HBA After Hours

Mike Pressgrove, owner of PDQ Construction in Topeka, is a former chair of the national Remodelers Council of NAHB, was named National NAHB Remodeler of the Year and a longtime member of the Topeka Area Building Association. Will and Keith wanted to know...why?

Why has it become so hard to build attainable housing in Kansas City? Host Will Ruder and co host Keith Sauro sit down with strategist Chris Sinclair of Sinclair Agency to discuss the Let Builders Build campaign, the policies driving up housing costs, and why builders are becoming some of the strongest advocates for change.

Kansas City Councilman Wes Rogers joins host Will Ruder and co host Keith Sauro for a conversation about the future of housing in Kansas City. From housing affordability and neighborhood growth to parking requirements and local policy, they discuss the challenges facing the city and why increasing housing opportunities is critical to Kansas City's future.

On this episode of HBA After Hours, host Will Ruder andguest host Jordan Webster sit down with Dr. Stanley Longhofer to discuss why today’s housing market feels stuck, tracing the supply crunch from the 2008 financial crisis through rising construction costs and underbuilding, exploring the role of mid-priced and “missing middle” homes, zoning challenges and how new development supports existing n...

On this episode of HBA After Hours, Patrick Tuohey joinshost Will Ruder and co-host Keith Sauro to discuss one of today’s most urgent challenges: the housing shortage and why building enough homes is so difficult. Drawing on his work with the Show‑Me Institute and Better Cities Project, Patrick explains how policies, zoning and local opposition have limited supply and driven up prices, and shares...

On this episode of HBA After Hours, Patrick Feeney joinshost Will Ruder and co-host Keith Sauro for a candid conversation about how political fundraising and campaigns really work. A veteran political fundraiser with The Dublin Group, Patrick brings decades of experience from JeffersonCity, Topeka and Washington, DC, sharing insights on everything from his accidental start in a Brookside bar to th...

On this week’s episode of HBA After Hours, host Will Ruder and co-host Keith Sauro sit down with Terrell “TJ” Jolley, a Kansas City real estate developer, for an honest conversation about the challenges and opportunities shaping the local housing market. TJ shares his journey from property management to investment and development, while shedding light on barriers such as permitting delays,regulato...

On this week’s episode of HBA After Hours , host WillRuder and co-host Keith Sauro sit down with Kipp Cooper, CEO of the Kansas Association of Realtors, for a deep dive into Kansas City’s housing landscape. They cover everything from current market trends and inventory challenges to homeownership opportunities and regional economic growth. Cooper brings valuable insight into the latest real estate...

On this episode of HBA After Hours , Kevin Klinkenbergjoins host Will Ruder and co-host Keith Sauro for a candid conversation about the complexities of housing development in Kansas City. Kevin is an architect, developer, community leader and host of The Messy City Podcast , and he brings a thoughtful perspective on what it really takes to build more livable, connected communities. From shifting a...

In the season 3 premiere of HBA After Hours , hostWill Ruder and co-host Keith Sauro sit down with Academy Bank mortgage loan officer Cole Griggs to talk all things homebuying. As a recent first-time homebuyer himself, Cole walks us through his own experience purchasing andrenovating a home. He breaks down the current real estate market, smart mortgage strategies, and the key things to know before...

In the season 2 finale of HBA After Hours , Skylor Alexander of Stag Homes joins Will and Keith for a deep dive into the world of remodeling. From his unexpected background in microbiology to making a name for himself Kansas City’s renovation scene, Skylor shares expert tips on choosing the right contractor, the latest trends in home renovation, and smart advice for homeowners. The conversation al...

On this episode of HBA After Hours, Kansas City homebuilding legend Bruce Rieke joins Will Ruder and co-host Keith Sauro. Rieke built his first house at the age of 22 with his wife and never stopped. Learn the difference in cost plus vs fixed price when it comes to building a house and which one makes the most sense with a custom home vs volume homebuilding. This episode gives a good look into why...

This week on HBA After Hours, KCHBA board member Kevin Stallings joins host Will and guest co-host Kari English for a deep dive into energy efficiency. Kevin shares practical, cost-saving tips for current homeowners looking to make their homes more energy efficient, covering everything from simple upgrades to smart strategies that can lower utility bills and put money back in your pocket. Whether...

In this episode of HBA After Hours, hosts Will and KeithSauro sit down with Austin Roeser, founder of Roeser Homes, to explore what really goes on inside the mind of a seasoned home builder. With over 21 years of experience in the Kansas City homebuilding scene, Austin shares valuable insights, hard-earned lessons, and expert advice for anyone thinking about building their dream home. From plannin...

In this episode of HBA After Hours, Shawn Woods, president of Ashlar Homes, joins host Will Ruder and guest co-host Jordynn Webster to tackle the topic of the “missing middle” in housing. Shawn shares how he’s been able to develop affordable communities, and why civic engagement—like showing up to city council meetings—matters more than ever. The conversation also dives into key issues like tap fe...

On this week’s episode of HBA After Hours, Marty Albertsonof Stewart Title joins Will and Keith to speak on an ever-evolving issue; fraud. In this eye-opening episode, learn about the sophisticated scams targeting home buyers and sellers, understand how cybercriminals operate, and discover critical strategies to protect your most significant financial investment. Marty shares insider insights on w...

In the first episode of Season 2 of HBA After Hours, hosts Will Ruder and Keith Sauro sit down with David Elliott of Construction & Planning Services, Inc. based in Kansas City. With his distinct Northeastern accent, David shares his story—from starting out in framing to growing a successful business. He discusses the evolution of the industry, the challenges of workforce development, and his...

On this episode, two knowledgeable guests join Will to talk about the importance of Career Centers for KC area students. Micheal Fasone co-hosts Brian Noller and Jeff Green of the Northland Career Center: one of the top career centers in the country. They answer common questions for those not familiar with the significance of the programs that these schools offer. They also explain how they are ch...

On this episode, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity KC, Lindsey Hicks joins Will and Jen to address misconceptions of affordable housing. Lindsey defines a few key terms in affordable house like NIMBYs and land trusts: what are they? The discussion leads also covers the mistaken belief that Habitat just gives houses away and how they do so much more than that. Finally, they give ways to edu...

In this episode, Will and Jen sit down with Dennis Shriver, the 2024 HBA President and founder of Hearthside Homes, to tackle some of the toughest questions facing today’s homebuyers and builders. Why are homes so expensive? Dennis offers his expert insights into the current housing market and discusses the vital importance of client-builder relationships. He also provides a list of key questions...

In this episode, Brenner Holland, Senior Vice President of Hunt Midwest, joins Will and Jen to explore what it takes to create sustainable, thriving housing communities. Brenner breaks down the land development process, from selecting the right plot and understanding its topography to designing developments that meet the needs of future homeowners. He also addresses common misconceptions about lan...

In this debut episode of HBA After Hours , get to know your hosts, Will Ruder and Jennifer Bertrand! They share their vision for the podcast, focusing on the importance of housing education and the goals they have for each episode. Keeping things lighthearted, Will and Jen answer fun and insightful questions that reveal more about their backgrounds, passions, and what drives them in the housing in...