Image Source: Michael Jakubik

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Written by Nia Bowers

After a decade coaching high school football and wrestling, Michael Jakubik now applies the same preparation, communication, and composure under pressure to help clients make major real estate decisions.

There are certain professions where preparation matters long before the pressure arrives. Coaching is one of them. Real estate can be another.

For Michael Jakubik, Team Lead of The Excelsior Group at eXp Realty, the connection between the two became clear years ago. Before building a real estate team in New Jersey, Mike spent a decade coaching high school football and wrestling, environments where quick decisions, communication, and trust often determined outcomes in real time.

That experience still shapes the way he approaches business today.

“Negotiations feel like game day. Multiple offers feel like sudden-death overtime. And every deal has stakes that actually change people’s lives,” Jakubik says.

As leader of The Excelsior Group, a six-agent team specializing in New Jersey relocation and luxury real estate, he has built a process centered on preparation, transparency, and steady communication rather than fast-paced sales tactics.

A Smaller Team With a More Hands-On Approach

In an industry where some teams continue expanding into large-scale operations, Mike intentionally keeps his group small.

The structure allows agents to remain closely involved with clients throughout the buying or selling process while maintaining strong market awareness and support for negotiations. Rather than handing clients between departments or layers of staff, the team focuses on direct communication and individualized guidance.

That approach has helped The Excelsior Group generate over $40 million in real estate sales volume while serving buyers, sellers, investors, and relocating families across New Jersey.

Mike believes the smaller-team dynamic also creates stronger internal accountability. Agents remain closely connected to both clients and one another, which supports consistency across transactions.

Coaching Principles That Translate to Real Estate

Mike’s coaching background continues to influence how he leads both clients and agents.

In football and wrestling, preparation rarely guarantees an outcome, but it often determines how well someone responds when conditions change. Jakubik applies that same mindset to real estate transactions, particularly in competitive markets where timing and decision-making matter.

His client process emphasizes education and clarity at every stage. Instead of simply moving clients through paperwork and timelines, Mike focuses on helping them understand why decisions are made and which factors shape the process.

That communication-first approach becomes especially important during high-pressure situations involving multiple offers, negotiations, or relocation logistics.

One recent listing reflected the pace and intensity of today’s market. After more than 30 families viewed the property in just three days, the listing generated eight offers.

For Mike , moments like that reinforce the importance of preparation before a property ever reaches the market.

Building Confidence Within the Teama

Mike’s leadership style also extends into mentorship.

As The Excelsior Group continues to grow, he works closely with newer agents on technical skills, communication habits, and pressure management during negotiations and client interactions. The coaching dynamic remains familiar to him, even in a different industry.

Mike’s focus is less on creating scripted sales personalities and more on helping agents build confidence through repetition, preparation, and market experience.

That philosophy mirrors the same lessons often taught in athletics: consistency matters, composure matters, and preparation usually shows when the pressure rises.

For clients, that translates into a real estate experience grounded in communication, trust, and informed decision-making rather than uncertainty or confusion.

As New Jersey’s housing market continues evolving, Mike’s approach remains rooted in the same principles that shaped his years on the sidelines: prepare thoroughly, communicate clearly, and stay steady when the stakes are high.