Hustle Humbly Podcast

Alissa Jenkins & Katy Caldwell
  • 4.9 (907)
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Join us for Hustle Humbly where we hope you will build the confidence to find your voice and your way to a successful real estate business and beyond. Listen in as Alissa & Katy, two top producing Realtors, talk about fostering community over competition while navigating the often times cutthroat real estate industry. With over 1000 homes sold between them and 13 and 19 years each in the business, they have seen it first hand. Deep dive into conversations and interviews about mindset and best practices with real life stories mixed in. The goal of Hustle Humbly is to reach out and encourage Realtors and business people alike to stop comparing themselves and start embracing their own strengths.

  1. 3D AGO

    352: What to Do When Money is Tight in Real Estate

    Are you hanging on by a thread but not quite ready to call it quits? This episode is for you.   We keep getting messages from agents who are struggling financially but who are not ready to throw in the towel. We get it. Real estate has a way of pulling you in, making you believe the next deal is right around the corner. But when money is actually tight, hope alone is not a business plan.   We start with a real story about Erica, a Hustle Humbly Community member who moved from California to Texas knowing absolutely no one. Instead of white-knuckling real estate with zero network and zero income, she humbled herself, went back to restaurant management, built her people, learned the market, and saved money. Then she went back into real estate full time and now has a thriving business in Texas. That is not a failure story. That is a strategy. We also share Alissa's own experience from her early days bartending private events and the moment she ran into a high-budget buyer client while working one of those events. She lost the client. It stung. But the lesson has stuck ever since.   This is not the episode where we tell you to quit. This is the one where we give you 15 practical things you can do TODAY to stabilize your business, bring in money, and protect your mindset while you ride out a tough market.   Here's what we cover in this episode:   Text 5 people you haven't talked to in a while — your next deal is probably hiding in a name you've been scrolling past Audit your business expenses and cancel anything that isn't earning its keep Consider a "people job" (restaurant, coffee shop, gym) to bring in income while staying connected Pick up gig work without shame — Door Dash, Instacart, TaskRabbit, Uber — whatever fits your schedule Sort your database by last contact and reach out to anyone you haven't spoken to in 90 days Host a free small event in the next 30 days to get yourself in front of people Know your real number — write down your actual monthly expenses and make a plan Stop hiding behind content creation and have real conversations with real people Ask a past client for a referral directly using our ready-to-use script Partner with a local business for cross promotion — lenders, inspectors, movers, boutiques Go host or attend an open house this weekend Revisit Episode 198 on real estate side hustles to find something that keeps you in the game Set a 90-day minimum viable goal and work backward from that number Find your people — surround yourself with agents who are positive, motivated, and solution-focused Remember: surviving a hard market is a credential   Key Quotes & Takeaways:   "Your next deal is probably hiding in a name you've been scrolling past." Katy "Action cures anxiety. Any action will do." James Clear via Katy "Being in a funk and surrounding yourself with other people in a funk is not going to help you." Alissa "This is a business. You have to think of it like a business, run it like a business, and look at your finances." Alissa "Surviving a hard market is a credential." Katy   Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:   Episode 346: Desperate Agent Behavior (hustlehumblypodcast.com/346) Episode 271: Should You Renew Your Real Estate License? (hustlehumblypodcast.com/271) Episode 198: Real Estate Side Hustles (hustlehumblypodcast.com/198) Episode 40: Bare Necessities (hustlehumblypodcast.com/40) Hustle Humbly Community (hustlehumblypodcast.com/membership) Atomic Habits by James Clear   Want to toast someone on the show? Send us a voice or video message with your name, who you are toasting, and why! Email it to team@hustlehumblypodcast.com.   Leave us a review at http://ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

