SignalsAZ.com Prescott News Podcast - Prescott Real Estate Insights with Cody Carter on Work Ethic and Growth

Episode Date: April 6, 2026

Send us a text and chime in!In this episode of the Signals AZ News podcast, Cody Carter shares her journey from managing an international travel company to becoming a successful real estate professional in Prescott, Arizona. With just two years in the industry, Cody discusses how discipline, consistency, and a strong work ethic helped her stand out in a competitive market where there are more agents than available homes. Her story offers valuable insight for anyone considering a career in real estate or looking to understand what it truly takes to succeed. #realestate #homesforsell #prescott #realtor #realtyexecutivesCheck out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

Hey, everybody. Welcome back to Signals AZ News podcast. Today I have Cody Carter. You are, I want to say a realtor, but what's the best way to pronounce that? It's realtor. Realtor. Repeat after me. Real tour. And you're not in reality. No, I'm in realty. Realty. Yeah. But not reality. No, like real estate. Realty executives. So you are a realtor from realty executives. You got it. learning so much today. So you are, we had Ronnie in here a few weeks ago and he's spectacular. So you get to hang out with him all the time, which is kind of awesome. Super fortunate, yeah. What a great mentor to have in the game, right? He's just, well, you tell me. I got to know him just a little bit.

What's it like working with a Ronnie? Ronnie is high energy. He's brilliant. He's kind. He's generous in spirit. He makes everyone laugh. He works his butt off. I could not be more fortunate to be on his team.

So you've been a real realtor. I'm going to check myself every time. You've been a realtor for two years now? Yeah, two years at the end of the month. But who's counting, right? Yeah, just by the skin of my teeth. So did you start off at realty executives or was it something, you know, did it take you some time to get with the team or how does that work?

I joined Ronnie's team straight out of the gate. So I must have done something right because he took a chance on a brand new licensee with zero experience. And that was over at Better Homes and Gardens, Bloomtree Realty. And then just this year, we all moved our team over to realty executives. Awesome. Awesome. So I think I have a couple misconceptions because we were talking a little bit when you got here. And it was like one of the hardest interviews to do is a realtor.

One I have to know how to say the word. But there's so many different aspects you've got, you know, like the agency and you have all of these things. And I was asking you, like, how many realtors are there in our area? They say the average person knows about five. So that adds up to a lot, which is somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,500 realtors in our area. And how many homes are on the market right now? I think we're somewhere in between 11 and 1,200. So more realtors than homes for sell.

So you have your pick of the litter, right? you can, you know, pretty much like you said, everybody knows about five. What has it taken? Because I think of like everybody I know has gone to like cosmetology school or I'm going to go get my realtors license. So I know you've got to take a test and all that stuff. But the real work comes, like once you've got that license, what have you learned in the last two years since getting your license? Yeah, it's funny you say that because I've always been a pretty high-powered individual. I was working in the travel industry managing an international chore company for a decade before getting into real estate. And that's true of most people in real estate who are very successful.

They have a law degree or they were in aerospace engineering. They have a lot of smarts and a lot of experience under their belts. But first and foremost, they work really hard. And so for me, it was taking what was a 9 to 5 mentality. I was used to showing up every day, working a full day, and going home, no exceptions. Clock out. You're done. But take that mentality, that work ethic, plug it into real estate.

And I'm already far ahead of most people who decide that they're going to get into real estate because I show up. My butt is in the chair. And if I can't think of an income-producing activity to do while I'm there, that is a me problem. That is not an industry, the market seasonality, what have you, like, is entirely on me. Well, and that's a good point because I think a lot of people, they get excuse driven. Well, you know, politics as it is. People just aren't buying right now or people are waiting to put their house on the market or this is happening. But for a lot of people, life does not stop when there's things going on in the world. They still have their goals. They

still have their agendas, maybe moving out of a state, there's still work going on. So I think if you keep that mentality of there's always going to be something, there's always going to be an opportunity somewhere. Yeah, I mean, people can say that the industry is volatile, but you have to remember that I'm coming out of the travel industry. And that is like natural disasters, pandemics, whether mechanical problems, political unrest, I'm like the shelter industry in comparison to that is like actually mitigating risk for me. This is easy. This is super easy.

