Is the real estate "hobbyist" era officially over?
Sat Feb 07 2026
Is the real estate "hobbyist" era officially over?
In this episode of the SLO County Real Estate Podcast, we sit down with Daniel Steuve and Lindsey Goia from Equity Union to pull back the curtain on a shifting industry. We dive into a startling national statistic: out of 1.5 million agents, 70% failed to sell a single home last year. We discuss why the "easy" post-COVID market has disappeared and why professional systems and experienced teams are now more critical than ever.
In this episode, we cover:
0:00 – Meet Griffindor the dog and the Equity Union team.
1:45 – Super Bowl talk: From the Seahawks’ odds to the 49ers/Seahawks rivalry.
3:12 – Current Market Sentiment: Why the "waiting game" is a dangerous strategy.
4:50 – Interest Rates vs. Inventory: What’s driving buyers back to the fence?
6:15 – The 70% Stat: A reality check on the national agent success rate.
7:45 – The Death of the "Hobbyist" Agent: Why experience matters in a complex market.
10:10 – The Power of the Team: Advice for new agents entering the field.
11:35 – Transaction Horror Stories: Dealing with $120k water damage and broken sewer lines.
13:20 – Shifting the Paradigm: Why 6% interest is actually "good" compared to history.
14:45 – The Insurance Crisis: Navigating $15,000 "Fair Plan" quotes in fire-prone areas.
16:30 – AI and Market Dominance: How tech is validating local expertise.
Whether you are a first-time buyer nervous about current rates or a seasoned agent navigating a complex closing environment, this episode provides the data-driven reality check you need.
The SLO County Real Estate Podcast. Subscribe to Team Sweasey and become one of the 100-thousand subscribers who watch it on YouTube, or listen to the commute-friendly audio version wherever you listen to podcasts. Teamsweasey.com California DRE #01111911
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Is the real estate "hobbyist" era officially over? In this episode of the SLO County Real Estate Podcast, we sit down with Daniel Steuve and Lindsey Goia from Equity Union to pull back the curtain on a shifting industry. We dive into a startling national statistic: out of 1.5 million agents, 70% failed to sell a single home last year. We discuss why the "easy" post-COVID market has disappeared and why professional systems and experienced teams are now more critical than ever. In this episode, we cover: 0:00 – Meet Griffindor the dog and the Equity Union team. 1:45 – Super Bowl talk: From the Seahawks’ odds to the 49ers/Seahawks rivalry. 3:12 – Current Market Sentiment: Why the "waiting game" is a dangerous strategy. 4:50 – Interest Rates vs. Inventory: What’s driving buyers back to the fence? 6:15 – The 70% Stat: A reality check on the national agent success rate. 7:45 – The Death of the "Hobbyist" Agent: Why experience matters in a complex market. 10:10 – The Power of the Team: Advice for new agents entering the field. 11:35 – Transaction Horror Stories: Dealing with $120k water damage and broken sewer lines. 13:20 – Shifting the Paradigm: Why 6% interest is actually "good" compared to history. 14:45 – The Insurance Crisis: Navigating $15,000 "Fair Plan" quotes in fire-prone areas. 16:30 – AI and Market Dominance: How tech is validating local expertise. Whether you are a first-time buyer nervous about current rates or a seasoned agent navigating a complex closing environment, this episode provides the data-driven reality check you need. The SLO County Real Estate Podcast. Subscribe to Team Sweasey and become one of the 100-thousand subscribers who watch it on YouTube, or listen to the commute-friendly audio version wherever you listen to podcasts. Teamsweasey.com California DRE #01111911