    38 min

  2. APR 27

    351: Secret Agent Problems Killing Your Business

    Are you a secret agent? No, not the cool James Bond kind. We are talking about the Realtor kind who hides behind postcards, online leads, and busy work instead of actually talking to real people. We keep getting messages from agents who are spending thousands of dollars on lead generation, farming, and marketing while avoiding the one thing that actually works: being visible. So we are revisiting this topic because clearly, y'all need to hear it again. We start with a really honest message from a listener who spent $6,500 on a lead generation program that produced zero leads. She has been in the business since 2018, does about $8 million a year, and she is the first to admit that fear made that decision for her. She did not want to put herself out there, so she threw money at a solution that did not require her to talk to real humans. We also share a story about an agent who is incredibly involved at her kids' school but will not tell anyone she is in real estate out of fear of being salesy. Whether you are an introvert, an extrovert, or somewhere in between, this episode is your permission slip to stop hiding and start showing up. We are breaking down the fears that keep agents invisible, sharing baby steps for shy agents, and giving you the mindset shift that changes everything: you are not being salesy, you are being of service. Here's what we cover in this episode: The real cost of being a "secret agent" in your own real estate business A listener's honest story about spending $6,500 on lead gen that produced zero leads The four biggest fears keeping agents hidden and how to move past them Why introverts can absolutely thrive in real estate The difference between going wide and going deep with your database Why people in your neighborhood are hiring other agents  Salesy vs. service: the mindset shift that changes everything How to naturally tell people what you do without being "that" agent Baby steps for shy agents: update your bio, tell five people what you do, post one thing about real estate Why your hobbies, school involvement, and community events are your best lead gen A roofing company sponsor story that proves advertising your business is not embarrassing The one thing you can do this week to stop being a secret agent Key Quotes & Takeaways: "You can't sell houses without people." Alissa "The judgment is usually imaginary. People are not thinking about you as much as you think. They're thinking about themselves." Katy "When you tell people what you are, they believe you. So be careful what you say about yourself." Alissa "The important mindset shift is going from 'I'm annoying people' to 'I'm available to help.'" Katy Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned: Episode 346: Desperate Agents Do's and Don'ts (hustlehumblypodcast.com) Hustle Humbly Community (hustlehumblypodcast.com/membership) Want to toast someone on the show? Send us a voice or video message with your name, who you are toasting, and why! Email it to team@hustlehumblypodcast.com. Leave us a review at http://ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

    51 min

  3. APR 20

    350: Mortgage and Realtor Myths and Misconceptions

    Think you know everything about how mortgages work? What about what Realtors actually do all day? Think again! This is the final installment in our myths and misconceptions series, and we saved some good ones for last. We already tackled buyer myths and seller myths in previous episodes, and now we are wrapping it all up with the myths that surround lenders, loans, and agents. We are kicking things off with a story about two very different lenders and why the one sending automated text messages is actually winning. (Spoiler: it has nothing to do with buying lunch.) Then we are diving into the mortgage myths that trip up buyers AND agents, from the belief that all lenders offer the same loans to the dangers of trusting online mortgage calculators. On the agent side? We are busting wide open the idea that we "just open doors," that we are all the same, and that getting your license means you know what you are doing. (Ha!) Whether you are a buyer trying to understand the process or an agent who needs some backup for the next time someone questions your value, this one is for you. Here's what we cover in this episode: Why not all lenders offer the same loan programs and how to find the right one for your client The importance of talking to a lender BEFORE you are ready to buy Why the interest rate is not the only thing you should be shopping What "par rate" means and why you need to understand fee worksheets The truth about pre-approval and rate locks (they do not last forever!) Why online mortgage calculators can be wildly inaccurate Do not buy furniture, a car, or anything else while waiting to close Can you really switch lenders mid-transaction? (Please do not.) Whether getting pre-approved actually hurts your credit Real estate agents do way more than just open doors The seller does not ALWAYS pay the agent's commission anymore Agents do not get paid by their broker (no salary, no hourly wage) Why getting your license is just the beginning, not the finish line Agents are not available 24/7 (and should not be!) Key Quotes & Takeaways: "Be the voice for your people and educate them that there's rates and there's fees." Alissa "Anyone who knows the answers to everything immediately, you should be very leery of." Katy "We are not coming in to see if you can buy a house. We know you can't. We are coming in to see what three things you can do in the next 12 months to prepare." Alissa "However you are doing it, your client needs to understand how you are paid." Alissa Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned: Episode 345: Buyer Myths (hustlehumblypodcast.com) Episode 348: Seller Myths (hustlehumblypodcast.com) Episode 346: Desperate Agent Do's & Don'ts (hustlehumblypodcast.com) Seller Net Sheet + Buyer Cost Sheet (hustlehumblypodcast.com/netsheet) Hustle Humbly Community Want to toast someone on the show? Send us a voice or video message with your name, who you are toasting, and why! Email it to team@hustlehumblypodcast.com. Leave us a review at http://ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

