Meet John "JD" Diaz, a dynamic force in luxury real estate, known for his ability to deliver exceptional value and cultivate lasting relationships. Originally from San Diego, JD’s journey into real estate began during his tenure as a Marketing Manager, where he discovered a passion for connecting people with homes. His expertise quickly propelled him to success in new home sales, excelling in both new development and general real estate while leveraging social media to engage with clients.
Driven by an unwavering commitment to service and client satisfaction, JD built a top-performing team specializing in luxury home sales. Recognizing the untapped potential of Henderson, Nevada—what his team calls the “hidden gem” of Las Vegas—he quickly became a leading authority in the market.
In February 2025, JD joined IS Luxury Real Estate, the #1 luxury brokerage in Las Vegas, aligning his expertise with the city’s most prestigious firm. With relentless passion, strategic vision, and an unshakable drive, JD Diaz continues to redefine the standard in luxury real estate.
John "JD" Diaz | S.178725
Featured Guests
A distinguished luxury real estate professional in South Florida, Katia Reisler brings extensive expertise in waterfront properties across Miami, Bal Harbour, Boca Raton, and beyond. Recognized in the top 8% of agents at Douglas Elliman with accolades like the Platinum Award & Million Dollar Guild recognition, she combines an architectural background with hands-on transaction management, strategic marketing, and exceptional negotiation skills. As part of the Sports & Entertainment Division and a Knight Frank cardholder, Katia caters to a discerning clientele with a highly personalized approach. Known for her community involvement as Chairperson of Boca Raton’s Promise and through Elliman Shares, her commitment to clients and community places her among the most respected in the luxury market, connecting South Florida real estate to a global network.
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Douglas Elliman — Boca Raton, FL
A dedicated luxury real estate agent in Austin, Texas, Wade Giles known for his personal approach and commitment to curating unique experiences for clients. Since moving back to Austin in 2013, Wade has made his mark on the local market, ranking in the top .01% of agents. His passion, work ethic, and boundless optimism have helped him surpass $400 million in career sales. Wade is a member of Elite 25 Austin and Luxury League, known for his extensive network and community involvement. Outside of work, he’s an avid equestrian, animal advocate, and enjoys time with his husband Jeff, their daughter Harlow, and their rescue dogs.
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Douglas Elliman — Austin, TX
Third-generation Realtor and luxury real estate expert in Coronado, specializing in 1031 exchanges and offering tailored solutions to her clients. With degrees in Economics from Japan and Business from San Diego State University, Maria Garate-Lavalle combines global market knowledge with exceptional negotiation skills. Born in Mexico City and fluent in both Spanish and English, she has cultivated a vast international network. Dedicated to excellence, Maria continues her family’s legacy in real estate while enjoying travel, food, and fitness in her free time.
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Douglas Elliman — San Diego, CA
President of the Western Region and distinguished figure at Douglas Elliman, Peter Hernandez boasts over 50 years of industry experience. Peter’s shares insights on achieving balance & success in the high-stakes world of luxury real estate. Transitioning from law, Peter built a thriving business through relentless effort & smart planning. He also highlights the importance of a professional image, managing stress, and effective time management to prevent burnout. With insights from his extensive career, Peter offers valuable tips on client relationships and navigating market complexities, providing inspiration for both new and experienced agents.
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Douglas Elliman — Beverly Hills, CA
From a high school entrepreneur in Serbia to a real estate expert in the Hamptons. Niko Cejic emphasizes the importance of traditional, face-to-face relationships and maintaining a stellar reputation in the business. He believes in creating memorable experiences for his clients, ensuring that they speak positively about their interactions. His saying, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” highlights his approach to thoughtful relationship-building. Niko views social media as a platform primarily for entertainment, reinforcing the value of genuine personal connections.
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Douglas Elliman — Hamptons, NY
Emerging from her former roles as an Olympic rhythmic gymnast and classical ballerina, McKenzie Ryan is the acclaimed founder of the award-winning McKenzie Ryan Team. The team, with its client-first ethos, closes 86% of listings at or above asking price. A digital virtuoso, McKenzie’s Instagram boasts over 57,000 followers. Crowned the top New York Power Broker by Forbes, she is the youngest ever to receive this honor. McKenzie’s expertise is regularly featured in media outlets such as CNN, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. A passionate New York City historian, she is devoted to historic preservation and captures the city’s spirit through writing and photography.
Watch full episode HERE
Douglas Elliman — New York, NY
With over 10 years of experience, our top residential broker George Sarkis in Greater Boston leads The Sarkis Team, the #1 producing group at Douglas Elliman in 2019 and #2 in 2018. Known for VIP service and unmatched market expertise, this dedicated professional is committed to excellence, integrity, and delivering customized strategies for successful outcomes. Representing high-profile clients and securing exclusive listings, their exceptional track record speaks for itself—including the record-breaking sale of 150 Woodland Road in Brookline for $41M. As a lifelong Boston resident and sports enthusiast, their passion for the city and commitment to client satisfaction continue to drive their remarkable success in the industry.
