This One Time in Real Estate...

Hosted by Mark Gellman

Business Careers

Website RSS feed

Episodes

181

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

Real Estate Agent & Team Leader Mark Gellman recall things he's learned over the years along with memorable events and people he's met along the way.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 11, 2026Episode 8421 min

Stop Waiting For The Perfect Rate

Are you holding off on buying a home because you’re waiting for interest rates to drop? In this episode, we break down why waiting for the “perfect rate” may not be the best strategy for your homeownership goals. Agent & Closing Coordinator Brittany Finnegan sits down with William Ward from Soleil Mortgage to discuss today’s changing real estate market, rising interest rates, and what buyers really need to focus on beyond the headlines. Together, they explore how to make confident decisions by understanding your budget, payment goals, financing options, and personal situation. From mortgage myths and Fed rate updates to creative strategies like seller credits and temporary rate buy-downs, this episode provides valuable insight for anyone thinking about buying a home in today’s market. The market may be unpredictable, but your preparation doesn’t have to be. Stop waiting for the perfect rate and start having the right conversations.

September 4, 2026Episode 8314 min

You Can’t Improve What You Don’t Track

This week we talk about resiliency, accountability, and the importance of measuring what matters. A few unexpected setbacks trying to record this episode serves as a reminder that the easiest thing to do is give up but sometimes you just have to adapt and keep going. From there, the conversation shifts to a simple principle: if you don’t measure it, you can’t track it, and if you can’t track it, you can’t course correct. We break down how this applies to real estate activity, finances, business, health, and everyday habits. The numbers give you clarity, accountability, and a way to make intentional changes instead of relying on vague goals or assumptions. The takeaway? Rip off the band-aid, look at the numbers, get intentional, and start tracking. Once you know where you are, you can figure out where you need to go next.

August 28, 2026Episode 8217 min

Trust Takes Years To Build, Seconds To Break, And Forever To Repair.

In a shifting market with fluctuating interest rates, changing inventory, and evolving buyer behavior, skills and hustle will get you in the room, but trust is what closes the deal and secures your future. In this episode, we break down why trust is your single most valuable currency in uncertain times. When markets get tough, clients don't want salespeople who make wild predictions or say what feels good; they need trusted advisors who deliver raw truth, manage expectations, and show up consistently. In this episode, you'll learn: Truth Over Comfort: Why hard honesty builds lasting credibility. Proactive Updates: Set expectations early to eliminate disappointment. Data vs. Emotion: Use real market stats, not opinions, to guide clients. Radical Honesty: Build trust by admitting what you don't know. Micro-Consistency: Keep every small promise to stack credibility. "Forever Clients": Turn single deals into lifetime referral engines. Extreme Accountability: Own your mistakes immediately and fix them fast. Market conditions, interest rates, and tech trends will always change, but the need for genuine trust never will. Tune in to learn how to stand out, win clients for life, and build a resilient real estate business built on integrity.

August 21, 2026Episode 819 min

How To Finish The Year Like A Champion

Stop waiting for interest rates to drop or the market to fix itself; your year isn't over yet. In this episode, we’re calling out the excuses and breaking down why the next 90 selling days are your most critical window to finish strong, build momentum, and secure your financial future. What You'll Hear in This Episode: The "One Shot" Mindset: Tuning out market noise to focus entirely on execution. Two Types of Agents: Those waiting for the market vs. those taking action to win in it. 90-Day Reverse Engineering: Working backward from closing goals to daily activities. Action vs. Hope: Why showing up daily beats waiting around for conditions to improve. Building Future Momentum: How today's work powers your Q4 and year-end success. Stop planning for a future comeback when you have active opportunities sitting right in front of you. Cut out the noise, tune into this episode, and take massive action today!

August 14, 2026Episode 8013 min

Stop Getting Ready To Get Ready

Too many people wait for the perfect moment, more confidence, more experience, or more certainty before taking action. In this episode, we discuss why waiting is holding you back and why success comes from taking action, learning through experience, and improving along the way. Confidence doesn’t come before action. Confidence is built because of action. Whether it’s growing your business, investing in real estate, becoming a better leader, or making a major life decision, the biggest cost is often not failure, it’s doing nothing. What you'll learn: Stop Over-Aiming: Planning years ahead halts progress today. The Confidence Loop: Action > Experience > Competence > Confidence. The Jeff Bridges Lesson: Waiting for 100% certainty destroys opportunity. The Cost of Inaction: Doing nothing is riskier than making a mistake. Marathon Mindset: Scale methodically to sustain momentum long-term.

