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
99 episodes
Episode 100: Episode 100 Special 🎉 Can You Buy a Home With Student Loans? New Fed Chair Incoming: What It Means for Mortgage Rates
We’re celebrating our 100th episode with one of our favorite returning guests, mortgage expert Jayson Hardie! 🎉In this milestone episode of Call the CLOSER, we discuss what a new Federal Reserve Chair could mean for interest r...
Episode 99: What To Do After Your Home Doesn’t Sell + The Hidden Drivers of Real Estate Growth
A home sitting on the market can feel frustrating, emotional and confusing. We talk about the practical steps sellers should take next and how growing retail corridors, restaurants and commercial investment influence everything from buyer traff...
Episode 98: Why Investors Are Shifting Away From Major Coastal Cities
The hottest markets in 2026 aren’t always the flashiest cities. Today’s strongest housing markets are being driven by affordability, stable job growth, lower inventory and buyers looking for value. We break down the top performing markets and w...
Episode 97: Why the Market Feels Worse Than It Actually Is
Consumers are overwhelmed by headlines, uncertainty and social media noise, but the real estate market often tells a different story. Plus, we reveal the top things buyers notice within seconds of entering a home and why first impressions matte...
Episode 96: Why More Homeowners Are Finally Moving Again
The fear of giving up a low interest rate kept many homeowners frozen in place but life changes are starting to outweigh rate anxiety. We break down the fading lock-in effect and the difference between homes designed for Instagram versus homes ...
Episode 95: The Market Is Changing: Buyer Leverage & Easy Weekend Curb Appeal Tips
Buyers are gaining leverage again in many markets, which means sellers need to stand out more than ever. We discuss how negotiating power is shifting in real estate and the simple curb appeal projects homeowners can tackle in a single weekend t...
Episode 94: Squatter’s Rights Explained + Essential Tools Every Homeowner Should Own
What are squatters’ rights really and how can property owners protect themselves? Plus, we break down the must have tools every homeowner should keep around the house for basic maintenance, emergencies and protecting your investment. From legal...
Episode 93: No Landlord, No Excuses: Spring Homeowner Essentials
What should you actually be checking around your home this spring and what are most homeowners missing? We have our trusted home inspector, this breaks down the essential spring home maintenance checklist, from roof and gutters to foundation, d...
Episode 92: No Landlord, No Excuses: Spring Homeowner Essentials
What should you actually be checking around your home this spring and what are most homeowners missing? We have our trusted home inspector, this breaks down the essential spring home maintenance checklist, from roof and gutters to foundation, d...
Episode 91: Are You Waiting Too Long to Buy? + Lender Hot Takes You Need to Hear
Should you keep renting or are you waiting too long to buy? When is the right time for YOU? And what are lenders really seeing behind the scenes right now? From interest rates and approvals to real buyer mistakes, this breaks down the truth abo...
Episode 90: 2026 Real Estate Forecast + Should You Move or Improve?
With rising inventory, shifting negotiation power, and interest rates still impacting affordability, the housing market is changing fast. The “lock-in effect” is fading, and more people are making moves but that doesn’t mean it’s the right move...
Episode 89: What Would a Lender Do? + The Truth About Downsizing
We put our lender, Jayson Hardie, on the spot in a fun game called “What Would a Lender Do?” where real life scenarios get real answers about financing, credit and lending decisions.Plus, we talk about the truth about downsizi...
Episode 88: 2026 Housing Predictions + The Big Question: Renovate or Relocate?
What does the housing market look like in 2026? Are rates stabilizing, and what does that mean for buyers and sellers? We break down what could be coming this year.Plus, one of the biggest decisions homeowners are facing right...
Episode 87: Lauren’s away and Adam & Jayson PLAY!
No script. No set agenda. Just real conversations.Host Adam Bundren and our lender guru Jayson take over the mics to talk about whatever real estate or completely non-real estate comes to mind.
Episode 86: Why Young Buyers Feel Shut Out and Why We’re All Obsessed With Credit Scores
Young homebuyers often believe buying a home is impossible in today’s market, and at the same time, Americans are more obsessed than ever with credit scores. In this show, we break down why younger buyers feel shut out of homeownership, ...
Episode 85: From Holiday Spending to Spring Selling: What to Do Now
Holiday credit card spending can leave many homeowners feeling financially stretched, especially as a new year begins. In this show, we break down how to recover from post holiday credit card debt and reset your finances without panic. W...
Episode 84: Smart Homeownership: Home Warranties and Small Bathroom Solutions
Home warranties can help protect homeowners from unexpected repair costs and system failures, but many people aren’t sure when they’re worth it or what they actually cover. In this show, we break down why a home warranty can make sense f...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...