The Counter Offer

The Counter Offer

by Meredith Alderson and Jenny Kim

Entrepreneurship Self-Improvement

Season 1

The Market Changed. Did Your Strategy?

Is the market actually bad, or does your strategy need to change? In this episode of The Counter Offer, Meredith Alderson and Jenny Kim break down what it really takes to sell a home in today’s real estate market. From pricing and days on market to showing activity, buyer feedback, price reductions, and seller expectations, they’re talking through the conversations agents need to be having right now. Meredith and Jenny share what they’re seeing firsthand in Austin, why the strategies that worked a few years ago don’t always work today, and how agents can tell the difference between a true market challenge and a problem they can actually fix. They get into what 20 showings with no offers could really mean, why meaningful buyer and agent feedback matters, when marketing can help and when it can’t, how to keep sellers engaged through a longer listing period, and why pricing and condition are still two of the biggest factors buyers are responding to. Because you can’t control the market. You can control how you respond to it. The Counter Offer is hosted by Austin real estate agents Meredith Alderson and Jenny Kim, bringing honest conversations about real estate, business, career growth, and what actually happens behind the deals. Follow Meredith Alderson Instagram: @meredithalderson.heyday Follow Jenny Kim Instagram: @jennykim_realestate Produced, written, and edited by Adam Walding Instagram: @adamwalding.heyday Subscribe to The Counter Offer for new episodes and follow along for more honest conversations about building a real estate business in today’s market.

Wait… This Is Part of Being a Realtor?!

Not My Job… But Have I Done It? Real estate looks polished from the outside. Nice houses, beautiful listing photos, closings and champagne. Behind the scenes? Realtors are moving furniture, cleaning cat litter, pulling weeds, checking vacant homes before a freeze, dealing with contractors, looking for missing keys and talking clients through some of the most emotional moments of their lives. In this episode of The Counter Offer, Meredith Alderson and Jenny Kim are talking about everything Realtors do that is definitely NOT in the job description, but somehow becomes part of the job anyway. They share stories about maintaining vacant listings, saving showings at the last minute, inspecting sewer lines in nice clothes, keeping pools clean, babysitting, dealing with pets and all the other incredibly random things that happen when you work in residential real estate. But the bigger conversation is about boundaries. When does going above and beyond become too much? How accessible should you be to your clients? How do you know when something is outside your expertise? And when does doing everything yourself stop being great service and start holding back your business? Meredith and Jenny talk about the emotional role Realtors play during divorce, death, negotiations and other major life changes, along with why agents sometimes need to protect their clients from the unnecessary drama happening behind the scenes of a transaction. They also get into setting expectations early, learning to say no, staying in your lane when it comes to lending or legal advice, managing vendor referrals and knowing when it’s finally time to hire help. Meredith shares one of the biggest lessons she’s learned while growing her business: never scale backward. Once you build the people, systems and processes that give you the capacity to grow, removing them every time business slows down can make it almost impossible to reach the next level. Then they wrap things up with a rapid-fire game of “Not My Job… But Have I Done It?” Dog poop, couches, toilets, weeds, lost keys, babysitting, bugs, trash, pets and plenty more. If you’re an agent, you probably have your own list. ABOUT THE COUNTER OFFER The Counter Offer is hosted by Austin real estate agents Meredith Alderson and Jenny Kim, two top-producing agents having honest conversations about business, real estate, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and what really happens behind the deals. FOLLOW THE HOSTS Meredith Alderson Instagram: @meredithalderson.heyday Jenny Kim Instagram: @jennykimatx Produced, written and edited by Adam Walding.

