L. Waterhouse, Veteran USMC
“Just because you're a veteran doesn't mean you can't still benefit—VA loans are powerful and underutilized.” – Kimberly L. Waterhouse, Veteran USMC
“I shine in openness and conversation—there’s no substitute for showing up and listening.” – Kimberly L. Waterhouse, Veteran USMC
“It’s not about the technology; it’s about using it to give you more time for the human connection." – Kimberly L. Waterhouse, Veteran USMC
To contact Kimberly L. Waterhouse, learn more about their business, and make them a part of your network, make sure to follow them on Website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Connect with Kimberly L. Waterhouse, Veteran USMC!
Website: https://www.realestatenefl.com
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/@reconnectornefl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realestatenorthflorida/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/klwaterhouse
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