Eileen Mougeot, a seasoned real estate agent with Corcoran Global Living in San Francisco, reminisces about the evolution of the industry since she began her career in the 1980s. Back then, selling real estate involved overcoming challenges like high-interest rates, which hovered between 16% and 17%. Contracts were handwritten and adjusted with clauses borrowed from others' paperwork, while listings often took four to five months to sell. The community of real estate agents was characterized by collegiality, with young and new agents learning the ropes from older, established professionals who had personal connections with affluent homeowners in areas like Pacific Heights.

Mougeot highlights the vibrant and more personable aspects of the past real estate business, where face-to-face interactions and site tours were the norm. Real estate offices served as social hubs, offering opportunities for agents to mingle, share knowledge, and learn from each other. The culture was one of camaraderie, with agents frequently touring new properties together, and engaging directly at open houses or "floor time", where prospective buyers walked in to discuss their needs. Reflecting on her early years, Mougeot expresses nostalgia for the fun and energetic atmosphere that characterized the industry back then, which she believes is fading as fewer agents participate in traditional tours and embrace the digital and individualized nature of modern transactions.