Why Realtors Make Good Money and Still Feel Broke

Why can a real estate agent have a great year on paper and still wonder where all the money went? In this episode of The Counter Offer, Meredith Alderson and Jenny Kim sit down with Mellisa Reeves to talk about the financial side of real estate that agents rarely get taught. Real estate income is unpredictable. One month can be incredible, the next can be completely quiet. Mellisa explains how agents can get off the “revenue roller coaster,” better manage commission income, understand their expenses, and build systems that create a more sustainable and profitable business. Mellisa also shares her path from growing up on a farm in Northern Canada as the oldest of 10 kids to building a career across lending, brokerage, construction, development, and real estate entrepreneurship. In this episode, we talk about: • Why making more money does not necessarily mean keeping more money • How to manage irregular commission income • Revenue vs. actual profit • Understanding your real estate business expenses • Cash flow planning for Realtors • Creating financial systems before your business grows • The difference between being a great salesperson and a great business owner If you are a real estate agent trying to build a business that feels more financially stable, intentional, and profitable, this conversation is for you. Connect With Us Meredith Alderson Instagram: @meredith.alderson.heyday Jenny Kim Instagram: @jennykimrealtor Mellisa Reeves Instagram: @mellisareeves Website:www.mellisareeves.com/real-estate-financial-coaching Resource Mentioned in the Episode Learn more about Relay Bank here: https://app.relayfi.com/v3/register/user?referralcode=ab-StudioProsper Produced, written, and edited by Adam Walding.Spotify + Apple Podcast Description

Things We’d Never Do Again as Real Estate Agents

In this episode of The Counter Offer, Meredith Alderson and Jenny Kim are talking about the things they would never do again as real estate agents, mostly because they learned the lesson by doing them first. After hundreds of transactions, they’ve realized that so much of real estate comes back to one thing: trust. From being too agreeable just to win a listing, to overpricing a home, avoiding uncomfortable conversations, working with unmotivated sellers, and letting communication fall through the cracks, Meredith and Jenny share the mistakes that shaped the way they run their businesses today. They get into why honesty sometimes means losing the listing, why the right pricing conversation can save months of frustration, why agents need to stop being afraid to tell clients “no,” and why your reputation with other agents matters more than you might realize. They also break down the systems they’ve built around communication, seller updates, calendar invites, client expectations, and agent relationships, plus a few stories about transactions that got a little more heated than they needed to. And because it wouldn’t be The Counteroffer without a little real life, Jenny is fresh back from Costa Rica after somehow putting two properties under contract while on vacation, proving once again that the fastest way for a Realtor to get busy is apparently to leave town. This episode isn’t about judging how other agents do business. It’s about the mistakes, uncomfortable conversations, and lessons that eventually help you build a business you’re actually proud of. Follow the hosts: Jenny Kim: @JennyKimATX Meredith Alderson: @MeredithAlderson.Heyday Produced, written, and edited by Adam Walding.

Things Realtors Secretly Notice About Your House (That Buyers Notice Too)

What really goes through a Realtor’s mind the moment they walk through your front door? In this episode of The Counter Offer, Meredith Alderson and Jenny Kim pull back the curtain on the subtle details that can instantly shape a buyer’s first impression. From curb appeal and lighting to smells, furniture placement, and the small things homeowners stop noticing, they share the honest conversations agents have after every showing. Along the way, they swap funny behind-the-scenes stories from years in real estate, reveal the surprising things that can make buyers fall in love with a home (or walk away), and admit a few of the things they secretly judge themselves. Whether you’re thinking about selling, buying, or you’re just curious about what really happens during a showing, this episode is packed with practical advice and plenty of laughs. If you’re a real estate agent, you’ll probably find yourself saying, “I thought I was the only one who noticed that.” Be ready to laugh, cringe, and maybe even rethink the way you walk into a house. Follow the hosts: Meredith Alderson: @meredithalderson.heyday Jenny Kim: @jennykim.atxrealestate Produced, Written & Edited by Adam Walding.

