What started as a setback became the push I needed to find the right path. I turned uncertainty into opportunity and found a new passion along the way. 

 

“Stay home for a couple of weeks,” my uncle told me when things started slowing down at the job site. I had been working for his contracting company in Manhattan since I was 17, doing commercial construction, and up until that point, I thought I had my career set. I was making good money for my age, had just bought a car, and felt like I was on the right track. But those two weeks turned into a month, then longer, with no end in sight. COVID brought everything to a halt. I needed to figure something else out, and fast.

 

I’d grown up surrounded by real estate in different ways. My mom’s been a broker for years. My dad was a real estate appraiser. My uncles had brokerages in Florida. And the other uncle I worked for was in construction. Whether it was sales, appraisal, or building, real estate was always around me.

 

Then my mom started telling me to get licensed. I didn’t want to—I felt like I’d be stepping on her toes. It had always been her thing. But she kept saying, “Just do it. I don’t trust anybody else to work with me.” Eventually, I went for it... and failed the test five times. I almost gave up, but gave it one more shot—and finally passed.

 

Early in my career, one of the biggest lessons came from an open house we held for a new construction lot with twelve new builds. I walked away with a sign-in sheet of about 50 people. On the drive home, I looked at that list and thought: How do I turn these names into something? These people showed up for a reason. So if I wanted to help them, I needed to call, follow up, and build real relationships with them. It wasn’t about a quick sale—it was about helping people find what fit their goals.

 

That’s how I built my business: by showing up consistently and being myself. My mom gave me the foundation and taught me how to navigate the business, but she never handed me anything. That turned out to be the greatest gift, because I learned to earn trust by being real with people from day one. I’ve always been self-motivated and driven, and real estate gave me the space to apply that fully.

 

Together, my mom and I built our team to 20 agents. While back at RE/MAX we ranked as the #4 Team in New Jersey, which was a huge accomplishment! Eventually, we were ready to take on something bigger.

 

In early 2022, we opened Agosta Realty Group. We built training, structure, and systems from scratch. I took a leadership role running trainings, hosting monthly check-ins, and leading production meetings, all while ensuring my clients are still receiving the very best service from me. We’ve since grown to 26 agents and counting.

 

Real estate pushed me to grow, adapt quickly, stay consistent, and learn how to lead. I turned a challenge into an opportunity and scaled it to this incredible business that I love. Real estate changed my life, and it all started with a leap of faith, not knowing where the road would lead.

 

My fiancée, Brianna, has been incredibly supportive throughout this journey. She works in HR for a plastic surgery company and helps behind the scenes with things like recruiting and accounting. We have our corgi, Donnie, who keeps us busy. On weekends, when we get the chance, we’re out for date nights, hanging out with friends and family, or playing a little golf. Real estate takes up most of my time—but that’s because I really love what I do!

 

In this business, trust matters more than anything, and that starts with consistency, honesty, and follow-through. I focus on being a real resource from start to finish. I keep things moving, solve problems quickly, and make sure my clients are supported every step of the way. Communication is key, and I stay hands-on throughout the process. I also show up fully as myself. I don’t put on a front—what you see is what you get, and that has led to genuine relationships with my clients because they know I follow through, tell it straight, and have their back. 

 

Every deal I work on gets the same urgency and care as if it were my own. I’m backed by a great team and a strong network of lenders, attorneys, inspectors, and contractors, so no matter what you need, I can help make sure it gets done. I’m a lifelong resource for you—whether you have a question, need a recommendation, or are preparing for your next move—I’m here to help!

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Gianni Agosta