So You Want to be a Real Estate Agent

Hosted by Meredith Fogle

Business Entrepreneurship

Website RSS feed

Episodes

205

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

The Ultimate Podcast for Ambitious Agents Are you a real estate agent who wants to grow your business, sharpen your skills, and dominate your market ? Welcome to So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent , the podcast designed to give you the tools, strategies, and mindset shifts to level up your career —whether you're a brand-new agent or a seasoned pro. Hosted by Meredith Fogle , top-producing real estate business owner, author, speaker, and coach, this podcast delivers actionable insights, expert interviews, and real-world strategies to help you scale your business, generate consistent leads, and increase your income. What You'll Learn: ✅ Proven lead generation systems that work in any market ✅ How to dominate listings and become the go-to agent in your area ✅ The best marketing strategies for real estate agents, including social media, AI, and branding ✅ Mindset and success habits that separate top agents from the rest ✅ Interviews with industry experts sharing real-world tactics and success stories Join thousands of real estate agents nationwide who are tuning in each week to fast-track their success, learn from the best, and unlock the secrets of top-producing agents. 🔔 Subscribe now and take your real estate business to the next level! #RealEstatePodcast #RealEstateAgent #RealtorSuccess #RealEstateMarketing #LeadGeneration #ListingAgent #MillionDollarAgent #RealEstateCoaching #Entrepreneurship #Mindset #BusinessGrowth

Listen to episodes

60 recent

July 3, 2026Episode 643 min

The Staging Secrets Every Listing Agent Needs to Know—and the Mistakes That Cost Sellers Money

In this Lessons in Success episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, host Meredith Fogle sits down with professional home stager Carrie Halterman, whose expertise has helped hundreds of homes stand out, sell faster, and command stronger offers.Carrie takes listeners behind the scenes of the staging process, sharing what today's buyers are really looking for, why staging is one of the highest-return investments a seller can make, and how agents can position every listing to make an unforgettable first impression.From simple updates that dramatically increase perceived value to the most common staging mistakes agents and sellers make, Carrie offers practical advice that every listing agent can put into practice immediately. Whether you're marketing a luxury property or a first-time seller's home, this conversation will change the way you think about preparing homes for the market.🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why professionally staged homes consistently outperform unstaged homes ✅ The biggest staging mistakes that cost time and money ✅ Simple, budget-friendly improvements that make the biggest impact ✅ How staging influences buyer psychology and perceived value ✅ Staging tips every listing agent should know ✅ Best practices for preparing listings before professional photography and showingsWhether you're a new agent or a seasoned listing specialist, this episode will give you practical strategies to help your listings stand out, attract more buyers, and sell for more money.

June 19, 2026Episode 1031 min

7 Months In and Already Winning: Jason Schrank’s Fast-Track Formula

In this Lessons in Success episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, host Meredith Fogle sits down with Jason Shrank, a new agent just seven months into his real estate career whose rapid rise is turning heads for all the right reasons.Jason shares how he embraced one of the most important principles in real estate success: getting comfortable being uncomfortable. From leaning into opportunity instead of avoiding it to mastering the conversations that create trust and momentum, Jason breaks down the mindset and systems that helped him gain traction at a pace few agents achieve this early in the business.You’ll hear how he’s generating business through authentic, organic conversations, building consistent opportunities through a highly intentional open house system, and developing the skillsets needed to sustain long-term growth—not just short-term wins.Jason also opens up about balancing a growing business with life as a father of young children, and why staying engaged in his community has become a key part of both his success and fulfillment.🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Why getting uncomfortable is the gateway to rapid growth in real estate ✅ How Jason creates business through natural, relationship-based conversations ✅ The open house strategies helping him generate consistent opportunities ✅ The skillsets new agents must develop quickly to stay in momentum ✅ How community involvement creates visibility, trust, and connection ✅ What balancing family life and a fast-growing business really looks like ✅ Why leaning into opportunity changes everythingThis episode is perfect for new agents looking for proof that fast success is possible—and for experienced agents who want a reminder that momentum comes from courage, consistency, and conversation.

June 5, 2026Episode 944 min

The Newsletter Strategy That Helped Amy Swanson Dominate Her Market

In this Lessons in Success episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, host Meredith Fogle sits down with Amy Swanson, luxury specialist and top-producing agent in the Westport, Connecticut market, whose journey into real estate began with a bold leap: leaving behind a completely different career and relocating from London to the United States to start over.Amy shares how she built momentum in an unfamiliar market, the pivotal role open houses played in launching her business, and how mentorship helped accelerate her growth and confidence early in her career. She also breaks down one of the defining strategies behind her market dominance today: a highly intentional newsletter and community-content approach that keeps her consistently visible, relevant, and top of mind.From starting from scratch to becoming a recognized luxury agent in one of the country’s most competitive markets, Amy’s story is a masterclass in reinvention, consistency, and strategic relationship-building.🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ How Amy transitioned from a completely different career into luxury real estate ✅ What it was like starting over after relocating from London to the U.S. ✅ Why open houses became the launchpad for her early success ✅ The power of mentorship and learning from experienced agents ✅ How Amy uses newsletters and local content to dominate mindshare in her market ✅ Why consistent visibility creates long-term trust and referrals ✅ The systems and habits that helped her grow a luxury-focused businessThis episode is perfect for agents who are building from scratch, entering a new market, or looking for smarter ways to stay consistently visible and connected.

