Elite 25 Luxury Real Estate

Elite 25

Elite 25 is a club for the verified top 1% of real estate agents in the hottest markets in the country. Each week, we bring you insights, challenges and success stories from these top earners. If you're interested in luxury real estate, this is the show for you.

  1. Jun 12

    From Pediatric Physical Therapy to the Top 1%: Real Estate Secrets with Stephanie Panozzo

    In this episode of the Elite 25 Podcast, Stephanie Panozzo shares how she transitioned from a meaningful first career in pediatric physical therapy to becoming a 24-year staple in Austin’s luxury real estate market. Stephanie discusses her West Texas roots and her long history in Central Austin, where she has lived and built her book of business since 2001. She breaks down her philosophy on professional dedication, explaining why treating real estate as a 24/7 advisory role—rather than a hobby—is her ultimate industry superpower. From navigating her formatting years under mentorship at Gottesman Residential to scaling her business at Compass with her longest-running assistant, Stephanie shares how market knowledge and persistent effort always trump easy shortcuts. Whether she's addressing the rise of health and wellness amenities as the modern luxury status marker, explaining why artificial intelligence can never replace a true human touch, or establishing clear boundaries when a buyer makes an unusual request, Stephanie explains why a seasoned agent embraces past challenges to guide clients seamlessly across the finish line.If you want an inside look at the mindset required to dominate premier hubs like Tarrytown, Pemberton, and Westlake, or why leaning into what you know creates a tightening collaborative network, this conversation is packed with wisdom on market resilience, property tours, and building a multi-decade legacy.Subscribe to the Elite 25 Podcast for more interviews with Austin’s top agents and luxury market leaders.@elite25austinwww.elite25austin.com

    17 min

  2. Jun 3

    From Giraffes to Luxury Real Estate: Tricia Keith’s Wild Ascent to the Elite 25

    In this episode of the Elite 25 Podcast, Tricia Keith shares how she transitioned from a 14-year career in substation engineering to becoming a premier powerhouse in Central Texas’s luxury ranch real estate market. Tricia discusses her deep roots in the Texas Hill Country, where she leverages a decade of ranch management experience and a fascinating "past life" running an exotic wildlife business, stocking exclusive local estates with everything from antelope to giraffes. She pulls back the curtain on how she shattered expectations by closing a massive $28 million off-market land deal just two and a half years into her real estate career. Tricia breaks down her philosophy on contract education, client follow-up, and the complex realities of high-stakes land transactions, explaining why a seasoned agent always manages expectations upfront to prevent non-realty items (like a tractor) from killing a multi-million dollar deal. Whether she’s guiding tech buyers toward legacy ranch investments or navigating the logistical demands of a fast-growing team, Tricia explains why maintaining a thick skin and honest communication are the ultimate drivers of top-tier success. If you want an inside look at the grit required to balance a demanding luxury acreage business, navigate volatile market shifts through consistent marketing, and unlock elite off-market opportunities west of Austin, this conversation is packed with wisdom on resilience, land specialization, and earning absolute client trust. Subscribe to the Elite 25 Podcast for more interviews with Austin’s top agents and luxury market leaders. @elite25austinwww.elite25austin.com

    18 min

  3. May 26

    Silicon Valley Innovation, The Power of "The Dirt” & 25 Years of Austin Real Estate with Kirk Lewis

    In this episode of the Elite 25 Podcast, Kirk Lewis of Kuper Sotheby's International Realty shares his journey from the dot-com era to leading the #1 team in Central Texas. Kirk breaks down his start at the tech-forward startup HomeCity, where they pioneered virtual tours before Google Maps existed, and how he transitioned from corporate sales to "winging it" as a rookie. He also shares why deep geographical knowledge of Austin is his true superpower and how he stays ahead of the curve using AI. If you want an inside look at building a 25-year legacy in one of the hottest markets in America, this conversation is filled with high-stakes stories and seasoned wisdom from a 17-year Elite 25 member. Subscribe to the Elite 25 Podcast for more interviews with Austin’s top agents and luxury market leaders.@elite25austin⁠www.elite25austin.com

    20 min

  4. May 21

    Reading the Room, Enneagram Insights & Deep Austin Roots with Tory Wortham

    In this episode of the Elite 25 Podcast, Tory Wortham shares how she transitioned from the corporate world at Dell and eBay to becoming a staple in Austin’s luxury real estate market.  Tory discusses her deep history in Austin, rooted in a family that has been in the city since the 1950s and a family lake house that has seen seven decades of Austin’s evolution. She breaks down her philosophy on "reading the room" and how her business background allows her to anticipate client concerns and solve problems before they even arise. Whether she’s navigating a six-offer situation or an unexpected septic tank crisis, Tory explains why a seasoned agent always finds a way to make it work.  If you want an inside look at the mindset required to balance a high-stakes career with the demands of family life, this conversation is packed with wisdom on resilience, networking, and the importance of finding off-market gems.  Subscribe to the Elite 25 Podcast for more interviews with Austin’s top agents and luxury market leaders. @elite25austin www.elite25austin.com

