John Brooks on Building a Brokerage That Actually Puts Agents First

John Brooks on Building a Brokerage That Actually Puts Agents First

Northeast Florida's real estate scene is changing fast—and at the center of that transformation is John Brooks, co-founder of Momentum Realty. With deep expertise, rigorous standards, and a bold vision for agent profitability, Brooks is challenging the status quo in Jacksonville, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, and St. Augustine.

This article uses insights from the full episode transcript at tracyhayespodcast.com/64.

What Makes John Brooks Different

John Brooks didn’t enter real estate to play small. After years in real estate investment banking on Wall Street, he saw the inefficiencies and short-sightedness of traditional real estate brokerages. His personal experience buying a home in Jacksonville made it painfully clear: too many agents were coasting.

"We got into the business because we care," Brooks explains. "The person that served me didn’t care. That pain still fuels me."

He launched Momentum Realty not just to sell homes, but to transform the way agents operate. Every piece of the model—from coaching to compensation—is engineered around agent success, not just broker profitability.

Direct Quotes that Define His Mindset

"There’s been this phenomenon where whoever has the biggest credit card buys the most leads… but that doesn’t mean it's a profitable business."

"We’re in the game of relationships. If I do a great job and build trust, they’re sending me the next deal… and their friends."

"My daughter and I are at the alligator farm every Saturday. That’s my world right now."

Serving Northeast Florida with Vision and Structure

Momentum Realty is redefining how agents work across Jacksonville, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, and St. Augustine. From a mapped-out client touch plan with over 100 touches a year, to their coaching-focused Ascend program for new agents, Brooks is building more than a brokerage—he's building a platform.

They've added mortgage and title services, a virtual work structure, and rigorous onboarding that screens for mindset, values, and integrity. It’s not for everyone. That’s intentional.

Real Examples from the Episode

• A Gainesville agent joined Momentum, shifted from buying leads to building referral-based relationships. She paid off $100K in debt and grew from $3.8M to $22M in sales in one year.

• Brooks door-knocked his own neighborhood to land his first listing. No database. No money. Just hustle.

• His wife Brittany, who was told she’d fail, sold 66 homes her first year—all buyers. She's now the operational force behind Momentum's explosive growth.

FAQ: Buying and Selling in Northeast Florida

What makes NE Florida attractive to buyers?
Relocation demand, strong schools (especially in St. Johns County), beach proximity, and no state income tax make Jacksonville, Nocatee, and Ponte Vedra top picks.

What should sellers know about this market?
Strategic pricing and presentation matter. In Ponte Vedra and the Beaches, homes can generate multiple offers if positioned correctly.

Is new construction common?
Yes. Nocatee, St. Johns County, and parts of Clay County are exploding with planned communities and new developments.

Why do agents choose Momentum Realty?
Top performers are drawn to its high standards, ownership incentives, and coaching ecosystem that fuels both production and profitability.

Want to Work with John Brooks or Join Momentum Realty?

If you're buying or selling in Jacksonville, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, or St. Augustine—or you're an agent ready to level up—connect with John Brooks directly. Momentum is for growth-minded professionals only.

Connect with John Brooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjonbrooks/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jon.brooks.12
Website: https://movewithmomentum.com/
Full episode: https://www.tracyhayespodcast.com/64
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateExcellence

Explore Other REE Agents
Jessica Swearingin (Ep 254): https://www.tracyhayespodcast.com/254
Veronica Wilen (Ep 257): https://www.tracyhayespodcast.com/257
Bill Savage (Ep 19): https://www.tracyhayespodcast.com/19

More Top Agents:
https://topjacksonvilleagents.com
https://topstaugustineagents.com

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