Building Thriving Communities Through Real Estate

In this episode, I sit down with Kristi Wagner to talk about something I’m incredibly passionate about—the intersection of community development and real estate, especially in our rural communities.

Kristi brings years of experience as a community coach, and we dig deep into the role housing plays as the foundation of community and economic development. From challenges with outdated housing stock to post-COVID migration trends, this episode explores what it really takes to create thriving rural towns—and how we, as real estate professionals, can be part of the solution.

We also talk about how to find your niche, get involved in meaningful ways, and avoid burnout when engaging in community work. Whether you're a real estate agent, community leader, or just someone who cares about where you live, this episode will leave you inspired to take action (and remind you that showing up matters!).

In this episode, we cover:

• Why housing is foundational to everything else in a community
• How real estate is more than selling homes—it's about selling a lifestyle
• The unique housing challenges in rural America, including aging housing stock
• Post-COVID shifts bringing people back to small towns
• Innovative solutions like TIFs, lotteries, and community clean-up initiatives
• The importance of realtors in community development
• Why showing up matters, even if you don’t have all the answers
• How to balance community commitments with personal boundaries
• The shift toward new leadership and passing the baton to the next generation
• The value of networking and collaboration in driving real change

Key Takeaways:

• Housing supports everything else—it’s where community starts
• Realtors can be powerful community leaders—just show up
• Collaboration is essential—we’re better together
• You can engage meaningfully without saying yes to everything
• Focus on your strengths, and know it’s okay to step back when needed

Find Kristi at [email protected]!