Ever wish you could peek into other agents' most challenging situations and hear exactly how to handle them? That's what this episode is all about. We asked our listeners to send us their real estate dilemmas—and they delivered!

In Episode 337, we're analyzing real-life real estate scenarios: anxious buyers, builder referral incentives, tricky team splits, disclosure dilemmas, expired listings, and more. Some of these situations are tricky. Others are all-too-familiar. But every single one gets our honest take and plenty of actionable advice.

We cover the real reason clients push title companies, how to build agent referral networks that *actually* work, and what happens when you're asked to list a property next to your own rentals. Plus, Alissa shares how working with "difficult" clients early in her career turned into high-end referrals later. And Katy reminds us: don't guilt-trip yourself out of success just because your lead generation strategy has evolved.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

- How to handle buyers who move too fast

- Tips for buyer consults on the fly

- New construction vs resale: what's better for a new agent?

- Should you disclose you own the property next door?

- Builder incentives and loyalty dilemmas

- Lender/title kickbacks and your ethical obligations

- When a deal falls apart—and whether to leave a bad review

- Real talk on referral networks: what works and what's a waste

- What to do when "difficult" clients land in your lap

- Should agents retire and sell their book of business?

Key Quotes & Takeaways

1. "Just because a builder offers incentives doesn't mean it's best for your client or worse. You have to get the fee sheets and compare." – Alissa

2. "Doing your buyer consult at the first showing is totally acceptable, just be prepared and flexible." – Katy

3. "Using your preferred lender is a luxury, not a requirement. The client comes first." – Alissa

4. "If you're getting enough business that you don't have time to look for business... what's the problem?" – Katy

5. "If you can handle the difficult clients, you can earn the better ones." – Alissa

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• Email Templates 101 – http://emailtemplates101.com

• Agent Systems 101 – http://agentsystems101.com

• FREE Database Template – http://hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere

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.

🎵 Music:

Straight A's by Connor Price → https://connorprice.shop/

The Good Life by Summer Kennedy → https://soundcloud.com/summerkennedy/the-good-life

Be The One by Matrika → https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one

You got your license… now what?

The first three years in real estate can feel like complete chaos. And if you're like a lot of newer agents, you might find yourself wondering, "Am I just too sensitive for this?" In this episode, we're tackling a topic that no one seems to talk about: how to build *true* Realtor confidence in those early years — especially when you feel like you're fumbling your way through.

What sparked this conversation? A heartfelt listener email asking for help navigating agent-to-agent interactions, self-doubt, sensitivity, and the struggle to find confidence. Katy and Alissa get real about what those early years *really* look like, how long it actually takes to build a solid business, and what mindset shifts and systems will make all the difference.

This one's packed with stories, pep talks, and some tough love (with humor, of course!) to help you stop overthinking, start showing up, and grow into the confident, professional Realtor you're meant to be.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

- When your "3-year clock" really starts ticking

- Why being licensed doesn't equal experience

- How veteran agents can sniff out a lack of confidence

- Mistakes new agents make in agent-to-agent communication

- How systems (like email templates!) instantly boost confidence

- Why your job is NOT to make everyone happy

- How to practice confidence — before you have clients

- Where to turn for help when your broker isn't available

- Tips for setting expectations and avoiding emotional rollercoasters

- Power poses + mindset tricks to build immediate confidence

- Why every transaction impacts your long-term business

Key Quotes & Takeaways

1. "You don't need five years to be good — you just need systems, education, and the willingness to do the work." – Katy

2. "The three-year clock doesn't start until you actually start working." – Alissa

3. "Confidence comes from clarity. If you don't know the steps, you won't feel strong." – Katy

4. "Every client is your walking billboard — good or bad." – Alissa

5. "Your job isn't to make everyone happy — it's to represent your client well." – Katy

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• Email Templates 101

• Agent Systems 101

• Free Database Template

• Amy Cuddy's TED Talk: "Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are"

• Episode 146: Confidence and Self Doubt

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.

Music:
Straight A's by Connor Price → https://connorprice.shop/
The Good Life by Summer Kennedy → https://soundcloud.com/summerkennedy/the-good-life
Be The One by Matrika → https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one

It's a new year, and with that comes a tidal wave of motivation, new planners, gym memberships—and a lot of Realtors about to throw out their entire business in the name of "starting fresh." 😬

This episode is your permission slip to *not* join the "Real Estate Gym" of shiny tools, overhauls, and burnout waiting to happen.

