Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristie Baumgartner.
Kristie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started my real estate career 10 years ago with a passion for people, creativity, and community. From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to build a business that felt personal and relationship driven, not transactional. I jumped into the industry full time and quickly discovered that my background in marketing, photography, and graphic design gave me a unique approach to storytelling, creative marketing, and understanding my customers, which helped me stand out in a competitive market.
I proudly serve Lake County and Central Florida with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty, helping buyers and sellers find not just a house, but a lifestyle that fits them. Over the years I’ve become known for thinking outside the box when it comes to marketing homes, creating strong connections within the community, and helping customers feel supported every step of the way. Whether it’s a luxury property, a farmhouse with land, or a family’s first home, I love helping people navigate such an important chapter of their lives.
One of the biggest parts of my journey has been finding a way to combine my business with giving back to the community. I created the annual Paws & Claws Adopt-a-thon benefiting the Humane Society of Lake County, where we raise money, host community events, and bring awareness to shelter animals in need. Along the way, I also began sponsoring a pet adoption with every closing, allowing my customers to directly be part of making a difference. Giving back has become such an important part of who I am, both personally and professionally.
Today, I’m grateful to have built a business rooted in creativity, compassion, community, and connection. Real estate has given me the opportunity to help families during major life moments while also creating a platform to make a positive impact locally, and that is something I never take for granted.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road. Real estate is an industry that requires a lot of resilience, especially when you start at a young age and jump in full time with no guaranteed paycheck. There were many moments early on where I had to learn how to navigate uncertainty, build confidence in myself, and continue showing up even during slower seasons or challenging transactions.
One of the biggest struggles has been balancing business ownership, motherhood, and community involvement all at once. Real estate is not a typical 9 to 5 career. You are constantly learning how to balance being available for your customers while also protecting time for your family and yourself. There were times I poured so much into my business and community that I had to learn the importance of slowing down and creating balance.
Another challenge has been learning how to stand out in a very competitive industry. I built my business in a way that felt authentic to me by leaning into creativity, storytelling, marketing, and community connection, even when it looked different from what others were doing around me. Taking that different path can feel intimidating at times, but it ultimately became one of my greatest strengths.
I also think the market itself teaches you resilience. Over the years I’ve experienced changing markets, shifting buyer behavior, and moments where deals fell apart unexpectedly. Those experiences taught me patience, adaptability, and the importance of always putting relationships first. Looking back, every challenge helped shape not only the business I have today, but also the person I’ve become through the process.
We’ve been impressed with Kristie Baumgartner, Realtor®, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty serving Lake County and Central Florida, specializing in residential real estate. I work with a wide variety of customers, from first time home buyers to luxury and lifestyle properties, but I’m especially known for helping customers find homes with character, land, farm properties, and spaces that truly fit the lifestyle they envision for themselves and their families.
What sets me apart is my creative approach to real estate and the strong focus I place on relationships and storytelling. With a background in marketing, photography, graphic design, and branding, I market homes very differently than the traditional approach. I believe every property has a story, and my goal is to help potential buyers emotionally connect to that story through creative marketing, video, photography, and social media. I’m known for thinking outside the box and creating marketing that feels personal, authentic, and engaging.
Beyond the marketing side, I pride myself on creating a customer experience where people feel supported, educated, and genuinely cared for throughout the process. Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest moments in someone’s life, and I never take that responsibility lightly.
One of the things I’m most proud of brand wise is that my business has become deeply tied to community involvement and giving back. Through my annual Paws & Claws Adopt-a-thon benefiting the Humane Society of Lake County and my commitment to sponsoring a pet adoption with every closing, my brand has evolved into something bigger than just real estate. It has become a way to connect people, support local causes, and make a positive impact within the community.
I want readers to know that my brand is built on creativity, compassion, connection, and authenticity. Whether someone is buying, selling, supporting local causes, or simply following along online, I want them to feel like they are part of something meaningful and community driven.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think what many people call “luck” is often a combination of timing, hard work, consistency, and being willing to take opportunities when they appear. I’ve definitely had moments in my career where the right people, relationships, or opportunities came into my life at the perfect time, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. But behind those moments were years of showing up, building connections, continuing to learn, and staying committed even during difficult seasons.
I also believe some of the biggest blessings in my business came from situations that initially felt like bad luck. Deals falling apart, slower markets, difficult transactions, or moments of burnout all pushed me to grow stronger, become more creative, and adapt in ways I may not have otherwise. Looking back, many of those challenges shaped the direction of my business for the better.
One thing I feel especially lucky for is the community I’ve built around me. My customers, friends, fellow business owners, and local organizations have supported me in ways that constantly remind me how powerful genuine relationships can be. A huge part of my business growth has come through word of mouth, referrals, and community connections, and that’s something I never take for granted.
At the end of the day, I think luck may open a door, but hard work, authenticity, and relationships are what keep it open.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bhhsfloridarealty.com/mount-dora/kristie-baumgartner/cid-1127756
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingmoveswithkristie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makingmoveswithkristie
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@makingmoveswithkristie
