Managing your sellers doesn't have to feel like herding cats — or losing your mind. In this episode, we're diving deep into seller client management and giving you the tools (and mindset) to confidently take charge of every stage of the listing process.

From deciding whether you even want the listing, to coaching your seller through prep, pricing, updates, negotiations, and closing — this episode covers it all. And yes, we even tackle what to do when your seller flat-out ignores your advice or refuses to clean up their clutter (it happens).

This episode was born from your questions — we noticed a theme: y'all are struggling with seller management, and we are here to help. We structured this chat to walk through each step of the seller experience, from first contact to final key handoff, with mindset reminders and real-world solutions for the most common challenges agents face.

If you've ever second-guessed whether to take a listing, worried about pricing too high, or stressed about communicating with a ghosting seller — this one's for you.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

• How to decide if you should even take the listing
  
  

• Why mindset matters more than you think
  
  

• Setting expectations around budget, prep, and condition
  
  

• Giving honest advice without hurting feelings
  
  

• Managing sellers during staging, photos, and price drops
  
  

• How to provide regular updates that actually work

Key Quotes & Takeaways

• "Ask yourself: do you actually want this listing? If not, it's okay to walk away." — Katy
  
  

• "We're not here to be doormats. You can be kind and still be in charge." — Alissa
  
  

• "Your seller only moves every 10 years. You do this every day. Be the professional." — Katy
  
  

• "The market will tell you what the right price is. Don't be afraid of the data." — Alissa
  
  

• "If you're not updating your sellers, they think you've disappeared." — Katy
  
  

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode 183: How to Sell a House
  
  

• Episode 276: How to Stage Your House
  
  

• Episode 73: Building a Staging Closet
  
  

• Episode 65: Contingency Planning for Buyers/Sellers
  
  

• Email Templates 101
  
  

• Transaction Checklists

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 ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

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Email Templates 101: emailtemplates101.com

Build Your Own Business 101: hustlehumblypodcast.com/byob

Agent Systems 101: agentsystems101.com

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

Music:

Straight A's by Conner Price

The Good Life by Summer Kennedy

Haunted house season is here, and we’re back with more of your haunted house real estate stories! This annual episode is equal parts creepy, hilarious, and deeply memorable — and we’re sharing everything from friendly ghosts to record players spinning in power-less foreclosures.

Real estate is wild on a normal day, but when things start slamming, whispering, and levitating? That’s next-level spooky.

These stories come straight from our listeners and fellow Realtors, and we’ve got it all: haunted listing appointments, ghost dogs, creepy dolls, unexplained cold spots, and even a spirit who just wanted his research delivered back to the university.

While none of these haunted happenings are exactly by the book, they’re certainly unforgettable. If you've ever had a weird gut feeling on a showing, this episode will make you feel seen... and maybe a little haunted.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

• A closet door that kept opening… and a ghost whispering “get out”
  
  

• A record player spinning in a power-less house
  
  

• Ghostly buyers who vanished mid-showing
  
  

• A photographer who saw someone move — in an empty home
  
  

• The professor who researched ghosts and maybe became one
  
  

• Cold spots, angry basement doors, and haunted flip houses
  
  

• A house no one saw — and buyers who didn’t last two months

Key Quotes & Takeaways

• “I was like, get out… and the ghost said, get out.”

• “I felt a cold, angry presence — then the door slammed in my face.”

• “If you're going to stay, that's fine. Just stop turning the boiler on.”

• “The professor just wanted his research archived. Once we did, the heat finally stayed off.”

• “That was the only way she could’ve sold it… someone had to buy it sight unseen.”
  
  

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

Rate & Review the Show:
Love what you hear? Leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

Contingencies are back — and they're anything but simple.

In today's market, contingent offers are popping up left and right, and we've got stories. From getting stuck in a 60-day stalemate to crafting creative clauses that save the deal, we're sharing what it really looks like to handle contingent offers like a pro.

This episode is not your typical contract rundown (although if that's what you want, check out Episode 218). Instead, we're digging into real-life examples of contingencies gone sideways and how those experiences have changed the way we approach them forever.

Whether you're the listing agent fielding a "my house isn't even on the market yet" offer, or the buyer's agent trying to keep your clients from panicking mid-deal — this one's for you.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

• The #1 mistake agents make with contingent buyers
  
  

• Why contingent offers feel riskier in today's buyer-driven market
  
  

• How to protect your seller and keep the deal alive
  
  

• Contingency timelines that actually work
  
  

• Why listing status changes matter more than you think
  
  

• The verbiage Katy and Alissa now add to every contingency deal
  
  

• What to do when your buyer panics mid-transaction
  
  

• How to coach buyers and sellers through backup plans (Plan A, B, and C!)

