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

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

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 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 performanceClients shifting from condos to homesHome search in eTownQuick 30-day close with decisive buyerTwo closings pushed due to contingencies 05:13–10:05 Contingent Offers & Lending Solutions Challenges with out-of-state sellersBridge loan limitationsExplaining the "Purchase Edge" programBuilder delays and shifting timelinesSupporting a friend through new construction delays 10:06–15:24 Corporate Recruiting to Real Estate Agent From staffing agencies to Deutsche BankTransferable skills: interviewing and listeningVetting brokerages like candidatesUnderstanding client motivationsTransitioning service mindset into real estate 15:25–20:56 Bar Ownership & Business Shift Opening a bar after a Tulum tripManaging dual careers: banking by day, bar by nightLearning bartending to train staffSelling the bar for more meaningful workPivoting toward real estate 20:57–30:13 Getting Started in Real Estate First brokerage experience at Coldwell BankerWhy training helped but branding didn't alignMeeting Mike and joining 904 Home GuideBilingual outreach strategyEarly listing failure: townhouse vs. condo mix-up 30:14–46:15 Mindset, Marketing & Consistency Love for guiding buyers and sellersBuilding lasting post-close relationshipsConsistent routines: hot sheets, follow-upsLeveraging Instagram for business growthSharing 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 SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW as we discuss real estate excellence with the best of the best. #RealEstateExcellence #JacksonvilleRealtor #WomenInBusiness #BilingualRealtor #EntrepreneurJourney #KarenSaez #904HomeGuide #RealEstatePodcast #RelocationExpert #MilitaryFriendlyRealtor #SocialSelling #RealtorLife #FloridaHomes #RealEstateSuccess #CareerPivot #GritAndGrace #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #RealEstateStories #ClosingDeals #InstagramMarketing
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