We're talking about the very real trap of doing *too much too fast* in January—new CRM, new lead gen, new branding, new content plan—and why it never sticks.

Instead, we walk you through how to *build real momentum* by focusing on what's already working. Spoiler alert: Your tools aren't broken. You're just bored. And that's normal.

We're pulling quotes from *Atomic Habits*, calling out decision fatigue, and giving you practical steps to stay consistent—even when the spark fades.

✨ Before you sign up for another system, challenge, or freebie you'll never use—listen to this.

Here's what we cover:
- What shiny object syndrome looks like in real estate
- Why overhauling everything rarely works
- The difference between boredom and failure
- How to audit what *actually* worked last year
- Setting goals based on your real business data
- How to re-use what you already have
- Why we aren't "motivational speakers" (and what we are instead)
- How to build slow, sustainable momentum that lasts

📘 Mentioned in this episode:
- *Atomic Habits* by James Clear
- Episode 178: [Spruce Up Your Business](https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/178)
- Join the Hustle Humbly Community: https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/membership

—

Leave us a review at http://ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly
Get your FREE Database Template: http://hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere
Email Templates 101: http://emailtemplates101.com
Agent Systems 101: http://agentsystems101.com
All Resources: http://hustlehumblypodcast.com
Submit your topic ideas and toasts to Team@HustleHumblyPodcast.com

Music:
Straight A's by Connor Price → https://connorprice.shop/
The Good Life by Summer Kennedy → https://soundcloud.com/summerkennedy/the-good-life
Be The One by Matrika → https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one

It's happened to all of us at some point—your cousin, college roommate, or neighbor posts that they just bought or sold a house… but you weren't the agent. Ouch. If you've ever wondered how to handle it when a friend or family member uses someone else, this replay of one of our most-loved episodes has the clarity and pep talk you need.

Originally aired as Episode 165, this candid conversation dives deep into the reality of *working with friends and family in real estate*. From professional boundaries to emotional resilience, we share our personal stories—rejections included—and offer tangible tips to protect your mindset and run a smooth business, even when things get awkward.

Whether you're new to the business or 10 years in, this episode will remind you: it's not personal, it's business. And you've got what it takes to stay professional, kind, and confident through it all.

*Here's what we cover in this episode:*
- How to professionally respond when loved ones don't choose you
- Tips for setting boundaries when working with people you know
- Scripts to request a referral (without begging)
- Why it's important to treat friends and family like real clients
- How to turn rejection into future opportunity
- The importance of systems to help you stay consistent with every client
- Real stories of rejection—and how we survived them

*Resources & CTAs:*
- Get the FREE Database Template: https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere
- Email Templates 101: http://emailtemplates101.com
- Build Your Own Business 101: https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/byob
- Agent Systems 101: http://agentsystems101.com
- Submit a toast or topic: team@hustlehumblypodcast.com

-----------------------------------------
Find all the podcast freebies at https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere

Want to join the Hustle Humbly Community? You'll find support, coaching, and systems to build a business you love. Come hang out with us at https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/membership

We love to hear from you! Message us on Instagram @hustlehumblypodcast or email us at team@hustlehumblypodcast.com

Leave a review for the show! https://www.ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

Music:

"Straight A's" by Connor Price → https://connorprice.shop/

"The Good Life" by Summer Kennedy → https://soundcloud.com/summerkennedy/the-good-life

"Be The One" by Matrika → https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one

Let's talk about the guilt loop so many Realtors get stuck in: when you're at work, you feel guilty about missing life — and when you're at home, you feel guilty about stepping away from your business. In this special replay of our Hustle Humbly Community Live Zoom, we're diving deep into how to set boundaries during a season that's naturally full of busyness, distraction, and high expectations (hello, holidays).

This conversation is packed with relatable stories, powerful mindset shifts, and real advice from agents like you who are trying to find a way to serve their clients *and* show up for their families. Whether you're fighting burnout, feeling pulled in too many directions, or just wondering if it's okay to take a day off — this chat is your permission slip.

