Builder Rep To Top Agent: Insider Secrets Buyers & Sellers MUST Know About New Construction
Real Estate Excellence
How does emotional intelligence give real estate agents an edge in guiding clients through one of life’s most stressful decisions? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Robyn McIntosh, a top-tier real estate professional with a rich background in psychology and insurance. Robyn opens up about her unexpected path from working catastrophe claims at State Farm to becoming one of Florida’s most trusted names in real estate. Her ability to blend empathy with industry knowledge helps clients navigate not only deals but emotions, turning stress...
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Balancing Family, Investing & Real Estate the Right Way - Rachel Hanes
Real Estate Excellence
What if the people who doubted your dreams actually helped fuel your success? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with powerhouse realtor Rachel Hanes, a former educator turned top-producing real estate agent in Northeast Florida. Rachel shares her inspiring journey from a young mom with no laptop to a referral-based business owner dominating the Jacksonville market. She dives into her early struggles, how a Craigslist ad and a leap of faith kickstarted her career, and how surrounding herself with the right mentors helped her build a thriving,...
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How AI, Reviews & Referrals Are Shaping Real Estate
Real Estate Excellence
What if the secret to scaling your real estate business isn’t leads—but relationships? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes back powerhouse Realtor Sarah Schwartz, who shares how she dominated her market with over $36 million in sales from 57 transactions—all while managing life as a mom, wife, and business owner. Sarah reveals the secrets behind her explosive growth, including how she leverages her husband as her business partner, invests in her neighborhood relationships, and maintains an unrivaled level of client service that converts every...
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Real Estate Branding, Viral Marketing & No Fluff Content Strategy
Real Estate Excellence
Are you missing out on 90% of your potential business because you’re afraid to show your face on social media? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes Amy B. Cotney, a real estate powerhouse who’s turned her authentic personality into a thriving brand online. With over 300,000 followers on Instagram and more than 1.3 million on TikTok, Amy breaks down the real ROI of social media for agents and why being yourself is your biggest marketing weapon. From humble beginnings and mistakes to landing $4 million listings off a Jet Ski video, Amy’s journey...
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Real Estate 2026: How Buyers, Sellers & Agents Win in a Shifting Market
Real Estate Excellence
Are you building a business that feels like you—or one you think people expect to see? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes welcomes powerhouse agent Dori Nugent, whose bold pivot from a 20-year fitness career to real estate during the pandemic has quickly made her a standout in Northeast Florida. Dori shares how her deep roots in client service, leadership, and authentic human connection have been the key drivers of her rapid success, closing over 90 transactions in just a few years. From mastering social media with purpose to navigating the unique...
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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...
info_outlineWhat 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 market analysis, listing presentations, and CRM to elevate client consultations and streamline operations. She shares priceless insights for new and seasoned agents alike, emphasizing the value of asking the right questions, building genuine relationships, and focusing on long-term client value—not just transactions. It’s a masterclass in leveraging experience, tech, and heart to build a real estate empire.
Ready to elevate your real estate game? Subscribe to the Real Estate Excellence podcast for more industry masterclasses and connect with Mandy Morrow to learn how tech and trust can transform your client relationships.
Highlights:
00:00 - 12:30 Tech Roots & Transition to Real Estate
- Mandy’s corporate background with IBM and tech sector
- Early involvement in AI and supercomputing
- Lessons from working at Watson Research
- Why her tech background benefits her real estate career
- Bridging high-tech skills into luxury real estate
12:31 - 24:30 AI as a Realtor’s Secret Weapon
- Using ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for data analysis
- Uploading MLS data and prompting for insights
- How AI improves listing presentations and consultations
- Building confidence for new agents through roleplay
- Sharon Alter’s AI-driven listing description strategy
24:31 - 36:30 The Art of Client Understanding
- Asking strategic questions to uncover client goals
- Tailoring presentations for high-net-worth individuals
- Case study: closing a $13M luxury sale
- Why authenticity beats canned pitches
- Handling fast-paced luxury consultations
36:31 - 48:30 Navigating Neighborhoods & New Construction
- Guiding buyers through area orientation tours
- Addressing misconceptions about CDDs and communities
- How lifestyle questions reveal true buyer preferences
- Analyzing lot direction, surroundings, and value
- Protecting clients from future resale risks
48:31 - 01:04:00 Choosing the Right Brokerage & Tools
- Why Mandy left other major firms for Compass
- Comparing Compass tech stack to legacy systems
- Agent-first vs. brokerage-first technology
- Compass AI initiatives and integrated CRM
- The ROI of tech tools vs. lead-buying traps
04:01 - 01:18:58 Agent Growth, Education & Longevity
- Leveraging AI for CRM, P&L reviews, and marketing
- The importance of lifelong learning and contract knowledge
- Stepping into the CEO mindset as an agent
- Mandy’s involvement in committees and state leadership
- Building a client-centered, relationship-first career
Quotes:
“I don't make the market—I just tell you what the market is and then strategize based on your goals.” – Mandy Morrow
“The number one job is understanding your client—if you don’t ask the right questions, you could be blindsided.” – Mandy Morrow
“AI lets me stop being the CIO of my business and focus on what matters: my clients.” – Mandy Morrow
“This business is about long-term relationships, not transactions—do your clients right, and you’ll always stay in business.” – Mandy Morrow
To contact Mandy Morrow, learn more about her business, and make her a part of your network, make sure to follow her on her Website, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Connect with Mandy Morrow!
Website: https://mandymorrowgroup.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandymorrowrealtor
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mandymorrowrealtor
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandymorrow/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandymorrowrealtor
Connect with me!
Website: toprealtorjacksonville.com
Website: toprealtorstaugustine.com
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