Real Estate Done Right(ish)

This is our Happy(ish) Hour Edition and last of the season (because Annalie's heading to Alaska for some serious salmon fishing, and honestly? It's everything I love about our friendship and this industry. We start with dance parties in cars and Whitney Houston therapy, dive deep into how "Women Who Run With Wolves" is changing how I think about business building, and end up playing the most ridiculous Would You Rather game ever created for real estate agents.

If you've ever wondered how to blend masculine business structure with feminine creative flow, or if you just need to hear someone say "that's what she said" in a professional context, this episode delivers both. We're talking intuitive business planning, creative practices that fuel innovation, and why your next business strategy session might need art supplies instead of spreadsheets.

Plus, Would You Rather: be wildly successful but end every conversation with "that's what she said" OR struggle for years but become a legend? (Spoiler: we have strong opinions.)

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 - Coffee confessions and vacation announcements

05:35 - Women Who Run With Wolves: When books change your business 

12:18 - Dance parties vs. podcasts: What's your car soundtrack? 

18:47 - Intuitive business planning meets fall workshop dreams 

24:30 - The art of not forcing your business (creative flow FTW) 

32:15 - Boundary chat: The 8-6 rule that actually worked 

38:42 - Would You Rather: Real Estate Agent Edition (prepare to laugh) 

45:30 - This or That rapid fire round (we have opinions)

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.realestatedonerightishpod.com

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Real Estate Done Right(ish)

Jennifer Briggs

Annalie Nienow

"The chief financial analyst for Bankrate, said that rates will not get below 6% in 2025. Economic growth and worries about both inflation and government debt are what they're predicting are going to keep mortgage rates elevated" 

If you've been holding your breath waiting for interest rates to magically drop back to 3%, this episode is your wake-up call. We're diving deep into Bankrate's latest predictions that show rates staying above 6% through 2025, plus the surprising inventory shifts happening nationwide that could flip everything.

This isn't your typical doom-and-gloom market update. We're breaking down exactly what the 4.6 months of inventory really means for your business, why builder confidence just hit a 13-year low, and how to position yourself when half the country might be entering buyer's markets while others stay firmly in seller territory.

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 - Welcome and door lock interpretive dance confessions 

08:30 - Interest rate reality: Why 6% is the new normal

15:45 - Housing inventory surge: 20% increase means what exactly? 

23:20 - Political implications: Trump policies and market impacts 

31:15 - Builder confidence hits 13-year low: New construction reality 

38:45 - Regional market splits: Buyer's vs seller's markets nationwide 

46:20 - Affordability crisis continues: Lock-in effect explained 

52:30 - Home price predictions: 2% appreciation vs 4.5% last year 

58:45 - Consumer behavior shifts: When will buyers come off sidelines?

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.realestatedonerightishpod.com

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Real Estate Done Right(ish)

Jennifer Briggs

Annalie Nienow

"I was supposed to have three appointments in Northern Minnesota... one of them canceled an hour out, then the next day canceled. These appointments were to the tune of 1.6 million. That's 40 grand, 50 grand in your pocket going from opportunity to nothing." - Annalie

If you've ever said "real estate is weird" approximately 17 times in one week, this episode is going to feel like a warm hug from your most understanding friend.

This week hit us both with the kind of market reality that makes you question everything – from canceled million-dollar appointments to aggressive tenants with illegal dogs in condo hallways. We're getting vulnerable about the emotional rollercoaster of this business when your pipeline isn't as full as you'd like and every lost opportunity stings a little harder.

Whether you're dealing with flaky FSBOs, family members talking sellers out of listing, or just trying to keep your foot on the gas when the bottom feels like it's falling out, this episode reminds you that you're not alone in the weirdness.

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 - Welcome and "how you doing?" check-ins 
05:30 - Annalie's Northern Minnesota appointment disaster 
12:45 - When $40K opportunities disappear in one day 
18:20 - Annalie's investor cancellation and family interference 
25:10 - FSBO communication disasters and red flags 
32:40 - The condo hallway altercation at 9 AM 
38:50 - Getting creative with exposure for secondary markets 
45:15 - Reflection on staying connected to past clients 
52:30 - The importance of keeping your foot on the gas

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.realestatedonerightishpod.com

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Real Estate Done Right(ish)

Jennifer Briggs

Annalie Nienow

“After I send my weekly updates, sometimes sellers say, can we have the day to digest this? I would say 90% of my price adjustments are a reply to that email with ‘Yes, let's go to this number.’”

If you've ever had a listing sit on the market while you scramble to explain to anxious sellers what's happening (and why), this episode is your new secret weapon.

Annalie walks us through her comprehensive weekly market and marketing update system—the exact data-driven reports that transform frustrated sellers into confident decision-makers. From Zillow backend analytics to MLS hit counters to the showing report breakdown that reveals where buyers are stalling, you'll get the complete framework for communicating like the market expert you are.