People need houses. Yeah. People have to live somewhere, that's for sure. So I see a lot of times, you know, it's like, oh, you know, the kids are back in school. I think I'll go get my real estate license. On a typical week, how many hours are you putting in? Oh, goodness gracious.

Not 40, right? No, probably at least 50. As I said, I show up. I go to the office every single day, Monday through Friday, and then on the weekend, I make sure that I host at least one open house during the week, which is an obvious way to meet buyers. But it's a lot. I mean, an open house might be listed in the MLS for three hours, but you know, you're doing all of the preparation leading up to it, all of the marketing, all of the signposting, you're bringing in snacks, you're bringing in and water. You've researched the neighborhood, you know, what have you. It's a big commitment. Well, and you have to know the house, like the back of your hand, right? So you people walk in,

you're like, oh, this is, let me show you the kitchen or let me show you and tell you about this. So it was funny because I was talking and running about this of do open houses still work, you know, because there is that demographic of people that they'll go online and they're just like, oh, this is a house I want. I do a little video tour here. Here we go. But I equated that. to like buying a car online, which I told him I did that and went picked out my car, here it is. And there's things I love about it. And there's things I went, probably wouldn't have got this car. Had I not, you know, had I test drove it, things I like.

But I am still shocked by the amount of people that are, you know, kind of, they'll go online and that's my house, you know, without kind of trying it on. So the open houses are still still working. It's good opportunity. Yeah, I mean, real estate's like sometimes you have to. shoot from the hip because of you think that's the house of your dreams and you don't want to let it get away from you and you've seen it online. Sometimes the only way to go is to jump. But open houses, I'm going to give you the nitty-gritty truth here. Oftentimes it is to appease your seller to show that you are putting your best foot forward and making every effort to get buyers

into their home. Do they sell the house? Sometimes. Sometimes. Mostly it's a way to as an agent to get out there in the community and keep meeting people. It's part of the job, right? Yeah, like keep getting new contacts. Like, I have my sphere of influence and that's great. That's a lot of people I grew up here. But like, you have to keep building your database. Well, and that's the thing, too. Like, the more people you know, and the more people that maybe get eyes on that property, it's like, this house isn't for us, but I know somebody who would be, you know, this house would be perfect for maybe. So and then I heard you like as a few 50 hours a week open house every weekend. You have a day off. What are you doing?

I was just like, hold on, a day off. What is that? So there are phases of life. This phase right now I think is when I build my wealth. And there will be another time in my life when I recreate and I explore art and I play. piano and, you know, I do all of those things right now. I actually co-own an art gallery downtown. It's called Van Gogh's Ear. It's a wonderful contemporary art gallery. We're celebrating 23 years in April. And so I spend one day out of my week down there in the store. And so not sleeping in, not lounging around. Heck no. I would think, though, so where are you guys located? You're catching on. Yeah. Yeah, I'm right on a whiskey route downtown, and you have tourists, people who are exploring the community. I was like, wait a minute.

Yeah, so we're not missing the real estate button here. I've got all of my cards and my trifle brochures and everything out there on the desk. All of a sudden, I'm like, hold on a second. Yeah, yeah. I would love to live here. There's an agenda. Come to see. Well, and it's one, you're fulfilling that part of you that loves art and, you know, being a part of that.

But also it ties into, you know, the big picture. I'm listening to a couple podcasts right now. And one was talking about, you know, the 2080 rule. And it was Steve Young. And he told his dad, I want to be in the NFL. And he's like, it's a great dream. Let's devote 20% of your time to that. You know, let's try to make that dream come true.

The other 80%, what are we doing with that time? And so I kind of think about you like that. With the real estate, you know, it's like probably more than 80%. But that's like, that is the drive. It's not the fallback. It is, this is what I'm doing. And I get to go be in the gallery, but I'm still doing something that feeds into this bigger picture. Right. That's it.

