Beginner’s luck was real—but it’s not forever.
If you got into real estate during the pandemic boom years, chances are you saw fast wins and easy closings and you might’ve thought, “Wow, this job is amazing!” But now, things feel different. Harder. Slower. And maybe you're wondering… “Do I even have what it takes?”

In this episode, we’re having an honest, sometimes tough-love chat about what it really takes to make it in real estate today. We’re sharing our own early career stories: what worked, what didn’t, and why survival back then looks a lot like what it takes now.

We’re talking about the shift from pandemic market momentum to today’s unpredictable reality and why so many agents are feeling lost, confused, and ready to walk away. If you're in that spot, we want to help you find clarity (not just blind motivation).

We cover:

• The hard truth about beginner’s luck

• What it means to truly commit to a real estate business

• Why some agents succeed and others don’t

• How to know if it’s time to quit—or double down

• Real questions to audit your situation honestly

• The shift from “I want to” to “I need to make this work”

• Why having a backup plan can actually hurt your chances

This episode is for you if:

• You’re thinking about leaving the business (but feel guilty or unsure)

• You’re wondering if this slump is just temporary or a sign

• You want to stop spinning your wheels and start working a real plan
  
  

This one might sting a little—but we promise it’s full of encouragement, clarity, and direction too. Consider this your wake-up call and pep talk rolled into one.

“Just because you want something doesn’t mean it’s going to happen—you need a plan, not just a dream.” — Alissa

“You have to treat real estate like a business, not a fantasy.” — Katy

“Beginner’s luck gave you experience—now you need to put in the work.” — Katy

“Stop waiting for a magic turnaround. This is the new market. Are you in or are you out?” — Alissa

“The first three years aren’t about making money—they’re about showing up every single day, whether it’s easy or not.” — Katy

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode 1–3: Our Origin Stories

• Episode 38: Where Our Business Comes From

• Episode 73: The Staging Closet

• Episode 119: Interview with a Builder

• Episode 198: Real Estate Side Hustles

• Episode 271: Should You Renew Your License?

• Episode 304: Listener Q&A Pt. 1

• Episode 306: Listener Q&A Pt. 2

• Real estate email templates: hustlehumblypodcast.com/templates

• Trello (for task/project management): hustlehumblypodcast.com/trello

• Excel or spreadsheets for budgeting early in your career
  

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It’s time for more honest answers to your real estate questions—because you asked, and we had A LOT to say.

We’re back for Part 2 of our listener Q&A series, and we’re tackling everything from handwritten note verbiage to how to fire a client, and yes—even our thoughts on the revenue share brokerage model (spoiler: we’re not fans).

This is the episode you need if you’ve ever felt unsure about what to say, how to say it, or whether you should say it at all.

We’re digging into the real situations real agents are dealing with every day, and giving you the words, confidence, and strategies to handle them like the pro you are (or want to be!).

We cover:

• Reconnecting with past clients after a long silence
  
  

• What to write in handwritten notes that don’t sound salesy
  
  

• Scripts for hard conversations with buyers and sellers
  
  

• What to do when someone is rude or flat-out wrong
  
  

• Pricing conversations that don’t get you fired (or make you cry)
  
  

• What we actually spend money on in our businesses
  
  

• Handling rejection, unprofessional agents, and burnout
  
  

• What we’d change about the real estate industry
  
  

• Our honest thoughts on revenue-sharing brokerages
  
  

• Dealing with political and economic uncertainty in the market
  
  

Plus:
We offer up some of our favorite phrases, scripts, and calming-but-firm lines that help us set boundaries and still keep our professionalism intact.

This one is packed with wisdom, laughs, and real world truths. Whether you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or just ready for a new strategy, we’ve got your back.

“You can always pick up where you left off. Just don’t apologize for the silence—no one noticed but you.” — Alissa

“If you're the only one doing the work to sell the house, it’s time for a reset or to walk away.” — Katy

“You don't have to be mean, but you do have to be firm.” — Katy

“Realtors aren’t therapists. Boundaries are how we stay in this business for the long haul.” — Alissa

“There is no free, easy money. Whatever path you choose, it’s still work.” — Katy

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode 304: Q&A Part 1

• Episode 35: Stage to Sell

• Episode 73: Staging Closet

• Episode 38: Where Our Business Comes From

• Episode 48: Taking the Emotion Out of Real Estate

• Episode 77: Real Estate Virtues

• Episode 87 & 89: Morning and Evening Routines

• Episode 119: Interview with a Builder

• Episode 129: How to Be a Good Co-op Agent

• Episode 264: Relocating Your Real Estate Business

• Econ 101 Episode: Real Estate + The Market

• Flower-seed stationery

• Canva (for holiday cards)

Leave us a review at ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

Get your FREE Database Template

Email Templates 101: emailtemplates101.com

Build Your Own Business 101: hustlehumblypodcast.com/byob

Agent Systems 101: agentsystems101.com

All Resources: hustlehumblypodcast.com

Submit your topic ideas and toasts to team@hustlehumblypodcast.com

What happens when you blend DIY passion with real estate expertise? You get Brittany Norman.

In this episode, we chat with Brittany—a Realtor, investor, DIY queen, and mom of three—who has built a fascinating career out of renovating, blogging, managing a short-term rental, and now helping buyers and sellers in Florida. Brittany pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to live in a flip, how to manage your own Airbnb (while also being a real estate agent), and the behind-the-scenes of brand partnerships and blogging.

We talk about everything from flooded homes and staging tricks to managing construction chaos and prepping a house for guests—with a few chicken bones and soot-covered ceilings thrown in for good measure.

Whether you’re thinking about buying an investment property, managing your own short-term rental, or just love a good before-and-after project, this episode is for you!

We chat with Brittany about:

• Her journey from Etsy shop owner to licensed Realtor
  
  

• How living in renovation zones shaped her investing strategy
  
  

• The emotional side of selling a home you’ve poured yourself into
  
  

• Real talk about Airbnb—costs, communication, and cleaning
  
  

• The mistake she’ll never make again with kitchen cabinets
  
  

• When DIY is worth it… and when it’s time to hire help
  
  

• How she turned brand partnerships into real income
  
  

• Offering value as a Realtor through staging consultations
  
  

“There’s no free, easy money. Even with short-term rentals, there’s always going to be work involved.” — Alissa

“If I’m going to mess something up, I’d rather do it myself and learn than pay someone and still not love it.” — Brittany

“You don’t have to be salesy if you’re offering real value.” — Brittany

“Sometimes you don’t need a to-do list—you need a ‘what not to do’ list.” — Katy

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• PriceLabs (airbnb pricing tool)
  
  

• EllisonMade.com
  
  

• PalmHarborHideaway.com
  
  

• thecoastalagentfl.com
  
  

Connect with Brittany:

• Instagram (DIY + blog): @ellisonmade
  
  

• Real Estate: @thecoastalagent or coastalagentfl.com
  
  

• Airbnb: palmharborhideaway.com
  
  

Cheers to Erin Kirk for the heartfelt support toast! We love seeing agents support each other behind the scenes.

Leave us a review at ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

Get your FREE Database Template

Email Templates 101: emailtemplates101.com

Build Your Own Business 101: hustlehumblypodcast.com/byob

Agent Systems 101: agentsystems101.com

All Resources: hustlehumblypodcast.com

Submit your topic ideas and toasts to team@hustlehumblypodcast.com