In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what “business planning” or “business auditing” I’m ACTUALLY doing for the new year. This episode is meant to help you finish the year with clarity so you can sail into the new year running your business with confidence.
Whether you’re a brand-new agent or you’ve been winging it longer than you’d like to admit, this episode gives you a practical and honest conversation for wrapping up your year strong — and setting yourself up to hit January already in motion.
Show Links:
Ep. 3 - Defining Success & Setting Goals: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-for-rookie-realtors/id1815970469?i=1000709443493
Ep. 15 - LLC, Write-Offs, & CEO Money Moves for Rookie Realtors - ft. Keisha Rondeno: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-for-rookie-realtors/id1815970469?i=1000735548700
In today’s cheesy but mini-episode, I’m reading a letter full of advice I wish I could give to my rookie self six years ago — the version of me who was brand new to real estate, had NO idea where to start, overwhelmed, and wondering if she had what it took.
This episode is part mindset, part encouragement, and part reminder that every rookie agent is on a journey that’s so much bigger than they realize.
As we start to reflect on this year and plan for the new year, let this be your sign to look back & be proud of how far you’ve come & excited about where you’re going.
Rookie Realtors - This episode is pure GOLD. It is THE episode I needed as a Rookie Realtor. Today on the show, Keisha Rondeno joins us - a Real Estate CPA & Tax Strategist and we chat all things taxes, accounting, and best practices.
We cover:
This episode will help you stop feeling confused about real estate taxes and start feeling confident in working for yourself in a commission-only world.
Be on the lookout for her new book launching in just a few weeks - “Write it off, Run it Right... The Real Estate Agent's Guide to Tax Savings."
Connect with Keisha:
Youtube: @RealEstateTaxCPA
Instagram: @realestateCPA
Linked In: Keisha L. Rondeno
If you’ve ever ended the day wondering, “What did I even get done today?” Or “what do I do with all my time?!” — this episode is for you.
In this week’s episode, we’re diving into how to structure your day as a real estate agent — especially in the early seasons as a Rookie Realtor.
We’ll talk about time-blocking your day, setting your “Big 3” priorities, and the micro-habits that make all the difference.
I’m also sharing some real talk about Q4 in real estate — when to push, when to pull back, and how to use the slower seasons to launch into 2026.
Whether you’re feeling that end-of-year burnout or just trying to find your rhythm, this episode will help you get back in control of your schedule.
In this episode of Real Talk for Rookie Realtors, I sit down with Caroline Rue, a real estate queeeeeeen who’s just two years into the business. We dive into the common fears and self-doubt that creep in when you’re building your real estate career and share actionable strategies for overcoming them.
Caroline opens up about her journey, how she battled fear at the start, and how she learned to trust herself during the process. We also talk about her approach to networking & building a strong social media presence, which helped her attract leads and build meaningful connections within her community. If you’ve ever let the fear of failing creep in —this episode is for you!
You can find Caroline @carolineruerealtor on Instagram!
Choosing a brokerage is one of the very first decisions you’ll make as a brand-new real estate agent—and let’s be honest, it can feel overwhelming. Do you go with the biggest brokerage in town? The one with the best split? Or the office that promises you never ending leads?
In today’s solo episode, I’m breaking down exactly what to look for when choosing a brokerage, what questions to ask, and why I personally chose Real Broker for my business.
If you’re in the decision-making stage, don’t miss this episode—it’ll guide you through making a wise choice that serves you best!
Next Steps:
Welcome to The Rookie Realtor Podcast! I’m Mary-Neel McClintock, a Greenville-based Realtor turned coach, and I’m here to be the best friend in real estate you wish you had. Each week, I’ll bring you encouragement, real talk, and practical strategies to help you build your business from the ground up. From social media growth to picking the right brokerage, I’ll walk you through the wins, mistakes, and lessons I had to learn the hard way - but you don’t have to. Hit play, subscribe, and let’s grow your business together.
This is the probably the question I've been asked the MOST lately: do you join a team or go solo? In this episode, I sit down with Sam Walker, my co-agent and business bestie, to unpack her journey from being on a team for two years to taking the leap into solo agent life (spoiler alert: she's crushing it!).
Sam shares the inside scoop on what she gained from being on a team, the challenges she faced when she went out on her own, and the lessons she learned along the way. If you’re a Rookie Realtor weighing your options before jumping in —this conversation is full of real talk and practical takeaways you don’t want to miss.
