Leading Ladies in Montana Real Estate

Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss why self-care is so important, why it can be so challenging to make the time to do it, and tips on how to make it a priority. 

 With inflation high and mortgage rates climbing, this market has been a real challenge to navigate. The real estate market is not what it was a year ago, and it's probably not going to get much better anytime in the near future, so how will the industry handle it? In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss how to survive the real estate market and what you should be doing today to better prepare yourself for the future. 

Throwback Thursday to an interview with the Leading Ladies when they attended the eXp Montana Summit in September at Fairmont Hot Springs. Guest host Heidi Lane with the Kalispell eXp office sits down to speak to Colleen and Alicia about her background, being a native Montanian, and where she thinks the market is headed next. 

Sometimes it's all about timing. In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss the big moves that Colleen has recently made. Sometimes making a move is what you need to reimagine the possibilities in your life. 

Working with family can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. In today's episode, the Leading Ladies get to sit down with Karen Ward, the backbone and support that Alicia turns to every day; Karen also happens to be Alicia's mom.  Today they discuss what it's like being a mother-and-daughter duo and how they handle the pressure at the office and home. 

Stop The Presses - The Leading Ladies interview their first male guest host from the real estate industry. This episode was recorded live at the eXp Montana Summit in late September 2022.  Colleen and Alicia sit down with eXp State Broker Damian Forrester.  Not only is Damian one of the top agents in Montana for eXp, but he is also the first black agent ever in the state. This is an amazing episode, and the ladies discover Damian's secret to success. Don't miss it! 

Did you know you have hundreds of leads in the palm of your hand? In today's episode, Colleen shares with Alicia a little-known app that can help build your lists and referrals faster than you knew was possible. Listen in for the ultimate time-saving tip. 

We all know it's a tough time for housing professionals, whether you're a real estate agent or a mortgage lender. Now isn't the ideal time to be getting started in this industry, but in today's episode, the leading ladies discuss how they managed to get through the hard times early in their careers and share what worked and what didn't. This one's a do not miss if you're just starting to get your name out their in the world of real estate. 

We're all well aware that interest rates have gone up. It's all that people can talk about when it comes to real estate BUT keep in mind that rates are still near historic lows. This means it's still a great time to get into a home. In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss why you should definitely still try to get into a new home. 

The Leading Ladies recorded live from the eXp Montana Annual Summit on September 23 at Fairmont Hot Springs in Anaconda, Montana. Colleen and Alicia kicked off the evening with super agent rockstar and super mom Elizabeth Riley. Elizabeth shares her 17 years of real estate knowledge in this incredible interview.  

How has it been 75 episodes already?! The Leading Ladies have been sharing advice for over 18 months now and today they look back at all of their favorite guests and most interesting topics.

Real Estate and Mortgage Lending are cyclical businesses. There will always be slower seasons and even slower years.  But the question is, how do you handle it? In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss how you can make sure you stay business and continue to push through the slow times. They've got some great ideas! 

We're hearing all sorts of things in the media about the recession. Are we in one, are we not? There have been layoffs in certain industries, and others are struggling to find workers. It's such a confusing time across the board, and today the leading ladies discuss all the confusion. Colleen and Alicia take a look at what's happening in the real estate market and why it's SO confusing. 

Self-promotion can be hard for those that aren't used to talking about themselves, but in the real estate market, it's just part of the job. In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia, along with Guest host real estate broker, Pam McCutcheon, discuss how they self-promote and how it's an individual journey. 

Borrowing costs have surged over the past several months, impacting the bottom lines of homeowners and borrowers alike. In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss all things concerning interest rates and share their expert opinions about what to expect next. 

While real estate has always been a highly mobile industry, it was customary for most agents to work in physical brokerage locations before Covid-19. But times they are a changing. Today Colleen, Alicia, and guest host Pam McCutcheon discuss the pros and cons of working remotely. 

Too many agents close on the house, send a closing gift (sometimes), and then disappear from their clients’ lives. The easiest way to turn your clients into future business is to stay in their lives. Today Colleen and Alicia discuss tactics to stay connected with your previous clients and what kind of impact those tactics can have on your business. 

Today the ladies sit down and talk all things realty with Small Dog Realty owner and broker Pam McCutcheon. 

We often hear from first-time homebuyers, "How do I even get started with the process of buying a new home?". If you've never done it before, it can be a daunting process. In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss tips and tricks when looking for your very first home. 

Rejection is something all salespeople deal with every day. Whether it’s losing a long-term client or getting stood up for a meeting, it will rejection will inevitably happen during your career. In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss how they deal with rejection in business and give you some tips and tricks so that you don't dwell on it. 

As successful business women we often find that we primarily only talk with our peers during the day about our jobs and careers, but today we get a special treat when the leading ladies interview Roden Wood, Colleen's teenage son. We get to hear his perspective on the work-life balance of having a powerhouse mama. 

Today the leading ladies invite Chelsea Stewart, ERA Landmark Real Estate Agent, to join them to discuss all things real estate in Bozeman and all of Montana.

Times are changing. We're seeing lots of people moving agencies and companies but is it really the best time to be trying something new. Today Colleen and Alicia discuss how it's important to remember during turbulent times that the grass is not always greener. 

According to the Federal Reserve, “A recession is a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales.” In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss how a recession could affect the housing market and what we should be doing in the meantime. 

Negotiation is one of the oldest tools of business. While the art of negotiation has evolved dramatically over the years the concept is still the same; get the best deal. If you're a real estate agent or a mortgage lender this is why you were hired. In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss how they handle negotiations with clients and what are some of their best tricks and tips for getting exactly what their clients want and need. 

