The Realty Check Podcast

Send a text

Lead generation doesn’t fail because people aren’t working hard enough.
It fails because they’re trying to use strategies that don’t fit who they are.

In this episode, Amanda Freeman and Leni Lopez unpack what relationship-based lead generation actually looks like in practice, the good, the uncomfortable, and the long game most people underestimate.

We talk about repeated behaviors, social media as a trust-building tool, community involvement, referrals, and why desperation quietly kills connection. This episode is for agents who want to build a business that lasts without burning out or becoming someone they don’t recognize.

If you’ve ever felt like traditional lead gen wasn’t built for you, this episode explains why, and what to do instead.

Stay Connected to the Podcast
Follow us on Instagram: @realtycheckpodcast
Have a topic idea or story to share? Reach out!
Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so you never miss an episode

Connect with Leni Lopez (Your Lender Bestie)
Instagram: @leniyourloanofficer
Ready to talk lending or get preapproved? Email her team: leni@hawkinshl.com
Website: LopezNguyen.com
Mortgage Loan Officer
NMLS 1366630/225910
Hawkins Home Loans, Inc.

Connect with Amanda (Your Realtor Bestie)
Instagram: @exploresacliving
Email: amanda@exploresacliving.com
Website: Exploresacliving.com
Curious about buying or selling in Sacramento County or beyond? Schedule a no pressure call: calendly.com/amandafreemanrealtor
Amanda Freeman | eXp | DRE 02150573

Send a text

In this episode, we sit down with Lori Hawkins to talk through her full career journey in the mortgage industry, starting as a lender assistant, moving into processing, underwriting, owning a processing company, and eventually opening her own mortgage brokerage.

We talk about what each role taught her, why understanding every layer of the loan process changes how you show up for clients, and how experience builds trust in an industry where details matter and mistakes are expensive.

This conversation is about more than career growth. It’s about playing the long game, building credibility through real work, and why relationships thrive when you actually know what you’re doing behind the scenes.

If you’re a buyer, an agent, or someone building a career in real estate or lending, this episode will change how you think about expertise, trust, and who you choose to work with.

Connect with Lori:
Lori Hawkins
Instagram: @lorilackeyhawkins
Website: hawkinshomesloans.com

Stay Connected to the Podcast
Follow us on Instagram: @realtycheckpodcast
Have a topic idea or story to share? Reach out!
Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so you never miss an episode

Connect with Leni Lopez (Your Lender Bestie)
Instagram: @leniyourloanofficer
Ready to talk lending or get preapproved? Email her team: leni@hawkinshl.com
Website: LopezNguyen.com
Mortgage Loan Officer
NMLS 1366630/225910
Hawkins Home Loans, Inc.

Connect with Amanda (Your Realtor Bestie)
Instagram: @exploresacliving
Email: amanda@exploresacliving.com
Website: Exploresacliving.com
Curious about buying or selling in Sacramento County or beyond? Schedule a no pressure call: calendly.com/amandafreemanrealtor
Amanda Freeman | eXp | DRE 02150573

Send us a text

When "Business as Usual" Feels Impossible.

The world feels heavy right now. Between the headlines and the household, it’s easy to feel like you’re just screaming into the void. On this episode of The Realty Check Podcast, we’re stepping away from the housing market stats to have a heart-to-heart about the state of our country and our lives.

As Sacramento parents and business owners, we’re navigating the same "unprecedented times" you are. How do we keep the lights on and the kids happy when the political climate feels like a constant storm?

In this episode, we discuss:

The Mental Load: How we manage the anxiety of the 24-hour news cycle while running a business.

Parenting with Purpose: Navigating tough conversations with our kids without passing on the burnout.

Finding Your Frequency: Ways to get involved in your community at a "risk level" that feels sustainable for you.

The Light in the Dark: We share some of our favorite poems and content creators who are providing clarity and hope right now.

This isn't just a political chat; it’s a survival guide for the modern American.

Grab a coffee (or something stronger) and join us for some much-needed perspective.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
Poem: Revolutions and Rinsing Cups | Megan Whitlock | Going for Baroque on TikTok

NorCal Resist
Heather Cox Richardson
Sharon McMahon (sharonsaysso)
Mosh Oinounou (monews)
Aaron Parnas
V | Under the Desk News
Emily Amick (emilyinyourphone)
Amanda Nelson (Amanda's Mild Takes)
Politico Joe
Brown Issues
PSL
5051

Books:
Democracy in Retrograde
The Small and the Mighty

#TheRealtyCheck #SacramentoRealEstate #ModernParenting #BusinessOwners #PoliticsToday #CommunityAction

Stay Connected to the Podcast
Follow us on Instagram: @realtycheckpodcast
Have a topic idea or story to share? Reach out!
Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so you never miss an episode

Connect with Leni Lopez (Your Lender Bestie)
Instagram: @leniyourloanofficer
Ready to talk lending or get preapproved? Email her team: leni@hawkinshl.com
Website: LopezNguyen.com
Mortgage Loan Officer
NMLS 1366630/225910
Hawkins Home Loans, Inc.

Connect with Amanda (Your Realtor Bestie)
Instagram: @exploresacliving
Email: amanda@exploresacliving.com
Website: Exploresacliving.com
Curious about buying or selling in Sacramento County or beyond? Schedule a no pressure call: calendly.com/amandafreemanrealtor
Amanda Freeman | eXp | DRE 02150573