    46 min

  4. APR 13

    349: How to Price a Listing

    Is there a magical number when it comes to pricing a listing? No, not really. But there IS a way to walk into every listing appointment confident, prepared, and ready to have a real conversation about price with your sellers. In this episode, we are finally tackling the how-to of pricing a listing. We have touched on  it before, but today we are getting into the actual nuts and bolts of how we prep, what we bring, what we say, and how we guide sellers through one of the most important (and emotional) parts of the listing process. We are sharing the exact questions we ask on that first call, how we prep our CMAs, the talking points we lean on every single time, and the framework that has never failed us: price, location, and condition. We also dig into the pricing pyramid, the buyer pool conversation, and why the data has to drive every decision, even when sellers want a number that the data just does not support.  Here's what we cover in this episode: The questions we ask on the very first seller call How we prep before walking into a listing appointment Why we never give a price before we see the house in person How to use the CMA summary as a collaborative tool with sellers Why price per square foot is a guide, not a rule The three components of every listing: price, location, and condition  The pricing pyramid and how it impacts your buyer pool What to say when sellers want a number the data does not support How to handle the "how did you come up with this price?" question Why pending and active listings matter as much as solds How to set up neighborhood searches to keep sellers engaged before they list How to talk about price reductions before they happen The detective work that sets you apart from every other agent Key Quotes & Takeaways: "I am a data driven person. I come from a family of appraisers. I want the numbers to fit in a box." Alissa "I do not want you doing showings for 90 days. I want you to do it right for two weeks or less." Katy "When I list your house and another agent calls me to ask how I came up with that price, I need to be able to support it with data." Alissa "If we have no showings, it is the price. If we have lots of showings but no offers, it is the condition." Katy "There is no magic number. You have to do the work, and you have to be ready to adjust." Alissa Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned: Episode 97: How to Do a CMA (hustlehumblypodcast.com) Episode 144: Numbers to Know (hustlehumblypodcast.com) Episode 321: Pre-Listing Appraisal: Helpful or Hindering? (hustlehumblypodcast.com) Seller Net Sheet + Buyer Cost Sheet (hustlehumblypodcast.com/netsheet) Agent Systems 101  Hustle Humbly Community Want to toast someone on the show? Send us a voice or video message with your name, who you're toasting, and why! Email it to team@hustlehumblypodcast.com. Leave us a review at http://ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

    53 min

  5. APR 6

    348: Real Estate Seller Myths and Misconceptions

    This is the follow up to our buyer myths episode, and y'all, sellers have some misconceptions of their own that we need to talk about. We kick things off with a hilarious story about Alissa's seller who found the podcast, started listening to staging episodes while packing boxes, and voluntarily took down more decor than they even discussed. (If only every seller came with a built-in podcast habit, right?) This episode is a great one to share with your sellers, especially first timers who might need a little myth busting before they list. From Zestimates and spring selling to price reductions and open houses, we're breaking down the biggest home selling myths that trip up sellers and agents all the time. Plus, we're sharing our individual top three myths and some real stories from the trenches. Here's what we cover in this episode: The Zestimate: how accurate is it really, and what Zillow's own data says about their error rates Why spring isn't automatically the best time to sell (and when winter buyers can actually work in your favor) Breaking even on a sale doesn't mean you lost money Your house doesn't have to be perfect to sell, but it does need to be clean & priced right Why longer days on market doesn't always mean something is wrong with the house The neighbor comparison trap and how to handle sellers fixated on what the house next door sold for Why a price reduction is not a failure (and why sitting on the market for three years IS) The truth about open houses and what they actually accomplish Why buyers almost never prefer an allowance over the work being done The danger of rejecting your first offer Why your listing agent can't just "bring the buyer" Key Quotes & Takeaways: "If we had left that stinky carpet, they would not have been able to overlook the smell, and we would still be on the market." Alissa "Your first buyer is your buyer. They committed to putting it in writing and saying, I want to buy your house." Katy "This is the only person asking us to the dance right now. If you want to go to the dance, this is your opportunity." Alissa "A price change gives the message that you're not stuck." Katy "I'm not here to design your home. I am here to neutralize it to get the biggest buyer pool." Alissa Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned: Zillow Zestimate accuracy page (zillow.com/zestimate) Hustle Humbly Podcast episode categories (hustlehumblypodcast.com/categories) Hustle Humbly Community Want to toast someone on the show? Send us a voice or video message with your name, who you're toasting, and why! Email it to team@hustlehumblypodcast.com. Leave us a review at http://ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

