Guest: John Harings
Organization: Excelsior Associates
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Category: Real estate / Local business
In this episode, I sit down with John Harings of Excelsior Associates to talk about real estate in Tucson, how the market has shifted over time, and what buyers don’t see behind the scenes during the home search process.
We also talk about why John stayed in real estate through the 2008 crash, how relationships and referrals still drive long-term business, and how the internet — especially Zillow — changed the way people buy homes.
Learn more about Excelsior Associates in Tucson, including John Harings’ approach to real estate and long-term client relationships.
Excelsior Associates is a Tucson-based real estate company serving buyers and sellers across Southern Arizona. John’s work is relationship-driven and referral-based, shaped by long-term experience through multiple market cycles.
In Tucson, trust travels through people. Relationships, reputation, and community connection still matter — even with national platforms and online search shaping how buyers start their process.
Another Tucson organization featured on Two Lane Tucson is Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids (TRAK), where community trust and long-term relationships play a similar role.
Many of the themes in this conversation — trust, reputation, and being found at the right moment — show up in how local businesses experience Google.
If you rely on local search for calls or inquiries and aren’t sure what’s helping or hurting your visibility right now, I run a paid Local Visibility Diagnostic that shows exactly where things are leaking and what to fix first.
It’s $295 and delivered asynchronously (Loom + written summary).
Learn more about the Local Visibility Diagnostic
Below is a readable transcript excerpt from the conversation. Minor edits were made for clarity and readability.
Elaine: Today I’m sitting down with John Harings, a Tucson-based realtor with Excelsior Associates. John has been serving Tucson for over 20 years, working primarily with buyers and supporting other buyer agents.
Elaine: John, can you walk me through how you got into real estate and what brought you to Tucson?
John: I had an older brother living in Tucson when I graduated high school in Wisconsin. I came out here, started as a professional chef, and eventually realized I wanted more stability and time. That’s what led me into real estate.
John: I got licensed in the early 2000s, started investing, and then the market crashed. I still own a house I tried to flip in 2007 — the longest flip ever. But staying through that period taught me discipline and long-term thinking.
Elaine: How do most people find you today?
John: Mostly referrals. I’m old school. I don’t advertise much. If you work hard, treat people right, and answer your phone, people remember you — even 10 years later.
Elaine: What advice would you give first-time buyers in Tucson?
John: Start early. Get pre-qualified before you fall in love with a house. Do your research, work with a professional agent, and give yourself time so it’s not rushed.
This episode is part of the Two Lane Tucson series featuring local business owners and organizations.