Success Stories Archives - Demetree School of Real Estate

Demetree School of Real Estate Success Story: Justin Zdovc at eXp Realty

Justin Zdovc took the prelicensing class at Demetree School of Real Estate about a year ago. He joined the Figueroa Team or the Fig Team of eXp Realty. The Fig Team is a powerhouse team in Orlando.

Recently, I had the chance to visit their office and catch up with Justin.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi, I’m Justin! I was born and raised right here in Central Florida, so I’ve had the opportunity to watch this area grow and change throughout my entire life. About a year ago, I decided to turn my longtime interest in real estate into a career and earned my real estate license.

Real estate has always been something I’ve been interested in. My aunt has been in the industry for years, and my wife, Holly, also works in real estate, so I’ve been surrounded by it for a long time. Seeing their passion for the industry ultimately inspired me to take the leap myself.

What I enjoy most about real estate is being able to help people through such an important milestone in their lives. Whether someone is buying their first home, selling, relocating to Central Florida, investing, or exploring new construction, I want to be someone they can trust to guide them through the process and make the experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Outside of real estate, I recently married my wife, Holly, and we have two corgis, Maggie and Bailey, who definitely keep us entertained. I’m a Florida guy through and through, and one of my favorite ways to spend my free time is heading to the beach and enjoying everything we get to call home here in Central Florida.

I’m excited to continue growing my real estate career in the place I’ve always called home, building relationships along the way and helping my clients find a little piece of Central Florida to call their own.

How long have you been in real estate?

I have been in real estate for just under a year. The year mark is coming up.

What did you do before you got into real estate?

I worked as a sales representative for a wine distributor for eight years, and that experience gave me a strong foundation in sales, communication, and building relationships. Those skills made the transition into real estate a natural one and have been invaluable in helping me connect with clients and confidently guide them through the home-buying and selling process.

What do you like most about selling real estate?

What I enjoy most about selling real estate is that every day is different and keeps me on my toes. I’ve never been someone who can sit behind a desk all day or do the same thing over and over. I love staying active, meeting new people, building meaningful relationships, and helping my clients through such an important milestone whether they’re buying or selling a home.

Where did you find your very first client?

I had the opportunity to help my neighbor list and sell his home, and it was an experience I’m especially proud of. Competing directly against the builder in a new construction community and ultimately helping him and his family walk away with some extra money after owning the home for just one year was a huge confidence boost.

It was also a great reminder that staying active and involved in your community is one of the best ways to build meaningful relationships and grow your sphere of influence. Real estate is about more than buying and selling homes it’s about building trust and being there when people need you.

Where did you find most of your clients?

As a newer agent, I’ve found most of my clients through Zillow. Being part of a team that offers Zillow Flex, now known as Zillow Preferred, has been a huge advantage and helped me kick-start my business by connecting me with motivated buyers and sellers. It has also allowed me to build relationships that can lead to referrals and repeat business.

I also find clients by following up with leads in our team’s database and contacting expired listings. Beyond that, I make sure people know I’m in real estate and continue building my sphere through friends, family, neighbors, and networking whenever I can.

Where did you find your most recent client?

My most recent client came from a referral by one of the first clients I worked with when I started in real estate. She referred a friend who is planning to relocate from up north to Florida, and we’ve been working closely together to find the right home for her. It’s rewarding to see the relationships I built early in my career lead to new opportunities and referrals.

What is something that you keep in your car that you didn’t have in there before you worked in real estate?

I never leave the house without my laptop! In real estate, you never know when you’ll need to respond to an important email, schedule a last-minute tour, or even write up a contract. Having it with me allows me to stay prepared and take care of my clients wherever the day takes me.

What time do you get up in the morning?

I don’t necessarily wake up at the same time every morning. I try to listen to my body and get enough sleep so I can be productive throughout the day. When I don’t get enough rest, it affects my motivation and makes it harder to accomplish everything I need to. For me, starting the day well-rested helps me stay focused and give my clients my best.

What is your morning ritual?

Coffee on the back porch with the dogs, typically anywhere from 15-30 minutes. This helps clear your head and get a little mental space before emails, calls, clients, and problems start coming at you. It’s a good time to think about what actually needs to get done that day. I believe fresh air and natural light go a long way.

