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