Call the Closer with Lauren Risley Realty
Welcome to Call the Closer with Lauren Risley & Adam Bundren of Lauren Risley Realty, your inside track to the world of real estate. As expert real estate agents and experienced investors, Lauren and Adam bring you a fun, informative and down-to-earth podcast designed to entertain and educate. Each episode dives into the current market, proven strategies for buying, selling & investing and what it really takes to win in today’s real estate game. Plus we share homeowner tips, the latest in design trends, DIY inspiration and insightful interviews with industry pros who know their stuff.
Whether you're house-hunting, renovating, or just love real estate talk, we believe knowledge is power and we’re here to share it with you.
Episodes
82 episodes
Episode 83: Escrow Shortages 101 and How to Vet Contractors for Renovations
Escrow shortages can surprise homeowners with unexpected monthly increases, and many don’t understand why they happen. In this show, we explain escrow shortages in simple terms and then break down how to properly vet and interview contra...
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50:51
Episode 82: THE BEST OF 2025: Risks to Watch & Trends to Know
Buying smart in 2025 definitely rolls over into 2026 so if you missed those episodes, this show will catch you up! It starts with knowing the risks most homebuyers overlook and the design trends that actually impact resale, livability, and long...
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52:02
Episode 81: Winter Home Inspections with Inspector extraordinaire & The Hidden Cost of Waiting Until Spring to buy.
Winter home inspections and the hidden cost of waiting until spring to buy explained with expert insight from our Trusted Inspector, Joe “The Docter”. In this episode, we break down how winter conditions impact home inspections, what issues are...
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50:31
Episode 80: Buyers Beware in 2026: Winter Home Maintenance Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Buying Powe
Winter home maintenance and 2026 buyer beware tips explained to help protect your ability to buy a home. In this episode, we cover critical winter maintenance issues homeowners often overlook and how they can impact inspections, financing and n...
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55:42
Episode 79: Buy or Rent? The Break-Even Reality Check & Easy Home Design Upgrades That Matter
Buy or rent real estate explained with a clear break-even reality check and simple home design ideas that make a big difference. In this episode, we break down the true buy vs rent decision, how to calculate your break-even point and what facto...
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54:01
Episode 78: St. Louis Architecture, Real Estate and Why 2025 Is NOT 2008
St. Louis real estate market update and architecture insights. In this episode, we break down what makes St. Louis architecture so unique, from our iconic red brick construction to the craftsmanship that sets our city apart from other major mar...
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51:18
Episode 77: Why Commercial Real Estate Is Not Dead + Bold Housing Predictions for 2026
Commercial real estate opportunities, hidden value sectors and predictions for the 2026 housing market drive today’s episode. We break down why commercial real estate isn’t dying at all it’s simply transforming. From the explosive demand for da...
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50:25
Episode 75: Look Ready, Sell Ready: How Pre-Listing Inspections Boost Buyer Confidence
Pre-listing inspections, seller preparation tips, and the 8 second first impression rule take center stage in this episode. We break down why a pre-listing home inspection is one of the smartest moves a seller can make helping you avoid scaring...
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51:47
Episode 74: The Cost of Code Violations and the Cost of Money: Mortgage Insights for 2025
St. Louis code violations, municipal occupancy rules and changing mortgage market trends take center stage in this episode. We break down why every municipality in St. Louis has different code requirements, what inspectors are actually looking ...
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51:42
Episode 73: Interest Rates vs. Buyer Behavior: What Really Drives the Market
In this episode we’re asking the big question Do interest rates really matter as much as people think? We break down how today’s buyers and sellers are reacting to rates and why emotion often drives decisions more than math. Then we dive into t...
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51:22
Episode 72: Home Warranty 101: What’s Protected—and How to Find Your Style Without a Remodel
In this episode of Call the Closer we’re breaking down what a home warranty really is, what it covers, what it doesn’t and when it’s actually worth having. We’ll share real examples that separate protection from marketing promises, so ...