We also hear from our friend Emily Nealy, who stepped away from real estate for a year after a devastating loss, and came back to have her best year ever. Her six takeaways are gold for any Realtor who wants to build a business that serves their life, not one that consumes it.

Here's what we cover in this episode:
- The mental load of the holiday season and how to protect your time
- The quote that helped Alissa let go of the guilt (thanks RBG!)
- The false urgency of real estate — and how to recognize *real* emergencies
- Why "no" is a full sentence
- What it means to actually build a business that serves you
- The power of scheduled texts, second phone lines, and a literal "brick" to lock your apps
- Why social time *is* work time (hello, database!)
- How one agent stepped away from her business — and came back stronger

📚 Resources & CTAs:
- Episode 212: [Does Time Blocking Work for Real Estate?](https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/212)
- Episode: [What To Do When You're New or Slow](https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/189)
- Book: *The Seven Deadly Sins of Sales* by Lee Brown
- Book: *Boundaries* by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
- Free tools: [Agent Systems 101](http://agentsystems101.com) | [Email Templates 101](http://emailtemplates101.com) | [Free Database Template](https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere)

Want to connect with Emily? You can find her @emilynealyrealtor and www.emilynealy.com. Have a boundary strategy that works for you? Email us at team@hustlehumblypodcast.com and tell us all about it!

---
Want to build a business you love with boundaries that actually work? Start here: [hustlehumblypodcast.com](http://hustlehumblypodcast.com)

The truth is: buying or selling a house can feel like a full-blown identity crisis. Realtors know it, clients feel it, and now we have a licensed therapist here to explain *why* it all gets so emotionally messy.

In this episode we welcome Katy's former client and current number one referrer, Mary Ruiz, LPC. She's not just a real estate success story — she's now a licensed professional counselor (and a great one at that). We chat about the mental health rollercoaster that often comes with real estate: from renovations and relocations to the unexpected triggers that show up when people face big change. Mary shares why even competent, confident people often spiral emotionally during a transaction, and how *Realtors can support clients* without carrying the weight of everyone's emotions.

We're talking about therapy, boundaries, client meltdowns, and the emotional expectations people carry into real estate decisions. This is a must-listen for any Realtor who's ever felt like an unqualified therapist.

Here's what we cover in this episode:
- Why therapy and real estate overlap more than you think
- The mental toll of buying, selling, building, and renovating
- What neurodivergent clients may struggle with during moves
- Why confident people often break down during transactions
- Tips for helping clients regulate their emotions
- When (and how) to set boundaries with difficult clients
- Grounding techniques to use during emotional conversations
- What Realtors can do to protect their own mental well-being

💬 "The kindest thing you can do is tell someone the truth." — Mary Ruiz

🧠 Resources & Links:
- Learn more about Mary's practice: https://ruizcounseling.com
- Realtor Resources: https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/resources
- Join the Hustle Humbly Community: https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/membership
- Send us your questions or episode ideas: team@hustlehumblypodcast.com

—

Hustle Humbly is the go-to podcast for Realtors who want to ditch the comparison game and run their business with confidence, clarity, and a healthy dose of mindset work. Hosted by top-producing Louisiana agents, Alissa Jenkins and Katy Caldwell, each episode delivers real advice from real agents who have walked the walk.

Leave us a review → https://ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

Get your FREE Database Template → https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere

Email Templates 101 → https://emailtemplates101.com

Agent Systems 101 → https://agentsystems101.com

Build Your Own Business 101 → https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/byob

All Resources → https://hustlehumblypodcast.com

Submit your topic ideas + toasts → team@hustlehumblypodcast.com

Music:

"Straight A's" by Connor Price → https://connorprice.shop/

"The Good Life" by Summer Kennedy → https://soundcloud.com/summerkennedy/the-good-life

"Be The One" by Matrika → https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one

What if you left your phone behind… on purpose?

In this episode we chat with top-producing Realtor Kim Lafleur, who did the unthinkable—she took a full-blown, out-of-the-country vacation *without* her phone. No calls. No texts. No Instagram scrolls. Just silence, sunshine, and serious boundaries.

