Unlocking Real Estate: Colibri Real Estate Podcast
Welcome to Unlocking Real Estate - My First Commission where we dive into real stories, big wins, and early lessons learned from highly successful rookie real estate agents and brokers. This is the podcast where we explore how real estate can transform lives one home at a time by sitting down each week with a new agent or broker who has found incredible success in their first year.
Your hosts are instructors and leaders at Colibri Real Estate school, one of the largest real estate educators in the nation where we focus on helping people like you get started or find continued success in their careers.
We’d also love to hear from you! Send your comments, key takeaways, or recommendations to UnlockingRealEstate@colibrirealestate.com
Interested in being on the podcast, or know someone who might be? Please fill out our form: https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish
Unlocking Real Estate: Colibri Real Estate Podcast
From Layoff to 33 Deals in 2 Years: How Tanya Palacios Built a Fast-Growing Real Estate Career
What does it look like to go from a sudden corporate layoff… to becoming one of the fastest-rising agents in Washington?
Meet Tanya Palacios, a former recruiter and competitive bodybuilder who entered real estate after a major career shakeup — and went on to close 13 transactions in her first year and 20 in her second. She’s already a Rising Star Award winner and serves on the Associate Leadership Council at her Keller Williams office.
In this episode of Unlocking Real Estate: My First Commission, Tanya shares the full behind-the-scenes journey:
🏋️♀️ How bodybuilding discipline helped her thrive in real estate
💼 Losing her recruiting job and finding her next calling
📚 Completing her real estate courses in 12 weeks while working full-time
🏡 Landing her first mutual deal within 90 days
🚀 Growing almost entirely through referrals and real relationships
📈 Why mentorship, coaching, and accountability changed everything
🎁 Santa Paws events, porch-dropped pumpkin pies, and building a memorable brand
💬 Her philosophy: “Open your mouth, communicate, and be proud of what you do.”
If you’re a new or aspiring real estate agent looking for a roadmap, motivation, or honest insight into the hustle required — Tanya’s episode is a must-watch.
⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Meet Tanya Palacios
00:40 – Tanya’s background: 24 years in recruiting
02:00 – Tech layoffs & the turning point
03:00 – Bodybuilding discipline & considering real estate
04:30 – No money, three books, and a leap of faith
06:00 – Completing school in 12 weeks & juggling full-time work
07:30 – Passing the exam (after missing by one point!)
09:00 – Joining a boutique brokerage & early learning curves
10:30 – First mutual within 90 days
12:00 – Moving to Keller Williams & hiring a coach
14:00 – Hitting 13 transactions year 1, 20 in year 2
16:00 – Building business through sphere & natural conversations
18:00 – Branding, signs, and marketing on a budget
19:00 – How she structures her days & uses time-blocking
21:00 – Events, pies, and community connection
23:00 – Surprising challenges & unique transactions
25:00 – Emotional client story that changed her
28:00 – The power of mentorship
30:00 – Tanya’s advice for new agents
32:00 – Where to connect with Tanya
🔗 Connect with Tanya Palacios:
https://www.instagram.com/tanyaselzhomes/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanya-palacios
https://www.tanya-homegroup.com/
✨ Want to be featured on My First Commission?
We’re always looking for rising agents with powerful first-deal stories.
Email us to apply: UnlockingRealEstate@ColibriRealEstate.com or fill out this form: https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish