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May 2025 Challenge: If I Had To Start Over...

By
Education & Training with Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals.

You can't go back and change the beginning, but what if you could?

This Challenge is your chance to reflect on your real estate career. Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 and I are inviting you to enter the May Challenge by sharing what you have  learned along the way. 

Whether your path has been smooth sailing or a winding road with a few flat tires, your story could be a guiding light for someone just getting started in the business.

If you are new to real estate, don't stop reading. We have a Challenge for you too?

Now imagine this:
You could rewind time and start your real estate career all over again, but this time with every tool available today, every lesson you’ve learned, every mistake you’ve made (and survived), and every marketing strategy you’ve tested.

What would your do-over look like?

With the real estate world evolving faster than ever, there are tools and tech today we never dreamed of back when we started out. So, ask yourself:

 What tools would you incorporate from the start?

What marketing strategies would you use right away?

How would you manage your time to maintain a better balance between work and life?

 And, just as important, what would you NOT do again?

This is your chance to reflect, maybe grimace a little, and share what you’ve learned.
You might even write it as a letter to your younger self, or as advice to a brand-new agent who has just ordered their first business cards and is wondering what to do with them.

Let’s make May the month we look back, with a lot of hard-earned wisdom and share the insights we wish we had known sooner.

We can’t wait to read your stories, your advice, and your “I’ll never do that again” confessions.

New To Real Estate? This Part Is For You:

If you're new to real estate and thinking, "Well, I don’t have anything to look back on yet!", don’t worry, we have a Challenge for you too.

We’d love for you to join the conversation by telling us:

What do you want to know?

What do you wish someone would explain to you?

What challenges are you facing as you get started?

Whether it’s lead generation, handling tricky clients, setting up systems, or just figuring out how to make a daily to-do list that doesn’t feel overwhelming, we’re listening. With decades of combined experience in this community, you’ll get wisdom, support, and a few cautionary tales.

Write a post sharing your top questions or hurdles, and we promise to chime in with real-world insights and encouragement.

Because everyone starts somewhere, and here on ActiveRain, you don’t have to start alone.


Challenge Guidelines:

Your entry must be at least 300 words

You must include at least one graphic (yours or AI-generated).

Please post it as a blog on ActiveRain and post a link in the comment section of this Challenge Post.

Deadline: Midnight Pacific time, May 31st, 2025

Reward: A hearty round of applause and 1,500 bonus points added to your ActiveRain balance.


 

Posted by

Carol Williams

"Information is FREE.
Knowledge, Experience & Integrity Are Priceless."

- Carol Williams

Retired: Real Estate Broker/Owner, Property Manager 
Coaching, goal setting, and marketing consultant

Active: Golf & Travel Blogger
"Golf isn't a sport. It's a lifestyle."
SeniorWomenGolfers.com
TopTeamCarol@gmail.com
 

Whatever You're Doing, Make It Fun!



Comments(47)

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Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Bob "RealMan" Timm 

Looks like this challenge is now at the top of the contest list.

May 02, 2025 10:39 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

That's good to hear Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 as there have been times where it was hard to find on the page.

May 02, 2025 11:45 AM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX
Inactive/Semi Retired Real Estate Agent

Carol Williams and Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 - I hope you like my blog post for the wonderful March 2025 Challenge:

May 2025 Challenge: If I Had to Do It All Again...

May 02, 2025 04:59 PM
Carol Williams

Patricia Feager 
Thanks so much for your early entry! It outlines a lot of important points.

May 02, 2025 05:23 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Here's My Entry:

Real Estate Do-Over

May 03, 2025 07:23 AM
Carol Williams

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 
Hi Sheila,
Thanks for your entry. I think whether working as an individual or couple, we all have to figure out who and what the time wasters are.

May 03, 2025 07:41 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD
May 03, 2025 11:36 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Roy Kelley 
Thanks so much for your entry. It's a far different world now, isn't it?

May 04, 2025 06:07 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
May 03, 2025 12:33 PM
Carol Williams

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 
Life’s too short for soul-sucking workdays. You have found that sweet spot where fun and fulfillment collide. Here’s to doing more of what makes us smile... and walking away when it doesn’t.

May 04, 2025 06:18 AM
J.R. Schloemer
Kentucky Select Properties - Louisville, KY

Sounds like there will be a bunch of good stories and learning lessons. Great idea!

May 03, 2025 01:23 PM
Carol Williams

Hi J.R. Schloemer 
We already have a number of great entries. We hope you will participate too.  😊

May 04, 2025 06:19 AM
J.R. Schloemer

I appreciate you wanting me to join, but I will probably be sitting this one out. 

