For many, Kortney Wilson is best known as the charismatic designer and renovator from HGTV hits like Masters of Flip, Making It Home with Kortney and Dave and Making It Home with Kortney and Kenny. But before her career in real estate and home design, Wilson was on a very different path — one that started in Canada and led her to Nashville with dreams of country music stardom. Now, after years of success in real estate, Wilson has made a major career move by joining eXp Realty, where she is expanding her multi-faceted business. (Read the press release here.)
From Music to Real Estate: A Career Pivot
Wilson’s journey into real estate was not a planned transition but rather an evolution. As a teenager, she signed a major record deal, receiving a significant advance and waiting for her big break. However, by the time her record was released, it was four years old, and the momentum had faded. Tragedy also played a role in shifting her trajectory. Just days before the 9/11 attacks, she performed at the World Trade Center. After the attacks, the record executive she was working with informed her that their plans to sign her to a new deal had changed.
Facing uncertainty, Wilson knew she had to pivot. She explored opportunities in merchandising, marketing, and website development, skills she believed would help her return to entertainment in a different capacity. However, it was real estate — specifically, flipping homes with her then-husband, Dave Wilson — that truly captured her passion. Over the years, the couple flipped over 150 homes in East Nashville, eventually catching the attention of HGTV.
HGTV Fame and Beyond
HGTV approached Wilson and her husband, leading to their first television show. The couple became household names, known for their ability to transform outdated homes into stunning, functional spaces while keeping costs manageable. Even after their divorce, Wilson continued to thrive in the home design and real estate space, partnering with Kenny Brain for Making It Home with Kortney and Kenny.
Now, she is preparing to launch a new show, Life Is Messy, alongside Brain. The show, set to premiere on The Home Network in Canada before airing on a U.S. network, will focus on helping people transform their spaces into personal sanctuaries amidst life’s chaos.
Kortney Chose eXp for Its Collaboration and Global Footprint
Wilson’s decision to join eXp Realty was driven by her desire for flexibility, global reach, and a strong support network. Having been with boutique brokerages in the past, she initially joined Compass in 2020 for its advanced tools and branding. However, she soon realized that clients weren’t choosing her because of her brokerage — they were choosing her for her expertise and unique vision.
“What I love about eXp is that it supports agents in an individualized way,” Wilson explained. “It’s not about the company’s branding; it’s about how they help each agent grow their own business.”
Wilson was introduced to eXp through her friend Jessica Tammaro, a Nashville-based eXp agent who was once her children’s third-grade teacher. After watching Tammaro’s success, Wilson reached out for insights and was quickly impressed by eXp’s agent-centric model and global opportunities. Within hours of inquiring, she was connected with eXp representatives in Canada and Nashville, solidifying her decision to make the move.
Building a Multi-Faceted Real Estate Empire
Wilson is not just a real estate agent — she is a business mogul. Her brand, Kortney Wilson Group brokered by eXp, encompasses more than just buying and selling homes. She is actively expanding her referral business, leveraging her global presence to connect clients with top-tier agents worldwide.
Additionally, she has a thriving furniture and design business under the Kort & Co. brand, including a furniture line with The Brick, one of Canada’s largest retailers. She has also signed a contract with The Shopping Channel, further solidifying her influence in home design.
Beyond real estate and design, Wilson is preparing to launch her podcast, The Sh*t Stick of Life. The show will feature personal stories of resilience and triumph, highlighting how people overcome life’s toughest challenges.
What’s Next for Kortney?
Wilson’s focus for 2025 includes growing her local real estate business in Nashville while continuing to build her global referral network. She remains hands-on in the selling process, with her new team member, Malcolm Landenberger, assisting buyers. She also plans to use her design expertise to help sellers maximize their home values — an approach that sets her apart in the industry.
“Everything I’ve done — from music to television to marketing — has led me to this point,” Wilson said. “I want to bring confidence to my sellers, showing them that I bring something unique to the table. My job as a designer on HGTV has always been to increase home values, and now I get to apply that expertise directly to my clients.”
As she balances her growing business with filming Life Is Messy, Wilson is also set to be the headliner at the National Home Show in Toronto next week. With her hands in multiple ventures and her heart firmly in real estate, Kortney Wilson is proving that reinvention is possible at any stage in life.
Her journey — from country music star to real estate powerhouse — is one of perseverance, adaptability, and relentless ambition. And with eXp Realty, she’s poised to take her business to even greater heights.
