New Construction vs. Existing Homes: Which Is Right for You?

New Construction vs. Existing Homes: Which Is Right for You?

Should you buy a new construction home or an existing home in Billings? In this episode of the Your Home Billings Podcast [https://yourhomemontana.com/podcast], Mark Junker talks with Drahlynn Ivee [https://www.century21.com/agent/detail/mt/billings/agents/drahlynn-ivee/aid-P0020000000003BAGjohmOHXfO1UD3WWfns058Rq] of Century 21 Hometown Brokers [https://www.century21.com/] about the advantages of new construction, what buyers should expect during the building process, and how to determine which type of home best fits your lifestyle and goals. Drahlynn explains how new construction timelines work, why appraisals are so important, whether buyers should use a builder's preferred lender, and why comparing financing options can potentially save thousands of dollars. She also discusses current development on Billings' West End and the Heights, shares what buyers should know before signing a contract, and explains why having an experienced Realtor on your side can make the home-buying process much less stressful. In This Episode: 🏡 New construction vs. existing homes: what's the difference? 🔨 What to expect when building a custom home 📅 Typical timelines for buying and building a home 💰 How appraisals help protect buyers 🏦 Should you use the builder's preferred lender? 📍 Growth and development in Billings' West End and the Heights 🏠 Which home style is right for your stage of life? 🤝 Why working with a Realtor helps protect your investment Whether you're buying your first home, building your dream home, or exploring the Billings real estate market, this episode provides practical advice to help you make informed decisions with confidence. Follow Drahlynn Ivee facebook.com/drahlynn.ivee/# [https://www.facebook.com/drahlynn.ivee/#] instagram.com/drahlynn.sellsrealestate/ [https://www.instagram.com/drahlynn.sellsrealestate/] Follow Your Home Billings instagram.com/yourhomebillings [https://www.instagram.com/yourhomebillings] facebook.com/yourhomebillings [https://www.facebook.com/yourhomebillings]

The Biggest Mistakes Home Buyers and Sellers Make

Thinking about buying or selling a home in Billings? In this episode of the Your Home Billings Podcast [https://yourhomemontana.com/podcast], Mark Junker sits down with Shelby Williams [https://www.instagram.com/shelbywilliamsrealestate/] of Yellowstone Realty Brokers to discuss the current Billings housing market, common mistakes buyers and sellers make, and why preparation is one of the biggest keys to a successful real estate transaction. Shelby shares how she built her real estate career, what makes Yellowstone Realty Brokers [https://www.yellowstonelistings.com/] unique, and why Billings continues to be one of Montana's most stable housing markets. From getting pre-approved before shopping to pricing your home correctly, this episode is packed with practical advice for anyone looking to buy or sell a home. In This Episode: 🏡 What the Billings real estate market looks like today 💰 Why pre-approval should be your first step as a buyer 📈 The biggest pricing mistakes home sellers make 🏠 Why the $350,000 price range is still competitive 📊 Current inventory, average home prices, and market trends 🌄 What makes Billings a great place to live and raise a family 🤝 How local relationships help solve unexpected real estate challenges 📱 Shelby's advice for buyers, sellers, and first-time homeowners Whether you're purchasing your first home, preparing to sell, or simply keeping an eye on the Billings market, this episode offers valuable local insight from an experienced real estate professional. Stay up to date with the latest Your Home Billings Podcast episode: yourhomemontana.com/podcast [https://yourhomemontana.com/podcast] Follow us on social media: instagram.com/yourhomebillings [https://www.instagram.com/yourhomebillings] facebook.com/yourhomebillings [https://www.facebook.com/yourhomebillings] Follow Shelby Williams: instagram.com/shelbywilliamsrealestate/ [https://www.instagram.com/shelbywilliamsrealestate/]

What To Do When Disaster Strikes Your Home | Water, Fire & Mold Restoration Explained

What would you do if you walked into your basement at 2AM and found it flooded? In this episode of Your Home Billings [https://yourhomemontana.com/podcast], Mark Junker sits down with Tracy Elletson, General Manager of Paul Davis Restoration of Yellowstone County [https://yellowstone.pauldavis.com/], to discuss how homeowners should respond to water damage, fire damage, mold issues, and other unexpected disasters. Tracy explains the critical first steps homeowners should take during an emergency, why hidden water damage is often more extensive than people realize, and how restoration professionals help families navigate the recovery process. He also shares how Paul Davis works directly with insurance companies and provides full-service restoration, from emergency mitigation through final reconstruction. In This Episode: 💧 What to do when your basement floods 🔥 How fire and smoke damage can affect your entire home 🦠 Warning signs of hidden mold problems ⚡ Why safety comes first during water emergencies 🏠 How restoration professionals identify hidden damage 📋 Navigating insurance claims after a disaster 🔨 The difference between mitigation and reconstruction 📞 Why fast response times matter after water damage 🤝 How communication and empathy help homeowners during stressful situations 🌟 Tracy's journey from educator to restoration leader in Billings Whether you're a homeowner, landlord, property manager, or simply want to be prepared for unexpected emergencies, this episode provides practical advice that could save you thousands of dollars in damage and help protect your home. Connect with Paul Davis Restoration of Yellowstone County 🌐 Website: Yellowstone.pauldavis.com [http://Yellowstone.pauldavis.com] 📱 Social Media: @PDRYellowstone [https://www.instagram.com/pdryellowstone/] 📞 Phone: 406-606-4663 (24/7 Emergency Response)

