From DRE Investigator to Compliance Consultant: Why Summer Goralik Says Proactive is the New Powerful

Wendy Forsythe
Sep 12
2 min read

🎧 This week on X Factor, I sat down with Summer Goralik, founder of Expert DRE Compliance and one of the most trusted compliance consultants in California real estate.

Summer spent years inside the California Department of Real Estate—and later as an economic crimes investigator for the Orange County District Attorney. Today, she runs her own consulting firm helping brokers navigate audits, trust fund issues, and risk management with insight and precision.

She’s sharp. Direct. And wildly refreshing.

“Don’t wait for the 11th hour. That’s where most of the messes happen.”

This episode is your wake-up call if you’ve been treating compliance as an afterthought.

From Government Investigator to Company of One

Summer’s path into entrepreneurship started in a moment of fear. She was followed home while working a criminal investigation—while pregnant.

That’s when she knew it was time for a change.

She launched her consulting business with just one client—someone she had previously investigated—and nine years later, she’s built a business grounded in trust, referrals, and value.

“My husband told me no one would pay for compliance. I proved him wrong.”

The Compliance Mindset Every Broker Needs

What does it take to avoid DRE trouble? Summer boils it down to this:

Don’t assume your systems are working.
Check your own files. Regularly.
The broker of record is always responsible—even if tasks are delegated.

“The DRE doesn’t care who reviews the transaction files. They care if they’re done right.”

She helps brokers run internal mock audits, prepare for real ones, and build systems that actually hold up when scrutiny hits.

Content Marketing—Without Even Trying

Summer is a case study in how giving value builds a brand.

“I wrote my first article on DRE audits. Self-published. It’s still my most-read post.”

She’s not a marketer by trade, but she’s built visibility on LinkedIn and through speaking by being honest, educational, and consistent.

She writes how she talks—clear, bold, and full of real examples. That’s what people trust. That’s why they come back.

Why Agents Should Think Like Teachers

“People stay engaged when they’re learning something.”

Summer’s approach to compliance isn’t fear-based—it’s education-based. And that’s something every real estate professional should take to heart.

Instead of flooding your clients with noise, teach them something. Instead of marketing yourself like a billboard, share what you know.

You don’t need to sell—just serve.

Your Move This Week

If compliance has been on your “someday” list, it’s time to shift it to the top of your priority list.

Start here:

Run your own mini audit—can you catch the gaps?
Review your agent license tracking and transaction file review systems.
Ask yourself: Would I pass a DRE audit next week?

And if you wouldn’t? Don’t panic. Prepare.

Let's Grow,

Wendy

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