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:

• When to form your LLC (and why it matters)
• What expenses you can and can’t write off as a real estate agent
• If/when you should make an S-Corp election
• The simplest bookkeeping systems for beginners
• …What NOT to do in your first year of real estate accounting
• Tools, softwares, and easy accounting tips to make your life easier & make your CPA love you!

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:

• DM me on Instagram if you’re weighing brokerage options or want to chat about Real!
• Grab my free guide: 30 Days of Reels for Real Estate Lead Generation here: https://maryneelmcclintockrealestate.myflodesk.com/rookiereals
• Subscribe to the podcast for more rookie realtor resources and encouragement

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