He Bet Everything on Real Estate — And It Worked
Would you be willing to remove an organ just to escape your 9-to-5 and chase your dream?
In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Drew Kazemba. Drew shares one of the most unconventional entries into real estate ever told—he voluntarily had his appendix removed to get time off work and take his real estate exam. Drew walks us through how he transitioned from a miserable medical sales job into building a thriving real estate career in Jacksonville, Florida. From cold-calling hedge funds and wholesaling to learning the ropes at DJ & Lindsey, Drew reveals the gritty hustle behind his rapid success.
He also dives into how technology like ChatGPT has supercharged his operations, the power of learning from top agents, and why real estate isn't just about selling homes but building wealth and strategic opportunities for clients. This episode is packed with golden insights for both new agents and seasoned pros looking to level up.
Are you stuck in a job you hate and dreaming of diving into real estate? Don’t wait for the perfect moment—take action now. Subscribe to the Real Estate Excellence Podcast for more inspiring stories and tactical advice. Follow and message Drew Kazemba to learn how you can build wealth through real estate—no appendix removal required.
Highlights:
00:00 - The Appendix Exit Plan & Real Estate Awakening
- Drew's bold plan: appendix removal for PTO
- Leaving medical sales for real estate
- Self-teaching wholesaling after hours
- Scoring a big deal that never paid, but lit the fire
- The moment he knew real estate was it
11:59 - 22:59 Building Skills Through Volume
- Interviewing brokerages and choosing DJ & Lindsey
- Call time, leads, and sales floor discipline
- Learning fast through repetition and structure
- At-bats vs. years: why high-volume matters
- Outgrowing a lead-based model
23:00 - 32:59 Time-Blocking, Tech, and ChatGPT Mastery
- ChatGPT as virtual assistant and knowledge base
- Automating follow-ups with Zapier
- Using AI to build reports and analyze tax strategies
- Structuring days with time blocks
- Why tech-savvy agents have the edge
33:00 - 46:28 From Agent to Developer
- Meeting Matt Roberts again and joining Someday
- Learning construction, development, and investment modeling
- Using project experience to serve investor clients
- Helping buyers buy smart with long-term mindset
- Real estate as a launchpad to bigger things
46:29 - 1:00:00 Equity, Cash Flow, and Pitfalls
- The myth of guaranteed cash flow
- Evaluating properties like a pro
- Why break-even deals still build wealth
- Common investor mistakes and bad flips
- How Drew calculates cost of money, rehab, and ROI
1:00:01 - 1:16:11 Airbnb Realities & Final Real Estate Lessons
- Is Airbnb still worth it in NE Florida?
- Short-term rental logistics and costs
- How Drew advises on STR vs long-term play
- Risk management and truth-telling for investors
- Empowering buyers with education and honesty
Quotes:
“I got my appendix removed just to take time off and chase real estate—I'm not kidding.”
“You win in real estate when you buy the house, not when you sell it.”
“You’re not going to cry about the deal you didn’t get; you’re going to cry about the one you lost money on.”
“ChatGPT is my best friend. I vent to it, I time-block with it, and I learn from it.” – Drew Kazemba
To contact Drew Kazemba, learn more about his business, and make him a part of your network, make sure to follow him on his Website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
Connect with Drew Kazemba!
Website: https://www.somedayhomesteam.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewkaz_jaxrealtor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drew.kazemba/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrewKRealty
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dkazemba
Connect with me!
Website: toprealtorjacksonville.com
Website: toprealtorstaugustine.com
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW as we discuss real estate excellence with the best of the best.
#RealEstateExcellence #DrewKazemba #RealtorLife #RealEstatePodcast #From9to5ToRealEstate #JacksonvilleRealEstate #Wholesaling #FirstTimeBuyer #RealEstateInvesting #ChatGPTForBusiness #ModernRealtor #LeadGeneration #HomeOwnershipJourney #DJandLindsey #RealEstateMentor #SomedayHomes #TimeBlocking #DownPaymentAssistance #FlipToFreedom #RealEstateTech
Are you ready to take your real estate game to the next level? Look no further than Real Estate Excellence - the ultimate podcast for real estate professionals. From top agents and loan officers, to expert home inspectors and more, we bring you the best of the best in the industry. Tune in and gain valuable insights, tips, and tricks from industry leaders as they share their own trials and triumphs. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, a homebuyer or seller, or simply interested in the real estate industry, Real Estate Excellence has something for you. Join us and discover how to become a true expert in the field.
The content in these videos and posts are for informational and educational purposes only. The information contained in the posted content represents the views and opinions of the original creators and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Townebank Mortgage NMLS: #512138.