You can find Sam on Instagram @Sammyraej. Want to join the Rookie Realtor World? Subscribe to the newsletter here: https://maryneelmcclintockrealestate.myflodesk.com/f6g6m4ld57
Building a personal brand can feel like a full-time job on top of your actual career—but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, I’m sharing how I built my personal brand, the lessons I’ve learned along the way, and how I’ve managed to grow it without burning myself out.
We’ll dive into:
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of building your brand—or wondered how to do it in a sustainable way—this episode is for you.
Here's the link to 30 Days of Reels for Rookie Realtors: https://maryneelmcclintockrealestate.myflodesk.com/rookiereals
If you loved this episode, please share it with anyone you think would resonate with it!
When your career is unpredictable, it’s easy to let your health slide — but if you want to show up at your best for clients (and yourself), you need habits that hold steady even when your schedule doesn’t.
In this episode, I’m sharing my health struggles and my wellness habits that have made the biggest difference for me as a busy realtor, including:
Health & wellness isn’t about perfection — it’s about creating simple, sustainable habits that help you thrive no matter how crazy your week gets.
Resources & Links:
I promise I’m not being dramatic with that title.
The one habit that’s completely changing my life and business? Keeping the promises I make to myself. In this episode, we’re talking about what it really means to build self-trust, why it matters when you work for yourself, and how to take radical responsibility to build a life and a business you love.
Can't wait for you to listen!
You just got your real estate license… but now you have to convince people to hire you!!! WHAT?!
If you’re feeling stuck because you don’t have any (or only a few) sales under your belt, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down how to confidently sell yourself—even if you’ve never sold a single home.
We’ll cover:
You don’t need a long track record to be the right agent—you just need to know how to communicate your value. This may be one of my favorite episodes yet.
Let’s get into it.
🎧 Listen now and tag me on Instagram if it hits home!
In this episode, we’re diving into that gut-punch moment when someone close to you hires another agent. I’m sharing what not to do, how to shift your mindset so you don’t spiral, and what moves to make now so you get hired next time. Because this happens to almost every agent—and it doesn’t have to wreck your confidence or your friendship.
Whether you're in your feels about it or just preparing for the future, this one’s for you.
"Fake it til you make it" might work for some industries—but when you're helping people make the biggest financial decision of their lives? Faking it just doesn’t cut it.
In this episode, I’m breaking down how you can ditch the pressure to pretend and instead build real confidence from day one.
You’ll learn 5 strategies to feel confident in your real estate business—even if you’re brand new. From prep tips to mindset shifts, we’re covering the things I wish someone had told me early on so you can show up with clarity and credibility.
Get my Transaction templates here: Click Here!
In this episode, we're diving into the world of online leads — the good, the bad, and the ugly. Are they worth the money? Do they actually convert? And can they replace organic relationship-building? I’m breaking down what no one tells you about those tempting lead gen programs, what worked for me (and what didn’t), and how to decide if online leads have a place in your real estate business.
30 Days of Reels for Rookie Realtors here: https://maryneelmcclintockrealestate.myflodesk.com/rookiereals
In this episode, we’re digging into how to define success and set goals as a new agent. To set specific personal goals, we have to be able to define what success likes to you individually - hint, hint - it can look very different than reaching for the top producer stars.
We talk through how I set my baseline goals, fully funded goals, and abundance goals and how much you should be selling as a brand new agent.
Whether you're chasing your first deal or just trying to stay consistent, I’m breaking down how to define success on your own terms and set goals that feel aligned with your life.
Your first year as a realtor can feel like drinking from a firehose—and trust me, I’ve been there. In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 things I wish someone had told me when I was just starting out. From managing your mindset to avoiding burnout, these lessons would’ve saved me time, money, and a whole lot of stress. If you're in your rookie year (or just need some reminders), this episode is for you.
Episode 1: My Journey Into Real Estate
Welcome to the very first episode of Real Talk for Rookie Realtors – your go-to podcast for real estate encouragement, honest advice, and business-building strategies for rookie Realtors who want to build their lives and businesses.
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I got started in real estate, what I thought it would be like (lol), and how I turned a chaotic first year into a thriving, six-figure business that supports the life I’m creating.
Whether you're newly licensed, feeling stuck, or thinking about jumping into real estate, you’ll walk away feeling seen, encouraged, and ready to crush it as a Rookie Realtor.
🎧 Listen in to hear:
* How I stumbled into real estate
* The mistakes I made early on that cost me time, energy, and led straight to burn-out
* What finally helped me build my real estate business from the ground up
* How I balance work and life in this industry
* A sneak peek at the real, raw, and relatable convos coming in future episodes
Grab your coffee, pop in your AirPods, and let’s kick off this journey together.