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.

💬 Key Quotes & Takeaways

"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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