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53:27
Episode 71: Interest Rates vs. Buyer Behavior: What Really Drives the Market
In this episode we’re asking the big question Do interest rates really matter as much as people think? We break down how today’s buyers and sellers are reacting to rates and why emotion often drives decisions more than math. Then we dive into t...
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49:21
Episode 70: AI vs. Experience: What Your Agent Knows That ChatGPT Doesn’t
In this episode, we’re diving into what AI can and can’t tell you about buying a home. From mortgage predictions to neighborhood insights, AI is a powerful tool, but it’s no replacement for real-world experience and local expertise. We’re also ...
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52:06
Episode 69: From Zestimates to Dream Homes: What’s Real and What’s Not
This week we are diving into the truth behind those Zillow “Zestimates”and why they’re not always as accurate as you think, especially here in the Midwest. We’ll share real examples of homes that sold for more (and sometimes less) than what Zil...
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51:15
Episode 68: Location, Location… or Regret?
This week, we’re talking all things location and how what’s around your home can either boost or break your resale value. From railroad tracks and busy intersections to power lines and pet odors, we’ll break down the surprising factors that can...
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51:29
Episode 67: Refinance Myths, Money Moves, and Deal Breakers
This week we’re tackling one of the biggest questions homeowners are asking right now: Why would anyone refinance at today’s interest rates? Believe it or not, there are smart financial reasons to do it and we’ll break down when it actually mak...
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51:57
Episode 66: From the Ground Up: Understanding Home Foundations and $0 Down Buying Options
On this week’s show we dig into the different types of home foundations and what every buyer and homeowner should look for when it comes to cracks, settling and long term stability. Understanding foundations is key whether you are inspecting a ...
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52:42
Episode 65: Homebuyer Pitfalls and Millionaire Secrets: The Power of Real Estate
On this week’s show, we are breaking down the 5 biggest mistakes first time homebuyers make and how to avoid them in today’s competitive housing market. From skipping inspections to underestimating closing costs, we share tips to help new buyer...
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50:46
Episode 64: Inspections Made Simple: Doctor Knows Best & The Truth About Selling a House in 24 Hours
On this week’s show, we dive into why home inspections are one of the most important steps in buying a house and how regular inspections can protect your investment even if you’ve lived in your home for 10 years. We’ll break down what inspector...
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55:35
Episode 63: Is College Worth the Investment, A Lender’s Take. Plus the Real Estate Stories You Won’t Believe
On this episode, we dive into a hot topic: is a college degree really worth the investment? We talk with a lender to get their perspective on the true ROI of higher education and what borrowers need to consider before taking on student debt. Th...
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47:20
Episode 62: Solid foundations & Smart Spaces
On this week’s show, we sit down with foundation specialist Weston from High & Dry Foundation to share expert foundation tips for keeping your home in top condition. We’ll also dive into small space, big design ideas from functional furnitu...
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52:35
Episode 61: From Renter to Owner: Mindset Shifts + Pre-Approval Tips for the Self-Employee
Are you stuck in a rent vs. own mindset battle? In this episode, we break down the financial and lifestyle factors that help you decide if buying a home is right for you. Then, we tackle one of the biggest hurdles for entrepreneurs and freelanc...
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53:40
Episode 60: Inspector’s Advice & 2025 Market Outlook: Is the market going to crash?
In this episode, we team up with our trusted home inspector Joe Docter what we like to call “Doctor Knows Best”. He will walk us through a full ‘home check-up’ the must-know maintenance tips that protect your investment and boost your property’...
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51:13
Episode 59: Real Estate Leverage vs. Profit – The Big Beautiful Bill Explained
It’s here! The Big Beautiful Bill that every homeowner dreads… but what if it could actually work for you? In this episode, we decode your property tax bill, reveal hidden clues about your home’s value and show you how to use real estate levera...
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53:24
Episode 58: Ask This, Avoid That: Choosing an Agent & Home Design Deal-Breakers
Ready to sell? Don’t let the wrong agent or bad design cost you thousands. In this episode, uncover the exact questions to ask before hiring a real estate agent and the surprising home design mistakes that instantly turn buyers off. Learn insid...
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57:15