What if your teenage curiosity could lead to generational wealth?
In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Gelkys Delgado has been fascinated by real estate for as long as she can remember. After she met her husband, who shared her passion for investing. He had experience flipping homes, she got her real estate license, and focused on finding deals. What started as a way to save on commissions turned into a business— she loved helping others build wealth through real estate. Over the years, they completed countless flips and built a strong rental portfolio, creating the cash flow to cover their expenses. That freedom lets them focus on what matters—personal growth, family, traveling, and making memories. For her, real estate isn’t just about money; it’s about time and that’s the real wealth.
Gelkys breaks down her journey into flipping, wholesaling, and holding properties for long-term gains. She opens up about her biggest lessons, including dealing with contractors, avoiding money pits, and choosing cost-effective upgrades that attract renters and buyers. Her story is a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and turning passion into profit—all while uplifting others on their path to financial freedom.
Don’t just dream—build your real estate empire today!
Highlights
00:00 – 04:39 Always Shopping the Market
· Nationwide investment focus
· Building a 13-year real estate network
· Investor advisory & deal scouting
· South Florida roots and early curiosity
· From Hialeah to multi-market hustle
04:40 – 08:19 Early Curiosity & Starting Out Young
· Real estate fascination at 14
· Dreaming big with empty lots
· Working at a title company at 16
· Inspired by investor success
· First exposure to big deals
08:20 – 17:59 First Deals & Wholesaling by Accident
· Door-knocking in pre-foreclosures
· Learning on the job
· Selling leads for $500
· Building confidence in chaos
· Creative problem-solving begins
18:00 – 24:39 From Broke to Financial Freedom
· Buying first property at 23
· Moving to New York & renting for cash flow
· Meeting her husband & shared hustle
· Starting flips with limited capital
· Evolving from investor to agent
24:40 – 35:18 Money Pits & Contractor Challenges
· The nightmare Virginia Gardens flip
· Mold, foundation issues, and lessons
· Buying sight-unseen in Georgia while pregnant
· Navigating foreclosure auctions
· Managing family contractors
35:19 – 01:17:17 Mentorship, Brokerage, and Mindset for New Agents
· Choosing the right broker (George at RESF)
· What new agents should ask in interviews
· The power of belief and consistency
· Importance of leadership in brokerages
· Building vision and business discipline
· Conclusion
Quotes:
“I was wholesaling before I even knew what wholesaling was.” – Gelkys Delgado
“Real estate has given me the lifestyle I always dreamed of.” – Gelkys Delgado
“You’ve got to be there every day—time is money in a flip.” – Gelkys Delgado
“It’s not about the rate, it’s about the right property—marry the house, date the rate.” – Gelkys Delgado
To contact Gelkys Delgado, learn more about her business, and make her a part of your network, make sure to follow her Instagram.
Connect with Gelkys Delgado!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gelkyslovesrealestate/
Connect with me!
Website: toprealtorjacksonville.com
Website: toprealtorstaugustine.com
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