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Douglas Elliman — Boston, MA
Specializing in waterfront properties from Lighthouse Point to Highland Beach, John Wilson, a top-performing broker is ranked in the top 5% of Douglas Elliman nationwide and has achieved the prestigious Diamond Award. With a business degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a background as a former Vice President in financial services on Wall Street, he brings a powerful combination of business acumen and market insight to every transaction. His passion for helping clients live their desired lifestyle is reflected in the expertise, integrity, and dedication he and his team bring to every deal. Through their vast network of relationships, they consistently deliver exceptional results for their clients.
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Douglas Elliman — Palm Beach, FL
A distinguished real estate magnate with over a decade of industry experience, Kirsten Jordan is renowned for her success in high-profile transactions and new city developments worth $100M. As an astute investor, she and her accomplished team have secured over $890M in sales, bringing a personal touch to modern real estate. Kirsten currently oversees $3 billion in predevelopment, leasing, marketing, and sales. Balancing her demanding career and family life, she also leads a community of 15,000, guiding them towards their home and career aspirations with expertise and dedication.
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Douglas Elliman — New York, NY
Newport Beach resident and real estate expert Kristin Halton brings over 23 years of experience to the industry, ranking in the top 1% of agents in Orange County and as a top-producing agent nationwide. With over 1,000 properties sold and more than 80 awards gained, Kristin’s reputation for excellence speaks for itself. She has been featured in Bludoor Magazine, Good Day LA, Riviera Magazine, Mansion Global, the Wall Street Journal, Modern Luxury, and Mentor DNA. “I am a firm believer in excellence in action. In today’s fast-paced market, it’s all about the hustle,” says Kristin, whose commitment to results continues to set her apart.
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Douglas Elliman — Newport, CA
A seasoned Broker Associate and Team Leader of The Kinkade Group at Douglas Elliman, Lauren Kinkade-Wong, GRI, has been in real estate since 2005, starting in mortgage loans and rising to Vice President before becoming a full-time REALTOR® in 2018. Her mortgage background is a valuable asset to both buyers and sellers, and she is passionate about helping clients achieve their real estate goals. Recognized as a “Power Player” and “Dynamic Woman” in Modern Luxury’s Angelino Magazine, she has also earned the Douglas Elliman President’s Award in 2021 and Gold Awards in 2022 and 2023. Outside of work, she enjoys family time and serves in leadership roles with the Pasadena Foothills Association of REALTORS® and California Association of REALTORS®.
Watch full episode HERE
Douglas Elliman — Pasadena, CA
Co-founder of Aspen-based Saslove & Warwick at Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Riley Warwick brings over 40 years of combined experience with his partner Joshua Saslove, closing over $3.5 billion in sales. Known for his unique ability to find off-market opportunities, Riley recently set records with the $24.2M land sale at 300 American Lane and the $5.8M sale of 12 Salvation Circle, representing both buyer and seller. His success is driven by a relentless work ethic, deep market knowledge, and a commitment to discretion and honesty. Riley has been ranked the #1 Douglas Elliman Colorado Agent for gross sales in 2019 and was voted #2 Realtor of the Year in 2017 by the Aspen Times. A Purdue graduate and Aspen resident for six years, Riley is also involved with the Aspen Institute’s Society of Fellows and enjoys reading, cycling, and vintage watches and cars.
Watch full episode HERE
Douglas Elliman — Aspen, CO
With over two decades of experience, Mark Menendez has set records for the highest and second-highest single-family home sales in Houston MLS history, including the top sale in River Oaks and notable price-per-square-foot achievements in the Heights. A member of the Sports and Entertainment Division and the Knight Frank Global Referral Network, he is recognized for his integrity, transparency, and ability to attract interest across various markets. Named one of the Houston Chronicle’s most fascinating and viral Houstonians, he also received Douglas Elliman’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Mark has held leadership roles at Douglas Elliman in both Texas and New York, and his work has been featured in major outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, Houston Chronicle, and Modern Luxury. He holds real estate licenses in Texas, Hawaii, and New York, and is a member of several key real estate associations.
Watch full episode HERE
Douglas Elliman — Houston, TX
Before joining The Yost Quesada Team, Kristina Quesada worked as a Media Broker in Tucson, Arizona, managing the acquisition and disposition of radio and television stations and outdoor assets for a top firm. She then transitioned to real estate, serving as Acquisitions Director for a boutique commercial firm, closing over $250 million in deals across the Southwest. After moving to Coronado Island, she shifted to luxury single-family real estate in San Diego, achieving $600M in sales over the last eight years. Known for her exceptional work ethic, marketing skills, and dedication to client satisfaction, Kristina takes pride in her high volume of repeat business and referrals. She is also deeply involved in her community, raising funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and chairing various charity events. Kristina holds a BA in Marketing from the University of Arizona and enjoys life in Coronado, California, with her husband and two children.
Watch full episode HERE
Douglas Elliman — San Diego, CA
While completing his dual degree in Finance and Accounting at the University of Southern California, Ivan Estrada discovered his passion for real estate. He began his career as a C.P.A. at a prestigious firm, always knowing real estate was his true calling. Since then, he has achieved over $600 million in sales since 2007 and earned honors such as the Media Out Loud Award for Business of the Year and a spot on the “Top 30 Under 30” in real estate for 2014. Known for his integrity, hard work, and commitment to his clients, Ivan has built a sterling reputation, serving on multiple boards and supporting various charities in Los Angeles.
Watch full episode HERE
Douglas Elliman — Beverly Hills, CA
