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

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

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

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

There are a lot of opinions floating around about buying a house and, unfortunately, many of them are just plain wrong. In this episode, Katy and Alissa dive into some of the most common home buying myths they hear from buyers and break down what's actually true.

From the classic "you need 20% down" to the idea that new construction doesn't need an inspection, these myths can cause confusion, hesitation, and sometimes costly mistakes. The truth is that buying a home is full of nuance, and having the right information (and the right Realtor!) makes all the difference.

To make things interesting, Katy and Alissa review more than 30 common buyer misconceptions and secretly choose their personal top myths along the way. At the end, they compare notes to reveal the biggest misconceptions they think buyers still believe today.

If you're currently house hunting, planning to buy soon, or just want to understand the process better, this episode is packed with helpful clarity.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

• Why you do NOT need 20% down to buy a home

• Why the highest offer doesn't always win

• The truth about inspections (especially new construction!)

• Why calling the number on the sign may not help you

• Why pre-approval is essential before touring homes

• The reality of interest rates and affordability

• The problem with waiting for the "perfect" house

• What really happens when deals fall apart

• Whether foreclosures are actually a good deal

• Why every buyer needs their own representation

Key Quotes & Takeaways

Katy: "No one gets the perfect house. Not even if they build it from scratch."
Alissa: "The highest offer doesn't always win. Terms matter just as much as price."
Katy: "Please don't call the number on the sign. You need someone representing you."
Alissa: "You can't even start house hunting until you know what you're approved for."
Katy: "A home inspection isn't a crystal ball—it's a snapshot of the house today."

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

Episode 149: The Forever Home Myth

All products and free resources are located at hustlehumblypodcast.com.

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.

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If you sold homes during 2020–2022, you likely helped buyers compete in bidding wars, escalate over asking, and stretch to win. Now? Some of those same clients are calling because they need to sell.

And the market is… softer.

In this episode, Katy and Alissa walk through what it really looks like when COVID-era buyers need to resell in a different market than they purchased in. From tight equity situations to emotional listing appointments, they're sharing honest stories, practical scripts, and how to protect your own mindset while delivering hard news.

This isn't about panic. It's about professionalism.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

• Why today's "soft market" is not the 2008 crash

• How to handle sellers who are breaking even (or barely making money)

• What to say when the comps don't support their expectations

• Why condition matters even more when you're pushing price

• The danger of "just offering an allowance"

• How to walk sellers through worst-case scenarios using a net sheet

• When renting might be the better move

• How to avoid carrying your clients' emotional stress

If you're feeling that sinking-in-your-stomach feeling when running CMAs lately, this episode will help you reframe the situation, set expectations early, and guide your sellers with clarity and confidence.

Key Quotes & Takeaways

• Katy: "Devastating news isn't breaking even. Devastating news is having to beg the bank to let you sell."

• Alissa: "You can care about your clients without carrying their stress inside your body."

• Katy: "If you're pushing the price above the comps, your condition has to be A-plus."

• Alissa: "I can't want this more than you do."

• Katy: "Are these the numbers you were expecting?"

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

Seller Net Sheet + Buyer Cost Sheet: https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/netsheet

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

Spring hits… and suddenly everything feels loud.

New listings. Awards. "Sold in one day!" posts. Agent tours. Realtor prom season. And before you know it, you're questioning everything.

Why does everyone else look busier than me? Should I be doing more? Am I behind?

In this episode, we're talking about the Realtor Comparison Trap and the mindset shift you need this spring to protect your confidence, your peace, and your professionalism.

Spring is a naturally busy season in real estate. But it's also the season where comparison creeps in hard. Between awards ceremonies, fresh listings popping up daily, and social media highlight reels, it's easy to feel like you're either behind… or not doing enough.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

• Why spring market noise can mess with your mindset

• Realtor prom season and the awards comparison spiral

• How to reframe other agents' success (community over competition)

• Preparing your systems before busy hits

• What NOT to add to your plate just because others are doing it

• A powerful mindset trick for driving past someone else's listing sign

• Cleaning up your social media algorithm to protect your peace

• How to post professionally without hurting the Realtor brand

• Why being present in your office can create unexpected opportunity

• A refreshing buyer story that proves timing and priorities matter

Truthfully, comparison is internal. If someone's marketing makes you spiral, that's your cue to check your mindset, not attack theirs.

This is your permission slip to:

- Mute what doesn't serve you

- Protect your boundaries

- Focus on your systems

- Stay in your lane

- Celebrate other agents without shrinking yourself

The spring market doesn't require panic. It requires preparation. And a healthy mindset.

You're not behind. You're building.

Key Quotes & Takeaways

• Katy: "Every sign that isn't mine means the market is moving. That's a good thing."
  
  

• Alissa: "If someone's marketing messes with your mindset, that's your cue to look inward."
  
  

• Katy: "We don't need to throw away great to try out good."
  
  

• Katy: "Busy doesn't always mean better. Prepared is better."
  
  

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode 33 – Preparing for Busy

• Episode 17 – What to Do When You're New or Slow

• Episode 331 – A Realtor Leaves Her Phone for a Week

• 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

If you've ever had a seller say, "We're probably about a year out… but can you come tell us what to do?" — this episode is for you.

Today we're talking about how to win the listing early without wasting your time, burning yourself out, or giving away all your value. Because here's the truth: the agent who shows up first often wins.

But how early is too early? And what should a listing prep timeline for sellers actually look like?

We break down the mindset shift, the boundaries, and the strategy behind pre-listing appointments — especially when they're not ready yet.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

• Why the highest-performing agents go on pre-listing visits early

• The realistic listing prep timeline for sellers (hint: it's longer than they think)

• What sellers should NOT do too far in advance (step away from the mulch)

• Interior prep vs. exterior timing

• How to avoid losing listings after giving staging advice

• When to use a checklist — and when to show up in person

• Protecting your time with commitment letters or pre-market agreements

• What to do when they choose another agent after you've done the work

• Real-life stories of listings lost… and listings rewarded

We also share a powerful reminder: sometimes helping someone prep their home changes more than just their sale price.

And don't forget — we're collecting TOASTS! If you're a buyer, seller, Realtor, or client who wants to celebrate a Realtor who made a difference, send your toast to:

team@hustlehumblypodcast.com

Key Quotes & Takeaways

"The agent who shows up first is usually the one who wins." – Katy
"Phase one of listing prep is phase one of moving." – Alissa
"You're not a free checklist. You're a service-based business." – Katy
"Sometimes the sooner you get in the house, the better, even if they're a year out." – Alissa
"There's no 100% protection in real estate… but there is real estate karma." – Katy

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• Hustle Humbly Staging Prep Checklist (Freebie)

• Pre-Listing Appointment Email Template(included in Email Templates 101)

• Pre-Market / Commitment Agreement (Broker-specific form)

• Vendor List (painters, storage units, junk haulers, etc.)

• Episode 143: Working with Sellers: Pre-Listing Prep

• Episode 276: How Do You Stage a House? A Guide for Consumers

• Epidsode 45: The Listing Interview

• Episode 189: Listing Photos

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

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