This isn't just about keeping sellers happy (though it does that). It's about positioning yourself as the agent who actually knows what's happening in real time and can guide strategy based on data, not guesswork. Whether your market is hot, cooling, or somewhere in between, this system adapts.

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 - Welcome & Real Talk About Backup Bartending Jobs
02:45 - Market Softening: Why Communication Matters More Now
05:30 - Setting Listing Expectations from Day One
08:15 - The First Weekend Communication Blitz Strategy
12:20 - Weekly Market Reports: What to Send Sellers
15:45 - Analyzing What Buyers Choose Over Your Listing
19:30 - Active Competition Tracking & Narrative Control
23:10 - Showing Reports & Feedback Goldmines
26:45 - Backend MLS Data: The Secret Weapon Agents Miss
31:20 - Zillow Stats: Views, Saves & Buyer Engagement
35:50 - Hit Counters: Understanding Your Buyer Pool Size
40:15 - The Magic Favorites Number (And Why It Changed)
44:30 - Marketing Efforts: From Open Houses to Creative Campaigns
48:20 - Pricing Psychology: Where Buyers Stop in the Process
52:45 - Price Adjustment Strategy: 3-7% vs 10% Rules
56:10 - Why Data Does the Heavy Lifting with Difficult Sellers
59:30 - Wrap Up & Call for Agent Strategies

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.realestatedonerightishpod.com

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Real Estate Done Right(ish)

Jennifer Briggs

Annalie Nienow

If you've ever felt like you're in a pressure cooker—whether it's your real estate business, personal life, or that weird space between "figuring it out" and actually having it figured out—this episode isn't half bad. 

Jen gets vulnerable (per usual) about her recent "contraction period" (a year of worry, money stress, and questioning her direction) and how it led to her current expansion phase (setting 15 appointments in one month after setting only 3 in the previous six months). We dive deep into why these cycles aren't just business phenomena—they're natural patterns that show up everywhere from labor contractions to sponges in the ocean.

Whether you're in a tough season right now or riding a wave of success, this conversation offers both the science behind why contraction prepares us for growth AND the practical tools for navigating whichever phase you're in.

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 - Intro

08:35 - What is contraction and expansion? The nature patterns 

15:22 - Jen's vulnerable story: Six months of fear to sudden expansion

25:45 - Why resistance makes everything worse (and what to do instead) 

35:18 - Business cycles: When markets contract, smart agents focus 

42:30 - The spring loading analogy that explains everything 

52:15 - Planning your own pruning vs. waiting for life to prune you

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.realestatedonerightishpod.com

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Real Estate Done Right(ish)

Jennifer Briggs

Annalie Nienow

"Every transaction, when you have something like this happen, ask yourself, how can I build that into a system? It's hard when you're dealing with 15 phone calls a day to pause and go, how could I make this better and then add this into a system?"

We had five inches of rain in two hours, which led to water in basements 24 hours before closing, missing siding pieces that buyers wanted "fixed" with brand new roofs, and more transaction drama than a reality TV show. 

In this crossover episode (part Happy Hour, part strategy session), Annalie and I dive into how extreme weather is creating new closing challenges, plus we tackle the controversial topic of working multiple real estate markets. Should you take that listing two hours away? What about agents working from Mexico while servicing Minnesota clients?

Whether you're dealing with storm-related transaction chaos or dreaming of geographic freedom in your real estate career, this episode gives you both the emotional support and practical frameworks you need.

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 - Auto-correct disasters and summer energy check-ins 

08:35 - Storm season transaction chaos: Water, wind, and closing drama

25:18 - Controversial topic: Working multiple real estate markets 

42:30 - Geographic freedom vs. local expertise debate 

55:15 - Jealousy as a compass for business desires 

68:45 - Future retreat planning and wrap-up

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.realestatedonerightishpod.com

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Real Estate Done Right(ish)

Jennifer Briggs

Annalie Nienow

"There are so many economic things happening that are not along the path of past predictors. When this moves, this should go this way. And we're not seeing that right now." - Annalie

If you've been feeling like the economic headlines don't match what you're seeing in your local market, this episode is for you.

Annalie and I dive deep into NAR's June 2025 economic outlook, plus some interesting takes that'll change how you talk to clients. Did you know Baby Boomers just reclaimed their spot as the #1 home buyer group? Or that wage growth is actually outpacing consumer prices right now?

We're breaking down Fed Chair Jerome Powell's recent comments (spoiler: he basically said "we have no idea what's coming"), regional market shifts that explain why some areas are thriving while others are correcting, and the demographic changes reshaping buyer behavior.

Whether you're trying to understand why your "hot" market suddenly feels different or you need talking points for nervous sellers, this episode gives you the economic foundation to speak with confidence.

