New Year, Same Us: Market Momentum + The Echo Group Joins Innovate Realty (Investor Secrets & Wild Deal Stories)

Kicking off 2026 with a fun one. Suzanne and Paul are back with a quick market pulse, buyer energy, and rates talk — then they welcome Tammy & Branden from The Echo Group, who recently joined Innovate Realty. The conversation goes deep on traditional vs. investor real estate, how to build trust fast, and why understanding the math (and the client mindset) matters more than ever. Plus: legendary real estate stories you won’t forget.

In this episode, we cover:
• 2026 kickoff and the Echo Group intro
• Early-year market vibes: rates, buyer excitement, and open house traffic even in the rain
• National housing trends, builders slowing down, and what it means for infill in 2026
• How buyers/sellers get influenced by what they consume online (mindset matters)
• Why “if they love the house, they’ll find a way” — and how agents should read that
• Trust-building + question-based selling: getting to needs, stress points, and real motivations
• Why real estate today is “eHarmony”: photos first, expectations, and the open house advantage
• Tammy & Branden’s paths: REO/foreclosures, short sales, remodels, and scaling transactions
• The investor lane: why agents miss massive opportunity if they don’t understand investor math
• Hard conversations earlier in investor deals — and why discomfort creates growth
• Feeding your own pipeline: turning one investor deal into multiple transactions
• Iconic transaction stories: Ike & Tina Turner’s former home, massive turnout, and neighborhood history
• Real talk on “death on property” disclosures and how different buyers react
• Wrap-up: training resources, investor education, and why alignment/culture matters at Innovate