INTERVIEW 2. FROM TEACHER TO TRAILBLAZER: DARCY HARGROVE'S REAL ESTATE JOURNEY

12. SURVIVING SUMMER: KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION, POOL CHAOS, & MOM HACKS

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2566057/fan_mail/new] School is officially out, and the summer chaos has already begun! In this episode, we are ditching the real estate talk to recap the emotional rollercoaster of our kids' joint kindergarten graduation. From crying ugly tears in the audience to the pure comedy of a child confidently belting out songs completely off-beat. But with summer break here, real survival mode kicks in. We get honest about our own deep phone addictions and discuss how to manage summer screen time when we are constantly on our own devices. Plus, we break down a total backyard disaster involving green pool algae, a ruined cardigan, and why one of us was "Donald Duckin' " in the yard just to shock the pool. From starting a brand new violin hobby at 37 to plotting tactical childcare escapes to the IKEA kids' zone, this episode is a giant group text with your virtual besties. Pop us in your ears while you do the dishes and join the community! 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

11. THE MORTGAGE TEA: PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN ON WHOLESALE LENDING

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2566057/fan_mail/new]  Welcome back to Realty Check! We are 11 episodes in, and today we’re pulling back the curtain on the secretive world of mortgage lending. Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes after you apply for a loan? We’re doing a deep dive into the nitty-gritty (but not too geeky!) drama of the wholesale market, focusing on the industry giant: United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM). From the "All-In" contract wars to gamified underwritings and free trips to Michigan, Leni and Amanda share the insider tea you won't hear from your local bank. Plus, we catch up on neighborhood pool hangs, being an extrovert magnet, and navigating life as a single mom. Are we crying? Thriving? Tune in to find out!  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

10. THE CARPOOL CHRONICLES: JIU-JITSU, THRILLERS, & THE TRUTH ABOUT LOSING

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2566057/fan_mail/new] We made it to double digits! To celebrate Episode 10, we’re ditching the formal studio setup and hiding out in Amanda’s brand-new car for a classic "gab sesh." No scripts, no agendas. Just two girlfriends decompressing, yapping, and getting real about the "dumpster fire" world outside. From geriatric pregnancies to psychological thrillers, we’re covering the wide, weird spectrum of our current obsessions. If you’ve ever felt like you’re oscillating between being a high-achieving professional and a brain-rotted reality TV fan, this episode is for you. In this episode, we chat about: * The "Third Space" Concept: Why we all need a place outside of home (1st space) and work (2nd space) to find community, and how jujitsu became that for Leni. * Competitive Spirits: A cautionary tale about why you never want to be on Amanda’s mom’s team during holiday charades. * Healthy Losing: How competing in a jujitsu bracket you’re "guaranteed to lose" is actually a powerful lesson for our kids. * The Book Club & Bravo Rot: Amanda’s deep dive into Ruth Ware’s thrillers vs. Lenicia’s love for dark, sad, South American cult novels and whimsical K-dramas. * The Gay Awakening: Lenicia reveals the 1997 rom-com scene that changed everything. * The "Unreliable Narrator": Why we love books that make us question our own sanity (shoutout to The Sympathizer). Whether you’re a "Master's Division" athlete or a "Below Deck" flyer, join us in the driveway for a much-needed breath of air. "To-Read" List Mentioned: * In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware * The Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware * The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen * Democracy in Retrograde by Sami Sage and Emily Amick Connect with Us: * Instagram: @exploresacliving [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/exploresackliving&authuser=3] | @leniyourloanofficer [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/lennytheloneofficer&authuser=3] Help us celebrate 10 episodes! Leave us a review or DM us on Instagram with your own "Crying or Thriving" moment from this week. We’d love to feature it in a future episode! 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

9. CALENDARS AND CHAOS: MASTERING THE BUSINESS OF SCHOOL BREAKS AS A WORKING DEFAULT PARENT

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2566057/fan_mail/new] Last week, we talked about the "golden window". That magical 9-4 slot where productivity is high and calendars are clean. This week? Reality hit. Between spring break, random teacher in-service days, and the never-ending cycle of school germs, that window doesn't just close, it disappears under a pile of laundry and snack requests. Join Amanda and Lenicia for an honest conversation about what happens to your business when you’re forced to pivot from professional to full-time activities director overnight. We’re getting real about the juggle, the "tag-along" lifestyle, and how to keep your sanity when your office hours move to the splash pad. In this episode, we explore: * The IKEA Productivity Hack: How to leverage 60 minutes of childcare and a meal deal to reclaim an hour of your workday. * Strategic Screen Time: Navigating the "iPad kid" debate and using technology as a tool for survival. Plus, how we deal with the inevitable mom guilt from opposite ends of the spectrum. * Professional Transparency: The exact scripts we use to tell clients a kid is in the backseat without losing your professional edge. * The Power of Trade-Offs: Why leaning on your "mom-munity" for childcare swaps is the ultimate summer business strategy. * Financial Prep: Why saving for "fee season" and setting a survival minimum is crucial for navigating the ebbs and flows of the school year. Grab your coffee, your tea, or your kid’s leftover juice box. It’s time for a reality check on balancing a thriving career with the unpredictable life of a parent. Connect with Us: * Instagram: @exploresacliving | @leniyourloanofficer Shoutout to our listeners! Whether you’re in Ashburn, Virginia, Singapore, or right here in Sacramento, we want to hear from you. Reach out on Instagram and let us know what topics you want to hear us tackle next. 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

8. HOW TO BALANCE A REAL ESTATE CAREER & MOTHERHOOD | A DAY IN THE LIFE

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2566057/fan_mail/new] Is it possible to run a high-volume real estate business without losing your mind (or your sleep)? This week on Realty Check, Amanda and Leni take you behind the curtain for a literal "day in the life" of an agent and a loan officer who are also primary parents. In this episode, we’re getting honest about: * The "Crying vs. Thriving" Scale: From infected fingers and ER pre-approvals to the manic stress of buying a used car in a competitive market. * Energy Blocking: Why Amanda stops answering the phone at 4 PM and how Leni survives on five hours of sleep. * Productive vs. Busy Work: Why a "curated" Instagram post might be wasting your time while a "raw rant" or a 5-minute coffee shop chat is actually making you money. * The Power of the Flex Day: How we structure our weeks to allow for mid-week lunches and school "screwballs." * Nurturing Your Pillars: Why being the T-ball sponsor or sitting on a nonprofit board is more than just "giving back"—it's the heartbeat of a relationship-based business. Whether you're an agent looking for a better way to manage your schedule or just someone who enjoys a good "yapping" session about the chaos of life, this episode is for you. 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