We're already in the middle of the year and it's time to review if the leading ladies were correct about their predictions back in January. Colleen and Alicia discuss what has come true, what has yet to happen, and what we can expect for the rest of 2022. 

Having a diverse background can make all the difference in business. The variations in perspectives and experiences can make businesses stronger in work performance, collaboration, and innovation. In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia welcome guest host Tracy Miller Owner/Broker of Butte Real Estate Group to discuss her incredibly diverse background and how that diversity has helped her success in real estate. 

Being a business leader can be like riding a roller coaster: The ups and downs are endless.  No matter how smoothly things run the majority of the time, the occasional problem is inevitable, and when one pops up, your team will turn to you for guidance. In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss how they navigate crises with employees, clients, and their businesses. 

Everything you need to know about your Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss what a HELOC is and when it's a good time to use it and when it's not a great time to use it. If you have a HELOC this is a great episode to tune into and learn from the experts. 

For years, women have been making massive strides in the realm of business, striving higher than ever before—and the support of other female entrepreneurs is a great way to boost that growth even further. In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss the importance of supporting other women and promoting their successes. 

Building the best team you can is always important and is not only a financial investment but it is also an emotional investment.  In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss how they handle new hires and how hard it can be on the business and team when someone leaves. 

Mortgage lenders aren't interchangeable. They don't all do the same amount of work or advocate for their clients. In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss what makes a good mortgage lender and what makes a GREAT lender. There is a difference in what they can get done for you. 

There is no doubt that real estate and mortgage lending are having a moment. With interest rates rising and inventory low, getting into a new home can be challenging. Today the Leading Ladies discuss alternative lending products that can help buyers get the funding they need to get into their dream home. The experts once again have lots of great advice. 

One of the best ways to get referrals is to partner with real estate agents who want to work with a trusted lender— someone dependable and willing to go the extra mile to help them close the deal. Today, Colleen and Alicia discuss strategies to help get more referrals from real estate agents and existing clients. 

In this tough real estate market getting a listing as a real estate agent is the holy grail. Today, Colleen and Alicia discuss how the real estate market has changed and give advice on how to get more client listings.  

Most of us wear many hats daily, boss, mom, teachers, mentor. Today, Colleen and Alicia talk with a total BA that wears many many hats,  Hillary Folkvord. The leading ladies discuss Hillary's success in business, building a brand, and being a mom of two young children. 

Whatever type of loss you’ve suffered, there’s no right or wrong way to grieve. But by understanding the stages and types of grief, you can find healthier ways to cope. In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia are joined by guest host Sari Feenstra as they discuss the seven stages of grief and how it's a process that doesn't always have an end. 

Think you've got a crazy job?  From naked sellers to kissing plants goodbye to renters who can't bother to clean, the real estate market has some of the craziest cast of characters. In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss some of the craziest and wildest experiences that they have had in real estate. Get ready to feel normal! 

After the past two years, no one knows what to expect next. Real estate is like the Wild Wild West these days. Today the Leading Ladies discuss resetting your real estate expectations and not fearing what's next. 

Momming is hard, and we often second guess ourselves. Being a mom can give you constant anxiety about how much we're messing them up or being a bad mom. Today Colleen and Alicia talk with mother of eight kids and real estate agent, Tara Bowman, about how we all feel like we're not doing enough or how we're barely making it...and how that's part of being a parent. 

Real Estate is one of the most competitive careers that a person can pursue, especially in today's market. Today Colleen and Alicia talk with new(ish) agent Tara Bowman of Engel and Volkers Western Frontier about her first year as an agent, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and how changing careers paths can be the best thing to happen to you...no matter how old you are. 

Perception is not reality, but, admittedly, perception can become a person’s reality (there is a difference) because perception has a potent influence on how we look at reality. Have you ever gotten a text that you took as meaning one thing but when you got down to it the person texting meant something very different than what you interpreted? In todays episode Colleen and Alicia discuss how what perceptions they have had to overcome. 

Do you ever stop and think about how different the world that we live in today is, compared to when we were kids? You know, “the good old days?” In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia discuss navigating the challenges of parenting in our new connected world. 

What will 2022 hold for us? Will interest rates go up? Will the housing market crash? In today's episode, the leading ladies discuss with guest host PollyAnna Snyder what 2022 might hold for us in the Gallatin Valley market. 

In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia are joined by guest host power broker, PollyAnna Snyder of Engel & Volkers. With four shops across Montana PollyAnna has a lot to share about how she landed in Montana and what she's done since she's been here. 

We all want to sell our homes fast and for top dollar. Properly prepping your home before listing it is critical. Zane Wood is back to share what home sellers need to know about preparing your home to sell. What to do and what may be good to leave for the new homeowners.

A little alcohol can boost creativity and strengthen social ties and help calm nerves in social situations. But when alcohol in the workplace becomes so prevalent it can lead to unforeseen consequences. In today's episode, Colleen and Alicia, talk with guest hose Trecie Wheat Hughes of Yellowstone Brokers about the prevalence of alcohol in real estate, her battles as a young agent, and how she overcame those challenges. 

Today the Leading Ladies are joined by their significant others, Tyler Rutz and Zane Wood. In this episode, they dive into what it's like being married to strong, career-driven women and how they navigate the good, the challenging, and the things they couldn't live without.

Wow! 2021 flew by and it's time to reflect on what happened in the real estate and mortgage lending market over the past 12 months. Colleen and Alicia also discuss what they think will happen in 2022. Get ready for the experts to share what they predict for the next 12 months! 

Friends are in the studio today joining the Leading Ladies in Montana Real Estate!  Yellowstone Brokers owners Trecie Wheat Hughes and Jackie Wickens join Colleen and Alicia in the studio to discuss Montana Real Estate and their path to success.