What is your weekly work schedule like?

My weekly schedule is centered around consistently prospecting, following up, and meeting with clients. I aim to make at least 100–150 calls each week, whether I’m contacting current prospects, nurturing leads, reaching out to people in my team’s database, or calling expired listings. My goal is to have at least 20 meaningful conversations and attend 10–15 appointments each week. Every day may look a little different, but staying consistent with these activities helps me keep my business moving forward.

What is something that you learned at Demetree School of Real Estate that helped you in real life?

One of the biggest things Demetree School of Real Estate taught me was that the business is about much more than selling homes; it’s about understanding contracts, protecting your clients, and communicating effectively. I learned Karen can tell a few good jokes along the way as well.

How can someone contact you?

407-920-9860

Website

Instagram

Please note that Karen Climer has no affiliation with Climer School of Real Estate. Her father, Ron Climer, sold Climer School of Real Estate in 2014. It has since been involved in several mergers and acquisitions and is owned by a large investment company. Karen owns Demetree School of Real Estate in Orlando, Florida.

By Karen Climer|2026-09-03T14:26:49-04:00September 3rd, 2026|

Demetree School of Real Estate Success Story: Jenefier Viera at LPT Realty

I recently ran into Jenefier Viera, as we were both taking the same class at Orlando Realtors Regional Association. She took her prelicensing class at Demetree School of Real Estate several years ago. It is always fun to run into old students. I asked her if I could interview her for the newsletter.

What did you do before you got into real estate?

I am a wife of a retired U.S. Army Veteran, a mother of three, and a proud grandmother.

Before Real Estate, my career included working for Pulte Homes, serving as a Substitute Teacher for San Antonio ISD, and teaching Special Education with Georgetown ISD in Texas.

I’m also a First Degree Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo and Hapkido. Being part of a military family has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of serving others, qualities I carry into my real estate career every day.

How long have you been in real estate?

I first pursued real estate in 2003 while we were stationed in Sierra Vista, Arizona. During the purchase and sale of our home, I became friends with our Realtor, who encouraged me to earn my license and offered to mentor me under her father’s brokerage. Shortly after completing my education and passing the exam, our family received military orders. My husband deployed twice: 13 months followed by another 17 months, which put my real estate career on hold. That is when I began my employment with GISD.

My boys attended the same school making the responsibility somewhat seamless. I was able to maintain a balance of family responsibilities and work. After my husband retired from the military and we relocated to Florida, I returned to real estate. As my residential business grew, I naturally expanded into commercial real estate. I discovered that I truly enjoyed helping business owners and entrepreneurs navigate the more complex side of real estate.

Tell us how your career has progressed.

I’ve built my career by staying true to my values and refusing to compare my journey to anyone else’s. Every transaction has been an opportunity to learn, earn additional certifications, and better serve my clients. Today, I proudly work in both commercial and residential real estate throughout Central Florida, helping first-time homebuyers, military families, investors, business owners, landlords, and tenants achieve their goals.

You’ve done commercial and residential real estate. Which one do you like better and why?

I genuinely enjoy both because they challenge me in different ways. Commercial transactions are more analytical and often involve longer due diligence periods. Residential real estate is much more emotional. Having experience in both allows me to better serve a wider variety of clients.

What do you like most about selling real estate?

The families and business relationships you acquire along the way. Some clients are one-and-done, but then there are those who become family. Watching people accomplish their goals, whether it’s buying their first home or opening their first business, never gets old.

What do you like least about selling real estate?

Thinking we just open doors! They don’t hear the endless conversations that happen behind the scenes. The research that goes into county records, zoning, permitted use, talking with planning departments, getting properties vested or rezoned, attending meetings with county boards and municipalities, coordinating inspections, negotiating contracts, solving title issues, communicating with lenders and attorneys, and keeping transactions together behind the scenes. There’s a tremendous amount of work that happens long before and after a showing.

Where do you find your clients?

Everywhere, while running everyday errands! I’ve met clients at the grocery store, while getting my eyebrows done, and just by striking up conversations. Friends, family, referrals, social media, networking events, community involvement, you never know where your next relationship will begin.

