The Identity Shift from “Realtor” to “Wealth Builder”
Thu Feb 05 2026
What if the role you're playing is the only thing standing between you and your next level?
DeAnna Lee didn't start with money. She started as a single mom bartender who bought a duplex and house-hacked before it was even trending. She entered real estate in 2009—right after the crash—and worked transactions like most agents do. But she refused to let "realtor" define the limits of what was possible.
Today, she owns a global portfolio of luxury experiential hotels and short-term rentals spanning multiple countries and climates. From the Caribbean to Southern Utah to the Dominican Republic, she's built an empire using creative financing, strategic repositioning, and the courage to think bigger than her circumstances.
In this episode, DeAnna breaks down the strategies that took her from broken to boutique hotel mogul—and why most agents stay stuck in the transactional grind while helping everyone else build wealth.
KEY THEMES:
- Why your first property should never be your dream home (and what to buy instead)
- The BRRRR model explained: how to scale without $100K in the bank
- From self-employed to business owner: creating systems that work without you
- Strategic portfolio diversification across seasonal markets to balance volatility
- The power of speaking your intentions in the right rooms with the right people
- How to negotiate creative financing deals (including zero-percent seller financing)
- Repositioning instead of panicking when market cycles shift
- Why you can't scale chaos—and how to build operations that actually support growth
- The difference between heads-and-beds hospitality and experiential luxury retreats
If you've been treating real estate investing as a side hustle or a "someday" dream, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what's possible. DeAnna proves that you don't need a pile of cash to make bold moves. You need creativity, courage, and a willingness to stop letting your current role define your future possibilities.
Ready to unlock your own path to real estate wealth? DeAnna is hosting a free masterclass called "Unlocking Your Magical Ability to Create Wealth in Real Estate" where she breaks down the entire buffet of investment strategies—from long-term rentals to boutique hotels to passive income opportunities. Four hours. Multiple experts. Actionable steps that give you clarity on what resonates with your vision.
Join the waitlist at the link below and discover which strategy is your next move.
CONNECT WITH DEANNA LEE:
Book Your Consultation with DeAnna Lee:
https://go.collectivedestinations.com/booknow
Join the Waitlist for "Unlocking Your Magical Ability to Create Wealth in Real Estate":
https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/Qu56GYj0XTYJljDIGcEM
Want to connect with a community of agents building real wealth and leveling up their businesses? Learn more about Next Level Agents and explore the eXp opportunity at nextlevelagents.com/exp.
Please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/nla
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What if the role you're playing is the only thing standing between you and your next level? DeAnna Lee didn't start with money. She started as a single mom bartender who bought a duplex and house-hacked before it was even trending. She entered real estate in 2009—right after the crash—and worked transactions like most agents do. But she refused to let "realtor" define the limits of what was possible. Today, she owns a global portfolio of luxury experiential hotels and short-term rentals spanning multiple countries and climates. From the Caribbean to Southern Utah to the Dominican Republic, she's built an empire using creative financing, strategic repositioning, and the courage to think bigger than her circumstances. In this episode, DeAnna breaks down the strategies that took her from broken to boutique hotel mogul—and why most agents stay stuck in the transactional grind while helping everyone else build wealth. KEY THEMES: - Why your first property should never be your dream home (and what to buy instead) - The BRRRR model explained: how to scale without $100K in the bank - From self-employed to business owner: creating systems that work without you - Strategic portfolio diversification across seasonal markets to balance volatility - The power of speaking your intentions in the right rooms with the right people - How to negotiate creative financing deals (including zero-percent seller financing) - Repositioning instead of panicking when market cycles shift - Why you can't scale chaos—and how to build operations that actually support growth - The difference between heads-and-beds hospitality and experiential luxury retreats If you've been treating real estate investing as a side hustle or a "someday" dream, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what's possible. DeAnna proves that you don't need a pile of cash to make bold moves. You need creativity, courage, and a willingness to stop letting your current role define your future possibilities. Ready to unlock your own path to real estate wealth? DeAnna is hosting a free masterclass called "Unlocking Your Magical Ability to Create Wealth in Real Estate" where she breaks down the entire buffet of investment strategies—from long-term rentals to boutique hotels to passive income opportunities. Four hours. Multiple experts. Actionable steps that give you clarity on what resonates with your vision. Join the waitlist at the link below and discover which strategy is your next move. CONNECT WITH DEANNA LEE: Book Your Consultation with DeAnna Lee: https://go.collectivedestinations.com/booknow Join the Waitlist for "Unlocking Your Magical Ability to Create Wealth in Real Estate": https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/Qu56GYj0XTYJljDIGcEM Want to connect with a community of agents building real wealth and leveling up their businesses? Learn more about Next Level Agents and explore the eXp opportunity at nextlevelagents.com/exp. Please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/nla