Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Lambert.
Hi Jen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I moved to Nashville in 2001, fresh out of college with a degree in Vocal Performance, specializing in opera and classical music. I arrived with little more than my keyboard, back in the days of printed MapQuest directions and late nights at songwriter rounds. Nashville was a city of stories, and I was determined to write my own.
In 2011, life took my husband and me to Burlington, North Carolina, for his job. At the time, we had a two-year-old daughter and a baby boy on the way. We didn’t know a soul—no family, no friends, no church, nothing familiar. One afternoon, while driving down the highway, I felt what I can only describe as a “God whisper.” I heard Him tell me to get my real estate license. So, I did exactly that.
I enrolled in a six-week real estate course in Greensboro, attending class every Tuesday and Thursday from 8 to 5. It was the hardest course I’ve ever taken, harder than any college class I’d completed. North Carolina is known for its rigorous real estate exam, but by the grace of God, I passed both the state and national tests on my first try. I earned my license in November 2011, hoping for one closing a month to help supplement our income. But one quickly turned into two, and before I knew it, real estate had become my calling.
After five years in North Carolina, with our children now seven and three, we had the opportunity to return home to Tennessee. In 2016, we settled in Murfreesboro, just three minutes from my parents and twenty minutes from my brother. Being back near family felt like such a gift, but it also meant starting over professionally. I had no client base, no connections, and no idea where to begin.
In 2017, someone mentioned The Ashton Real Estate Group of RE/MAX Advantage. I hadn’t heard of them, but I made the call, set up an interview, and drove to their office in The Gulch—intimidated, excited, and even a little lost along the way. After meeting the team, I was offered a position as an Affiliate Broker. The brokerage provided incredible training and team leads that helped me rebuild my business from the ground up.
Now, it’s November 2025, and I can hardly believe I’ve been a full-time REALTOR® for 14 years. My career has given me lifelong friendships, many of my closest friends started out as clients. I truly love what I do. Helping people achieve one of the great American dreams, homeownership, never gets old.
And no, I don’t just “turn on lights and open doors.” For buyers, I’ve shown as many as 24 homes in a single day, driving all over Middle Tennessee. I handle scheduling, showings, market analysis, negotiations, inspections, repairs, and every detail through closing. My goal is always to get my clients from start to finish with the least amount of stress possible.
But beyond the contracts and closings, I lead with heart. I never see “money signs” when I meet a client. I treat every buyer and seller as if they were my own family, because that’s the only way I know how to do this job. Communication is key, compassion is essential, and integrity is non-negotiable.
Real estate has given me so much more than a career. It’s given me flexibility to be there for my kids, to attend their school events, and to build a life rooted in service and connection. Other than being a mom, helping people find their homes truly is the greatest love of my life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing. In real estate, we don’t get a steady paycheck, and that uncertainty can be tough. There have been plenty of days when I’ve felt a pit in my stomach, wondering how things would shake out from one month to the next. Some months you might have an incredible run, and the next, nothing at all. It’s what many in the industry call “feast or famine.”
I’ve learned that the key to surviving -and thriving – is to always keep irons in the fire. You can’t just sit back and wait for someone to knock on your door ready to buy or sell a home. If you do, you’ll be sitting for a long while. You have to hustle, stay visible, and keep building relationships. This business rewards consistency and heart, not luck.
During the COVID years, especially between 2020 and 2023, the market was absolutely wild. It was a true seller’s market, and people were moving to Tennessee in droves. I would sometimes write ten offers for a single client because competition was so fierce. Homes were flying off the market within hours, and buyers were pulling out every stop to stand out. It was emotionally exhausting at times, especially for those clients doing everything right and still coming up short.
On the flip side, it was an incredible time for sellers. The demand was unlike anything we’d ever seen, and many were able to maximize every ounce of equity in their homes — and then some. It was a whirlwind season of long days, late nights, and lessons in perseverance.
Real estate is not for the faint of heart, but it’s one of the most rewarding careers there is. The ups and downs keep you humble, the people keep you inspired, and every closing reminds you that all the hard work was worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Ashton Group RE/MAX Advantage?
I sell both existing homes and new construction, and I love the balance that brings to my business. In fact, in 2024 I was honored to be recognized as the number one agent in new construction sales within my brokerage, which included more than 200 agents at the time. It was such a meaningful moment, not just because of the award itself, but because it reflected years of hard work, dedication, and care for my clients.
My business is about evenly split between buyers and sellers, and I truly enjoy both sides of the process. Helping a buyer find the perfect home feels just as rewarding as helping a seller move on to their next chapter. Every client and every home has its own story, and I feel privileged to play a part in it.
One thing that consistently sets me apart is how I communicate. I’m fast, really fast. If you text me, I’m usually responding within seconds. If you call me, I’ll pick up. My motto is simple: you don’t make money if you don’t pick up your phone. But more than that, communication builds trust, and trust is the foundation of every great relationship in real estate.
Another thing that defines how I work is my personality. I’m down to earth, approachable, and I will never come across as snobby or judgmental. I treat my clients like family, because that’s how I believe people should be treated — with kindness, honesty, and genuine care.
At the end of the day, real estate is about connection. For me, it’s not just about houses, it’s about people, and helping them feel at home every step of the way.
What are your plans for the future?
When I think about the future, my plan is simple: to keep helping good folks reach the American dream of homeownership. It’s what I love most about this business. Handing over those keys and seeing the excitement on someone’s face never gets old.
Over time, I’ve figured out a rhythm that really works when it comes to listing homes. You need bright, clean photos, great videos, solid marketing, and an open house that first weekend to get things moving. It’s not fancy — it’s just about doing the basics really well and being consistent.
Looking ahead, I plan to keep learning, keep hustling, and keep paying attention to how the market changes. Real estate is always moving, and I want to make sure I stay sharp so I can give my clients the best advice possible.
At the end of the day, my goal is to keep doing what I love — helping people find a place to call home and making the process as smooth as I can for them.
