How do you gain trust and authority in a high-stakes industry when you're young, inexperienced, and just starting out? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Willie Lane—northeast Florida native, luxury real estate expert, and founder of the Willie Lane Group at Compass Realty. Willie reveals how he built a successful real estate business from the ground up starting at just 22, facing skepticism, inexperience, and a tough market. He discusses the power of consistency, networking over coffee (or beer), and the importance of putting your head down and doing the work—even when the results are 18 months away. Willie also dives into the structure of his team, how to guide young agents, why trust is the currency of the business, and how social media and mentorship have transformed his growth. From door knocking in a suit to managing a thriving real estate group, Willie's story is a blueprint for every aspiring agent wondering if they have what it takes. Love this episode? Share it with a young real estate hustler or someone who needs to hear that perseverance pays off. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and follow the Real Estate Excellence Podcast for more behind-the-scenes insights from top-producing agents!   Highlights: 00:00–10:58 From Clueless to Compass Willie's college years and first exposure to sales Landing in real estate "by accident" Facing the fear of selling homes while living with his parents Being the youngest agent in the office Struggling to gain client trust at 22 10:59–21:27 The Grit Behind the Growth Reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster of early years Preaching patience: why it takes 12–18 months to pay off Advice Willie would give his younger self Why some agents rocket ahead—and others burn out The importance of having a relentless mentor 21:28–32:10 Systemize or Stall Why most agents hit a ceiling by year 5 Building a scalable business model The birth of the Willie Lane Group Recruiting your first team member (even if it's a friend) The hard truth about bringing on brand-new agents 32:11–43:04 Face-to-Face, The Real Strategy Creating daily habits for consistent outreach Why you should never eat lunch alone Building trust without pitching How to own the room (and the driveway) Real-world tips for converting casual chats into business 43:05–56:37 Pricing in the Reality Check Era Coaching sellers in a buyer's market The real reason homes sit: it's not the photos Navigating pricing wars with builder competition When to walk away from a listing Prepping your team for tough client conversations 56:38–1:13:22 Construction Clarity & Final Gold Nuggets Why every new construction deal needs a second set of eyes Inspectors vs. supers: behind-the-scenes stories Custom vs. tract homes: what buyers need to know Forecasting market shifts and adjusting tactics Willie's #1 philosophy for scaling with excellence   Quotes: "Put your head down, do the work, and trust the process—it'll pay off in 12 to 18 months." – Willie Lane "I was door knocking in a suit on Saturdays, sweating—but I was doing the work." – Willie Lane "You want someone to trust you? Be genuine and ask about them." – Willie Lane "Your goal is to walk into a party and have someone ask you how the market is—that's when you know your brand is working." – Willie Lane   To contact Willie Lane, learn more about her business, and make him a part of your network, make sure to follow him on his website, Instagram, Facebook.   Connect with  Willie Lane! Website: https://willielanegroup.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willielanegroup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillieLaneGroup   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 #WillieLaneGroup #LuxuryRealEstate #YoungAgentSuccess #RealEstatePodcast #TrustTheProcess #RealEstateMentorship #AgentGrit #FromInternToTopProducer #RealEstateTips #FirstTimeHomebuyer #RealEstateJourney #FloridaRealtor #SocialSelling #MarketPositioning #RealEstateNetworking #TeamBuilding #LeadWithTrust #HomeSellingStrategy #NewAgentAdvice

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