There's something about the Outer Banks that stays with you. It's not just the beaches or the slower pace, it's the feeling that people here are building something meaningful. They work hard, raise families, and find ways to stay close to the coast no matter what life brings. Sarah Spencer has done all of that and more. She's managed to grow a thriving career while staying grounded in the place she loves most.

Sarah is a longtime real estate broker, business owner, and community leader who's spent nearly thirty years helping shape the local market. She built Keller Williams OBX, now home to about 80 agents, into one of the area's largest and most respected brokerages. What really stands out is how she leads with a focus on people, teamwork, and doing things the right way. Her approach to culture, training, and shared success has made her business a reflection of her values, not just her accomplishments.

We dive into how it all started from waiting tables in college, falling in love with the Outer Banks, and finding her path in real estate. She shares what she's learned along the way, what she wishes she'd done sooner, and how she keeps her priorities straight when life gets busy. It's an honest, grounded look at what it means to build a business, raise a family, and stay connected to what matters most.

In This Episode:

• [01:58] Sarah Spencer shares her long career in real estate.
• [02:45] Conversation about balancing business ownership and family life.
• [03:28] Thoughts on teamwork, community, and the positive culture in Outer Banks real estate.
• [04:26] Sarah credits her husband and business partner for shared success.
• [05:19] Insights on building a strong team and not focusing on rankings or titles.
• [06:03] How Sarah first came to the Outer Banks and what drew her back.
• [07:19] The story of meeting her husband while waiting tables on the island.
• [08:15] The biggest lesson Sarah wishes she'd learned earlier—investing sooner.
• [09:47] Reflections on how younger generations view homeownership and passive income.
• [11:11] Comparing the housing market then and now, and how it's changed over time.
• [12:06] Why having clear exit plans matters for real estate investments.
• [13:30] A conversation about parenting, education, and helping kids find their own path.
• [15:04] Sarah reveals her next big goal: creating a new beachside office for Keller Williams OBX.
• [17:15] Thoughts on competition in real estate and how collaboration leads to success.
• [18:29] How trust and teamwork helped build lasting business partnerships.
• [20:23] The story behind how Keller Williams OBX began and what it took to make it work.
• [22:46] Sarah credits mentors and team members who helped the brokerage grow.
• [22:53] Keller Williams OBX now includes around 80 agents serving the Outer Banks market.
• [25:04] Advice on staying positive, learning from rejection, and keeping perspective.
• [26:03] Guidance for new agents on confidence, emotional resilience, and communication.
• [27:26] How the market has shifted since COVID and what agents must learn now.
• [28:49] The importance of honesty and managing tough client conversations.
• [30:11] Reflections on negotiation, mindset, and lifelong learning in real estate.
• [31:28] Why ongoing training and coaching are central to the Keller Williams OBX culture.
• [33:22] How agents can find their own path instead of following a single model.
• [34:22] Discussion on the rise of social media and influencers in real estate.
• [35:09] Thoughts on authentic connection and two-way conversations with audiences.
• [35:55] Sarah describes her perfect day off—relaxing on the sand while her family surfs.
• [36:33] Closing thoughts on balance, family, and what makes the Outer Banks feel like home.

Resources:

• Beach Road Banter - Instagram
• Sarah Spencer
• The Spencer Team
• Sarah Spencer - LinkedIn
• The Spencer Team - OBX Facebook

When hurricane season hits the Outer Banks, the question isn't if—it's how you'll handle it. Today, Randy pulls back the curtain on what really happens when a major storm threatens coastal life. Forget the TV panic—Randy shares the real rhythms, risks, and resilience of a community that's weathered decades of hurricanes.

Hear firsthand what it's like to prepare (and sometimes stay put) through roaring winds, flying debris, and unpredictable tides. Learn how locals decide whether to evacuate, what they do to protect their homes, and why new homeowners may be dangerously underprepared.

Key Takeaways:

• The truth behind hurricane hype vs. reality
• How locals actually prepare—and why some never board up
• Lessons in risk, resilience, and community after the storm

Whether you're a coastal dweller, storm chaser, or just fascinated by the grit it takes to live by the sea, this episode will leave you with a deep respect for those who call the Outer Banks home.

The Outer Banks market is shifting—so how do you stay ahead? In this episode, Randy sits down with returning guest Jonathan St. Ledger, an investor, developer, and builder, to unpack what's really happening with rentals, construction, and investment opportunities in 2025.