The Lies We Tell Ourselves (And How They Hold Us Back)

We all have stories we tell ourselves. Some are obvious. Others have been running in the background for so long that we mistake them for truth. In this episode of The Counter Offer, Meredith Alderson and Jenny Kim have one of their most honest conversations yet as they unpack the invisible beliefs that shape our decisions, our confidence, and the way we move through life. They talk about comparison, self-sabotage, perfectionism, the need to control everything, and why success on the outside doesn’t always quiet the doubts on the inside. Together, they explore where these patterns come from, how they quietly influence our careers and relationships, and what it actually looks like to rewrite the story you’ve been telling yourself. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re enough, compared your path to someone else’s, or felt like you were somehow standing in your own way, this conversation is for you. Because sometimes the biggest thing holding us back isn’t our circumstances. It’s the story we’ve believed about ourselves. — Follow the hosts: Meredith Alderson Instagram: @meredithalderson.heyday Jenny Kim Instagram: @jennykim_realestate Produced, written, and edited by Adam Walding. Co Written by Summer Malloy

Build Your Brand, Not Your Brokerage’s

Episode Description Too many agents spend years building a brokerage’s brand instead of their own. In this episode of The Counter Offer, Meredith and Jenny dive into why creating a personal brand is one of the smartest long-term investments you can make in your real estate career. They share how they intentionally built brands that can outlast any brokerage, why you don’t need to be an influencer to become recognizable in your market, and the biggest misconceptions agents have about personal branding. The conversation also explores how moving to eXp gave them the freedom to continue growing businesses built around their own names, values, and reputations instead of someone else’s brand. Whether you’re a brand-new agent or you’ve been in the business for years, you’ll walk away with practical advice on where to start, what actually matters when building a recognizable brand, and how investing in yourself today creates opportunities that last far beyond your real estate career.

From Corporate Employee to Luxury Home Builder: Dana Ambs’ Incredible Story

In this episode of The Counter Offer, Meredith Alderson and Jenny Kim sit down with Austin real estate agent, developer, designer, and builder Dana Ambs for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, reinvention, and building a business around your strengths. Before becoming one of Austin’s most recognized names in development and infill construction, Dana was balancing a corporate career while renovating and improving her own investment properties on the side. What started with a passion for design, art, and creating beautiful spaces eventually grew into designing, developing, and building luxury homes throughout Austin. Today, Dana has built and renovated hundreds of properties while helping clients navigate development, investment opportunities, new construction, and real estate throughout Central Austin. (Dana Ambs - REALTOR in Austin Texas) Dana shares her journey from studying design and business to working in corporate America, taking risks, finding her niche, and ultimately building a career that aligned with her passions. The conversation explores how creativity, persistence, and a willingness to start small can lead to extraordinary opportunities. Meredith, Jenny, and Dana also discuss the importance of building a business around your personal brand, why ownership matters in entrepreneurship, and how eXp Realty has allowed them to grow businesses under their own names rather than someone else’s brand. They share lessons about taking calculated risks, creating opportunities, finding confidence in your unique strengths, and building a life that reflects your goals rather than someone else’s expectations. This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered if it’s too late to pivot careers, start a business, pursue a creative passion, or build something bigger than they thought possible. Topics include: • Dana Ambs’ journey from corporate America to builder and developer • Building luxury ADUs and new construction homes in Austin • Real estate development and investing • Finding your niche in business • Entrepreneurship and career pivots • Personal branding in real estate • Building a business around your strengths • Women in business and entrepreneurship • Creativity, design, and real estate development • Why ownership matters for entrepreneurs • How eXp supports agent-owned businesses • Lessons from building a successful Austin real estate brand Follow Dana Ambs: Instagram: @danaambs Follow Meredith Alderson: Instagram: @meredith.alderson.heyday The Heyday Group: @theheydaygroup Follow Jenny Kim: Instagram: @jennykimrealtor June & Co.: @juneandcompany Produced and edited by Adam Walding Instagram: @adamwalding.heyday