August 7, 2026Episode 7914 min

No One Wants More Money On Their Deathbed

Are you waiting for "someday" to finally start living your life? In this powerful episode, we dive into why postponing your health, family, and personal joy for work is a trap that too many high achievers fall into. Life is unpredictable, time moves fast, and no amount of money can buy back missed moments. If you’ve ever caught yourself saying "I’ll take that trip when work slows down" or "I’m available 24/7," this episode is the exact reality check you need. Learn how to stop letting business consume your entire existence and start holding yourself accountable to a schedule that honors both your professional drive and your personal life. In this episode, we cover: The 24/7 Trap: Why working around the clock damages performance and quality of life. The 90-Day Calendar Audit: How your schedule reveals and resets your true priorities. Money vs. Time: Why building wealth shouldn't cost you your present. Intentional Living: How to schedule family, health, and rest without losing your professional edge. Stop waiting for life to become uncomplicated or for the "perfect time" to enjoy what matters most. Tune in, get intentional, and start scheduling what truly counts today.

July 31, 2026Episode 7819 min

Bridge. Empower. Elevate.

Ever look at your annual real estate association dues statement and wonder, “Where is my money actually going?” In this episode of This One Time in Real Estate, Kayla shares her journey through leadership, from getting started in the Young Professionals Network (YPN) at age 23 to serving on the National Advisory Board, and breaks down her presidential platform: B.E.E. ( B ridge, E mpower, E levate). Together, we explore the tangible ROI for REALTORS®, from policy wins and protected property rights to land banks and continuous education. What You’ll Learn: ROI vs. A Bill: Why viewing association dues as an investment protects your business and changes how you value your board. The B.E.E. Platform: Breaking down the strategy to B ridge communities, E mpower members, and E levate industry transparency. Real-World Advocacy Wins: How local board advocacy directly impacts housing inventory, ADUs, and property rights. Education = Conversions: How continuous tech and contract training boosts agent confidence and conversion rates. Purposeful Leadership: Why stepping into association leadership is about guiding the next generation, not filling a resume.

July 24, 2026Episode 7720 min

Math Is The Path

Forget the social media hype about owning 100 units right out of the gate. Unlike buying a personal home, real estate investing isn't emotional; it’s strictly a numbers game. Keep it simple, strip away the noise, and remember: Math is the path. In this episode, we break down how to stop chasing home runs, build your core team of local experts, and land your very first property with confidence. In this episode, we cover: Hit Singles, Not Home Runs: Why starting small beats chasing massive, risky deals. The Condo Trap: Why rising HOA fees and insurance spikes make condos risky for beginners. Building Your Team: Why local bankers, not just standard mortgage brokers, are key to financing. The "Below-Market Rent" Trap: How to spot agent sales tactics and calculate true rehab ROI. Why Self-Manage First: How managing your first properties saves money and builds vital experience. House Hacking 101: How living in one unit of a duplex can slash your personal housing costs. The cost of striking out in real estate far outweighs the benefit of hitting a home run. Strip away the emotion, focus on hitting singles, and let the numbers guide every decision.

July 17, 2026Episode 7612 min

Buy What You Know

In real estate, the golden rule is buy what you know . But that rule doesn’t just apply to properties: it applies to your time, your energy, and your relationships. In this episode, we dive into what it truly means to invest heavily in what you know: your local community, your team, and your core audience. It’s easy to get caught up chasing thousands of random social media likes, but real success comes from knowing exactly who your people are and pouring value directly into them. From profiling a hidden gem of a St. Louis coffee shop to dealing with internet trolls who tell you "no one cares," we break down why sticking to your mission and serving your people is the ultimate strategy for long-term impact. What you'll learn: Hyper-Local Investing: Highlighting small businesses brings massive value to your community, even if it only impacts one person. Knowing Your Audience: It’s better to have a handful of hyper-engaged followers who trust you than thousands of strangers. Trolls vs. True Impact: When you know your worth and focus on adding value, online critics can't derail your momentum. Agent-Centric Leadership: Retain top talent by "buying into" your team’s success through marketing, exposure, and elite support. The Discipline of Consistency: Showing up Friday after Friday, even when you're slammed, is the ultimate investment in your listeners.

July 10, 2026Episode 7511 min

When You Give, You Get More In Return

In a world obsessed with "what's in it for me," true success comes from turning the equation upside down. Whether you’re lifting up a local business, supporting your real estate team, or just showing up consistently for your audience, a give-first mindset always wins. In this episode, we dive into why you need to stop chasing vanity metrics and start chasing real, human impact. It's time to shift your focus to what really matters. When you focus on adding value to just one person, the returns are greater than you could ever imagine. In this episode, you'll learn: The ROI of Generosity: Why lifting up local businesses and your community drives the deepest, most authentic engagement. Tuning Out the Noise: How to handle the online critics without letting them steal your drive to do good. The "Town Center" Perspective: A powerful reminder about empathy, social media filters, and being grateful for your own journey. Agent-Centric Leadership: Why giving your team members maximum exposure and branding value is the best way to retain top talent. Too many people focus on the gratification and the impact they're having based on the wrong things. If you can just make an impact on one person, two people, five people, that’s all that matters. When you give, you get a lot in return.