George Pottenkulam: The Buyer Specialist Who Built a Legacy in St. Johns County

George Pottenkulam: The Buyer Specialist Who Built a Legacy in St. Johns County

George Pottenkulam is one of the most respected buyer's agents in St. Augustine and St. Johns County. As a cornerstone of the Christina Welch Team, George spent more than a decade helping hundreds of families find their homes across Northeast Florida. Today, he's still delivering for buyers under Keller Williams St. Johns, having transitioned from Keller Williams Atlantic Partners since this episode was recorded.

This article uses insights from the full episode transcript at tracyhayespodcast.com/71.

From Dubai to UNF: George's Relentless Path to Real Estate

George was born in India, raised in Dubai, and came to the U.S. to pursue a business degree at UNF. His path to real estate wasn't linear. From call centers to Hertz to managing foreclosure systems during the 2008 crash, George developed grit, communication skills, and business systems that would define his success in real estate.

He joined Christina Welch in 2011, starting part-time, and eventually became the lead buyer's agent. "I showed up every day and made 100 calls. That's what we did," George said.

What Makes George Pottenkulam Different

George is process-driven but deeply relational. His strength is in educating buyers, especially first-timers and relocators. He mentors new agents, reminding them that "anyone can write a contract, but showing up every day and building relationships is what sustains your business."

He understands the market at a micro level and trains his team to follow a disciplined, value-first approach: "If you’re not bringing value in every call, you're not really building a business."

Local Expertise Buyers Can Trust

If you're looking for a home in Northeast Florida, George is the buyer's agent you want in your corner. He knows:

• Jacksonville neighborhoods

• New construction in Nocatee and St. Johns County

• Resale strategies in historic St. Augustine

He helps buyers weigh CDD fees, schools, resale potential, and even commuting differences across St. Johns and Duval. George excels in working with relocation buyers, including military families using VA loans and buyers exploring USDA options.

Real Stories from the Field

1. Relocation Mastery: George has guided countless families moving from out of state. One family from New Jersey had no local contacts and were overwhelmed. George not only helped them find the right school district but timed their close perfectly with their lease.

2. Builder Delays: In one case, a buyer's new construction home faced major delays. George stayed involved weekly, coordinated updates with the builder, and negotiated closing flexibility that kept the deal together.

3. Sphere Strategy: George admits he didn't lean on his sphere early enough. "Kelly and I always say, if we had tapped our circles earlier, we'd have scaled faster." Now, it's a foundational part of how he trains agents.

Top Questions Buyers Ask George

Q: What areas are best for families relocating to Northeast Florida?
A: St. Johns County is top for schools. Nocatee and St. Augustine offer great communities, and George helps families understand CDDs, HOAs, and school zoning.

Q: Is new construction better than resale in this market?
A: Depends on timing, incentives, and long-term goals. George helps buyers evaluate builder timelines, quality, and resale projections.

Q: What’s different about buying near the coast?
A: Coastal homes come with higher insurance, flood zones, and more competition. George knows how to navigate it.

Q: How can buyers stand out when inventory is low?
A: Get pre-approved, move fast, and lean on an agent who knows how to position you. George emphasizes buyer prep and agent relationships.

Work With George

If you're buying in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, or St. Johns County, George Pottenkulam is one of the most trusted agents in the region.

Connect with George:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgeprealtor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealtorGeorgeP
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgepottenkulam/

Full episode: https://www.tracyhayespodcast.com/71
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/voqK60Sp3LM

Also check out:
https://topjacksonvilleagents.com
https://topstaugustineagents.com
https://www.tracyhayespodcast.com/52 (Katie Benza)
https://www.tracyhayespodcast.com/2 (Christina Welch)
https://www.tracyhayespodcast.com/19 (Bill Savage)

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