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 agents can stay consistent, time-block, and build next year’s pipeline

• What the Fed’s final meeting under Powell means for rates

• Insights from a recent economic forum on inflation, AI, home values & affordability

• The 5 biggest red flags for buyers—pricing traps, urgency pressure, inspection disasters, sketchy disclosures, and title nightmares

• A hilarious (and terrifying?) Homes Gone Wild story featuring a sweaty stranger and a massive steel wine opener

Tap follow, share with a colleague, and join us next week for more stories, strategy, and insider real-estate insight.

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 Innovate’s multi-location model and in-house media team are changing the game for agents and their clients—from collaborative office culture to wedding-style closing videos that generate repeat and referral business.

In this episode, they cover:

• The pros, cons, and real risks of a potential 50-year mortgage

• Why “date the rate” still matters—and what most consumers actually do with debt

• Inventory, days-on-market, and why some listings are flying while others sit

• How Innovate’s La Mesa office is capturing nearly 1% of San Diego County’s market share

• What makes Innovate different for agents: in-house media, multiple locations, and low-ego leadership

If you’re a buyer, seller, or agent wondering how to navigate this market—or thinking about whether your brokerage is really supporting you—this episode is for you.

👉 Follow, rate, and subscribe on Spotify or YouTube, and don’t forget to send us your real estate stories for a chance to be featured on a future episode!

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 Fed rate cut could mean for SoCal housing

• Behind-the-scenes at Innovate Realty’s full-service ecosystem: brokerage, escrow, media, and more

• How AI is becoming “the ultimate amplifier” for agents — from automating tasks to building full apps in-house

• The Homes Gone Wild story you won’t believe (hint: it involves the Golden Gate Bridge 🫣)

💡 Takeaway: Whether you’re a new agent or a seasoned pro, this episode shows how creativity, adaptability, and technology can shape the future of real estate.

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 markets and buyer confidence.

• 🏡 Homes Gone Wild Returns! — The now-iconic story of a showing gone very wrong (hint: it involves a naked seller and orange juice).

• 📊 Preparing for 2026 — What real estate agents should be doing right now to dominate next year.

• 🧠 Pro Agent Tips — SEO, AI tools, client experience, and automation tricks to stay ahead.

• 😂 Paul vs. Deep-Fried Twinkies — The tangent you didn’t know you needed.

🎬 Tune in for:Laughs, lessons, and a healthy dose of real estate reality.Because when the market gets unpredictable… your favorite agents get funnier.

#RealtyTalk #RealEstatePodcast #HomesGoneWild #AgentTips #MarketUpdate

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 change.

• A behind-the-scenes look at the high-end lifestyle and property tours that define their success.

✨ Tune in, get inspired, and see how passion and partnership can transform your real estate journey.
#RealEstate #Podcast #Inspiration #PowerCouple #LuxuryHomes

"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 ~6% isn’t the villain.

• Spread talk — the 10-yr vs 30-yr mortgage spread (~200 bps) and what could push rates under 6%.

• Brokerage strategy — recruiting headcount vs. training & retention that actually drives closings.

• Homes Gone Wild — a Portland showing, a crawlspace bang-bang-bang, and a fired agent 👀

• 5 tips for first-time buyers — get pre-approved early, boost credit, plan closing costs & reserves, budget beyond the mortgage (HOA/taxes/insurance/maintenance), and be ready to act—patiently.

Follow Real-ty Talk on Spotify & YouTube. Submit your wild real estate stories for a chance to be featured on Homes Gone Wild.

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 generation, personal branding, and the mindset shift that turns agents into entrepreneurs. Whether you're new to the game or scaling your empire, this episode is packed with raw insights, real stories, and the blueprint to level up.

🎙 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 in Evan's vocabulary and his passion for helping clients achieve their dreams.

• The importance of homeownership and the creative ways to get a loan.

• How the real estate industry is more about service than transactions.

Plus, our fun segment Homes Gone Wild returns with a jaw-dropping story about a chaotic home showing that ends with a broken glass door.

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, or an agent looking for a fresh perspective, this episode is packed with insights and an uplifting message about the power of community and service.