Like at this stage in my life, I have the fire in the belly. And, you know, when I first graduated from college with an art degree, I spent all my years studying, testing, you know, all things scholastic, constantly reading. And when the gallery was born, there was a little period of beautiful stagnation where I just got to go into this space and nothing challenged me too much. It was beauty and these just ingenuity, creativity, all these wonderful things around me. And so one day out of the week, I relish in that. It is truly special. But as you say, 2080, like there's that other part of me that is just really driven right now. And real estate keeps you on your toes.

You're always learning. It's always something new. Each transaction is unique. And I really just kind of feed off of that. So if you had, you've been doing this for two years and I don't want you to give away any trade secrets because, you know, it's competitive business. Lots of realtors. But are there some things that you did really, you know, it was really smart that I did this? or I wish I would have done that or, you know, things you may have picked up along the route.

I think that like if you're going to constantly be selling yourself, I would advise people to do it in a way that resonates with you, that you're not trying to go swim upstream and do something where it just doesn't feel good. So for me, cold calling does not feel good. I hate it. I can't do it. And so I can say that if you lean into something that is fun to do and you actually don't hate doing, you're going to shine brighter when you're doing it. And so for me, it's handwritten correspondence.

It's very old-fashioned. Makes a difference. And that's just who I am. Like, I grew up going on vacation. And every time I came home from vacation, I had a new pen pal that I met in the pool. And I always wrote to my elders. I always had pen pals. And for me, that's something that I appreciate is something I enjoy.

doing and so I send out tons and tons of mail that's all hand addressed a little personal note to each person and I think it keeps it from going directly into the trash can for one. Who's getting handwritten notes anymore? Yeah, it's rare. You open up your mailbox and you're like, is that one of those fake printed cursive letters? No, that is ink right there. Like that is they messed up. The Ss don't match there. They're a little different. Yeah. It's funny because I bought thank you cards because I was going to be that person that was like, oh, every time I do a podcast, I'm going to thank them for coming into the studio. I've not even had a chance to like open them up and sit down and do a letter. But I know it makes such a difference to do that, to do that kind of old fashioned where

it just shows you're, you know, if you're making those little differences, what else are you doing? You know, so you got to set yourself apart. So if somebody, oh, you did mention one other thing that you do that is kind of on the side. If you get my point. Oh. So we had, are you okay to talk about that? Yeah, sure. Okay. So we had Sasha on Sasha Nause from the movement studio. She was promoting her new dance team at Bradshaw High School. But for those to know Sasha, we didn't talk about it too much, but she does own a dance studio as well. You know that pretty well. Tell everybody what you're doing because it's pretty spectacular. Well, I haven't, I don't think I've like shook hands with Sasha yet.

I know who she is, but from her perspective, I'm just the really tall oak tree in the ballet class right now. With five and six year olds? No. No, they're like 15. They're like a third of my age. And so, yeah, I... That's so brave, though.

It is, yes, thank you. It is brave. I coach high school kids. They're scary. They are. They are. My daughter walks in. She's an adult.

She walked in with a backpack. They're like, wow, never seen an adult carry a backpack before. She's like, oh, my gosh. She's like, no, it looks fine on you. Just, yeah, keep doing that. Yeah. They're brutal. It's extra pressure to not stink.

Yeah. Because like, they'll tell you. If you are not only way older and all those things, like the least you can do in their eyes is keep up. Yeah. So, yes, I started taking ballet. I think my first class, I was 35 years old. and I just really enjoy it. It's really difficult.

And it's really like, it's just good for me. And it's a little spot of joy in my life. It's actually a big spot of joy in my life. And I was like, let's see what I can do with this. And so since then, the past seven years, I've just been going for it. And now I'm on point and I'm dancing with the point class over at the movement studio one day a week. And, you know, it's been funny trying to make friends with 15-year-olds. Do you guys want to have a sleepover? Is that weird? That's weird, right? No, never mind.

