Contracts & Chaos

Contracts & Chaos

Contracts & Chaos is the place to hear about what's happening to fellow Realtors like you. That crazy seller, the buyer who left at closing; we talk about it. How to stay relevant and thrive in a down market? We discuss it. Alyssa & Brenna are Realtors located in the Charlotte and Hickory, NC market who have built their businesses in communities they are transplants in, without buying leads or joining mega teams to make it happen. They've beaten the odds during a pandemic and are here to share their stories, tips and advice on how to survive a down market or start your business from scratch.

Episodes

July 1, 2025 25 mins

Not all buyers are created equal—and neither are their reasons for jumping into the real estate market. In this episode, we're digging into what really motivates buyers right now (hint: it’s not always about square footage and granite countertops).

From “we need more space before the next baby arrives” to “we’re done with city life and ready for chickens,” we’re sharing the real-life reasons people are buying homes—and how unde...

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Let’s be real—some of the biggest obstacles in real estate don’t come from the market… they come from between your ears. 😬

In this episode, we’re tackling the limiting beliefs that creep in when you're trying to grow your business, serve your clients, and keep your sanity. You know the ones:
 👉 "I'm not experienced enough."
 👉 "I could never charge that much."
👉 "I have to be avail...

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You know the one. That awkward moment when someone asks about the thing we’re not supposed to say anymore—yep, the “Big C.” 🙈

In this episode, Alyssa and I are diving into the spicy world of handling the value conversation like a pro. Because let’s be real, navigating this question isn’t about defending a number—it’s about showing up, knowing your worth, and keeping your cool without breaking into a full-blown TED Talk.

We’re breaki...

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Still holding out for 3% interest rates before buying a home? We need to talk.

In this episode, we’re keeping it real about the market, mindset, and why waiting for the "perfect" rate might be keeping you from the right opportunity.

Let’s be honest: 3% interest was a unicorn moment — and while it made for some fun mortgage math, it’s not the only path to a smart, strategic home purchase.

We’re digging into:

  • Why buying whe...
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Y’ALL. It’s official—she did the dang thing.

In this episode, we are sitting down to  spill the behind-the-scenes of buying her very first short-term rental property!

From choosing the right property to juggling emotions, financing, and deciding if the roi really does work… she's sharing the highs, the chaos, and all the excitement in between.

Whether you’re dreaming about dipping your toe into the STR world or just love a good “...

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Throwback episode.... Trigger Warning: Suicide 

Before we begin today’s episode, we want to issue a **trigger warning**. This episode will involve discussions about suicide, mental health struggles, and the emotional challenges that many in our community are facing. These topics can be very sensitive, and we recognize that they may bring up difficult feelings for some listeners. 

 

If you or someone you know is struggling wi...

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May 27, 2025 52 mins

Let’s talk about it—the glam, the gimmicks, and the good ol’ waste of money. In this episode, we're breaking down the things we personally think real estate agents should stop spending their hard-earned cash on. From overpriced branding fluff to leads colder than that iced coffee we live for, we’re pulling back the curtain on what’s actually worth it and what’s just shiny noise.

Whether you're a new agent trying to be stra...

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May 20, 2025 23 mins

Holding ourselves accountable TWICE this sprint with a little mid-way check in on our goals. Some things have changed, pivoted, been crossed out, and some spoken into the universe before we were ready! 

Quick, easy, and hopefully the real, raw reset you need to hear that the rest of us aren't perfect, either. 

Cheers to 6 more weeks!

Like what you heard? Make sure to follow and review the podcast, and shoot us a message with you...

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May 13, 2025 37 mins

Let’s be real—building a community (in real estate or life) isn’t always as simple as sliding into a perfectly curated group chat of like-minded people cheering you on. Sometimes, your people don’t come pre-assembled… sometimes, you’re the one pulling the chairs together.

In this episode, we’re talking about what it actually looks like to find a community, or create one from scratch—especially when you're the new face in town, ...

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Hey there, friend — grab your coffee (or your allergy meds), because spring is in the air and so is opportunity. In this episode, we are dishing out some fresh, real estate-ready marketing ideas to help you stay top of mind without feeling salesy or stiff.