    44 min

  6. MAR 30

    347: The Housing Shortage Explained

    We finally did it. We sat down with the man behind the numbers AND we recorded it live at the NAR podcast studio in Chicago.   If you've ever been at a dinner party, a showing, or a closing table and gotten hit with "so... how's the market?", this episode is for you. We got to chat with Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors, and y'all, we had SO many questions. We're the data nerds who cover the NAR Home Buyers and Sellers Profile Report every single year, so getting face time with the person behind all that research? It was kind of a big deal for us.   Dr. Yun has been at NAR since 2000 and stepped into the Chief Economist role in 2008 right in the middle of the foreclosure crisis. He's testified before Congress, appeared on C-SPAN, and was recognized by the Wall Street Journal for having one of the closest forecasts for 2024. Basically, if there's someone you want breaking down housing market trends for Realtors, it's him.   We cover a lot of ground in this one, from the housing shortage and what's actually being done about it, to the lock-in effect, affordability challenges for first-time buyers, capital gains tax reform, and what a "sweet spot" interest rate would even look like. Dr. Yun also shares something we weren't expecting, a really personal story about his family immigrating to the U.S. and how home ownership shaped his perspective on wealth and the American dream.   Here's what we cover in this episode: Why the answer to "how's the market?" is always local — and how to explain that to clients The housing shortage by the numbers (hint: we're still millions of units short) Why the median age of first-time buyers hitting 40 is "the most depressing statistic" of last year The lock-in effect: who it really impacts and why it may be loosening Why 6% isn't actually a high rate historically but still feels impossible for today's buyers How home prices rising 50% since pre-COVID has changed the affordability conversation The capital gains tax exemption that hasn't been updated in 30 years (and why that matters for your sellers AND your investment properties) What the Housing for the 21st Century Act could actually do How investors releasing rental properties could help the first-time buyer shortage What we need to build annually to get out of the housing shortage Key Quotes & Takeaways: "Is it a good time to buy? That's not the right question. Do you want to build wealth over time or not?" Dr. Lawrence Yun "Your house was $60,000. Their rate is 6% AND the house is $400,000. It's not the same math." Alissa "Median age of the first-time buyer is now 40. That is the most depressing statistic of last year." Dr. Lawrence Yun "I had 24 showings and five offers in one day at $175K. The same week, a $500K listing could sit for 50 days. Same market. Totally different world." Katy "If you are listening to this podcast, you are already ahead." Dr. Lawrence Yun Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned: NAR Home Buyers and Sellers Profile Report(2025 in episode 338) NAR Affordability Index NAR Existing Home Sales Statistics Housing for the 21st Century Act (bipartisan housing legislation) Ability to Repay Act (post-2008 mortgage reform legislation) Blue Chip Council (economic forecasting panel) Wall Street Journal Forecasting Survey Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University Hustle Humbly Community Want to toast someone on the show? Send us a voice or video message with your name, who you're toasting, and why! Email it to team@hustlehumblypodcast.com. Leave us a review at http://ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

