Jamie Hallman: "Consider It Closed" Professional TC's
Real Estate Excellence
What if the key to scaling your real estate business isn’t selling more homes, but learning how to delegate smarter? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Jamie Hallman, founder of Consider It Closed and a powerhouse in the world of transaction coordination. Jamie shares her fascinating journey from working as a registered dietitian to traveling the world on a mission trip, and ultimately discovering her passion and skillset were perfectly aligned with real estate coordination. She opens up about how her solutions-driven mindset, love for...
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Lauren Duke: CoreOps Collective
Real Estate Excellence
Are you running a business or just duct taping one together? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Lauren Duke. Lauren is the founder and CEO of Core Ops Collective, to unpack how she went from military spouse and hairdresser to running operations for one of the nation’s top real estate teams—closing over 3000 transactions and opening 21 expansion locations. Lauren explains why so many agents get stuck wearing every hat, how culture can’t just be “family,” and the difference between surviving and scaling. She dives into her signature SCALE...
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Shannon Messina: It's How Much You Care | Top St Johns Cty Realtor
Real Estate Excellence
Are you truly listening to clients or just waiting to ask your next question? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes Shannon Messina. Shannon brings a kinetic blend of New York grit and Florida community savvy. In this conversation she unpacks how fitness and training shaped her sales engine, why relationships beat cold prospecting, and how themed open houses with real vibes convert neighbors into buyers. She shares the move that reset her life, rebuilt her career, and led to record sales in St Johns Golf. Shannon fought through nine months of impaired...
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Jim Cronin: ReadTomato.com Real Estate Website Expert
Real Estate Excellence
Are you building a website that answers your ideal client’s real questions or a brochure that only talks about you? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes Real Estate Tomato founder Jim Cronin. Jim breaks down how agents win online today by pairing deeply targeted websites with consistently updated, authority rich content. Long tail questions drive discovery, and AI overviews now pull heavily from blog articles and market snapshots written by true local experts. If your site speaks directly to a defined persona and proves expertise with specifics,...
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Ethan Gregory: REO Specialist | Top Jacksonville Agent
Real Estate Excellence
What does it really take to thrive as a real estate professional when the market collapses and short sales dominate? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes Jacksonville native and seasoned agent Ethan Gregory, who has averaged 50+ transactions annually for over two decades. Ethan shares how he entered the industry after graduating from the University of Florida, beginning with flipping homes before the 2007–2008 crash shifted him into the world of short sales and REO properties. His adaptability, discipline, and problem-solving approach helped him...
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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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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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