May 05, 2025 06:48 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

Many THANKS to you and Margaret for hosting this month's AR challenge. This real estate journey has been most interesting and there really are NO DO OVER's!

May 04, 2025 02:39 PM
Carol Williams

Hi Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! 
We're looking forward to your entry!

May 05, 2025 07:27 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Carol and Margaret - thank you for co-hosting this month's challenge.  Here's my post:  Redos. . .

May 05, 2025 06:02 AM
Carol Williams

Thanks for your ponder-worthy entry, Michael Jacobs 😊

May 05, 2025 07:37 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Michael Jacobs 

Thank you for participating in May's contest. Once again, you had some thought-provoking words to share with us!

May 05, 2025 06:48 PM
Peter Mohylsky,
Property Management International-Destin - Inlet Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

You first need to answer the questions. "Do you really want to start over, knowing what you know now"  I want to be a drummer in a rock and role band,

May 05, 2025 11:34 AM
Carol Williams

No, Peter Mohylsky, I don't WANT to start over, but if I had to, it would be a different journey.

May 06, 2025 09:45 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.


Here’s my post for the May 2025 Challenge: If I Had To Start Over…:

 

If Starting Over in Real Estate Were an Option
See https://activerain.com/droplet/Jtl6
 

May 06, 2025 07:42 AM
Jeffrey Richman
Immediate Home Solutions - Myrtle Beach, SC
Creative Real Estate Specialist

Hi Carol and Margaret,

This is a great challenge and one that required a bit of thought, but here it is: Letter to my Younger Self

May 06, 2025 09:11 AM
Carol Williams

Thanks Jeffrey Richman, but your link doesn't work. Can you try again, please.

May 06, 2025 09:18 AM
Jeffrey Richman

Hi Carol,

It should be working now.

May 06, 2025 10:09 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Carol and Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 the posts for this challenge are so much fun to read!!!

Here's mine   May Challenge...Differently? It's Hard to Say

May 06, 2025 06:09 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Kathy Streib

There are so many great entries! I love the creativity everyone has shown. I can't wait to read yours next!

May 06, 2025 06:35 PM
Marney Kirk
Cummings & Co. Realtors - Towson, MD
Towson, Maryland Real Estate

What a great challenge, Carol & Margaret! Here is my entry: If I were to restart my real estate career, how would that look?

May 07, 2025 05:09 AM
Carol Williams

Thanks, Marney Kirk 
We appreciate you participating in this month's challenge.

May 07, 2025 08:53 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Good to see you, Marney Kirk,  and so glad you are participating in this month's contest.

May 08, 2025 12:24 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Hello Carol Williams ND Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 here is my entry to the May 2025 Active Rain Challenge: If I Had To Start Over...

"Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien." No Starting Over For Nina Hollander

 

May 07, 2025 08:26 AM
Carol Williams

Thanks for your entry, Nina Hollander, Broker.

May 07, 2025 08:49 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

A just for fun AI article about Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Margaret Rome: Baltimore's Real Estate Maven 

May 10, 2025 08:50 AM
Carol Williams

That does seem pretty accurate, Roy Kelley 
I did a similar thing on myself and there were a few errors.

May 12, 2025 07:11 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

I know what I would do differently. Stay tuned!

May 10, 2025 12:20 PM
Eileen Burns 954.483.3912
Trans State Commercial Realty Inc. - Fort Lauderdale, FL
FLorida Real Estate Connector
May 11, 2025 12:27 PM
Carol Williams

Thanks for your entry, Eileen Burns 954.483.3912 

May 12, 2025 07:12 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

Here is my entry to the May 2025 Active Rain Challenge: 

 

If I Could Turn Back Time on my Real Estate Career

May 12, 2025 10:19 AM
Carol Williams

Thanks so much for participating in our Challenge, Ed Silva, 203-206-0754.

May 13, 2025 07:22 AM
Dennis Neal
Exp Realty of Southern California, Inc. - Big Bear Lake, CA
Your Home Sold in 21 Days or We Sell It For Free

Carol and Margaret, the "If I Had To Start Over..." challenge is generating some truly reflective and insightful posts! It's valuable for both newer and experienced agents to consider these perspectives. The bonus points are a nice incentive, but the real reward is the shared wisdom within the ActiveRain community.

May 13, 2025 07:30 AM
Carol Williams

I so agree, Dennis Neal 
We have a large "brain trust" here, don't we?

May 13, 2025 07:32 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP
Big Block LPT Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
Coastal San Diego, Veteran's & Retirees Services

Great fun writing this one.
A wonderful idea for a contest Carol Williams 😉

It’s Never Too Late To Be

What You Might Have Been

May 15, 2025 08:10 AM