Real(ty) Talk

What does it really take to succeed as a real estate agent in 2026? In this episode of Realty Talk , Suzanne Seini (CEO & Founder of Innovate Realty) and Paul “Fix-It-All” Hanson break down how the market is shifting — and what agents must do to stay ahead. In this episode, we cover: • Market conditions, interest rates, and why micro-markets matter • Buyer demand, inventory shortages, and pric...

Welcome back to Real(ty) Talk ! Today, Paul and Suzanne unpack why the end of the year is one of the most strategic times to buy, sell, or invest—even though most of the industry slows down. From holiday motivation to inventory psychology, we explain how agents can finish strong and set up a powerful start to 2026. This episode covers: Why buyers have a huge edge during the holiday slowdown How ag...

This week on Realty Talk , Suzanne “Queen of the Closing Table” and Paul “Fix-It-All” are recording on-site at Innovate Realty’s La Mesa office in San Diego County. They break down the buzz around 50-year mortgages , what Trump’s proposals and Fed moves could mean for buyers, and how today’s market is really behaving as we head through the end of the year. They also pull back the curtain on how In...

This week on Realty Talk , Suzanne “Queen of the Closing Table” Seini and Paul “Fix-It-All” Hanson sit down with Innovate Realty’s Director of Marketing — and former touring musician — David Doblin (aka “Double D”) for one of our most electric conversations yet. 🎵 In this episode: David’s wild career journey from jazz drummer to real estate marketer Why buyer confidence is shifting — and what a F...

This week on Realty Talk , Paul “Fix-It-All” Hanson and Suzanne “Queen of the Closing Table” Seini dive deep into chaos, comedy, and crucial strategy — all wrapped in one powerhouse episode. 🔹 💰 Giveaway Alert: Win $100 — follow us on Instagram & Spotify , then comment “lockdown” on our latest post to enter! 🎧 Episode Highlights: 🏛️ Government Shutdown Breakdown — How it’s shaking up market...

Get ready for an inspiring ride from turntables to top-tier real estate! 🎧 Episode Highlights: From DJ decks in LA to luxury listings in Newport Beach — the wild path of Robert & Tanya Mack. How they built a real estate brand on authenticity, creativity, and media mastery . Secrets to thriving in competitive markets while keeping it real. Powerful lessons on trust, connection, and embracing c...

"The queen of the closing table" Suzanne Seini and Paul “Fix-It-All” Hanson break down the industry’s spiciest headlines and give first-time buyers a practical game plan. In this episode: Compass × Anywhere explained — what the acquisition means for agents, consumers, and competition. Rates reality check — why 30-yr mortgages follow the 10-year Treasury (not the Fed funds rate) and why ~...

What happens when you trade a big rig for open houses? In this high-energy episode of Realty Talk, we sit down with Justin Mercer — a tattooed, trailblazing realtor who's redefining success in real estate. From building a brand that turns heads to turning challenges into closings, Justin shares how authenticity, hustle, and heart built his booming business. We dive into market trends, lead gen...

🎙 Welcome back to Real(ty) Talk Podcast! This week, Paul “Fix It All” and Suzanne, the queen of the closing table, sit down with special guest Evan Tando, a real estate and lending expert. We dive into: The current state of the real estate market, from interest rates to inventory. How a background in psychology and social work influences Evan's approach to real estate. Why retirement isn't...

🎙 Welcome back to Real(ty) Talk Podcast ! This week, Paul “Fix It All” and Suzanne, the queen of the closing table, sit down with special guest Stephen Couig — the King of Lending and CEO of Center Street Lending . We dive into: The origin story behind Center Street Lending (and how it got its name). How the fix-and-flip industry has evolved since the 2008 crash. What a typical private loan looks...

🎙 7 Things You Can Ask a Seller to Pay For in 2025 If you’re buying a home in 2025, don’t just focus on the price—focus on the perks. In today’s market, sellers are more flexible than ever, and smart buyers know how to take advantage of it. In this episode, we break down 7 powerful things you can negotiate for , including: ✅ Closing costs (saving you thousands upfront) ✅ Mortgage rate buydowns (...

From an avocado-eating skunk standoff to a special ops mission in a crawlspace, we're sharing our wildest real estate stories. But we're also getting real about the current housing market. This episode is packed with concrete numbers you'll want to hear, including: Why 35% of major U.S. markets are seeing a decline in value year-over-year, while Southern California remains relatively s...