May 22, 2026Episode 837 min

What Changed Everything for Rose Anderson

In this Lessons in Success episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, host Meredith Fogle welcomes back fan-favorite Rose Anderson, whose career trajectory has accelerated in a big way since her first appearance on the show.Rose returns with fresh wins, new confidence, and a behind-the-scenes look at what’s driving her rapid success. She shares how she’s creating opportunities in today’s market, the conversion strategies that are helping her turn conversations into clients, and the tools and systems she’s using to keep her pipeline full.You’ll also hear how Rose is embracing AI-powered tools to work smarter, create better follow-up, stay visible, and gain an edge in a competitive market. From mindset to momentum, this episode is packed with tactical ideas and real-world lessons from an agent who is clearly finding her stride.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Rose is creating opportunities instead of waiting for themHer top conversion strategies for turning conversations into closingsThe tools and systems she’s using to keep her pipeline activeHow Rose is using AI to generate content, follow up faster, and stay top of mindThe mindset shifts that helped her move from self-doubt to real momentum What’s working right now for agents who want to grow fast in a shifting marketThis episode is perfect for agents who want practical strategies, modern tools, and proof that consistent action still creates extraordinary results.

May 8, 2026Episode 741 min

The Investor Advantage: How Alyssa Marquez Built a Smarter Business

In this episode, Meredith sits down with Alyssa Marquez, a top-producing agent serving both the San Antonio, TX and Fort Lauderdale, FL markets, whose career is redefining what’s possible when strategy, mentorship, and innovation come together.A multi-year Thirty Under 30 award winner, Alyssa shares how she built her business with intention - starting with strong mentorship, recognizing when it was time to step into her own leadership, and expanding her vision beyond a single market. You’ll hear how she developed a powerful investor-focused strategy, transitioned from serving investors to becoming one herself, and scaled her business across two distinct markets.Alyssa also reflects on the lessons she learned while building and leading a team, the mindset required to think bigger, and how approaching real estate as both an agent and an investor can completely change the way you operate. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ How Alyssa leveraged mentorship to accelerate her early success ✅ The signs it’s time to step out on your own and grow into leadership ✅ Lessons learned while building and scaling a real estate team ✅ How to develop and attract an investor-focused client base ✅ The shift from agent to investor - and what to think about first ✅ Strategies for successfully expanding into multiple marketsThis episode is perfect for agents who are ready to think bigger, expand their opportunities, and approach real estate as a long-term wealth-building business

April 24, 2026Episode 645 min

From New Market to Top Producer: Kim Braunstein’s Playbook

In this Lessons in Success episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, host Meredith Fogle sits down with Kim Braunstein, a top-producing agent in Florida’s Treasure Coast, whose success story is a powerful example of what’s possible when you build a business rooted in authenticity, communication, and consistency.Kim shares how she successfully transitioned into a new market as a transplant—and how she built traction quickly by staying true to her values and focusing on what actually drives results. From leveraging open houses to building meaningful relationships, she breaks down the practical strategies that helped her grow a thriving business in a competitive environment.She also offers an honest look at working in business with family, the role mindset plays when business gets “bumpy,” and why your database is the single most important asset you have. Throughout the conversation, one theme remains constant: success is built on trust, and trust is built through authentic, client-centered service.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ How to successfully break into a new market as a transplant ✅ Why open houses remain one of the most powerful lead-generation tools ✅ How to communicate effectively to build trust and convert opportunities ✅ What it takes to work successfully with your spouse or family in business ✅ Why your database is the lifeblood of your real estate business ✅ How to evaluate whether you’re at the right brokerage for your growth ✅ Why mindset is everything—especially when business gets challenging ✅ How authenticity creates long-term success and stronger client relationshipsThis episode is perfect for agents who want to grow a business that’s both high-performing and deeply aligned with who they are.

