Hey there, it’s Sav!
If you’re new here—which you probably are, since this is only my second post—welcome! My name is Savannah Hall, and I’m a 22-year-old originally from Iowa, now living in Georgia. I’m a newly licensed Realtor, having officially gotten my license in December 2024.
I won’t lie—getting started in real estate has been more discouraging than I expected. But despite the challenges, I’m staying hopeful that the hard work will pay off. If you’ve read my About page, you already know a bit about my journey to getting my license. If not, here’s a quick rundown: It took me nearly two years to finally pass my real estate exam, and the process was anything but easy. When I finally passed my state exam, it was one of the best feelings ever. After all the effort and setbacks, I finally made it.
What I didn’t expect was how difficult it would be to actually start my real estate career. I had been warned that it wouldn’t be easy, but no one really prepared me for just how tough those first few months would be. The exam teaches you real estate laws, contracts, and a bunch of information you may rarely use in day-to-day business—but it doesn’t prepare you at all for what being a Realtor is actually like.
Reality Check: The First Few Months
After passing my exam in December, I sat down with Dylan, one of the productivity coaches at Keller Williams Lanier Partners, to map out my next steps. I told him my goal was to close my first deal by January. I was ready to go all in—attending every training, soaking up knowledge, and doing whatever I could to get my first client.
But I quickly realized just how overwhelming everything was. How do I get leads? How do I market myself? How do I talk to potential clients? How do I do a CMA correctly? There were so many different ways to generate business that it felt like everything was coming at me at 100 miles per hour. I was eager, but I was also drowning in information.
It’s now February 14th, and I still haven’t had my first closing—meaning my original goal didn’t happen. By late December, reality had hit me hard. I had my first major breakdown about everything. I felt like I was doing so much but also not enough at the same time. Imposter syndrome crept in, and I started questioning if I even deserved to call myself a Realtor. I hadn’t booked a single appointment, and I realized my first closing was likely months away. I wanted success so badly, but I felt lost.
And to be honest? I still feel a little lost. I know I have all the tools I need to succeed—I just have to figure out how to execute them.
The Rollercoaster of My First Potential Client
As part of my effort to get business, I started working office duty at least once a week. One January shift, I got a call from someone looking to list his house. I was so eager to help—I couldn’t believe I had my first real potential client! We set up a time to meet, and my boyfriend, Garrett, went with me for support.
Since the only pictures available online were of the exterior, Dylan and Theresa (two of our productivity coaches) walked me through what I needed to do. They coached me on the key questions to ask, what details to gather, and why I should take my own photos for an accurate CMA. I felt prepared.
The meeting itself went great! Maybe I was a little too chatty or eager, but overall, I left feeling confident. Afterward, the seller even texted me to thank me for stopping by. I let him know I’d be preparing everything that afternoon so we could meet again the next morning.
That’s when things took a turn.
The First Ghosting
I went straight to the office, and Dylan and Theresa helped me put everything together. They walked me through how to do a CMA, reviewed the brokerage agreement, and even helped me create a PowerPoint for my official listing appointment. I was beyond ready.
That afternoon, I texted the seller to confirm our meeting for the next morning. No response. The next morning? Still nothing. I called, texted again—nothing. I figured, Okay, maybe he just forgot to text me back? So I got dressed, showed up at the office, and had everything ready—just in case.
He never showed.
At first, I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt—maybe something had come up. So I followed up again the next week, asking if he wanted to reschedule. No response. And then, a little later, I found out he had listed his house with a different brokerage.
I spiraled.
I had been so confident after our first meeting, so excited to help, and now I felt like a failure. I started questioning everything—was I too eager? Too inexperienced? Did I mess up somehow? I knew this happens all the time in real estate, but when it’s your first potential client, it hits differently.
Dylan reminded me that I was allowed a “five-minute funeral” but then I had to move on. He reassured me that I had done everything I could, and this just wasn’t the right fit. It stung, but I kept pushing forward. I started regaining confidence by attending more training, talking to other agents, and honestly, just talking about real estate all the time.
A Second Chance?
A few weeks later, I was working office duty again when I got a call—from the same guy. This time, he was looking for a buyer’s agent because he wanted to purchase a home.
The second I recognized his name, I should have been cautious. But instead, my first reaction was pure excitement—another chance! I quickly set up a meeting for that afternoon and teamed up with Anna, another newer agent, to split the deal.
Without going into too much detail, let’s just say… It didn’t go well.
Anna and I ultimately decided it wasn’t the right fit, and when we told him, he ghosted again. But this time, it didn’t hurt as much—because I had made the decision to walk away.
The Lesson in It All
This experience taught me a few things:
- Not every client is the right client – I was so desperate for business that I ignored the red flags. But I learned that my time and energy are valuable, and I don’t have to work with everyone.
- I have more fight in me than I thought – I might be a new agent, but I’m not a doormat. I may be eager to grow my business, but I won’t let anyone talk down to me.
- Rejection isn’t failure—it’s redirection – At the time, I felt like I had failed. But looking back, I realize that losing this client wasn’t a loss at all. It was just an early lesson in how this business works.
Real estate is full of ups and downs. Some days, I feel on top of the world. Other days, I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. But through it all, I’m learning, growing, and getting better every day.
Shifting Focus: Becoming the Open House Queen
After everything, I realized I needed a more structured approach to my business. I had set big goals, but I hadn’t broken them down into actionable steps. One of my post-license CE classes ignited my excitement for open houses, and I decided—this was going to be my thing.
My goal is to host an open house every single week. Right now, I don’t have my own listings, so I need to find other agents willing to let me host them. That’s been another challenge—since I’m new, many agents don’t know me well enough to trust me with their listings. But I have a plan: stay persistent, build relationships, and prove myself as the go-to open house host.
Creating a Business Plan & Time Blocking
The biggest shift I need to make is getting hyper-focused on my business plan. The one I created in December was too broad—I need specific, actionable steps to reach my goals. Instead of just looking at the big picture, I need to focus on the daily and weekly actions that will eventually lead to success. If I do the small things consistently, the big goals will follow.
Time blocking is another area I need to improve. Balancing real estate with other jobs has been tough, but that’s not an excuse. Many new agents juggle multiple jobs while building their businesses. The key is prioritizing my time wisely and making sure real estate gets the focus it deserves.
Moving Forward
These first few months have been a whirlwind of emotions, from excitement to disappointment, but I’m learning, adapting, and getting stronger every day. I may not have closed a deal yet, but I refuse to give up. My next steps? Finalizing my business plan, locking in a structured open house schedule, and staying consistent.
If you’re a new agent (or starting anything new), just know—it’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to feel lost. The most important thing is to keep going.
Thanks for reading, and I can’t wait to share more of this journey with you!
XOXO,
Sav