We’re talking: 🧀 CMA Pizza Boxes (yes, you read that right)
 🍎 Teacher Appreciation Pop-Bys that don’t feel like throwaways
💸 How to turn your community’s yard sale we...

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April 29, 2025 24 mins

Let’s be honest—not all past clients are created equal. In this episode, we’re spilling the tea on how we rate our past clients to decide who gets a phone call, who gets a mailer, and who gets… well, referred out next time. 😅

We’re breaking down our simple but strategic system to help you stay organized and intentional with your client follow-up—because every 'sold' doesn't automatically equal 'soulmate client.&...

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You’ve heard the phrase “time is money” — but in real estate? Time is everything. In this episode, we’re diving into Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell and breaking down how this book hits home for us as realtors constantly juggling showings, contracts, family life, client calls, and that never-ending inbox.

We’re sharing the biggest takeaways that made us pause (and maybe panic a little), what we’ve already started implementing, and...

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April 15, 2025 33 mins

Let’s talk money, honey 💸—because not everything with a fancy landing page and a “limited-time offer” is actually worth your commission check. In this episode, we’re breaking down a few things we do think are worth investing in for your real estate business... and a few that are just overpriced distractions in a cute disguise. From apps and courses to branding, CRM systems, paid ads, and even the ever-tempting "coaching progr...

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What if you could accomplish a year’s worth of goals in just 12 weeks? 🤯 Spoiler alert: you can, and we’re diving into exactly how. In this episode, we’re breaking down the concept of The 12 Week Year—a goal-setting strategy that ditches the traditional January-to-December mindset and helps you take action now.

We’re also spilling the tea on how our last quarter actually went (the good, the chaos, and the things we definitely learn...

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April 1, 2025 35 mins

🚨 Realtor App Round-Up! 🚨

Sure, you probably already know about Canva and Splice (because duh, we all need pretty marketing and easy video editing), but are you really maximizing your app game? Have you tried Forewarn to check out potential clients before you meet them? Or what about Marco Polo—and no, we’re not talking about the pool game. This one keeps you connected without another 47 unread texts.

In this episode, we’re spillin...

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Listen, we all know tax season can feel like a chaotic scramble of lost receipts and last-minute panic. But what if—stay with me here—next year was actually... easy?

In this quick episode, we’re breaking down simple things you can do NOW to make next year’s taxes a breeze. We’re talking:
📁 Setting up a system that actually keeps your expenses organized
🚗 Tracking mileage like a pro (no more “uhhh, I think I drove… a lot?”)...

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March 18, 2025 47 mins

Ah, tax season—the time of year when real estate agents everywhere either confidently hand over their perfectly organized books... or break into a cold sweat and start Googling “How bad is it if I just ignore the IRS?”

In this episode, we’re diving into what you need to know about taxes as a real estate agent—without making your brain hurt. We’ll cover:
📂 What you should have actually been tracking all year
💸 Deductions th...

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This one is for the agents AND the buyers out there. Think buying a home in North Carolina is out of reach because of that dreaded down payment? Are you an agent DREADING sharing a down payment assistance program with your client because you are afraid of all the red tape?

Think again! In this episode, we’re chatting with Brenna's favorite local lender partner, Karyn McAlpin with Atlantic Coast Mortgage, and breaking down down ...

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What do a flashlight, Febreze, and a spare pair of shoes have in common? They’re ALL in our real estate survival kit. 🤣 In this episode, we’re spilling the must-haves every agent should keep in their car—because you never know when you’ll need to de-stink a house, MacGyver a fix, or survive a surprise showing. Trust us, you’re gonna want to double-check your trunk after this one! 🎧🔥 #WhatsInYourCarKit #RealtorLife #BePrepared #C...

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If you love the idea of reading but never seem to have the time, this episode is for you! We’re diving into three powerhouse books—fast and to the point—so you can grab the best takeaways without flipping a single page, or make an easy decision of which one to pick up next.

Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell – Stop trading hours for dollars and start reclaiming your schedule by outsourcing the tasks that drain your energy.

🗣 Exactl...

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