Kim walks us through what inspired the decision, how she actually pulled it off (yes, there was a team hand-off at the airport), and the powerful lessons she learned about control, trust, and rest. If you've ever felt chained to your phone or scared to take a break, this one's for you.

Kim has sold over 655 homes with more than $121 million in volume and ranks in the top 10 of 1,900 agents in her market — and yet, she's living proof that your real estate business won't collapse when you step away. In fact, your boundaries might just make you better.

Here's what we cover in this episode:
- The surprising reason Kim chose to give up her phone
- The exact process she used to prep her team and clients
- Why NOT having her phone made her trip more meaningful
- How her team handled real estate emergencies (and even got new listings)
- What "the brick" is — and how it's changed her daily life
- Why letting go of control might be your next best business move
- Creative ways to set up support systems and reward the people who help you

🎧 Listen and get inspired to set stronger boundaries and maybe even plan a phone-free break of your own.

🛠 Resources & Links:
- Email Templates 101: [emailtemplates101.com](https://emailtemplates101.com)
- Build Your Own Business 101: [hustlehumblypodcast.com/byob](https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/byob)
- Agent Systems 101: [agentsystems101.com](https://agentsystems101.com)
- Free Database Template: [Get it here](https://hustlehumblypodcast.com)
- Submit your toast or topic idea: team@hustlehumblypodcast.com

—

**About Kim Lafleur:**
Kim Lafleur is a top-producing Louisiana Realtor and team leader with over 655 homes sold and $121M+ in career volume. Ranked in the top 10 out of 1,900 agents in her market, Kim is known for her client-focused approach, leadership, and ability to guide families through big life moves with care and strategy.

—

Thanks for listening! If you love the show, here are 4 ways to support us:
1. Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode.
2. Share the show with a friend or on social media!
3. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify!
4. Join the Hustle Humbly Community or grab a resource from our shop.

—

Music:

"Straight A's" by Connor Price → https://connorprice.shop/

"The Good Life" by Summer Kennedy → https://soundcloud.com/summerkennedy/the-good-life

"Be The One" by Matrika → https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one

Ever been blindsided by a cancelation that just didn't make sense? This week we're sharing a raw, real story about a transaction that went sideways—only to come full circle weeks (and $15,000) later.

In this episode, Alissa opens up about a recent experience with a buyer who backed out of a deal in the eleventh hour. What followed was a perfect storm of assumptions, zero communication, and a text message that dropped a cancelation bomb—with no phone call to discuss it first.

We're diving deep into the best practices & etiquette for Real Estate Cancellations: when you should call (not text), how to manage your client's emotions, and what happens when professionalism goes out the window. Spoiler alert: it cost the buyer way more than they expected.

This is your podcast therapy session and masterclass in cancelation communication all rolled into one. Because y'all, some deals really *can* be saved—with the right conversation.

Here's what we chat about in this episode:

- The shocking cancelation that inspired this story
- Stats on how often cancelations are happening (hint: it's more than you think)
- What *should* happen before a cancelation is sent
- Why a simple phone call could have saved the deal
- Handling emotional clients and managing expectations
- What to disclose—and when
- How to exit gracefully and protect relationships for the long game
- What happened when the *same* buyer came back
- Tips for co-op agent professionalism in tricky transactions

🛠️ *Resources + Links Mentioned:*
- [Episode 113: Be the Boss](https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/113)
- [Episode 255 & 24: Client Management](https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/255)
- [Episode 210: Buyer Consultation](https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/210)
- [Email Templates 101](http://emailtemplates101.com)
- [Agent Systems 101](http://agentsystems101.com)
- [Build Your Own Business 101](https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/byob)
- FREE Database Setup Guide: https://www.hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere

Got a wild transaction story or need podcast therapy? Email us at team@hustlehumblypodcast.com.

——
**Hustle Humbly is your go-to resource for navigating a real estate business with confidence, clarity, and heart.** Hosts Katy and Alissa bring you proven systems, real stories, and the kind of encouragement you didn't know you needed. Tune in each week for new episodes!

## 🎵 MUSIC CREDITS
- "Straight A's" by Connor Price → https://connorprice.shop/
- "The Good Life" by Summer Kennedy → https://soundcloud.com/summerkennedy/the-good-life
- "Be The One" by Matrika → https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one