In this annual State of the Union–style episode, ROOST Founder & CEO Chris McAllister reflects on a pivotal year of rebuilding, professionalization, and strategic positioning—and lays out a clear, grounded vision for 2026 and beyond.

Joined by ROOST’s Marketing Director and longtime podcast partner Laci LeBlanc, Chris breaks down what actually moved the needle in 2025—not buzzwords, not vanity metrics, but real operational upgrades that improved owner profitability, team effectiveness, and long-term scalability.

This is not a highlight reel. It’s a candid operating report from inside a real, growing real estate company—what worked, what had to be rebuilt, and what’s now possible because the foundation is finally right.

Whether you’re a landlord, investor, agent, property manager, or business owner thinking about scale without losing your soul, this episode offers practical insight and a clear lens for evaluating your own next season.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• How Rehab & Maintenance 2.0 evolved from a reactive cost center into a profitability engine
• Why Owner Portfolio Reviews became the most valuable—and personal—work ROOST does
• How ROOST intentionally became a media company, using YouTube and avatar-driven content to educate, attract, and scale trust
• The team investments that had to happen before meaningful growth was possible
• Why migrating marketing and referrals into HighLevel changed everything
• A deep look at “Hey Chris, Buy Me a Beer”, ROOST’s referral partner program built for modern agents and professionals
• The launch of a unified investor ecosystem combining Invest With ROOST and ROOST Portfolio Management
• New initiatives in publishing, recruiting, leasing, and brand experience heading into 2026
• The long-term vision behind Boutique@Scale—and why it’s harder (and more valuable) than it sounds

LINKS

• ROOST Rehab & Maintenance – The Key to Your Profitability (and Ours)
• ROOST YouTube Channel – Content You Can Trust
• GoHighLevel – CRM Software that Automates What Makes Sense so We Can Personally Manage Relationships (Full Disclosure: This is an affiliate link!)
• Invest with ROOST – For Investors with Fewer than 50 Properties
• ROOST Portfolio Management – For Investors with More than 50 Properties
• Learn With ROOST – View our evergrowing library of resources at the All Things Real Estate Hub.

P.S. Want more practical tips for growing your real estate business? Our ever-growing library of books, blog posts, podcast episodes, masterclasses, documents, and other tools is at your fingertips.

Learn More >>> The All Things Real Estate Resource Hub

In this episode, Chris and Laci sit down with Stephanie Dobler, one of ROOST’s newest Realtors in Ohio. Stephanie entered real estate just over a year ago with no prior industry background — and has already celebrated her first closing and her first listing.

What makes Stephanie stand out is her mindset: she’s open to learning, self-motivated, and has fully embraced both the Columbus Board of Realtors’ technical training and Buffini & Company’s 100 Days to Greatness as the foundation for her business.

Together, Chris, Laci, and Stephanie walk through the four essential activities of the Connect Practice Track & Grow framework — Connect, Practice, Track, and Grow — and explore how ROOST promotes agent connections, enhances practice, supports business, and coaches for growth.

Listen in to hear all about...

• How Stephanie started building a real estate network from scratch in her first year.
• The role of community involvement, social media, and mentorship in making connections.
• How Buffini’s 100 Days to Greatness program is shaping her daily habits and client service.
• Why tracking early — even small wins — is key to long-term success.

Key Takeaways

• Success in real estate starts with being intentional about connecting with people, even before you have a track record.
• Developing professional practice habits early gives new agents confidence and consistency.
• Tracking isn’t just for top producers — it’s the secret weapon for brand-new agents too.
• When agents commit to these disciplines, they inevitably grow — personally and professionally.

Links

• Stephanie Dobler is a Realtor with ROOST Real Estate Co. in Columbus, Ohio. Licensed in early 2025, Stephanie has built early momentum in her career by combining professional training, personal discipline, and ROOST’s collaborative platform. Stephanie can be reached at Stephanie@ROOSTRealEstateCo.com.
• Visit the Learn with ROOST Resource Hub to access resources and training for agents.
• Be a guest on the Connect Practice Track & Grow Podcast
• Download your FREE copy of Protecting the Goose that Lays the Golden Eggs and learn how to nurture your unique talents in order to create sustainable success in both your professional career and your personal life.
• Visit Career with ROOST to see why we want to join YOUR team!

P.S. Want more practical tips for growing your real estate business? Our ever-growing library of books, blog posts, podcast episodes, masterclasses, documents, and other tools is at your fingertips.

Learn More >>> The All Things Real Estate Resource Hub

In the twelfth and final episode of the Protecting the Goose That Lays the Golden Eggs series, Chris McAllister and Laci LeBlanc revisit the core themes and strategies from the entire 12-part journey. They reflect on the power of boundaries, self-care, unique ability, simplicity, niche marketing, the rhythm of real estate, and long-term wealth-building strategies. This wrap-up offers listeners a concise but powerful roadmap for building a sustainable and profitable real estate business that serves their lives, not the other way around.

Key Takeaways:

• Episode 1 Recap: The importance of setting boundaries and being fully present in both business and personal life.
• Episode 2-3: Professionals create opportunities and make invisible opportunities visible—especially during market downturns.
• Episode 4-5: Lean into your natural unfair advantages (introvert or extrovert) and pursue lifelong improvement through defined stages of growth.
• Episode 6-7: Embrace the rhythm of the real estate year and adopt the joy of missing out (JOMO) to maintain focus and reduce burnout.
• Episode 8-9: Simplify your processes for clarity and sustainability, and invest in real estate to become financially bulletproof.
• Episode 10-11: Use the scorecard to self-assess and follow the 59 Rules to thrive as a top 1% real estate professional.
• Chris and Laci’s Challenge: Revisit your favorite episode, pick one concept, and start applying it to create long-term success.

Quotable Moments:

• “Real estate is an entrepreneurial commitment. Burn the boats.”
• “JOMO allows professionals to prioritize deep relationships over shallow transactions.”
• “The skills that got you out of Egypt won’t get you to the promised land.”

P.S. Want more practical tips for growing your real estate business? Our ever-growing library of books, blog posts, podcast episodes, masterclasses, documents, and other tools is at your fingertips.

Learn More >>> The All Things Real Estate Resource Hub