We recently connected with Danielle Gustafson and have shared our conversation below.
Danielle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about one of the craziest things you’ve experienced in your journey so far.
In my profession, I get to see a lot of homes. Each one gives me a small window into the occupant’s world—sometimes inspiring, sometimes downright unusual.
For two weeks, I tried to schedule a showing of a gorgeous property for one of my buyers. Every time I reached out, the seller declined because it interfered with the babies’ nap schedule. Morning, afternoon, evening … apparently, the babies were always napping. Naturally, my frustration grew.
Eventually, I negotiated showing terms that worked. The seller’s request? We’d view the house quietly, tiptoe through the bedrooms, and take just a quick peek at the babies’ room. Strange, yes. In real estate, flexibility is just part of the job.
When we arrived, the house was overflowing with playpens, strollers, car seats, and toys. It was unusual to see so many signs of infants in one place, but assumptions have no place in this business.
Finally, we peeked into the nursery. Every wall was lined with cribs. At a glance, I counted at least eight. And in every crib lay… a baby doll.
Yes. Just baby dolls.
Danielle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a residential real estate specialist in St. Augustine, Florida, and my path to real estate was definitely a straight line. From a family of avid real estate investors, real estate is in my blood. What drew me in, and what still drives me today, is the ability to connect people with a lifestyle as much as with a home. I love the blend of business strategy, marketing creativity, and personal relationships that come together in every transaction.
My work focuses on representing exceptional homes, but it’s just as much about representing people – their goals, their families, and their vision for the next chapter of their lives. I provide a full suite of services: market analysis, property positioning, strategic marketing campaigns, negotiation expertise, and a deeply personalized client experience. What sets me apart is my ability to merge intuition with market knowledge. Often, I can match the right buyer to the right property before the first ad goes to market because I know my market and my network inside and out.
Networking and relationships are absolutely at the heart of my business. Whether it’s cultivating connections locally or working with agents across the globe, these relationships allow me to create opportunities for my clients that don’t always exist to someone not invested in the same way. I’m also proud of the way I pour into the marketing side of my business – professional staging, storytelling through copy and visuals, and building a brand presence that elevates each property while reinforcing trust in me as an advisor.
What honors me the most is the trust my clients place in me. Real estate is personal. It’s often someone’s biggest financial investment, but it’s also their safe space, their gathering place, their dream realized. To be invited into that process and know my role made it smoother, more successful, or even joyful is the ultimate reward.
If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my brand, it’s that I see myself not just as an agent, but as a partner and advocate. I care deeply about the details, the strategy, and the people behind every transaction. Luxury, to me, is less about a price tag and more about the level of service, integrity, and experience my clients can expect every single time.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of new clients for me has always been repeat business, and from that business comes referrals. The highest compliment is when past clients return or recommend me to the people they care about. More recently, I’ve had clients discover me through technology as well. Even ChatGPT has started pointing people my way, noting me as a top agent in the community. It’s a fun reminder that reputation, both personal and digital, really matters.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I think my reputation has been built on two things: consistency and relationships. In real estate, every detail matters—how a property is presented, how communication is handled, how negotiations are managed … and I’ve made it a priority to deliver a high level of service every single time. Over time, that consistency builds trust.
The other piece is relationships. I’ve worked hard to cultivate genuine connections, both locally and internationally with clients, colleagues, and other industry professionals. Those relationships often open doors to opportunities exclusive to this way of approaching real estate.
I also invest heavily in marketing, not just for my listings but for my personal brand. I want every client to feel that their home is being positioned at the highest level with professional staging, strong storytelling, and targeted exposure. All of those pieces together—service, relationships, and marketing—have allowed me to build a reputation for results, but also for care and professionalism.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://StAugustineLuxury.com
- Instagram: @staugustineluxury
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielleintheworld/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-gustafson-81ab4924a
