I didn’t set out to become a REALTOR®. I set out to better understand the process — and somehow, that turned into a twenty-year love affair with the real estate industry. 

 I have always loved the lake. So, in the early 2000s, when I started seriously considering buying a lake house, I was excited. Then our REALTOR® opened his mouth. When he showed us the property, he said what sounded to me like the most clichéd phrases I'd ever heard. I didn't know if he was telling the truth. Was he? I wanted to find out for myself. I didn't want to rely on someone else's word — I wanted to understand the industry firsthand and come to my own conclusions. But could I do it?

I sat with that question for a while — but it was my divorce that pushed me from thinking to doing. It shook me in ways I hadn't anticipated. I went through a real process of grief and self-discovery, the kind that forces you to look honestly at who you are and where you are at. I had a choice: stay stuck in the sadness and feel like a victim — which I didn’t want — or choose a new way of being. Real estate kept calling me. I just needed one more push.

That push came from Steve. Our kids went to the same school, and one afternoon, watching them run around on the playground, I mentioned I was thinking about getting my license. "Oh, you should absolutely do it," he said. "You can come work with me." 

 Something about hearing those words out loud — from someone who meant them — made the whole idea feel real. I got my license in 2006, joined Steve's brokerage, and he became my mentor and something of a big-brother figure all at once.

But support from Steve could only take me so far. The bigger obstacle was the voice in my own head. I struggled with serious self-doubt in those early years — quietly convinced I wasn't exceptional enough, talented enough, cut out for this. So, I did the only thing I could control, I worked harder. I studied everything. I chased every opportunity to improve. And alongside the professional growth came a shift in how I saw myself. Self-doubt gave way to self-belief. Action over rumination. Validation over criticism.

Part of that self-growth journey was getting my broker's license. Nobody really understood why — I had no plans to open my own brokerage — but that was never the point. I wanted to know more. I wanted to be better. And sometimes growth doesn't need a reason beyond that.

As it turned out, that decision had consequences I never anticipated. Out of nowhere, I received a call from Lake Homes Realty — a new brokerage looking to open an office near Lake Hamilton. They had found my bio online, seen that I was a licensed broker native to the area, and wanted me to lead their new office. I stood there holding the phone, genuinely stunned. I met the owners days later, loved them, and said yes.

That was ten years ago. I've been with Lake Homes Realty ever since, and I am deeply grateful that God pointed me in this direction. I get to show lake properties — the very thing that drew me to real estate in the first place — work alongside great people and keep growing. In fact, I have a real estate coach who updates me and pushes me to improve.

Outside of work, I still love spending time at the lake and hanging out with friends — many of whom are former clients. My two daughters are grown now, both in their 30s, living in Chicago and Austin. I love visiting them whenever I can.

Looking back, I fell in love with the process of becoming the best REALTOR® I could be — not the destination. Process over outcome. And today, I'm grateful for where I am. More than that, I'm grateful for who I've become. 

I bring over 20 years of experience in real estate, and I love what I do. My deep knowledge of the local market allows me to guide my clients with confidence. In fact, I prioritize educating my clients—whether that means showing a wide range of homes or helping them understand pricing—so they can make decisions with clarity and peace of mind.

I thrive in the dynamic nature of this industry and enjoy the variety and challenges that come with managing multiple moving parts. I also have a passion for the staging and design process, bringing a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to presenting homes at their best. 

Building meaningful, lasting relationships is at the heart of my work. I genuinely value the connections I create with each client. They often describe me as trustworthy, which I consider one of the greatest compliments. As someone who is native to this area, I offer valuable local insight that helps them make empowering choices for their future.

Sincerely,

 

 

 Rachelle McClard