Tell us about one memorable transaction.

There are too many to count! I’ve pushed clients’ cars through flooded parking lots during rainstorms, and I’ve even been locked inside a commercial property with a landlord and prospective tenant for over an hour with no electricity in the middle of a Florida summer. We laughed through it, finally got out, and successfully negotiated the lease. Real estate definitely keeps you on your toes.

What’s something you learned at Demetree School of Real Estate that you still use today?

Valuation of properties and BPOs. I think this matters the most. You can have all the bells and whistles and upgrades galore, but if the market is saying otherwise, you’re going to sit for days, weeks, or even months. We’re already dealing with higher interest rates and inflated home prices. If you truly want your home sold, listen to your Realtor’s advice. Don’t just go with the agent who promises the highest price. It sounds great in the beginning, but what kind of service are you really getting? Too often I see listings sit on the market for months with multiple price reductions and seller concessions before they finally sell. We study the market every day. It’s what we do, and pricing it right from the start usually gets you much further than chasing the market later.

How can someone contact you?

Jenefier Viera
Your FULL Service Agent Commercial & Residential
407.300.4691
@OrlandoHomeGirl.JenViera

By Karen Climer|2026-08-29T13:29:25-04:00July 20th, 2026|

Demetree School of Real Estate Success Story: Gigi Benca of Keller Williams in Oviedo, Florida

It is fun to keep up with past students to hear how their real estate careers are doing. Recently, I talked to Gigi Benca who works Keller Williams in Oviedo, Florida. She attended a class at Demetree School of Real Estate, then I sponsored her to join Keller Williams. Gigi has a contagious enthusiasm and positivity. Here is our interview…

Tell us briefly about you.

I am Gigi Benca. I’m someone with a strong work ethic, great communicator alongside professional and educational experience that helps me provide good service to all of my clients. I walk through life being a good doer. I truly enjoy helping people and solving their problems. I’m good at it and know it’s my purpose in life. I have integrity and I am resourceful.

How long have you been in real estate and how long with Keller Williams?

One year.

Why did you choose Keller Williams?

Their belief system:

Win-win or no deal.
Integrity does the right thing.
Customers always come first.
Commitment in all things!
Communication seeks first to understand.
Creativity, ideas before results.
Teamwork together everyone achieves more.
Trust starts with honesty.
Equity opportunity for all.
Success results through people.

As an agent for Keller Williams, I have all the resources and support I need to be a successful agent. The education and the positive environment is the perfect place for me to thrive.

What did you do before you got into real estate?

I started in the culinary industry and quickly got into restaurant management. I worked in the hospitality industry for 10 years. Running restaurants set me up to be a great business-minded person. Also made me strong.

What do you like most about selling real estate?

The relationships that I develop along the way. It’s more than a transaction. I have a good relationship with all my clients. I’m a People’s advocate and serve people and in the process you get to know and grow close to one another.

What do you like least about selling real estate?

I don’t know if there is anything that I dislike about real estate. I must say that some of the agents in the industry aren’t as professional, which is not good for the consumer.

Where do you find your clients?

I do a lot of farming. Door knocking prospecting. I also love open houses. I called a lot of for-sale-by-owners and expireds. I put myself out every day. Try to get out there and meet new people every day. It’s all about being consistent and following up with those people that you meet.

Tell us a story about one particular sale. Maybe one that was challenging or particularly interesting or anything that made it memorable to you.

I had a client who wanted a pool house. They had a pretty decent price point. Due to the housing shortage, we put in the offer and got outbid. We went and searched again, and got outbid on the house again. They were very positive people and didn’t give up and we found another beautiful house and we put in a strong offer and they got the home.

During the inspection, we see the house has polybutene for the plumbing, which will make it impossible for my buyer to get insurance on the home. Before I come to them with the bad news, I begin to negotiate a solution.

I get on the phone with the listing agent and informed her of my findings. I let her know that I’m going to get a quote for how much it will cost to get the property replumbed so that it is insurable. I also requested the seller credit the buyer for the cost of that repair. By the time the inspection was over, the listing agent got back to me and let me know that the seller agreed to my terms.