The Power of No: Why Saying Yes to Everything Is Holding You Back

The Power of Saying No | The Counter Offer Podcast Why is saying no so much harder than saying yes? In this episode of The Counter Offer, Meredith Alderson and Jenny Kim tackle a topic that many business owners, real estate agents, parents, and high achievers struggle with: learning how to say no. When your income is tied directly to your effort, turning down opportunities can feel risky. In a commission-based business, every lead, meeting, event, and opportunity can feel like something you should say yes to. But over time, Meredith and Jenny have learned that constantly saying yes often comes at the expense of the things that matter most. They share honest conversations about boundaries, burnout, people-pleasing, and how they’ve learned to make decisions that align with their values, goals, and priorities instead of operating from fear. The episode also begins with a personal catch-up, including family celebrations, birthday season at home, and a major milestone as Meredith shares the exciting news that her son has officially chosen where he’ll be attending college. In this episode: • Why saying no feels so uncomfortable • The hidden cost of saying yes to everything • How commission-based professionals can set healthier boundaries • Recognizing opportunities that are distractions versus opportunities that align • The role fear plays in decision-making • How saying no creates space for bigger opportunities • Lessons learned from parenting, business, and leadership • Why protecting your time is one of the most valuable skills you can develop Whether you’re building a business, raising a family, or simply trying to create a life that feels more intentional, this conversation is a reminder that every no creates room for a better yes. About the Hosts Meredith Alderson is the founder of The Heyday Group, an Austin-based real estate team built on relationships, trust, and helping clients find their shine. After an 18-year corporate career, Meredith transitioned into real estate and has become one of Austin’s top-producing agents, known for her strategic approach, authentic leadership, and passion for helping both clients and agents build lives they love. Instagram: @meredithalderson.heyday Jenny Kim is a top-producing Austin real estate agent, business owner, and mom who brings a thoughtful, honest perspective to navigating entrepreneurship, family life, and the ever-changing real estate market. Known for her relationship-first approach, Jenny is passionate about helping clients make confident decisions while building a business that aligns with her values. Instagram: @jennykimrealestate Follow Meredith and Jenny for more real estate insights, business conversations, and behind-the-scenes moments from life as entrepreneurs, moms, and Austin real estate professionals. Subscribe to The Counter Offer for new episodes every week.

The Truth About Work-Life Balance for Working Moms in Real Estate

In Episode 2 of The Counter Offer, Meredith Alderson and Jenny Kim catch up on life lately — from spring break plans with family and the realities of juggling busy schedules to behind-the-scenes conversations about Austin real estate, marketing strategies, and new construction homes. The episode also dives into real estate topics including FLEX listings, off-market strategies, private listings in Austin, and Jenny’s experience working on one of her latest new build projects. Meredith and Jenny share insights into how strategic marketing, relationships, and timing can completely change the outcome of a listing in today’s market. The main conversation centers around the idea of “work-life balance” and whether that phrase is actually setting working moms up for failure. As business owners, Realtors, and mothers, Meredith and Jenny get honest about the pressure to “do it all,” the realities of balancing family and entrepreneurship, burnout, mom guilt, ambition, and why perfect balance often isn’t realistic, especially in careers like real estate that never fully turn off. They also share lessons they’ve learned throughout their careers about boundaries, prioritization, motherhood, building businesses, and creating lives that work for their families instead of chasing unrealistic expectations. Whether you’re a working parent, entrepreneur, Realtor, or someone trying to navigate career growth and personal life, this episode offers a relatable and honest conversation about business, motherhood, ambition, and redefining success on your own terms. Topics include: • Working moms in real estate • Work-life balance and burnout • Austin real estate market strategies • FLEX listings and off-market homes • New construction homes in Austin • Real estate marketing and branding • Entrepreneurship and motherhood • Balancing business ownership and family life • Real estate advice from experienced Austin Realtors • Honest conversations about modern motherhood Follow Meredith Alderson: Instagram: @meredithalderson.heyday The Heyday Group: @heydaygroupaustin Follow Jenny Kim: Instagram: @jennykimrealtor June & Co.: @juneandcompany Produced and edited by Adam Walding Instagram: @adamwalding.heyday

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