Key Quotes & Takeaways

"You're on a train headed nowhere — that's what it feels like when a contingency stalls." — Alissa

"Buyers see contingent status and think it's pending. Agents do too. That's the real problem." — Katy

"Don't get stuck in a 60-day trap. Put timelines and expectations in writing from the beginning." — Alissa

"If your buyer can't sleep, you've got a problem. Help them make an educated decision, not an emotional one." — Katy

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode 218: Real Estate Contingencies Explained
  
  

• Episode 65: Buying and Selling at the Same Time
  
  

• Email Templates 101: https://emailtemplates101.com
  
  

• Agent Systems 101: https://agentsystems101.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.

Rate & Review the Show:
Love what you hear? Leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly

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Build Your Own Business 101: hustlehumblypodcast.com/byob

All Resources: hustlehumblypodcast.com

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

Music:

Straight A's by Conner Price

The Good Life by Summer Kennedy

In this episode, we're diving into the truth about AI in the real estate world—and how to use it without losing the personal connection that wins you business.

We'll start with the basics: what even is AI, what does ChatGPT stand for, and how many people are really using it? (Spoiler: it's more than 700 million weekly.) But don't worry—we're not here to get super technical. This is a plain-English chat for agents who want to stay ahead of the curve without losing their mind (or their clients).

We'll also cover one agent's jaw-dropping story about losing a listing to his own automation. Plus, we'll give you real examples of how to use AI for good—without outsourcing your client trust to a bot.

Here's what we cover:

• What AI and ChatGPT actually mean (in plain English!)
  
  

• Why "trust over task" is the real Realtor advantage
  
  

• How automation can kill your client relationship
  
  

• What AI can replace—and what it absolutely cannot
  
  

• The good, the bad, and the awkward of AI in recruiting
  
  

• How to use AI without losing your voice or your client
  
  

• The step-by-step guide to becoming the agent AI recommends
  
  

• Real-world examples from brokers and agents using AI well

Key Quotes/Takeaways

• "AI can do your tasks—but it can't earn your client's trust." – Katy
  
  

• "Relationships cannot be automated." – Alissa
  
  

• "The most likely future is that agents who use AI will replace those who don't." – Katy
  
  

• "Clients don't hire your CRM—they hire you." – Alissa
  
  

• "Use AI to save time, not replace connection." – Katy
  
  

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• ChatGPT (by OpenAI)
  
  

• RPR Reports
  
  

• IDX Website + CRM automation tools
  
  

• Inman article by Jimmy Burgess
  
  

• Article: "I Lost a Listing to AI" by Josh Rice

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

Music:

Straight A's by Conner Price

The Good Life by Summer Kennedy

Ever found yourself halfway through a showing thinking, "This buyer has no intention of buying anything"?

You, my friend, have met the infamous looky loo. They're curious, they're charming, and they are a black hole of time, gas money, and sanity, unless you have boundaries.

In this episode, we're going deep into how to manage the buyers who just want to look; the ones who text at 9pm with Zillow links, or who take seven years to finally make a purchase. We're sharing real stories (some wild ones), actionable strategies, and a whole lot of permission to run your business like a business.

If you've ever thought, "I don't want to lose the deal," but also "I might lose my mind," this one's for you.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

• What makes someone a looky loo and how to spot them early

• How to set clear boundaries and expectations without guilt

• The difference between being helpful and being used

• When to quiet quit on a buyer (and how to do it professionally)

• Scripts to help you say what needs to be said, kindly but firmly

• How to qualify casual buyers without scaring them off

• How buyer behavior impacts your time, business, and mental load
  

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• 📝 Buyer + Seller Checklists: https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/checklist
  
  

• 📄 Buyer Brokerage Agreement Cover Letter: https://hustlehumblypodcast.com/bba
  
  

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

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

Want to chat with us?
Join the Hustle Humbly Community or send us a message at team@hustlehumblypodcast.com.

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

Music:

Straight A's by Conner Price

The Good Life by Summer Kennedy

There’s nothing quite like walking into a listing appointment prepared, only to have the seller slide an appraisal across the table before you can even share your thoughts. In this episode, we dive deep into the sometimes-helpful, often-headache-inducing world of pre-listing appraisals in real estate.

Alissa shares a couple of jaw-dropping pricing stories, including one where she was blindsided by an appraisal that came in a full $60K over her estimate—and how she ended up taking the listing anyway (spoiler: she regrets it). Katy and Alissa get real about the pros and cons of pre-listing appraisals, when they’re appropriate, and how they can be both a tool and a trap.

You’ll also hear two real-life case studies that show how appraisals can drastically impact seller expectations—and what happens when those numbers just don’t line up with the market. From lessons learned the hard way to advice you can use in your next listing appointment, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and some painful pricing truth.

If you’ve ever struggled to price a property—or convince a seller that their home isn’t worth what Zillow (or their appraiser) says—this one’s for you.

Here’s what we chat about in this episode:

• What is a pre-listing appraisal and why would a seller get one?
  
