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 pricing expectations
• Why today...

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-bloc...

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-h...

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 ho...

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 Gon...

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...

"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 —...

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...

🎙 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 ...

🎙 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 like for investors.

• Common pitfalls n...

🎙 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 (making monthly payments more affordable)
✅...

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 stable.

• The difference between the...

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 real estate or any other career.

• Em...

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 you're a long-time listener or tu...

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, don’t miss their signature segments...

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 between Compass and Zillow over ML...

🔥 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 & s...

🎧 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’...

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 bene...