In Episode 19 of Behind the Redwood Curtain, Hannah Winans breaks down what it really takes to succeed in real estate, especially in a competitive and evolving market like Humboldt County.From getting her start in the industry to launching her own brokerage, Hannah shares the biggest challenges new agents face, how to stand out in an oversaturated market, and what most people misunderstand about being a realtor. She also explains the difference between brokers and agents, how marketing actually drives sales, and how new transparency laws are changing the game.This episode goes beyond the basics, covering the emotional side of selling homes, why property values can drop after listing, and what both buyers and agents should be paying attention to moving into 2026. Whether you are trying to break into real estate, grow your business, or understand the market better, this conversation offers a real look behind the scenes.We also dive into opportunities in real estate videography, the role of AI and technology in the industry, and how to balance career growth with everything else on your plate.Chapters:00:00 Intro01:32 How Hannah Got Started in Real Estate05:07 The Hardest Challenge as a New Realtor10:21 Realtor vs Broker Explained (What’s the Difference?)12:00 Boutique Brokerage vs Big Real Estate Firms13:51 How to Compete in a Competitive Real Estate Market16:41 How New Real Estate Agents Can Break Into the Industry18:41 Starting Her Own Real Estate Brokerage20:35 Are Real Estate Agents Actually Business Owners?22:54 Is the Real Estate Market Oversaturated?25:02 The Reality of Working in Humboldt County Real Estate26:25 What Real Estate Was Like Before AI and Tech34:19 How Marketing Actually Drives Real Estate Sales36:01 New Real Estate Laws and Transparency Changes Explained40:02 How to Get Into Real Estate Videography43:35 Selling Homes With Emotional Attachment46:04 Why Home Values Can Drop After Listing48:05 Balancing Career Growth With Extracurriculars50:52 Rapid Fire Questions52:33 What Realtors Should Watch for in 2026CONNECT WITH US:Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@behindtheredwoodcurtain?si=0J-iVlSrQ2oxOkhJInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindtheredwoodcurtainpodcast/Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6n0mYaKdYW4kgbixUJ9hrt?si=7fiyltvnQzC5O6juCpyYawStartup Humboldt: https://startuphumboldt.org/