Welcome to the podcast that brings you the world's most famous real estate insights! In this episode, we're joined by Darryl, a dynamic real estate agent with a fascinating journey from roofing to thriving in the competitive real estate market. The Power of "Why": Discover why a strong "why" is crucial to sticking with your goals, especially when facing challenges in re...

In Episode 40, join us for an engaging and insightful conversation. We delves into thought-provoking topics such as the latest trends in technology, the impact of social media on our daily lives, and tips for maintaining mental wellness. Additionally, we explore personal stories and experiences that highlight the importance of resilience and adaptability in today's fast-paced world. Whether yo...

Welcome back to Realty Talks! In Episode 39, hosts Suzanne “Queen of the Closing Table” and Paul “Fix It All” Hansen dive deep into the wild world of real estate. This week, they tackle hot-button topics like the impact of immigration and labor shortages on the California housing market, the challenges of rebuilding after wildfires, and the ongoing struggle with red tape in new construction. Plus,...

This episode of the Realty Talk podcast delves into the importance of generating leads and effective marketing strategies for real estate agents in the current market. We discuss the significance of setting proper expectations with clients and being proactive alongside their guests, Suzanne, founder of Innovate Realty, and Paul. The episode also touches on recent industry news, including a lawsuit...

🔥 Rebuilding, Protests & Wild Listings — SoCal Real Estate Gets Real In this episode of Realty Talks , we dive into the real-life impact of protests on the SoCal housing market—especially in Los Angeles. From navigating construction delays and rising insurance hurdles to rebuilding after wildfires, we share raw insights from the frontlines of LA and OC real estate. 💡 Get the scoop on: How pr...

🎧  From Photographer to $40M Realtor: CJ’s Secrets to Real Estate Success  | Real Estate Mindset, Market Insights & Client Strategy What does it really take to go from side hustles to nearly  $40 million in real estate deals  a year? In this powerful episode, we sit down with  CJ , one of  San Diego’s top-performing real estate agents , to uncover the mindset, systems, and strategies behind h...

Suzanne and Paul dive into the controversial battle between major brokerages like Compass and Multiple Listing Services over exclusive listings and who controls property marketing. • The MLS system establishes rules about when listings can be marketed and shared with other agents • Compass is challenging these rules, arguing sellers should have more control over marketing their properties • Pocket...

Buying your first home at 19 and turning it into a $100,000 profit might sound like fiction, but for Shirley Slee, it was just the beginning. In this riveting conversation, Shirley reveals how growing up on an Indian reservation fueled her determination to truly own property without government oversight, leading to a remarkable career flipping over 70 homes along the California coast. "That w...

Derek DeVille shares his powerful journey from financial hardship to becoming the #1 real estate agent in Southern California, revealing how treating real estate as a business with consistent systems transformed his career and life. • Lost his father young, experienced home foreclosure, and accumulated massive debt before finding success in real estate • Faced rejection when his broker tried to fi...

A lively discussion about the current state of the real estate market, emphasizing the emotional aspects of home buying, the importance of perseverance, and practical tips for buyers in today’s market. We also share entertaining anecdotes that illustrate the unique nature of real estate transactions. • Overview of the real estate market and its challenges  • Importance of embracing a positive grow...

This episode delves deep into the remarkable journey of Armin Monferrad, who transitioned from an engineering background to a successful career in real estate amidst personal and social challenges. He shares valuable insights on resilience, fitness, and ethical practices in real estate, coupled with a riveting story about a hidden bunker encountered during one of his deals.  • Armin discusses his...

As 2025 unfolds, we dive into the theme of setting intentions and developing commitments rather than mere resolutions. With insights on goal-setting from personal and professional angles, we share stories and strategies designed to inspire growth and success in the new year.  • Importance of setting meaningful commitments over simple resolutions  • Understanding the ‘why’ behind goals to foster ge...

This episode dives into the challenges and opportunities that arise when real estate investors face natural disasters like wildfires. A focus on resilience, strategic partnerships, and learning from adversity highlights how investors can turn crises into growth opportunities. • Discussing the impact of fires on property values and investor mindset  • Insights from Anthony Glenn on leveraging VA lo...