What I’d Do Differently If I Was a New Agent in Today’s Market

The truth is: starting over doesn’t mean starting from scratch. It means starting with experience. And when you combine that with clarity, systems, and support — you win faster. 

In this episode, I’m breaking down the 6 simple but powerful steps I’d take to rebuild a thriving, aligned, and profitable business — from day one.

Here’s what I cover in this episode:

•  How to move with confidence even if you’re brand new or rebuilding
•  The power of mentorship and how to find the right guide
•  Why following top producers will change your thinking and strategy
•  How to simplify lead generation instead of chasing shiny objects
•  The real reason your daily routine isn’t bringing in revenue — and how to fix it
•  Why community is the cheat code to long-term success

If I were starting over, here are my 5 steps:

1. Hire a coach or mentor – I wouldn’t go it alone. I’d get someone who’s been where I want to go.
2. Shadow top agents – Watch how they move, think, and win in today’s market.
3. Choose 3 lead sources – Then build systems around them. Simplicity scales.
4. Say yes to free lead sources – Zillow, OpsCity, Homelight, teams… anything that gets you reps.
5. Lock in a revenue routine – 60-90 mins of intentional lead gen every single day.
6. Join a community or mastermind – The right room changes your strategy, your mindset, and your results.

Whether you’re starting, rebuilding, or pivoting, I want you to know:
🧭 You are not behind.
⚡ You are being prepared.
🔥 You don’t need a perfect plan — you need consistent action.

This episode will give you clarity, momentum, and the strategy to move forward with bold confidence. Let’s build a business and life that feels aligned and unstoppable.

---

🔗 Links & Resources

Ready to Build the Agent CEO Model?
If you want a clear, repeatable revenue system (without burnout), DM “AGENTCEO” to @itsraquelq on Instagram to learn more about the Agent CEO Accelerator.

 For coaching, events, and collaborations: www.LetsPlayBigger.com

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Transcript

Raquel Quinet (00:00.0)
The truth is starting over doesn't mean starting from scratch. It just means that you're starting from experience. And when you combine that with your focus, with your systems and the right support, 

Raquel Quinet (00:10.958)
Guess what? You win faster. You don't need a perfect plan. You just need consistent action. And if you're in a season of starting over or pivoting, whether you are brand new or building or even rebuilding, remember this, you're not behind. You're being prepared for what's next. 

Raquel Quinet (01:07.245)
Hey friends, welcome back to another episode of the Raquel show, 

Raquel Quinet (01:10.948)
where we talk about playing bigger in business, in life, and in the legacy we leave behind. Today's episode is for my real estate friends, whether you are brand new or in a season of reinvention, which I've been hearing a lot of lately, or just wondering how to sharpen your game in this market. Because if I had to start over today, 

Raquel Quinet (01:36.404)
A question I get often asked is knowing what I know today, here's 

Raquel Quinet (01:41.476)
exactly what I would do to build a thriving real estate business faster, smarter, and even more aligned. Step one is I'd hire a coach or find a mentor. If I had a start over, the very first thing I would do is get guidance. I would not cheap out on this because I know how much it can make a difference. So whether that's a coach or a mentor, 

Raquel Quinet (02:05.832)
someone who's been where I actually want to go. Because here's the truth, real estate doesn't have a clear playbook, especially today. There are so many different ways you can build a million dollar business, but mentorship that speeds up your timeline. It also saves you from wasting time and money on tools, on systems, on those bright, shiny objects we all love that don't even move the needle. And if you're serious about success, shortcut 

Raquel Quinet (02:35.52)
the learning curve, fast track it and find someone who can see your blind spots, hold you accountable and help you build the confidence that you need. Number two is I would shadow some of the top real estate agents in the game. I'd humble myself and shadow the top agents because they're winning right now in this market. Watch how they talk to clients, look at how they do open houses, how they follow up, how they prep for listings. 

Raquel Quinet (03:04.343)
how they create urgency, how they find out motivation and especially, especially how they think because success leaves clues. And in today's market, it is not about who has the most experience. It's about who's the most adaptable, especially during these times. And step three is if I had to start over, I would keep it simple and just pick three core ways I would generate leads. Then I'd build a system around each of those. And here's 

Raquel Quinet (03:32.904)
what that could look like. 