Jonathan shares how he balances buying and selling in today's climate, why tax benefits like bonus depreciation matter more than ever, and the creative ways he adds serious value to his properties (rooftop pools and dive-in movie theaters, anyone?).

Key takeaways include:

• Why short-term rental demand is evolving, not disappearing
• How to leverage tax incentives for smarter investing
• The little details that turn a rental into an experience

If you're curious about the future of real estate on the Outer Banks—or just love hearing how creative investments come to life—this conversation will inspire you to think bigger and smarter.

What happens when life throws an unexpected tragedy your way? On today's episode, Randy sits down with Patty McKenna, Executive Director of the Outer Banks Relief Foundation, to share how neighbors step in when storms of life hit hardest—not just hurricanes, but personal crises like illness, job loss, or family emergencies.

Patty tells the story of how the foundation began with one little girl's battle with leukemia and has grown into a lifeline for countless Outer Banks families. From helping parents keep their homes during medical crises to partnering with community surf contests that give back, Patty reveals the quiet yet powerful ways this small community shows up for each other.

Key Takeaways:

• Why personal relief—not just storm relief—matters most
• How one tragedy sparked a 20-year mission of support
• The role of local events, from surf contests to beach cleanups, in sustaining community care

This episode is a reminder that even in life's hardest moments, you don't have to face it alone.

Connect with Randy:
Randy Jones → @jonesgroupobx

What does it take to leave everything behind and rebuild a life from scratch? YuliYa Hristov moved from Belarus to the Outer Banks with little more than determination—and today she's a thriving real estate professional, Airbnb host, and mom of two.

In this episode, YuliYa shares her journey from growing up in Eastern Europe to carving out success in one of the most competitive resort towns in America. She opens up about the challenges of being an immigrant, finding her path in real estate, and balancing family with business.

Key themes include:

• Starting fresh in a new country
• Building a resilient mindset around money and work
• Smart real estate strategies for investment and Airbnb

YuliYa's story is a reminder that reinvention is always possible—and that grit and perspective can turn obstacles into opportunity.

Connect with Randy:
Randy Jones → @jonesgroupobx

What happens when a world-traveled surfer, board builder, and fisherman plants roots in the Outer Banks? You get David Rhode — a man who's been shaping boards, riding waves, and shaping community for over 40 years on the Outer Banks. From surfing Oregon swells in 1968 to glassing over 65,000 boards, David shares his front-row view of the evolution of surfing, the unmatched outdoor opportunities here, and the tight-knit spirit that shows up when it matters most. David also talks about how the Outer Banks is vital to the surfboard manufacturing business on the East Coast.

Themes you'll hear in this episode:

• How the Outer Banks surf scene has changed (and stayed the same)
• Stories from building the largest surfboard factory on the East Coast
• The deep generosity and resilience of this coastal community

David's stories aren't just about waves — they're about finding home in open spaces, on the water, and among people who always show up for each other.

Connect with Randy:
Randy Jones → @jonesgroupobx

Are short-term rentals in the Outer Banks really slowing down—or just shifting? In this episode, Randy and Lynn break down what the numbers are really saying about the first half of 2025, from unexpected inventory dips to why some rental homes are sitting empty while others stay booked solid. They reveal how guest behavior is changing, why flexibility is crucial, and what smart homeowners and agents are doing to stay ahead in a market that's anything but predictable.

Key themes:

• Inventory is down for the first time in years
• Self-managed vs. professional property rentals
• How buyer and renter expectations are reshaping the market

Whether you're a homeowner, buyer, or curious about what makes this coastal market tick, this conversation is packed with honest insights, local know-how, and practical tips to keep your investment thriving.

Host: Randy Jones → @jonesgroupobx

What's so special about Ocracoke? Randy finally gets it. This week, he shares how a laid-back birthday weekend on this quirky North Carolina island turned him from a skeptic into a superfan. From ferry rides and food trucks to rooftop drumming and pirate stories, Randy uncovers the unexpected magic of a place where everything slows down—and that's exactly the point.

Key themes & takeaways:

• Slowing down is a superpower

• The best travel stories are found in the in-between moments

• Why a 12-year-old drummer might be the heartbeat of your vacation

Let this episode remind you that joy doesn't always come with an agenda—and that the best places are sometimes the ones without a plan.

Host: Randy Jones → @jonesgroupobx