Delaney Henderson: It Takes Grit / Top Jacksonville Agent

What if the hardest transaction you face becomes the one that teaches you the most?

In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with top-producing agent Delaney Henderson to uncover the mindset, grit, and strategies that catapulted her from a burned-out paralegal in DC to one of Northeast Florida’s most respected and relatable real estate mentors. Delaney doesn’t sugarcoat the truth—she opens up about industry misconceptions, failed transactions, emotional burnouts, and the quiet resilience required to succeed in a chaotic market.

Delaney shares the deeply personal reasons she journals every transaction, how mentoring new agents forces her to stay sharp, and why authenticity, handwritten notes, and a picture of her dog on a business card transformed her lead generation game. This conversation is raw, real, and rich with advice every agent—rookie or seasoned—should hear.

Loved Delaney’s insights? Share this episode with a fellow agent or mentor! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Looking to connect with Delaney or join Momentum Realty? Reach out via social or tune in to future episodes for more mentorship magic!

Highlights:

00:00 – 04:20 Early Roots & Real Estate DNA

• Growing up in a real estate family
• Misconceptions about the daily grind
• The contrast between childhood exposure and adult reality
• Why real estate looked easier from the outside
• How the industry constantly pivots

04:21 – 10:02 Learning Through Transactions

• Why every agent should keep a diary
• Documenting daily wins and losses
• Lessons learned from tough deals
• How journaling builds better systems
• Emotional growth from reflecting on your process

10:03 – 17:40 The Power of Mentorship

• Becoming a mentor at Momentum Realty
• What most new agents don’t know they don’t know
• Tailoring mentorship to each agent’s strengths
• Mentorship as a way of giving back
• Transparency and honesty as teaching tools

17:41 – 25:20 Hard Conversations & Market Realities

• How to set healthy boundaries
• Why it’s okay to fire clients
• Working through unrealistic seller expectations
• Why the market data matters
• Building trust by managing client psychology

25:21 – 36:10 Building Relationships That Pay Off

• Treating other agents like partners
• The value of follow-up and communication
• Why agents should never skip the call
• The ripple effects of burning bridges
• How reputation wins in a competitive market

36:11 – 1:14:22 Grit, Growth, and Gratitude

• When everything goes wrong—three closings and two lost offers
• Calling mentors during emotional breakdowns
• Why failure often precedes better outcomes
• Staying consistent with past clients
• The love of the work, despite the setbacks

Quotes:

“Some people come to me thinking they’ll never buy a home—and a month later, we’re at the closing table.” – Delaney Henderson

“Even if I have no business, that’s better than working with difficult people who make my life stressful.” – Delaney Henderson

“Top agents make it look easy—but they rarely show how devastating some transactions can be.” – Delaney Henderson

“You don’t burn bridges in real estate. You’ll always run into them again.” – Delaney Henderson

To contact Delaney Henderson, learn more about her business, and make her a part of your network, make sure to follow him on his Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Connect with Delaney Henderson!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soldbydelaney

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soldbydelaney

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delaneyhenderson/

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 #DelaneyHenderson #MentorshipMatters #RealEstateAgentLife #TopAgentTips #RealEstatePodcast #WomenInRealEstate #FloridaRealtor #RealEstateGrit #RealEstateMentor #MomentumRealty #NewAgentSupport #RealEstateGrowth #ClientFirst #PropertySuccess #ListingTips #BuyersJourney #RealEstateTruth #AgentMindset #AuthenticSelling