🔥 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 protests are affecting buyers & sellers

• Creative solutions for displaced homeowners

• Behind-the-scenes challenges with insurance & permits

• Why our brokerage, Innovate, does things differently

PLUS:
🎭 A hilarious “Homes Gone Wild” story involving a locked-out agent
🏡 A wild “Rate That Listing” segment featuring a Florida home with themed rooms (yes, really)

We wrap with fresh market updates, tips for agents & buyers, and a call for YOUR stories. If it’s weird, wild, or wonderful—we want to hear it.

Tap play and join the conversation. Real estate’s never been this real.

🎧 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 his explosive growth.

🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How CJ went from photography and hospital jobs to crushing it in real estate
• Why saying “no” to the wrong listings can lead to more deals
• The power of under-promising and over-delivering in a competitive market
• What’s really happening in today’s housing market: from San Diego’s 30-day inventory to Orlando’s 12-month glut
• CJ’s unique “team within a team” model and why he didn’t go solo
• Why taking quarterly vacations actually grew his business
• How narrowing his focus doubled his sales from $21M to $38M in one year

💡 Whether you’re a real estate agent, investor, or curious homeowner, this episode offers real-world tactics, mindset shifts, and market knowledge that can elevate your game.

📲 Hit follow, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone looking to win in real estate today. Subscribe for more insider tips from real estate leaders who are rewriting the rules of the game

For more content, follow our socials below:Instagram.com/real_tytalkSuzanne Seini:Facebook.com/suzanneseiniInstagram.com/suzanneseiniPaul Hanson:Instagram.com/paulrhansonStephen Couig:Instagram.com/stephencouig

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 listings can benefit sellers who value privacy but may create unfair advantages for agents seeking to double-end deals
• Innovate Realty has grown its market share despite a 40% nationwide decrease in real estate transactions
• Potential tariffs on Chinese goods threaten to dramatically increase prices for appliances and fixtures in renovations
• Manufacturing may shift from China to India, where labor rates are significantly lower
• Successful brokerages focus on creating value for clients rather than primarily recruiting agents
• Market trends show luxury properties attracting multiple cash offers in Southern California

Subscribe to our podcast for more insights on market trends, industry controversies, and strategies for navigating today's complex real estate landscape.

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Suzanne Seini:
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Paul Hanson:
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Stephen Couig:
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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 was one of my biggest life regrets, I think, just being such a workaholic," Shirley candidly shares, reflecting on the journey that transformed her from a determined teenager into a powerhouse real estate investor and designer. With refreshing honesty, she discusses the all-consuming drive that propelled her forward while acknowledging the personal cost of such ambition.

What truly sets this episode apart is the practical wisdom Shirley offers aspiring investors and agents. From her preference for all-cash deals to minimize holding costs, to her signature "modern Mediterranean" design aesthetic inspired by Croatia, Shirley breaks down the strategies that have made her properties instantly recognizable in the competitive Southern California market. Her sweet spot? Properties in the $2-6 million range where renovation costs don't scale proportionally with purchase price, creating better margins.

The conversation takes fascinating turns as we explore today's market challenges, including how economic uncertainty and tariff discussions are causing buyers to pause—while simultaneously pushing cash investors from volatile stocks into real estate. Shirley's family business model, where her son manages construction and her daughter handles sales, provides a compelling template for creating multigenerational wealth.

Whether you're a seasoned investor looking to refine your strategy or a new agent seeking to build connections, Shirley's journey from writing goals on a napkin at 15 to creating a real estate empire offers both inspiration and actionable insights. Listen now to discover how determination, design vision, and calculated risk-taking can transform property potential into lasting prosperity.

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Suzanne Seini:
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Paul Hanson:
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Stephen Couig:
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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 fire him, but refused to quit and eventually became top producer
• Personally sold over 100 homes annually for 13 consecutive years with no team or support staff
• Created McDonald's-inspired systems for every aspect of his business to ensure consistent client experiences
• Built a referral-based business through exceptional service and community initiatives like his "Money Hunt"
• Recommends agents create a daily method of operation with 85% of time dedicated to prospecting
• Emphasizes "clients before commission" as his guiding philosophy
• Currently balancing continued real estate success with family priorities, particularly time with his children

If you're an agent looking for advice with no strings attached, reach out to Derek on Instagram at TheDerekDeVille - he genuinely wants to help others experience how real estate can transform their lives.

For more content, follow our socials below:
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Suzanne Seini:
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Paul Hanson:
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Stephen Couig:
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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 growth mindset
• Emotional connections tied to purchasing a home
• Discussion of red flags to look out for when home buying
• Insightful anecdotes about unexpected real estate experiences
• Updates on the rental market in light of recent events
• Call for agents to foster positive workplace cultures for success

For more content, follow our socials below:
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Suzanne Seini:
Facebook.com/suzanneseini
Instagram.com/suzanneseini

Paul Hanson:
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Stephen Couig:
Instagram.com/stephencouig

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 dual citizenship and upbringing in a post-9/11 America
• Transitioning from engineering at Boeing to real estate, emphasizing career fulfillment
• Importance of fitness and mental clarity for success in the industry
• Engaging story about a hidden bunker highlights ethical responsibilities in real estate
• Tips for new agents, focusing on communication, integrity, and setting expectations
• Armin’s vision for building a dynamic team in Los Angeles and encouraging growth

For more content, follow our socials below:
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Suzanne Seini:
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Stephen Couig:
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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 genuine motivation
• Strategies for real estate agents to kickstart their year proactively
• Sharing a listener’s intense real estate encounter
• Introduction of the new segment "Rate That Listing" to engage real estate discussions

For more content, follow our socials below:
Instagram.com/real_tytalk

Suzanne Seini:
Facebook.com/suzanneseini
Instagram.com/suzanneseini

Paul Hanson:
Instagram.com/paulrhanson

Stephen Couig:
Instagram.com/stephencouig