  

• Real-life pricing fails (and what we learned from them)
  
  

• Why appraisals aren’t always reliable in shifting markets
  
  

• How to talk to sellers about appraisals without losing the listing
  
  

• Why CMAs and appraisals rarely match
  
  

• Specific scripts and verbiage to use when appraisals go wrong
  
  

• The pros and cons of recommending an appraisal yourself
  
  

• How to position yourself as the pricing expert—even when the appraiser disagrees
  
  

• Tips for navigating seller emotions and stubborn pricing

“I should’ve gone in with my Alissa mentality: tell them the truth and let the chips fall.” – Alissa

“Appraisers are only using data from homes that actually sold. They’re not accounting for what’s sitting on the market today.” – Katy

“I prayed I was wrong, but the market proved me right—and the house sat for months.” – Alissa

“Sometimes the appraisal says 510 and your gut says 450… and you take the listing anyway. Don’t do that.” – Katy

“You can get five appraisers and five different values. Your job is to be the constant.” – Alissa

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• Build Your Own Business 101 (BYOB)
  
  

• Email Templates 101
  
  

• Agent Systems 101
  
  

• Buyer & Seller Checklists
  
  

Want to chat with us?
Join the Hustle Humbly Community or send us a message at team@hustlehumblypodcast.com.

Don’t forget to grab our free resources at hustlehumblypodcast.com! Want to support the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a Realtor friend who needs it!

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

Music:

Straight A’s by Conner Price

The Good Life by Summer Kennedy

How do you build a real estate business that lasts? Spoiler alert: it’s not with fancy tech or paid leads.

In this bonus episode, we’re sharing Alissa’s recent guest appearance on The Real South Agents Podcast with Jamie Knight. You’ll hear a fresh side of Alissa as she flips the mic and opens up about her earliest days in real estate — from waiting tables to handwriting 250 letters just to build a database.

Jamie does a great job pulling out valuable takeaways for both new and struggling Realtors, and you’ll leave this conversation with a renewed sense of purpose and plenty of real-life strategies that actually work.

You’ll hear the exact process Alissa followed to build her repeat and referral-based business, why she almost became a real estate appraiser, and the advice she’d give an agent who’s one bad month away from quitting.

If you’ve ever felt like giving up, or you’re stuck in the weeds of “what CRM should I use,” this is your pep talk.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this bonus chat:

• How Alissa went from Cane’s lemonade maker to top-producing Realtor

• Why your business “clock” might not have started yet

• The low-cost move that helped Alissa build her database

• How to consistently stay in touch without being pushy or salesy

• Why writing 250 handwritten notes changed everything

• What to do when you’re struggling and have no leads

• Simple follow-up strategies that still work in 2025

• The email tip that keeps you top of mind (and feels human)

• Why loving on your people always beats paid leads

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• Jamie Knight, The Real South Agents Podcast

• Mailchimp (for email list building)

• Alissa’s spreadsheet-style CRM

• LSU Football Schedule Mailouts

• Hustle Humbly Community: hustlehumblypodcast.com/membership
  

• Freebies for Realtors: hustlehumblypodcast.com/freebies
  

When Stacie Rihl hosted her first first-time homebuyer class, only 10 people showed up and she had 15 pizzas. Fast forward a few years, and she now runs a national referral business built entirely around teaching buyers how the process works.

After gaining experience in both the real estate and mortgage industries, Stacie Rihl recognized a major gap in education and resources for first-time homebuyers. She went on to become an online educator for new buyers, offering free virtual classes that have helped over 20,000 people learn the home-buying process.

In this episode, we chat with Stacie about how she went from in-person flops to 50+ monthly referrals all while wearing yoga pants and working from her laptop.

She shares how her journey through real estate sales and mortgages gave her a unique perspective, why consistency mattered more than perfection, and how a simple Zoom class changed her entire career.

💡 If you've ever thought about hosting a class (and then chickened out)... this is your permission slip.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

• How one failed class turned into a full-time business
  
  

• Why educating buyers builds instant trust
  
  

• How to teach homebuyers without boring them
  
  

• Creating a scalable system from your passion
  
  

• The importance of strong follow-up systems
  
  

• How Stacie chooses the agents she refers to
  
  

• The unexpected power of being the “expert” early in the process
  
  

• What most agents get wrong about first-time buyer events
  
  

• Why she teaches live — and keeps it free
  
  

• The agent interview process she uses before sending leads
  
  

If you’ve been looking for a lead gen strategy that’s actually aligned with your values, this one’s for you.

“You have to have a way to turn class attendees into clients. It’s not just about showing up with snacks.” — Stacie Rihl

“I want people to come to me before they’re ready — that’s where the trust starts.” — Stacie Rihl

“Don’t give up because your first class was a flop. My first one was, too.” — Stacie Rihl

“You can teach homebuyers and still build a serious business.” — Katy Caldwell

“Consistency wins. It's not magic; it's a system.” — Alissa Jenkins

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• Stacie Rihl on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamstacierihl/

• Free Database Template: http://hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere

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

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

• All Resources: http://hustlehumblypodcast.com
  

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

Music:

Straight A’s by Conner Price

The Good Life by Summer Kennedy