On this edition of the MovotoMic is MJ McFarland, former NFL player turning top Luxury real estate agent. Tune in to learn about MJ’s journey as he talks about how to make a career transition. For more updates follow Movoto on Instagram @movotorealestate or download the Movoto app.Â
Full Episode:
Full Transcript:
Patrick Kearns: All right.
Patrick Kearns: Hello and welcome to Movoto Mic, a new podcast about the real estate industry brought to you by movoto.com. My name is Patrick Kearns. I’m an ex-journalist and a 10-year vet of the real estate industry who’s currently serving as Movoto’s head of communications. Here with me, as always, is my associate, Sophie Brandeis. Sophie, how are you doing today?
Sophie Brandeis: I’m doing awesome, Patrick. I am extra excited for today’s episode because our guest is a former Texas Longhorn, just like myself.
Patrick Kearns: There you go. All right, Sophie, who have you brought us today?
Sophie Brandeis: Today on Movoto Mic, we are joined by MJ McFarland, a fellow Texas Longhorn and former NFL player, turned top luxury real estate agent and broker associate for the agency here in Austin, Texas. From his athletic career to his ventures in real estate and business, MJ’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Welcome to the Movoto Mic, MJ. We are so excited to have you, and I’m excited to talk to another Longhorn.
MJ McFarland: Yeah, hook ’em, and thank you for the warm welcome. Excited to be on. Let’s do it.
Patrick Kearns: I’m going to get something else out of the way. You have the illustrious distinction of being a one-time New York Jet. I am a very, very big New York Jets fan, probably to a fault, unfortunately, given the history of the New York Jets. How do you feel about the Jets?
MJ McFarland: I feel excited and optimistic, and I feel that way every year. I was excited about every New York Jets season, so we shall see.
Patrick Kearns: So, the Aaron Rodgers news broke your heart?
MJ McFarland: It broke my heart. I was at an Airbnb in upstate New York, had a six-pack of Budweiser, watching it on a projector. My wife, who does not care about football at all, watched it with me and cried for me because she felt so bad when it happened.
Patrick Kearns: I don’t recall, was that the first game? Was it the first game or the first series?
MJ McFarland: Like three plays, with number four.
Patrick Kearns: Oh man, it was not great. Let’s see, you were a former football player, but now you are a top luxury real estate agent. Let’s make this easy on our listeners and start from the beginning. Walk us through the trajectory of your career. Becoming a pro athlete is an incredible grind. Was football always your focus, or did you always want to have a career outside of football?
MJ McFarland: No, football was my focus. I definitely worked hard in high school and college to accomplish that goal of playing at the professional level. But as we all know, the NFL stands for “Not For Long.” Once you get into the NFL, it’s not about being there; it’s about how you can stay and provide value every day, year in and year out. Unfortunately, I ended up getting hurt, and I saw the writing on the wall as far as my career panning out. While I was healing my knee from an injury, I decided to study for my real estate license. Once I decided to close that chapter of playing professional sports, I knew I was going to dive into real estate full-time and take that same mentality from sports and apply it to real estate.
Sophie Brandeis: What mentality is that? Can you draw any parallels between the mentality of being a professional athlete and being really successful in real estate?
MJ McFarland: Yes, the discipline aspect of it, and just the positive attitude. Having that resilient mindset has definitely helped me separate myself in the real estate industry. When dealing with different clients, different situations, and the economy as we are experiencing now, always having a solution-driven mindset is what I strive for every day.
Patrick Kearns: I think what’s interesting is the glitz and glam of being a professional athlete. Not everybody is the Patrick Mahomes or, if you’re a Taylor Swift fan, Travis Kelce of the world. The average NFL player, the average career is like three seasons, right? If you’re not thinking already about what’s after football, that’s probably a mistake. Before you’re even really pursuing it, is it sort of always in the back of your head, or is that too distracting?
MJ McFarland: You definitely have to have that singular focus because if not, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage. Playing professional sports takes everything, especially if you’re not a first-round draft pick or a superstar. Every day, every rep, every team meeting, everything matters in some capacity. It can get exhausting, but that’s what you dreamed of. So, you’re thankful for that moment. It’s about controlling what you can control—your effort, showing up on time, going full speed in practice, learning your plays, and being a great teammate. Those are things you have control over, and that’s what I focused on.
Patrick Kearns: You’re in the NFL, studying for your real estate exam. What made you choose real estate? There are thousands of other jobs you could have picked after the NFL.
MJ McFarland: One thing I truly appreciated was the freedom aspect of it and being able to be my own boss and create my own destiny. In professional sports, you kind of have no control over whether a team wants you or not. It could come down to a business decision. In my next career, I wanted to control where I was headed, and real estate was that blank canvas for me.
