In real estate, success often comes down to having the right strategies in place. For agents navigating luxury markets in Florida, it’s not just about closing deals—it’s about building trust, positioning yourself as a market expert, and creating lasting relationships with clients.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Angela Rizzi on my podcast. Angela is a certified luxury home marketing specialist and was ranked in the top 1.5% of realtors in the US by Real Trends in 2023. Her journey, starting in a new market and rising to the top, offers valuable insights for anyone aiming to thrive in real estate, especially in the luxury sector.

You can watch the entire podcast episode here.

Let’s dive into the key takeaways from my talk with Angela.

Angela’s Insights on Thriving in Florida’s Real Estate Market

Real estate success requires resilience, strategic planning, and a commitment to continuous learning. Angela shared her journey, from starting her career to building a team and establishing a successful real estate business in Naples.

Starting a Real Estate Career and Overcoming Challenges in a New Market

Angela began her real estate career in 2016, transitioning from a 25-year career in event marketing and staffing. By 2017, she was working full-time in the Naples market, a city where she had no prior connections.

Starting in a new market can be challenging, and Angela was no exception. Her first client was her parents, but from there, she built her business by hosting open houses and establishing herself as a local expert.

One of Angela’s key strategies was positioning herself in her neighborhood. In a market where she didn’t know anyone except her family, this was essential. Angela took the time to learn everything she could about the Naples real estate market, which paid off!

Her ability to understand the local market and share that expertise helped her gain trust and credibility quickly.

Building a Team and Mentorship

As her business grew, Angela eventually had too much work to handle on her own. About a year and a half ago, she decided to start building a team.

One of her first steps was hiring an assistant, which she highly recommends to anyone considering growing a team. This allowed her to focus on client relationships while delegating administrative tasks.

Angela also believes in teaching her team members to generate and nurture leads independently. She uses the analogy of “teaching someone to fish,” meaning she doesn’t want her team members to rely solely on her for leads and business. This approach not only helps her team grow individually but also strengthens the entire team by encouraging independence and accountability.

Angela also emphasizes the importance of having a solid administrative foundation in place first. Before you expand, make sure your systems are running smoothly and that you have the support you need to manage the additional workload.

The Importance of Systems and Automation

For her team, Angela created processes that can be replicated, such as using spreadsheets to manage listings, showings, and marketing efforts. Having these systems in place helps her manage her time efficiently and ensures that nothing falls through the cracks.

She also uses technology, like AI and CRMs, to handle tasks, such as social media posts and email marketing. However, she stressed that while automation can be incredibly helpful, it’s important not to lose personal touch with clients. Real estate is a relationship-driven business; personal engagement remains key to success.

Leveraging tools like automation is about streamlining repetitive tasks so that she can focus more on building relationships with clients. By creating a system that works, she’s able to maintain efficiency while still providing a personalized experience for her clients.

Lead Generation Through Trust and Relationships

One of Angela’s strongest opinions is about lead generation. She’s firmly against buying leads from sources, like Zillow. Instead, she prefers to build relationships through trust. Open houses, networking, and referrals are her preferred methods for generating leads.

According to Angela, the key to long-term success is building relationships where clients know, like, and trust you.

As a team leader myself, I couldn’t agree more with Angela’s approach. From working with mortgage brokers to finalizing negotiations, being there for clients every step of the way is what creates a great experience.

It’s also why I find podcasting to be such a powerful tool for lead generation. Through my podcast, I’ve been able to connect with clients and peers alike, further strengthening my network. That’s why I’ve partnered with a professional real estate podcast production company to make sure my podcast reaches the right audience.

Community Involvement and Becoming a Local Expert

Angela credits much of her success to her deep involvement in the community. She stressed the importance of becoming the go-to expert in the community you serve, particularly where you live.

Knowing the specifics of your community—everything from floor plans to local services—helps you build genuine relationships with residents. So, she recommends getting involved in local events, hosting community gatherings, and staying active in your neighborhood.

Final Advice on Building a Team

As a final piece of advice, Angela urges anyone thinking about starting a team to be clear about their “WHY.”

For her, it isn’t about making more money or growing for the sake of growth. It’s about offering the best possible service to her clients and ensuring that she doesn’t have to turn away business.

And again, having a strong administrative system in place before expanding is crucial, believing this is the key to building a sustainable team.

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

Angela’s journey offers a roadmap for success, especially for those looking to break into or grow in the Florida luxury real estate market. Her emphasis on trust, relationships, and creating systems is valuable for any real estate professional looking to scale their business.

For more insights like these, tune into Leads & Leverage: Real Estate Team Leader’s Lounge. I regularly sit down with industry experts to share tips and strategies to help you grow your real estate business.

And, if you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing in Central Florida, don’t hesitate to contact me and the GPG Team at GPG Home. We’d love to help you navigate your next real estate journey in this beautiful region!