April 10, 2026Episode 537 min

The Top Producer Blueprint: A Simple Framework That Drives Results

In this Lessons in Success episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, Meredith sits down with Don Hill, entrepreneur and creator of Top Producers Nation, a platform built to connect high-performing real estate agents with the tools, strategies, and community they need to succeed at the highest level.Don shares his journey from early sales in college to building a business centered around supporting top producers - and the patterns he’s observed from working with agents who consistently perform at a high level. You’ll learn what separates agents who stay stuck from those who gain traction quickly and sustain long-term momentum.He also breaks down the mindset shifts required to move past self-limiting beliefs and step into a higher level of performance, along with his powerful 4 C’s framework for success, a practical structure agents can apply immediately to their business.🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ The common traits and habits Don sees in top-producing real estate agents ✅ How to get into traction quickly—and what actually sustains momentum ✅ The mindset shifts required to break through self-limiting beliefs ✅ Don’s 4 C’s framework for success—and how to apply it in your business ✅ Why community, environment, and proximity matter more than most agents realize ✅ How to position yourself for consistent growth in any marketThis episode is perfect for agents who are ready to move from inconsistent effort to focused execution - and build real momentum in their business.

March 27, 2026Episode 436 min

Generosity, Grit & Geographic Farming with Jen & Geoff Tackney

In this episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, host Meredith sits down with Jen and Geoff Tackney, a husband-and-wife real estate team serving Orange County, California, whose journey from separate careers in mortgage and construction to building a thriving collaborative business during the 2009 recession is a masterclass in resilience and long-term strategy.Jen and Geoff share how they combined their complementary skill sets to navigate one of the most volatile housing markets in history, and how their commitment to geographic farming and community presence became the foundation of their success. You’ll learn why they believe long-term market dominance comes from consistent service, local visibility, and authentic relationships.The Tackneys also unpack their “generosity first” philosophy, explaining how small acts of service, local event sponsorships, and consistent community involvement compound over time into high-value referrals. They reflect on leadership lessons learned while running a team, highlighting the importance of clear expectations, strong systems, and maintaining a growth mindset in an ever-changing market.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The geographic farming habits that create long-term dominance (and why consistency beats “quick wins”)What “generosity first” marketing looks like - ideas for small acts, local sponsorships, and community presence that compound into referralsHow to turn community service and events into high-trust relationships (without feeling salesy)Leadership lessons from running a small, nimble team: clear roles, clear expectations, better executionHow to stay adaptable and growth-minded in any market

March 13, 2026Episode 344 min

25 Years at the Top: Eileen McKeon on Sustainable Real Estate Success

In this powerful episode of So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent, Meredith Fogle sits down with Eileen McKeon, a 25-year real estate veteran and top producer in the Cleveland, Ohio market, to unpack what sustainable success really looks like.Eileen leads a highly efficient team of three working mothers who operate as “full-time agents on part-time hours” — proving that intentional structure, strong systems, and clear priorities can outperform hustle culture.But her success didn’t happen by accident.From her early “shotgun approach” (saying yes to everything) to discovering the Ninja Selling methodology 17 years into her career (a major turning point), Eileen shares the mindset shifts, professional discipline, and relational philosophy that changed everything.This episode is a masterclass in building a referral-based, relationship-driven business while maintaining professionalism, family priorities, and long-term vision.🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why relationships — not transactions — are the real asset in real estateHow Eileen rebuilt her business after scaling too quicklyWhat “lead from revenue” really means (and why it matters)How to structure your week for efficiency using time blockingThe importance of mastering contracts, forms, and legal detailsWhy agents must elevate professionalism in a low-barrier industryHow coaching expanded her network, referrals, and long-term growthThe daily habits (like handwritten thank-you notes) that compound over timeHow to build a 10-year vision and reverse-engineer it into today’s actionsEileen reminds us that real estate isn’t just sales - it’s psychology, humanity, empathy, and stewardship during life’s biggest transitions.If you’re looking to build a business rooted in integrity, structure, and intention, this episode will raise your standard.

February 27, 2026Episode 340 min

Data, Discipline & YouTube Leads: Inside Theresa Wellman’s Scalable Strategy

In this episode Meredith sits down with Theresa Wellman, a top 1% agent in the competitive San Jose, CA market, whose journey from the tech world to real estate has become a masterclass in applying analytical thinking to entrepreneurial growth.Theresa shares how she transitioned from a career in Silicon Valley engineering into real estate - and how her data-driven, process-focused mindset became the key to standing out in a highly saturated market. You'll learn how she uses her “engineering brain” to interpret market trends, develop systems, and create deep alignment with her clients and content.Theresa also reveals how she balances top-tier production with motherhood using "time-sliding" (her unique spin on time-blocking), and how she’s built a thriving YouTube channel that consistently generates warm, organic leads.🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Theresa leveraged her tech background to differentiate herself in real estate ✅ Her approach to reading market data and presenting value in a saturated market ✅ What "time-sliding" is—and how it helps her stay productive and present as a mom ✅ How she built a YouTube channel that works as a 24/7 lead magnet ✅ The systems and habits that keep her focused, intentional, and in demandThis episode is perfect for agents who want to build structured, scalable success—and still have a life outside the business.