    39 min

  7. MAR 23

    346: Desperate Agent Do's and Don'ts

    Feeling a little desperate in your real estate business lately? You are not alone—and this episode is your mindset reset.   Katy and Alissa are diving into the behaviors that show up when agents feel pressure to make money… and how those "desperate" decisions can quietly damage your reputation, confidence, and long-term success.   From overpricing listings just to win them, to chasing every shiny lead source, to dropping your professional standards, this episode is your honest (and loving) wake-up call.   The truth? Acting like a desperate real estate agent doesn't attract more business; it repels it.   Instead, we're sharing what to do differently so you can protect your business, maintain your professionalism, and build a career you're actually proud of, even in a slow market.   Here's what we cover in this episode: What "desperate agent behavior" really looks like (and why it's so common right now) How overpricing a listing can hurt your reputation long-term Why saying "yes" to everything is actually hurting your business The danger of chasing shiny lead sources when you feel slow How dropping your standards can cost you future referrals Real examples of setting boundaries with sellers (and earning respect because of it) Why consistency beats constant rebranding or "next big thing" energy The difference between being flexible vs. losing your boundaries What to do instead when business feels slow or uncertain   If you've been feeling the pressure, questioning your business, or tempted to make decisions out of fear—this is the episode you need.   You don't need to be desperate. You need to be consistent, professional, and confident. Key Quotes & Takeaways "When you act like a desperate real estate agent, you're not gaining business; you're losing respect." Alissa "Confidence audits your business. Desperation just reacts." Katy "If you let your clients run your business, you're doing them a disservice." Alissa "You don't need balloons to sell a house; you need people walking through the door." Alissa "Referral-based business is a slow burn… but chasing shiny objects will burn you out." Katy Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned: Episode 113 Be the Boss Email Templates 101 Agent Systems 101 FREE Database Template Hustle Humbly Community Want to toast someone on the show? Send us a voice or video message with your name, who you're toasting, and why! Email it to team@hustlehumblypodcast.com. Leave us a review at http://ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

    39 min

  8. MAR 18

    345.5: BONUS: We Got Invited to NAR and Here's What Happened

    We got invited to NAR headquarters in Chicago for a small influencer summit and honestly? We thought the first email was fake and deleted it. 😂   But once we realized this was a real invitation, we packed our bags, flew out on Katy's birthday, and headed to the "mothership" to hear directly from NAR's leadership team about what has gone wrong, what they're trying to fix, and where they think the Realtor brand is headed next.   In this bonus episode, we're giving you the full download. No sugarcoating. No blind praise. Just our honest take on what we saw, what we heard, and what felt different this time.   We're chatting about the tiny guest list, the giant chandelier, the very fancy boardroom, and the leaders now trying to course correct after lawsuits, leadership failures, and a few rough years for the association.   We're also sharing what surprised us most, what gave us hope, and why we still think time will tell.   Here's what we cover in this episode: Why we almost deleted the NAR invitation for good What it was like walking into NAR headquarters in Chicago How we ended up recording in NAR's podcast studio Our first impressions of CEO Nykia Wright and the new leadership team What NAR says it is doing to rebuild trust and professionalism Why local boards may be facing some major changes What we learned about NAR advocacy, lobbying, and where your dues are going The part of Lawrence Yun's presentation that really caught our attention Why the new consumer ad campaign actually impressed us What it felt like to be in the room as working Realtors still in the trenches Why we left feeling heard, hopeful, and still appropriately skeptical Our honest thoughts on whether NAR can really get this train back on the tracks Key Quotes & Takeaways Katy: "We want to be an advocate for NAR, but not a mouthpiece for NAR." Alissa: "Hustle Humbly is here to help bring professionalism back to the Realtor brand. That is essentially NAR's goal as well." Katy: "We're not here to sugarcoat it. We're just going to relay what happened and give you our thoughts." Alissa: "I feel optimistic about the people they have in place and how new they are." Katy: "We really needed to record this for posterity so we can come back and see if the train stayed on the tracks." Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned: NAR consumer ad campaign: "Right by you" NAR shareable market graphics for agents Email Templates 101 Agent Systems 101 FREE Database Template Hustle Humbly Community Want to toast someone on the show? Send us a voice or video message with your name, who you're toasting, and why! Email it to team@hustlehumblypodcast.com. Leave us a review at http://ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

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About

Join us for Hustle Humbly where we hope you will build the confidence to find your voice and your way to a successful real estate business and beyond. Listen in as Alissa & Katy, two top producing Realtors, talk about fostering community over competition while navigating the often times cutthroat real estate industry. With over 1000 homes sold between them and 13 and 19 years each in the business, they have seen it first hand. Deep dive into conversations and interviews about mindset and best practices with real life stories mixed in. The goal of Hustle Humbly is to reach out and encourage Realtors and business people alike to stop comparing themselves and start embracing their own strengths.

Information

  • Creator
    Alissa Jenkins & Katy Caldwell
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    363
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Hustle Humbly Podcast

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