Raquel Quinet (03:36.372)
Step one would be referrals. I would map out my referral partner playbook, whether that would be lenders I'd meet, divorce attorneys, estate planners, insurance reps, other agents in other markets. I would create a plan to add value and stay top of mind with all of them. Number two is social media. I'd stop overthinking it and create a simple content plan that develops trust. 

Raquel Quinet (04:06.001)
That could be tours, that could be tips, that could be market updates, that could be personal moments, wins, behind the scenes. These are all digital billboards. And number three is open houses. I'd have a script, a follow-up plan, and a way to turn in every open house into three to five new conversations. Don't chase 20 lead sources all at once. Just pick three and systematize it and then put it on repeat. And when you're starting out, 

Raquel Quinet (04:35.903)
Don't be too proud to take on the low hanging fruit. So with step four is I'd sign up for every lead source out there. I'd go on many chat, I'd Google and I'd go, what are all the free lead sources for real estate agents? Zillow, OpsCity, relocation platforms, Homelight, your brokerage lead pool, maybe even teams that have a pond that nobody is touching. 

Raquel Quinet (05:04.819)
I'd sign up for all of the free lead sources. That point is all your adibats, more conversations, more reps, more chances to actually build your skills and your pipeline. Eventually you'll generate leads on your own terms, but in the beginning, take every opportunity and turn it into momentum. And step five is lock in your revenue routine. Lead gen is not optional. If you want consistent income in this business, 

Raquel Quinet (05:34.781)
you need consistent lead generation period. I would treat it like it's the gym. It's non-negotiable and at Playbigger, we call this your revenue routine. That means 60 to 90 minutes each day that you spend on income producing activities. That includes follow-ups, DMs, video creation, appointment settings, value add outreach. You don't need eight hours. You just need to be focused with intentional time every single day. 

Raquel Quinet (06:05.002)
And if you're not sure where to start is ask yourself what actions today will lead to clients tomorrow. That's your revenue routine. And last but not least, if you want to grow, know that you cannot do it alone. I would find community or a mastermind that stretches your thinking, keeps you plugged in and gives you access to ideas, to a network, to tools, to people you would normally not even meet on your own. 

Raquel Quinet (06:32.575)
because being in the right room changes the way you operate. It expands your vision. It fast tracks your results. It's why we love to build community here and it's why we love our masterminds. It's why we even do virtual events so that we can bring people together because community gives you collaboration over competition. And that will keep you in the game long enough to win. So. 

Raquel Quinet (07:01.202)
Let's recap. If I was starting all over today, here's what I would do. I would hire a coach or find a mentor to fast track the learning curve. I would shadow some top agents and model what's working right now in today's market. And number three is I would pick three lead sources and build simple systems around them. And four is I would say yes to every free lead source in the beginning, just to get the experience. 

Raquel Quinet (07:28.296)
And five is I build a daily revenue routine to generate consistent income. And last but not least, I joined a community or a mastermind or just get around people that can help you stay plugged in and keep you exposed to new ideas and keep you just stretching your thinking. The truth is starting over doesn't mean starting from scratch. It just means that you're starting from experience. And when you combine that with your focus, with your systems and the right support, 

Raquel Quinet (07:58.292)
Guess what? You win faster. You don't need a perfect plan. You just need consistent action. And if you're in a season of starting over or pivoting, whether you are brand new or building or even rebuilding, remember this, you're not behind. You're being prepared for what's next. So I want to thank you, my friends, for listening to another 

Raquel Quinet (08:23.54)
quick episode of the Raquel show. hope today's conversation gave you a little bit of clarity and momentum you need to move forward with confidence. I'm sending you all the love for the week ahead. So go after those big goals. And if you're ready to go deeper on strategy, scale your business to the next level, check out some of our coaching programs and offers at let's play bigger.com because we've got some big things coming up. 

Raquel Quinet (08:48.648)
Until next time, keep taking bold action, stay aligned, and always, always, always keep playing bigger.