Elevate and Execute — Episode: Safety, Market Myths & The Truth About the New Real Estate Contracts

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

Episode Summary

In this jam-packed episode, the guys dive into three major themes dominating the real estate world right now: agent safety, the lies clients are hearing about the market, and the truth about the new contracts and commission changes.

They kick things off with real, unfiltered stories from the field — from walking into questionable properties, to dealing with loose dogs, to why Missouri agents need to understand self-defense and gun laws.

From there, they shift into one of the most important topics today: the myths and misinformation being spread about the housing market. They break down why headlines are misleading, why inventory levels tell the real story, and how buyers are being scared out of great opportunities by bad information.

The final part of the episode digs into the new real estate contracts, why commissions disappeared from the MLS, and the truth behind buyer-agent compensation going forward. They explain what’s actually changing, what isn’t, and how to navigate offers in the new landscape with confidence and strategy.

What You’ll Learn

• Practical safety protocols every agent should follow when entering unfamiliar properties
• Why Missouri’s carry laws matter for realtors — and when carrying can be a risk
• How to properly announce yourself during showings to avoid dangerous encounters
• The myths clients believe about a “market crash” and why the data says otherwise
• Why 1.7 months of inventory is a huge signal that prices aren’t dropping
• How taxes and insurance are impacting affordability (and why “fixed payments” aren’t fixed)
• The biggest lie first-time buyers believe about escrow
• The truth about the new contracts and why seller-paid commission is still allowed
• How buyer-agent compensation is actually negotiated now
• Why actual commissions have been dropping for years — and what agents can do to stay valuable
• The harsh reality of how many agents only sell 1–2 homes a year
• Why long-term wealth for agents comes from owning real estate, not selling it

Notable Quotes“Always carry or don’t carry — there’s no in between.”“There’s no such thing as a fixed payment if you escrow.”“The sky’s not falling. Real estate is slow to rise, slow to fall, and extremely stable.”“Most agents want 100% of zero. I’d rather have less of something real.”“I don’t make my money selling real estate — I make my money buying real estate.”Subscribe & Review

If this episode gave you clarity about the market, safety, or the new contracts, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow agent or homeowner who needs the truth — not the headlines.

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