From Ballroom to Boardroom: How Christian Cazares Became a Top Real Estate Agent

Real estate success stories often start with humble beginnings — but few begin on the dance floor. For top-producing real estate agent and coach Christian Cazares, his journey from ballroom instructor to real estate leader is a testament to passion, adaptability, and the power of staying connected.

In this Good to Great series hosted by Agent Moves, Christian shares how he built a thriving career in real estate, his strategies for long-term growth, and what seasoned agents need to know to stay competitive in today’s shifting market.

A Unique Beginning: From Dance Shoes to Sold Signs

Before stepping into the world of real estate, Christian spent 10 years as a ballroom dance instructor in Mexico City and later the U.S. It was during these lessons that a client — a realtor herself — invited him into the real estate world, and the rest, as they say, is history.

I kissed my dance shoes goodbye, got my license in a month, and dove right in,” Christian shares.

Starting Strong in a Booming Market

Christian entered the real estate industry in 2005, a red-hot year for the housing market. Leveraging simple magazine ads, he received 10-15 leads per day, an enviable stat for any new agent. But when the 2008 crash hit, everything changed.

He pivoted quickly, mastering short sales and foreclosures, and embracing a learn-as-you-go mindset — even admitting that, early on, he didn’t know what prospecting or a CRM was.

From Surviving to Scaling: The Power of CRM and Coaching

It wasn’t until 2011 that Christian fully committed to building his real estate database and CRM — a move he now credits with transforming his business.

Your database is going to be your future,” he says. “That’s where 70% of my business comes from today.”

Christian now nurtures his database with custom technology tools — different systems for sellers, buyers, and agents. He understands that personalized messaging beats templated automation every time.

The Fortune is in the Follow-Up

One of Christian’s most powerful takeaways for experienced agents is reconnecting with past clients.

“One of our agents called just her past clients — no cold leads — and got 3 listings in a week,” he explains. “It's about maintaining relationships, not chasing the next deal.”

This relationship-based mindset helps explain why Christian now coaches other agents while still producing full-time.

Building a Multilingual, Diverse Real Estate Team

Today, Christian is not just a top real estate agent, but also a recruiter, coach, and mentor. He leads a growing team that includes professionals fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, Creole, and Italian — reflecting the diverse communities they serve.

“We’re focused on inclusivity and accessibility. Language should never be a barrier to buying or selling a home.”

Systemized Growth: Divide, Conquer, Convert

Christian’s approach to scaling is highly strategic. His team operates with defined roles: some handle lead calling and appointment setting, while others take over client service and closing coordination.

This operational model allows them to handle more listings efficiently — a system that’s been crucial in the busy post-election real estate market surge.

Christian’s Advice to Experienced Realtors: Find the Gaps

Christian leads a weekly mastermind group for seasoned agents, where the focus is on identifying business gaps:

• Is your CRM set up for success?

• Are your ads asking the right questions?

• Are you staying in touch with past clients?

“Many agents are sitting on gold and don’t know it. Work your database. Follow up. Ask for the business.”

Favorite Resource: The Seven Levels of Communication by Michael J. Maher

Christian strongly recommends this book for any agent who wants to improve client communication and grow via referrals. He uses its principles to nurture his sphere of influence (SOI) and increase repeat and referral business.