I was very proud of my instincts to find a solution for the issue before presenting it to my client. The client truly had a great experience and didn’t feel any stress.

I didn’t just come with bad news. I approached my client with the problem and the solution. I also was able to help find a plumber and get the work scheduled.

How important to your success was joining Keller Williams?
Very important. I was very careful my decision on wheel to hang my license. And looking at the data, Keller Williams has the highest success rate for new agents.

The belief system and the education that KW provides to the agent. You truly learn how to be a skill based agent. The skill-based agent does well in any market. I am so happy to be a part of the KW family. ♥️

How can someone contact you if they want to buy or sell their house or come work with you at Keller Williams?

My phone number is 407 893 2240 or email at gigibenca@kw.com

You can also connect through my website, Facebook page, or Instagram.

Please note that neither Karen Climer nor Demetree School of Real Estate has any connection with Climer School of Real Estate. Karen’s father, Ron Climer, sold the school in 2014. It has since been purchased by a large corporate investment company.

By Karen Climer|2024-06-05T16:02:43-04:00November 14th, 2023|

Demetree School of Real Estate Success Story: Jackie Unterreiner at Keller Williams at the Parks in Orlando, Florida

It is fun to keep up with past students to hear how their real estate careers are doing. Recently, I talked to Jackie Unterreiner. She went to Florida real estate school at Demetree School of Real Estate, then I sponsored her to join Keller Williams. She has been doing very well there since she started. Here is our interview…

Tell us about you.

Although it feels like I’ve been doing real estate forever, it’s only been a short time. After leaving the corporate world to be a stay-at-home mom for three years I was ready to start something new. I’ve always had a passion for real estate and wanted to pursue a flexible career with the ability to be my own boss. I have fallen in love with this industry, the buyers and sellers I serve, and the connections I have made in Orlando. I’m mom to a 3 year old son & feisty chihuahua, lover of nature, fancy desserts, beach getaways, yoga and reading.

What was most important to you when choosing a broker? Why Keller Williams?

It was important to me to join a brokerage that had top level training programs, resources and office support. I was extremely impressed with the resources, technology, network, and brand recognition that Keller Williams offers. Joining KW At The Parks was an easy choice. The leadership team and support staff are not only invested in the achievements of the brokerage but also play a huge role in my individual success.

How were you able to find success in your first year?

It’s important to start off with a strong foundation. Demetree School of Real Estate grounded me with the essentials and the Ignite training program (new agent training) at Keller Williams taught me the day-to-day knowledge, insights & skills I would use to land clients, negotiate offers, write contracts, and get deals done. It’s also important to surround yourself with others who are on the path you want to achieve. Through my brokerage, I have met incredible mentors, colleagues and friends.

Has your previous experience helped you in the real estate industry?

All of my past professions have served me in this industry. As a former healthcare data analyst, I am able to review comparable sales and translate market data in an understandable way to homeowners. I also worked many years in the spa industry and ran my own massage practice. This gave me the tools to manage my own business & schedule. My experience working in Las Vegas as a high limit blackjack dealer reminds me to always make work fun!

What is your favorite aspect of selling real estate?

I literally love everything about the real estate industry! Touring homes, helping sellers get top dollar for their property, helping buyers land their dream home, the investment opportunities in Orlando, staying on top of industry trends – even all the contracts and paperwork – I love it all!

Where do you find your clients? What has been your favorite sale so far?

In addition to referrals from family, friends, and social media, my niche is working with homeowners who were unable to accomplish their goal selling “For Sale by Owner.” I have helped several FSBO homeowners get top dollar for their houses by helping them revamp the curb appeal, bringing in my staging accessories, and using high-end marketing approach & tactics. I recently transformed a vacant house that sat unsold for over a month to a beautiful home that sold over asking price in under a week. It went from being the worst house on the street to the highest comp to date in the entire neighborhood!

What advice would you give someone thinking of joining Keller Williams?

Keller Williams operates on the highest level of industry standards and ethics. The education and technology they provide to new agents is cutting edge, sophisticated & progressive.

I would remind you when choosing a broker “all that glitters is not gold.” I considered other brokers that had shiny promises, however I realized they fell flat in education, networking, and comradery.