    21 min

  5. May 1

    Matchmaking Luxury Real Estate & The Power of Off-Market Deals in Austin with Karen Kelly

    World traveler turned Elite25 agent. In this episode of the Elite 25 Podcast, Karen Kelly of Van Heuven Properties shares how she went from a global search for an epiphany to over two decades as a leader in Austin luxury real estate.Karen breaks down her early career pivot after losing a business patent, how she cut her teeth during the original Downtown Austin condo boom, and why she has spent her entire 21-year career with the same firm. She also discusses the power of off-market networking and why the Lake Austin lifestyle remains unmatchable.If you want an inside look at what it takes to break into the top 1% of Austin real estate, this conversation is packed with stories, lessons, and real-world insight from a true market connector.Watch the full episode to hear:* How Karen "stumbled" into real estate while helping a friend find a house.* The secret behind her off-market success—why 85% of her $2M+ deals last year never hit the MLS.* How she manages a high-volume career with the help of her husband and team.* What a famous athlete's request to change a street address taught her about the business.Subscribe to the Elite 25 Podcast for more interviews with Austin’s top agents and luxury market leaders.@elite25austin⁠www.elite25austin.com

    16 min

  6. Apr 8

    Why 28 Years in Austin Real Estate Trumps the "Side Hustle" Trend with Leslie Davenport

    Former school teacher turned top producer. In this episode of the Elite 25 Podcast, Leslie Davenport of Gottesman Residential shares how she went from the classrooms of Hill Country Middle School to nearly three decades in Austin real estate.Leslie breaks down her early career pivot, how she balanced teaching with her first real estate deals, and the mentors who shaped her along the way. She also talks about the power of consistency, community, and why Austin has kept her rooted since her UT days.If you want an inside look at what it takes to break into the top 1% of Austin real estate, this conversation is packed with stories, lessons, and real-world insight.Watch the full episode to hear• How Leslie transitioned from teaching to real estate• The key mentors who guided her early career• Why relationships (even from her teaching days) still drive her business today• What it takes to build longevity in the hottest market in AmericaSubscribe to the Elite 25 Podcast for more interviews with Austin’s top agents and luxury market leaders.@elite25austin⁠www.elite25austin.com

    15 min

  7. Feb 19

    Ep. 27 - Kristi Larkam

    Real Estate, Resilience, and a Lifelong Love for Austin HomesIn this episode of the Elite 25 Podcast, we sit down with Kristi Larkam, a born-and-raised Austin agent whose passion for real estate began when she was just ten years old — circling open houses in the weekend newspaper and convincing her parents to take her to every listing. Kristi shares how early encouragement from her dad, a family tragedy that reshaped her path, and her commitment to being fully present for her children all led her into a career she never expected to love this deeply. She walks us through her journey from Coldwell Banker to Compass, the mentors who shaped her, and how growing up in Austin gives her unique insight into a rapidly evolving luxury market. Kristi opens up about purpose, consistency, and the privilege of helping families find their place in a city she’s called home her whole life. @elite25austinwww.elite25austin.com

    18 min

  8. Feb 2

    Ep. 26 - Jessica Yates

    Condos, Development, and Austin’s Changing SkylineIn this episode of the Elite 25 Podcast, we sit down with Jessica Yates of Moreland Properties, an Austin real estate veteran with more than 20 years of experience and a rare path into the luxury market. Jessica shares how starting in the development world — from condo conversions to major high-rise projects like the W Residences, Proper, Rainey, and Fifth & West — shaped the way she understands inventory, demand, and the future of Austin’s vertical living. Jessica walks us through her early days in development, how auctions and absorption cycles shaped her instincts, and the evolution of downtown Austin from $450 per square foot to record-breaking luxury sales. She dives into the current condo landscape, why the perception of “too much building” doesn’t match the reality of limited supply, and what buyers need to understand about the next five years of the market. @elite25austinwww.elite25austin.com

    17 min
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4
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Elite 25 is a club for the verified top 1% of real estate agents in the hottest markets in the country. Each week, we bring you insights, challenges and success stories from these top earners. If you're interested in luxury real estate, this is the show for you.

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