From Healthcare to Real Estate: Janee Moore’s Journey, Market Advice & Why Waiting Could Cost You
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to succeed in real estate in a challenging market, this conversation delivers.
On a recent episode of The Lofty Lender Podcast, I sat down with Janee Moore, a Central Iowa native who has called Altoona home for nearly three decades. Her journey into real estate wasn’t traditional, and that’s exactly why it’s powerful.
Janee’s story is about reinvention, resilience, and understanding the emotional side of buying and selling homes.
If you missed the episode, here’s a concise but detailed breakdown of what we covered, and why it matters for buyers and sellers in today’s Des Moines–area real estate market.
A Career Pivot: From Healthcare & Medical Sales to Real Estate
Before real estate, Janee spent:
16 years in healthcare
Over two decades as a Registered & Licensed Dietitian
25+ years as a Certified Diabetes Education Specialist
14 years in medical sales
That background shaped her strengths in:
Education
Communication
Problem solving
Managing emotions during stressful decisions
In 2022, after leaving a toxic work environment, Janee made a bold move, she stepped away without another job lined up. What started as a backup plan (taking real estate classes while job hunting) turned into a full-time career.
By 2023, her first full year in the business, she was named Rookie of the Year and ranked #1 among new agents in both sales volume and units.
That doesn’t happen by accident.
The Real Job of a Realtor (It’s Not Just Showing Houses)
One of the biggest myths in real estate?
“You just show houses all day.”
Janee made it clear, that’s a small part of the job.
Her daily routine includes:
Following up with past clients
Handwritten birthday and life-event cards
Negotiations
Contractor coordination
Inspection strategy
Buyer consultations
Market education
Ongoing training
Real estate is closer to running a small business than it is to “selling houses.”
And that consistency is what separates professionals from hobbyists.
The Hardest Part of Buying a Home: Emotions
Janee and I agreed on something critical:
The hardest part of buying or selling a home isn’t the paperwork. It’s the emotion.
From negotiations to inspection results to affordability conversations, buyers and sellers experience stress, fear, and sometimes frustration.
Janee’s healthcare background gives her a unique edge. She constantly brings clients back to:
The facts
The numbers
The options
The long-term goal
In real estate, there is no universal “fair.”
There’s only what both parties agree to.
That mindset helps buyers avoid overreacting, and helps sellers avoid taking things personally.
Why “Waiting for Rates to Drop” Might Backfire
One of the biggest topics in today’s housing market is:
“Should I wait until rates come down?”
Janee’s perspective was practical and rooted in economics.
Here’s the reality:
If rates drop significantly…
More buyers enter the market…
Inventory tightens…
Prices rise again.
You’re not the only one waiting.
Winter markets, when fewer buyers are active, often give buyers more leverage, less competition, and more negotiation room.
And here’s what I always say:
Marry the house. Date the rate.
You can refinance an interest rate.
You cannot easily renegotiate the purchase price later.
If you need to move, waiting for a “perfect” rate can cost more in higher home prices and increased competition.
Why Janee Stays in Altoona
Janee has lived in Altoona for nearly 28 years. She raised her kids in the Southeast Polk school district and loves the “small town feel with city access.”
Altoona offers:
Community connection
Growing amenities
Award-winning school programs
Close proximity to Des Moines
For many Central Iowa families, it’s the best of both worlds.
Flexibility vs Corporate Life
Janee was candid about self-employment.
Real estate offers flexibility, but it also means:
Paying your own health insurance
Paying full self-employment taxes
Covering business expenses
No guaranteed paycheck
She traded:
A company car
401(k) matching
3,000–4,000 miles per month of driving
For:
Control over her time
Local work
Building something of her own
That’s a trade many professionals quietly wrestle with.
A Few Fun Facts From the Episode
She prefers texting over calling (but still sends handwritten notes).
She’s more night owl than early riser.
She’s a vanilla ice cream fan (yes, even at Baskin Robbins).
She enjoys paddleboarding, pickleball, yoga, and camping.
If she could have dinner with anyone, it would be her grandmother.
Those little details matter. They remind us that real estate isn’t just contracts and numbers, it’s relationships.
Final Takeaway: Buy When It Makes Sense for You
Whether you're:
A first-time homebuyer in Des Moines
A move-up buyer in Altoona
Downsizing after the kids move out
Waiting for “the right time”
The right time is when it aligns with your life, not headlines.
If you want a strategy conversation about today’s mortgage rates, refinancing options, or negotiating in a shifting Iowa housing market, let’s talk.
And if you enjoyed this recap, make sure you search for The Lofty Lender with #TallMoneyMan wherever fine podcasts are downloaded and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Stay curious.
– Kyle Guldenpfennig #TallMoneyMan