Joining Keller Williams was the best decision I could have made entering the real estate industry. The backing and support I received from KW allowed me to find success as a new agent in my very first year.

Please note that neither I, nor anyone in the Climer family, has any affiliation with Climer School of Real Estate. Ron Climer, my father, sold this school in 2014. It is now owned by a large corporation. If you are looking for me, I own and teach at Demetree School of Real Estate in Orlando.

By Karen Climer|2024-07-05T17:02:34-04:00February 3rd, 2022|

Demetree School of Real Estate Success Story: Rafi Pinsky at Keller Williams Aventura

It is fun to keep up with past students to hear how their real estate careers are doing. Recently, I talked to Rafi Pinsky in South Florida. He attended a class at Demetree School of Real Estate, then I sponsored him to join Keller Williams. He has been doing very well there since he started, just about a year and a half ago. Here is our interview…

Tell us briefly about you.

I was raised by my grandmother (my mother’s mother) at 18 months old. During the first 18 months, my grandmother and mother were in a custody battle as my mother wanted to raise me but was unfit due to alcohol and habits which deemed her unfit to raise a child. I was in foster care during that period and thankfully I was placed in full custody with my grandmother. I never met either of my parents and unfortunately was informed of the passing of my homeless mother about a year ago. I didn’t grow up with any luxuries or any siblings but I was blessed to have all that I needed and all in all, I had a great childhood and a loving parent. I went through middle school, high school, and three years of undergrad where I worked as a waiter part time before deciding to join the Israeli military. I served in an infantry unit in the West Bank before returning to New York to finish my last year of school. After obtaining my Bachelor’s in business, I started working with a friend selling different kinds of loans to small businesses. When COVID hit, I decided to become a real estate agent with Keller Williams. I started a podcast at the same time as my real estate career and I’m proud of my accomplishments. Karen has helped me ace the exam. I will always recommend her to anyone looking to take the exam and ace it (10/10 would recommend).

How long have you been in real estate and how long with Keller Williams?

I’ve been in Real Estate since August of 2020 and have been with Keller Williams from the beginning.

Why did you choose Keller Williams?

I initially interviewed with Douglas Elliman but found their rules on social media posts too restrictive for me. I interviewed next with Keller Williams and was much happier with the energy there.

What do you like most about selling real estate?

I love networking, solving problems and negotiating. I can’t say either of them are more enjoyable than the other.

What do you like least about selling real estate?

I dislike when clients aren’t truly willing to proceed and just want to waste my time looking around. Prospecting can be a drag when not knowing when your next client will come but the early stages of any business are difficult so I’m ok with it.

Where do you find your clients?

I find most of my clients through cold calls.

Tell us a story about one particular sale. Maybe one that was challenging or particularly interesting or anything that made it memorable to you.

I had a listing (seller representation) where the seller received an offer around $50,000 over appraised value and we still had difficult closing. Post inspection, the buyer asked for everything to be credited and that was where the war started. Thankfully, the other agent and I worked well together to close the transaction and after numerous, and I mean numerous back and forth negotiations, almost killing the transaction. We were able to close by giving part of our commissions as a seller credit to the buyer. I also spent an entire day physically helping them move out since the movers came late and they were short on time.

How important to your success was joining Keller Williams?

The Keller Williams office in Aventura has a wonderful atmosphere with people who are always happy to help one another. Keller Williams as a whole, is an incredible company for new agents who need guidance and hands on coaching to succeed in a business like Real Estate. I don’t know what the future holds but I don’t have a reason to go elsewhere and I highly recommend KW to anyone who’s about to be licensed anywhere in the country and in any country that has a KW office for that matter.

This is Karen again. If you are a real estate agent or aspiring agent who is looking for a great place to work (even if it’s not in South Florida), give me a call.

Please note that neither Karen Climer nor Demetree School of Real Estate have any affiliation with Climer School of Real Estate. My father, Ron Climer, started Climer School of Real Estate. He sold it in 2014. It was recently acquired by a large national corporation.

By Karen Climer|2023-11-14T11:33:29-05:00January 21st, 2022|