Oh, yeah. Should I try and be cool? I don't know. You guys want to do a TikTok dance with me? No. No. Like, don't do it. They take selfies and they don't ask me to participate. Yeah, they're brutal. And as brutal as it, and I love them. But I have changed so much as a person in the last, so storm's like eight years old. And it's like just since hanging out with them, when it keeps you young, because you can't be. like old because I'm like Alicia don't you can't say that but I still say funny things so then like

okay I'm in a videotape record you guys now and they're like oh my gosh but now they say that or I'll play like vanilla ice you know when they're like what is this and we do the birthday mix from the Beatles and now every time it's somebody's birthday they're turning it on so there's things that you can kind of

yeah they don't know that I have a secret weapon which is a 14 year old of myself at home so I'm like I'm in on them. You're learning. Is this cool? Should I say this? I'm like, oh, look.

Hey, guys. Do you like my fit? So you're going to learn all that lingo. Why ballet? Like, there's easier things you could do. You do little. And I'm not saying hip hop is easy, but I mean, ballet has got to be one of the most disciplined. I don't even know what you would call it.

Sasha would be like Alicia. It's called this. But, I mean, it's got to be the most disciplined principle. Maybe. Is that what I should call it, Sasha? Um, so there's so many different answers to that. One is that it's supposed to be a certain way. There's really not much interpretation when it comes to ballet. Like, it's a classical form. And people who try and modernize it, like make other people really mad. And I'm very algebraic. Like, I like a formula for something. And in fact, doing a podcast is terrifying because we are having an organic conversation. And I didn't, I didn't have like an outline for it.

And that's kind of making my hand sweat. My screen's blank. I was going to look up some stuff, but this is just going for it. Yeah. It is really hard. But I also think about, like, how I want people to think of me just as a person. And I always kind of, like, lean back on the word grace because I think it says a lot about a person. It's kind of, like, you know, poised but with a backbone.

And I think I try and move gracefully. throughout my life in general. So ballet seems to be a good fit. Yeah, I don't, I don't see you take you the easy way out ever. So it's like, we'll just start with ballet. Whatever. So I really enjoy talking to you today. If somebody would love to chat more about maybe listing a house or having you try to find a house for them, why should they call you? I love real estate. It is so rewarding. It is usually the largest financial transactions somebody has in their lifetime. It's a big deal. I don't take it lightly. If I work with a client and they're entrusting me with this process, I will deliver because I'm truly honored and I take great care of my clients. And we have fun doing it. But we're also very clever and I work on a team. And I think that in real estate, the people I admire most really check their ego out the door because if I have an arsenal of people around me who are so experienced, I have no excuse to wing it. You know, lean on people, collaborate and find the best solution for your buyer or your seller.

Well, and with your team, you can't BS it and you can't take the easy road. You have to show up every day. And you're standing among giants. So you have to, you've got to bring it every day. Yeah, well, I, you know, just spend time with people who inspire you. Rule of thumb. 100%. Just every day, spend your time with people who bring you joy and inspire you and you want to grow towards or lean into.

Awesome. And, Cody, how would they get a hold of you? Call me, text me, 928-713-0657. Or stop by Van Gogh's ear. Yes. And she'll have pamphlets out. She'll probably be baking cookies and stuff or have a nice chakutery board or something. So again, remind everybody where Van Gogh's Ear is.

Van Gogh's Ear right on Whiskey Row 156, South Montezuma. It's a gold awning with a purple ear on it. It's surprising. It's actually, yeah, all these buildings on Whiskey Row are like this shotgun shape, and you don't know until you walk inside. It's expansive. It's like 3,400 square feet of fantastic artwork. Oh, awesome.

So, and then when she has a recital, we're going to put that out. So everybody can want to know. No, no, no, no, no. But you'll know me if you see me. Like, oh, look. That's awesome. I love that. Well, Cody, thanks so much for coming in.

Visitor at Van Gogh's ear or give her a call. You're going to work so hard for people. I already can tell that. Thank you so much. Such a pleasure meeting you. Thank you. Nice talking to you. We will see you guys next time.