Don’t Forget Your Goggles: Lessons from Senior Assassin and Surviving a Real Estate Recession

Flashback to when he wore the goggles...

This spring, our son John Morgan’s senior class kicked off a wildly competitive game called Senior Assassin. The rules? Every student is assigned a classmate to “eliminate” with a water gun. You can track your target’s location on an app, but there’s one big twist — wearing goggles gives you immunity.

There’s also a daily “purge hour” when all bets are off and anyone can go after anyone.

On the very first night of the game, John Morgan armed himself with his trusty Super Soaker, ready for action. But before the purge began, he joined us for a quiet family dinner. Despite multiple reminders to bring his goggles for protection, he waved it off. “No one’s coming for me here,” he said confidently.

Famous last words.

In the middle of the restaurant — right in front of everyone — the sweetest girl in his class appeared out of nowhere, drenched him with her water gun, and knocked him out in the first round. The very first casualty of Senior Assassin 2025.

He’s still hearing about it:“Where were your goggles, dude?”“This is weak, JMo!”“You had one job!”

What Real Estate and Senior Assassin Have in Common

Watching John Morgan get “eliminated” was a hoot — and honestly, a little too familiar. Because right now, in real estate, we’re playing our own version of Senior Assassin. Except our opponent isn’t a classmate with a water gun — it’s the economy.

We’re navigating one of the toughest markets in recent memory. Agents are feeling uncertain, deals are harder to come by, and “recession” is a word that keeps coming up. But just like John Morgan, many agents forget their “goggles” — the daily activities that protect their business.

The market may be unpredictable, but the fundamentals haven’t changed. The best agents don’t sit back and hope for safety — they put their goggles on and go to work.

7 Smart Strategies for Tougher Markets

1. Stay Connected to Your Sphere Your database is your safety net. Check in often, offer genuine value, and be the first person they think of when real estate comes up. Share local updates, market insights, and practical home tips.

2. Focus on Recession-Resistant Niches Lean into what moves even in hard times: rentals, investor clients, distressed properties, and downsizers. These markets always have activity.

3. Trim the Fat Cut what’s not working. Double down on low-cost, high-return marketing like social media, calls, texts, and referral conversations. Co-market with trusted partners to stretch your budget.

4. Sharpen Your Skills Master your numbers, know your market cold, and never stop learning. Certifications, coaching, and practice reps matter more now than ever.

5. Get Creative Explore creative deal structures like seller financing or lease-options. Stand out with tools like 3D tours and video content.

6. Stay Visible and Valuable Keep showing up online and in your community. Share wins, insights, and moments of real connection. People follow people — not just listings.

7. Add New Streams of Income and Influence Teach what you know, coach others, or invest in opportunities yourself. Every new skill and connection compounds your stability.

Final Thoughts

Hard markets don’t break great agents — they sharpen them.

Just like John Morgan learned the hard way, protection only works if you put it on. So wear your goggles. Do the daily work. Stay adaptable and visible, and this market can become your greatest teacher.

Because in every market — good or bad — someone wins. Let’s make sure it’s you.

-Andy