Unlocking Real Estate Success: Insights from Jonathan Fitzgerald
Kyle Madorin April 24, 2025
Kyle Madorin April 24, 2025
When it comes to buying or selling a home, many people think it’s just about finding the right property or getting the right price. But there’s so much more to it than that.
Success in real estate relies on knowledge, strategy, and expertise, from understanding the local market to pricing properties correctly and ensuring smooth transactions.
In this episode of Real Estate on the Up, I had the pleasure of talking with Jonathan Fitzgerald, a seasoned real estate professional with over 17 years of experience in the Central Florida market.
If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing, this conversation is packed with insights that will help you make smarter, more informed decisions.
Jonathan’s journey into real estate wasn’t a direct path, but a career fueled by a desire to take control of his future. Before entering the real estate industry, he worked in telecommunications and software sales, where he learned how to solve problems and serve clients.
But the corporate world eventually led him to burnout, and he realized that he never wanted to be in a position where his career was at the mercy of corporate mergers or layoffs.
This inspired Jonathan to pursue a real estate career to help others, solve problems, and positively impact lives. He saw the opportunity to turn real estate into a fulfilling and rewarding career, not just a job.
His experience aligns with my insights that real estate is more than transactions; it involves guiding people through significant life choices.
One of the most important takeaways from my conversation with Jonathan is his unwavering commitment to education. As he shared, when he first entered real estate, he was committed to becoming an expert, to truly understanding the nuances of the industry.
One of his early mentors suggested that he should be able to recall the specific details of a contract, even if called at 2 a.m.
Jonathan emphasized that simply having a real estate license isn’t enough. The market is constantly changing, and the forms, laws, and technology involved in real estate are continually evolving.
That’s why constant learning is essential to staying ahead. It's not just about textbooks; listening to podcasts and staying updated on market trends keeps you sharp and informed.
While education is crucial, mentorship can be just as important. Jonathan credits much of his early success to having a mentor who took the time to teach him the ropes. This mentorship not only helped him learn the technical aspects of the job but also gave him a deeper understanding of how to truly serve clients.
I couldn’t agree more with Jonathan. In real estate, there’s no official apprenticeship like you would find in other industries, but having a mentor or a strong team can help guide you through the challenges of the job. Even if you’re an experienced agent, having someone to turn to for advice or perspective is invaluable.
When it comes to selling a home, pricing it correctly is key. We spent a significant amount of time talking about how overpricing a property can actually hurt a seller.
Jonathan shared an example of a home in his neighborhood that was listed for $1.5 million, despite being worth only around $900,000. After sitting on the market for months, it eventually sold for just $710,000 at auction, far less than it could have sold for if priced correctly from the start.
The key takeaway here is that emotion can cloud judgment. Sellers often have an emotional attachment to their homes, which can lead them to overestimate their value. But as Jonathan explained, pricing a home too high can prevent potential buyers from even considering it.
Working with a seasoned mortgage broker can help you understand the market and price your property appropriately, ensuring that it sells faster and for a better price.
Jonathan and I also discussed the importance of staging and marketing when selling a home. We’ve all seen poorly marketed properties with dark, uninviting photos that do nothing to highlight the home’s potential. On the flip side, professionally staged homes with bright, inviting photos can attract more buyers and help the property sell faster and at a higher price.
Jonathan is a strong advocate for staging homes to showcase their best features. He believes that many people struggle to visualize how a space can function, so staging helps buyers see the property’s full potential.
He also stressed the importance of using high-quality photography, videos, and floor plans in marketing a home, especially in today’s digital age, where most buyers start their search online.
We also touched on the changing dynamics of the buyer market, especially with high interest rates affecting buyer behavior. Jonathan pointed out that right now, there are two main groups looking to buy homes: buyers who want move-in-ready properties and investors looking to purchase properties to flip.
With interest rates high, many buyers are avoiding homes that need significant renovations because the cost of doing so is simply too high. As a result, homes that are move-in-ready tend to get more attention. This shift in the market is important for sellers to keep in mind when pricing and marketing their homes.
We ended our conversation by discussing the impact of real estate TV shows. While these shows can be entertaining, they often misrepresent the reality of real estate. Jonathan and I agreed that these shows focus too much on drama and fail to show the real, hard work that goes into every transaction.
Real estate is about much more than what viewers see on TV. Behind the scenes, agents are solving problems, dealing with complications, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly for their clients. The shows may give the impression that real estate is all about quick, easy deals, but in reality, success requires a deep understanding of the market, constant learning, and the ability to handle challenges.
Meeting with Jonathan Fitzgerald provided valuable insights into the key principles of success in real estate. Jonathan highlights the need for accurate property pricing and the benefits of ongoing education and mentorship for success in the current market.
To succeed as a first-time buyer, investor, or seller, it's essential to partner with a knowledgeable professional who prioritizes your best interests.
Ready to dive deeper into real estate insights?
Connect with me and listen to the latest episode of Real Estate on the Up to get the information you need to make smarter decisions in today’s market.
Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.
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