Building a successful real estate brokerage is no small feat. It’s a challenge that requires the right strategies, a deep understanding of the market, and the ability to lead a team effectively. It can be overwhelming, especially for those starting. But with the right approach and mindset, it’s entirely possible to grow a thriving brokerage.

On a recent episode of my podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Christina Hoffmeier, a seasoned real estate agent from Pennsylvania and the CEO of Realty ONE Group Ultimate. Christina has not only built a highly successful brokerage but she’s also expanded it to multiple locations, with more growth on the way. Her journey is one filled with challenges, perseverance, and invaluable lessons for both aspiring and experienced real estate professionals.

You can watch the entire podcast episode here.

Today, I want to share some of those key insights from our conversation with you!

From Single Agent to Brokerage CEO: Christina’s Journey and Essential Leadership Insights

Building a brokerage from the ground up isn’t easy, but Christina’s story shows us that it’s possible, even if you start in an unconventional way.

Christina’s Career Beginnings

Christina didn’t always plan to be in real estate. Like many of us, she started in a completely different career, only to find herself drawn into real estate after a push from her father.

She transitioned from accounting into real estate when her father suggested she get her license and help him sell some properties. What started as a side hustle quickly became her passion.

What sets Christina apart is her willingness to take on opportunities that others ignore. Early in her career, she noticed that many agents didn’t want to deal with lower-priced homes or work with investors. They were more focused on high-end properties.

However, Christina saw value where others didn’t. She built her business by working with investors and clients looking for entry-level homes—those the other agents had overlooked.

This approach became the foundation of her success.

Overcoming Challenges in Real Estate

One of the key insights Christina shared is that many agents overlook working with investors or dealing with lower-value properties because they focus too much on prestige. They’re chasing big commissions and flashy listings. However, Christina believes that real success in real estate comes from building genuine connections with clients and focusing on what matters most, which is financial freedom and helping people find their homes.

For Christina, it wasn’t about the glamour or the awards. It was about making sure her clients got what they needed, even if that meant working on deals others didn’t want.

She built trust with her clients by being there for them every step of the way, from connecting them with mortgage brokers to closing the deal. That commitment to her clients is a big reason why she has grown her business so successfully.

Understanding Investor Clients

Christina and I dove deep into what it takes to work successfully with investors. Investors think differently from typical homebuyers. They’re not driven by emotion. Instead, they’re driven by numbers.

Christina stressed how important it is for real estate agents to understand the financial side of investing. Knowing key terms like ROI, cap rate, and net yield is essential to building trust with investors.

If you can’t speak their language, they won’t see you as a valuable resource. But if you take the time to understand their goals and how they evaluate properties, you can build long-term relationships with investors who will come back to you again and again.

Building and Scaling a Real Estate Team

As Christina’s business grew, she found herself struggling to maintain a balance between work and personal life. She was working long hours, and something had to give.

That’s when she decided to start building a real estate team. It wasn’t easy, but Christina learned a lot along the way.

Her biggest piece of advice? Hire slowly, fire quickly.

Early in her journey, she made the mistake of rushing to hire buyer’s agents when what she really needed was administrative support. If she could do it over, she would have hired a transaction coordinator first to handle the paperwork and details so she could focus on growing her business.

Preparing for Growth and Scaling Effectively

One of the most valuable lessons Christina shared was about preparing for growth. Before you start hiring agents and expanding your team, you need to have systems in place.

Christina emphasized the importance of setting up processes and ensuring that you have a steady flow of leads before bringing new agents on board.

From my own perspective, this process of generating leads and supporting other agents is why I’ve invested time into my podcasting efforts. It’s one of the ways I generate business and create opportunities for my team. I’ve also found it helpful to work with a professional real estate podcast production company to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Follow Leads & Leverage: Real Estate Team Leader’s Lounge for More Engaging Conversations with Industry Experts!

Christina’s story offers a powerful roadmap for anyone looking to build a thriving real estate business. From her unconventional start to her success in building a brokerage, her insights are invaluable.

If you found her lessons helpful, I encourage you to tune into Leads & Leverage: Real Estate Team Leader’s Lounge. Each episode brings you actionable advice from top industry experts, just like Christina, to help you grow your real estate business.

And, if you’re ready to buy, sell, or invest in real estate in Central Florida, contact me and the GPG Team. We’re here to help you achieve success in every aspect of your real estate journey!