E18: “First-Time Buyers, Lifestyle Renters, and Market Reality”
In this episode of Waking Up to Win, Annie Callaway and Chad Elledge kick off the new year with real estate insight, mindset coaching, and unfiltered industry commentary agents actually need to hear.
From practical education around PMI removal, loan-to-value rules, and mortgage myths, to big-picture conversations about first-time homebuyers, generational wealth transfer, lifestyle renters, and affordability challenges, this episode blends tactical knowledge with honest perspective.
Annie and Chad also break down major real estate headlines, including commission lawsuit updates, Zillow and brokerage liability, buyer agent compensation, and what today’s market means for agents trying to build sustainable businesses.
Along the way, they tackle common agent struggles like waiting for the phone to ring, misunderstanding commissions as paychecks, side hustles versus prospecting, and why working on your business matters more than ever.
If you’re a real estate agent looking for market clarity, motivation, prospecting ideas, and straight-talk coaching that cuts through the noise, this episode will leave you better informed and ready to take action.
Listen in, share this episode with a fellow agent who needs a reality check, subscribe to Waking Up to Win, and keep showing up ready to build momentum, confidence, and a business that actually works.
FAQs
1. What mortgage myths do Annie and Chad address in this episode?
They break down common misconceptions around PMI removal, loan-to-value requirements, and how equity actually works, helping agents better educate buyers instead of repeating outdated assumptions.
2. What are “lifestyle renters” and why do they matter in today’s market?
The episode explains how many renters are choosing flexibility over ownership by design—not failure—and why agents need to understand lifestyle-driven decisions rather than assuming everyone is trying to buy.
3. What major industry headlines are discussed?
Annie and Chad cover commission lawsuit updates, buyer agent compensation, Zillow and brokerage liability, and how these changes affect agents operating in today’s market.
4. What mindset shifts do agents need to make right now?
The episode challenges agents to stop waiting for the phone to ring, stop treating commissions like paychecks, and refocus on prospecting, working on their business, and building sustainability instead of chasing side hustles.
