Builder Rep To Top Agent: Insider Secrets Buyers & Sellers MUST Know About New Construction
Release Date: 01/26/2026
Builder Rep To Top Agent: Insider Secrets Buyers & Sellers MUST Know About New Construction
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info_outlineHow 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 into strategy.
From navigating new construction pitfalls to educating buyers on insurance red flags, Robyn emphasizes the value of transparency, community, and staying informed. Whether it’s explaining roof replacement impact on home values or the critical timing of involving an insurance agent, she lays out the realities that every buyer and seller should hear. Her journey is a masterclass in resilience, customer service, and intentional business-building.
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Highlights:
00:00 - 14:49 New Construction Exposed
- How Robyn’s builder background shaped her strategy
- Why agents should attend builder meetings
- Critical need for third-party inspections
- Permitting issues and layout mix-ups
- The communication breakdown in national builder pipelines
14:50 - 28:59 The Insurance Mindset Advantage
- Robyn’s State Farm experience in catastrophe claims
- How it shifted her approach to risk in real estate
- Explaining Florida insurance pitfalls to out-of-state buyers
- Why home age affects insurability
- Avoiding last-minute insurance deal-breakers
29:00 - 42:49 Roofs, Claims, and Seller Strategy
- When to address aging roofs before listing
- Educating sellers on repair ROI vs. reality
- How inspectors and insurance agents derail contracts
- Preparing buyers and sellers emotionally for negotiations
- The true cost of ignoring deferred maintenance
42:50 - 57:59 Pivoting from Setback to Success
- Robyn’s career curveball: from nuclear medicine to real estate
- Losing out on a medical program led to reinvention
- How real estate filled the service gap she craved
- Her “Come to Jesus” moment with her husband
- Turning rejection into redirection
58:00 - 01:12:29 Service, Community & Emotional EQ
- What “being of service” means to Robyn
- Why communication is more powerful than contracts
- Balancing emotion with education in transactions
- Her husband's public service and how it influences her work
- The mindset shift from salesperson to problem-solver
01:12:30 - 01:28:59 Broker Choices & Real Estate Realities
- Choosing the right brokerage for growth
- Online courses vs. classroom experience
- Learning curves and mentorship matters
- Brokerage fit vs. personal discipline
- Advice for new agents entering the market
Quotes:
“Before my feet hit the floor, I say: money flows to me easily and abundantly.” – Robyn McIntosh
“You don’t need an inspector because it’s a bad builder—you need one to cover everything.” – Robyn McIntosh
“Life is hard. If selling your home is the hardest thing you face, let me help you through it.” – Robyn McIntosh
“I love everything about homes—their stories, their challenges, their potential.” – Robyn McIntosh
To contact Robyn McIntosh, learn more about her business, and make her a part of your network, make sure to follow her on her Website.
Connect with Robyn McIntosh!
Website: https://www.christiesrealestate.com/real-estate-agents/robyn-mcintosh/35322/
Connect with me!
Website: toprealtorjacksonville.com
Website: toprealtorstaugustine.com
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