Patrick Kearns: As a journalist, I started out covering sports and then transitioned to covering real estate as an industry. There is a similar level of competition. You’re fighting for every single deal you’re getting. Did that make you feel at home right away?
MJ McFarland: Yes and no. One of the biggest differences is that I came from a team approach. In real estate, it’s all about promoting yourself. Early on, one of my biggest internal challenges was that I came from a team dynamic, and real estate felt more solo. It was kind of lonely because you don’t have your teammates alongside you to hold you accountable and push you.
Patrick Kearns: Does that help in finding a brokerage? Do you analyze where you can potentially find people to help you get ahead, or is it still a solo journey?
MJ McFarland: It honestly depends on what you’re looking for and your purpose in getting into real estate. It’s so vast—do you want to be an investor, buy and sell homes, wholesale, or do multifamily? It’s about flipping the question back on yourself. I found that I worked well with people and clients, so I focused on that strength. I leveraged my relationships from UT because I still had a name, and I was still relevant.
Sophie Brandeis: Can you tell us about the first house you sold? What was that like?
MJ McFarland: It was actually to a teammate, Jackson Jeffcoat. He was playing professionally at the time, and we were training together. It was a small condo in South Austin, and he gave me my first opportunity to work for him and find him a place. That led to a $2 million sale in the Spanish Oaks neighborhood to a first-round draft pick, Kenny Vaccaro. I leveraged that success to build my current business.
Patrick Kearns: How does somebody find that niche? How do you find what you’re really good at and passionate about in real estate?
MJ McFarland: Meet with a bunch of people. I found people I aspired to be like, took them out for coffee or lunch, and took a bunch of notes. I applied the same mentality from football—taking notes, studying, and retaining information. I did my own homework and found that I was good at working with clients, so I focused on that.
Sophie Brandeis: How do you think selling homes to athletes is different from selling homes to people who aren’t athletes?
MJ McFarland: The biggest difference is the amount of hurdles you have to go through because athletes have a full team of people protecting them. But if you treat them right and keep your word, it’s a fun deal. Seeing them fulfill their dreams and buy million-dollar houses is rewarding.
Sophie Brandeis: You mentioned it earlier, the typical NFL career is short. When you’re working with an athlete, does that change your approach?
MJ McFarland: I try to win the trust of their financial advisors and align with their long-term plan. I care about their livelihood post-career because everyone’s one game away from it being their last. It’s truly a part of my life too.
Sophie Brandeis: This podcast is for people interested in getting involved in the real estate industry and those already in it. You went through a big career change. Could you speak towards changing your career and give our audience some tangible takeaways?
MJ McFarland: Be honest with yourself. I found that when I was transitioning, I was holding on to the past to make my ego feel good, which prolonged the process. It’s okay to not know what you want to do next. Being honest with the people you meet and aspire to be like helps. I wish I had known that earlier. Let go of the past, open your mind, and focus on everything in front of you. Be an open book, absorb information, and figure out what brings you peace.
Patrick Kearns: Is there something to marrying the two a little bit? Keeping some of that passion and life you worked so hard to build in the past into your new journey?
MJ McFarland: Yes, I would say that now, but early on, I wanted to get far away from it as possible. I wanted people to see me as MJ, the real estate agent, not just the former football player. Now, I’m fully locked in and passionate about my real estate career.
Sophie Brandeis: What’s some of the best advice you’ve ever received?
MJ McFarland: I met a gentleman named Cosmo who played college football at UT and is now a real estate developer. He told me, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” At the time, it sounded boring, but now I understand that your net worth is identical to your network. Surround yourself with successful people, provide value, and speak up. Get in front of people and stay on top of their minds.
Patrick Kearns: I want to talk about the agency. It’s a big name in luxury real estate in California, but newer in markets like Austin. Why did you choose the agency as your brokerage?
MJ McFarland: Coming from a powerhouse local brokerage, I found myself getting clients asking for real estate guidance outside of Austin and Texas. I chose the agency for its national and global exposure. Austin is changing, and I wanted to be in front of that. The agency was the perfect place for me to expand my business and brand.
Patrick Kearns: To wrap this episode up, we play a game called “Let’s Get Real.” It’s rapid-fire questions. Ready?
MJ McFarland: Ready.
Patrick Kearns: What’s one piece of advice you wish you could give your younger self playing on the Texas Longhorns football team?
MJ McFarland: Stay off Sixth Street.
Patrick Kearns: What is your favorite book, podcast, or resource that has influenced your approach to real estate, business, or finance?
MJ McFarland: “Relentless” by Tim Grover.
Patrick Kearns: What’s better, scoring a touchdown or closing on a house?
MJ McFarland: Scoring a touchdown. It’s hard to do, especially as a tight end. When you get the ball, be thankful.
