From Recruiting to Real Estate: Karen Saez’s Rise in Northeast Florida

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 professional challenges that come with bold life transitions.

Karen opens up about building relationships through social media, the pain of losing her first real estate deal, and how grit, consistency, and empathy have shaped her career. She also breaks down the realities of starting in real estate, the importance of structure, and how being a single mom motivated her to take the leap into entrepreneurship.

If you’re thinking about making a career shift or want to level up in real estate, don’t just dream it—do it. Follow Karen on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at real estate life, and subscribe to the Real Estate Excellence Podcast for more inspiring stories like this!

 

Highlights:

00:00–05:12 Karen’s Big Month & Buyer Challenges

• Standout October sales performance
• Clients shifting from condos to homes
• Home search in eTown
• Quick 30-day close with decisive buyer
• Two closings pushed due to contingencies

05:13–10:05 Contingent Offers & Lending Solutions

• Challenges with out-of-state sellers
• Bridge loan limitations
• Explaining the “Purchase Edge” program
• Builder delays and shifting timelines
• Supporting a friend through new construction delays

10:06–15:24 Corporate Recruiting to Real Estate Agent

• From staffing agencies to Deutsche Bank
• Transferable skills: interviewing and listening
• Vetting brokerages like candidates
• Understanding client motivations
• Transitioning service mindset into real estate

15:25–20:56 Bar Ownership & Business Shift

• Opening a bar after a Tulum trip
• Managing dual careers: banking by day, bar by night
• Learning bartending to train staff
• Selling the bar for more meaningful work
• Pivoting toward real estate

20:57–30:13 Getting Started in Real Estate

• First brokerage experience at Coldwell Banker
• Why training helped but branding didn’t align
• Meeting Mike and joining 904 Home Guide
• Bilingual outreach strategy
• Early listing failure: townhouse vs. condo mix-up

30:14–46:15 Mindset, Marketing & Consistency

• Love for guiding buyers and sellers
• Building lasting post-close relationships
• Consistent routines: hot sheets, follow-ups
• Leveraging Instagram for business growth
• Sharing personal stories to build connection

 

Quotes:

“You have to give yourself no option but to succeed.” – Karen Saez

“It wasn't just a transaction or a paycheck for me—it’s more of a ‘you're my family now.’” – Karen Saez

“Just post the damn thing.” – Karen Saez

“If it’s your plan A, then go all in. If not, it’s going to chew you up.” – Karen Saez

 

To contact Karen Saez, learn more about her business, and make her a part of your network, make sure to follow her on her Website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

 

Connect with Karen Saez!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen_saez_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.paz.77/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@karensaezrealestate

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-saez-8552aaa0/

 

Connect with me!
Website: toprealtorjacksonville.com  

Website: toprealtorstaugustine.com 

 

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