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 - Welcome and the mystery of commitment-issue bloodhounds 

08:35 - Fed policy updates: Why Jerome Powell is taking a "wait and see" approach

15:22 - Job market surprises: 7 million more payroll jobs than pre-COVID 

22:43 - Regional winners and losers: 5-year appreciation data that explains everything 

35:15 - Demographic bombshell: Baby Boomers reclaim #1 buyer status 

48:30 - Investment outlook: Why cash buyers have the advantage right now

RESOURCES: NAR Real Estate Economic Update PPT

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.realestatedonerightishpod.com

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Real Estate Done Right(ish)

Jennifer Briggs

Annalie Nienow

Everyone talks about work-life balance, but Microsoft's 2025 study just revealed why it feels impossible. The "infinite workday" means workers are interrupted every 2 minutes, receive 153 messages daily, and have meetings after 8 PM that are up 16% from last year. Sound familiar?

This isn't your typical "set boundaries" advice (though we get real about that too). It's about understanding why you feel like you're drowning and what actually works when your income depends on being available. Plus, Annalie shares her framework for living a life by design through five categories of abundance (spoiler: it's not about money), and we get into the neuroscience of choice and how to actually retrain your brain. 

We end with some ridiculously fun real estate trivia that'll make you the hit of your next broker event.

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by the infinite demands of real estate or just need to hear that you're not alone in feeling like the world is a little unsteady right now, this episode offers both reality checks and hope.

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 - Welcome: Big girl weeks and no car crying 

05:30 - Minnesota reality check: Leading through uncertainty

18:45 - Microsoft's infinite workday study: The soul-crushing numbers 

35:20 - Five categories of abundance: Nature, community, nourishment, love, purpose 

52:15 - The neuroscience of choice and habit change 

58:30 - Fun real estate trivia: From haunted house disclosures to red doors

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.realestatedonerightishpod.com

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Real Estate Done Right(ish)

Jennifer Briggs

Annalie Nienow

We've covered the presentation and pricing—now it's time for the finale. In this third part of Annalie's listing appointment series, we're walking through everything that happens after you've discussed price and commission: the staging consultation, handling sell-buy scenarios, and actually closing for the signature.

This is where most agents either fumble or rush to the finish line. Annalie's approach? She slows down, educates more, and creates a clear roadmap that makes sellers feel confident about next steps. You'll hear her exact process for the "prepping for market" consultation, how she handles the tricky "threading the needle" situations when clients need to both sell and buy, and her simple but effective closing technique that doesn't feel like closing at all.

Whether you're new to listing appointments or looking to refine your process, this episode gives you the complete framework for finishing strong and getting those contracts signed.

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 - Welcome and foundation crack philosophy (yes, really) 

08:35 - Prepping for market: The laminated roadmap that wins 

15:22 - Threading the needle: Sell-buy scenario navigation

25:45 - Setting communication boundaries without losing clients 

35:15 - The close: "Are you ready to get started?" 

43:20 - Objection handling scripts that actually work

Resources: Brandon Mulrenin Scripts (Reverse Selling)

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.realestatedonerightishpod.com

Join Our Nonsense - Want more real estate insights, stories we can't
share on the podcast, early access to resources and events? Join our newsletter community. Click the link and sign up!

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Real Estate Done Right(ish)

Jennifer Briggs

Annalie Nienow

"There are five categories of abundance: nature, community, nourishment, love, and authentic purpose. Money is different from wealth, and wealth is different from abundance." 

Annalie and I dove deep into something most real estate podcasts won't touch - the psychology of money, abundance mindset, and what it ACTUALLY takes to live comfortably in 2025.

Did you know you need to make $91,728 as a single person to live "comfortably" in Minnesota? Or that a family of four needs $251,000? We break down the Smart Asset study that's got everyone talking, plus share real market data on mortgage applications surging 34% and UWM bringing back 1% down payments.

We explore the difference between money, wealth, and abundance. Annalie shares her 3-week money challenge insights about the five categories of true abundance, and we get vulnerable about our own money stories - from growing up on food stamps to that phase where I spent money like the kid who finally got a good meal.

Whether you're hitting your financial goals or feeling like you're behind, this episode gives you both the mindset tools AND the market data you need right now.

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 - Real talk: When business and life collide 

08:35 - The resilience conversation we all need 

15:22 - Five categories of abundance (not just money) 

25:18 - Economic update: Mortgage applications surge 34% 

32:45 - Smart Asset study: What it costs to live comfortably in 2025 

42:30 - UWM brings back 1% down payment options 

48:15 - Our money stories: From scarcity to abundance

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.realestatedonerightishpod.com

Join Our Nonsense - Want more real estate insights, stories we can't
share on the podcast, early access to resources and events? Join our newsletter community. Click the link and sign up!

Follow Us On Instagram:

Real Estate Done Right(ish)

Jennifer Briggs

Annalie Nienow