Inside the Billings Housing Market with Laura Drager

In this episode of the Your Home Billings Podcast, Mark Junker sits down with Laura Drager, broker and owner of Drager Real Estate, to talk about what’s really happening in the Billings housing market heading into 2026. Laura shares insight on rising inventory, shifting buyer behavior, interest rates, pricing strategies, and the biggest mistakes both buyers and sellers are making right now. She also explains why waiting for lower interest rates may actually cost buyers more in the long run. With years of experience in Montana real estate and deep involvement in the Billings community, Laura brings practical advice for first-time buyers, move-up buyers, and sellers trying to navigate today’s market. ---------------------------------------- In This Episode, We Cover: 🏡 What the Billings real estate market looks like in 2026 📈 Why home prices in Montana continue to rise 💸 The biggest financial mistake home buyers make 📊 Why waiting for lower interest rates may backfire 🧠 Top myths buyers and sellers believe about real estate 🤝 Why working with a realtor can save buyers money ⚠️ Common reasons real estate deals fall apart 🏠 The 3 biggest factors that determine whether a home sells quickly 💰 Pricing mistakes sellers make that hurt their sale 🎯 Why buyers should listen to their realtor during multiple-offer situations 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 How Laura helps buyers stay focused on their long-term goals 🌆 Laura’s involvement in the Billings community, parks, and local development Whether you're buying your first home, planning to sell, or simply trying to understand where the market is headed, this episode is packed with practical insight and real-world experience. ---------------------------------------- 📍 Connect with Laura Drager 📞 406-698-5265 🌐 www.drager.realestate.com [http://www.drager.realestate.com] 🎙 Follow the Podcast Website → yourhomebillings.com [http://yourhomebillings.com] Instagram → @yourhomebillings [https://www.instagram.com/yourhomebillings] Facebook → @yourhomebillings [https://www.facebook.com/yourhomebillings] 👍 Like this episode 💬 Comment your biggest real estate question 🔔 Subscribe for more Billings & Montana real estate insights

What Does a Title Company Actually Do? | Real Estate Closings Explained

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Wells of Liberty Title [https://libertytitlemt.com/] to break down one of the most misunderstood parts of the real estate process: title companies. From protecting buyers against hidden liens and ownership issues to creating a memorable closing-day experience, Steve explains why title work is critical in every real estate transaction—and how Liberty Title is changing what people expect at the closing table. With a background in home building and real estate, Steve shares how years of watching buyers and sellers go through emotional, high-stakes transactions inspired him to build a locally owned title company focused on customer experience, community, and celebration. In this conversation, we cover: 🏡 What a title company actually does during a real estate transaction 📄 Why title insurance protects buyers from hidden liens, judgments, and ownership disputes 💰 Why cash buyers especially need title protection before purchasing property 🔍 What happens behind the scenes after a home goes under contract 🧾 How title companies research easements, mortgages, and property records ⚠️ Common issues that can arise during title work—especially with older properties 🤝 The difference between a title company and a real estate attorney 🎉 How Liberty Title creates a VIP closing experience with red carpets, custom displays, and celebration-focused closings 🏗 Steve’s journey from construction and home building into real estate and title services 📈 Why Steve saw an opportunity to improve the closing experience during the post-COVID housing boom 🏢 What makes Liberty Title different from large national title companies ❤️ Why company culture, employee wellbeing, and community involvement matter 🏓 How Liberty Title supports Billings nonprofits, youth sports, and local organizations Whether you’re buying your first home, selling property, or simply want to better understand the closing process, this episode offers practical insight into why title work matters—and how the right title company can make one of life’s biggest transactions feel exciting instead of stressful. ---------------------------------------- 📍 Connect with Steve Wells / Liberty Title 🏢 Liberty Title – Billings, MT 📞 Contact Liberty Title directly through their local office 🌐 Liberty Title (local Billings title company) ---------------------------------------- 🎙 Follow the Podcast Website → yourhomebillings.com [http://yourhomebillings.com] Instagram → @yourhomebillings [https://www.instagram.com/yourhomebillings] Facebook → @yourhomebillings [https://www.facebook.com/yourhomebillings] ---------------------------------------- 👍 Like this episode 💬 Comment your biggest home buying or closing question 🔔 Subscribe for more Billings & Montana real estate insights