Episode 5: 🎙️ Why Your First Home Might Not Be Your Dream House

🎄 Real Estate & Lending Wrapped: 2025 Edition 🎄

This episode is our holiday break from market stats and spreadsheets. Think Spotify Wrapped, but for real estate and lending. We’re reflecting on 2025 with our favorite client moments, hard lessons learned, boundaries we finally enforced, funny and weird stories from the year, and what we’re carrying into 2026 (and what we’re leaving behind). We also rapid-fire some holiday hot takes, because obviously we can’t help ourselves. If you’re an agent, lender, or just someone who wants an honest, cozy, end-of-year conversation about business, boundaries, and staying sane in this market, this one’s for you. Grab your coffee (or peppermint mocha… or don’t 😆) and join us. 🎧 Hosted by: Mariesa Holm & Denae Alley 📌 New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming in January. Follow us on Instagram @thelenderandtheagent You can reach Mariesa here: mariesa@holmrealestate.com You can reach Denae here: denae@npacificmortgage.com

Episode 7: Work-life balance..all things boundaries as a Realtor and Lender!

In this episode of The Lender & The Agent, Mariesa Holm and Denae Alley get real about what it actually looks like to juggle: 🏡 full-time real estate 💸 full-time lending 💁‍♀️ being moms & wives 🎉 hosting Thanksgiving for 20+ people 📈 business planning for a new year 🧘‍♀️ and trying to squeeze in even one moment of self-care We unpack: • Why Q4 feels like a weird mix of “slow” and “overwhelming” • How we set boundaries with clients (and still serve at a high level) • The exact scripts we use when we can’t respond immediately • How tools like The Brick, cube timers, and Asana help us stay sane • Scheduling workouts, acupuncture, and friend time like non-negotiable appointments • What we’re planning for 2026 and how we reverse-engineer our goals • Why honoring your own calendar makes you a better agent or lender • How we navigate mom-life, business ownership, and winter chaos without burning out If you’ve ever felt torn between family, clients, holiday events, and the never-ending to-do list… this episode will feel like a warm hug and a reality check. ✨ Listen in and then tell us in the comments: What’s ONE boundary you’re setting this season to protect your time and energy? 0:00 Holiday chaos & client expectations 2:10 Business planning for the new year 4:40 Boundaries that actually work 7:00 Communication habits that save your sanity 10:20 Self-care that’s realistic for busy moms 14:00 Tools that keep us focused (Brick, cube timers, Asana) 17:15 How we structure our weeks during winter 18:45 Listener Q&A: What should we cover next? 📱 Instagram: @holmrealestate & @denaealley_mortgageadvisor 🎧 Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes real estate & lender life

🏡 November 2025 Market Update | Snohomish & King County Real Estate

The latest numbers are in — and the market is shifting again. In this episode, Mariesa Holm (@holmrealestate) and Denae Alley (@denaealley_mortgageadvisor) break down the real story behind today’s interest rates, home prices, and inventory across Snohomish and King County. You’ll learn: 📉 Why mortgage rates actually went up right after the Fed cut rates 🏦 What a potential 50-year mortgage could mean for future homeowners 📊 The latest local stats for Snohomish & King County (prices, inventory, days on market) 💡 How to prepare now so you can move fast when rates shift again 🧠 Why starting early with your lender and agent removes the emotion from big buying decisions Whether you’re a buyer waiting for the “right” time, a seller watching the market, or a fellow agent staying informed — this episode will give you a clear snapshot of where things stand right now in the Greater Seattle area. 🔗 Resources Mentioned: https://linktr.ee/thelenderandtheagent 📱 Follow on Instagram: @holmrealestate & @denaealley_mortgageadvisor November 2025 real estate market update, Seattle housing market update, Snohomish County home prices, King County real estate, Seattle mortgage rates 2025, 50-year mortgage explained, buying a home in Snohomish County, Seattle housing trends, Holm Real Estate, Denae Alley mortgage

Episode 5: 🎙️ Why Your First Home Might Not Be Your Dream House

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming — and let’s be honest, it might not check every box on your dream list. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. In this episode, Mariesa Holm (@holmrealestate) and Denae Alley (@denaealley_mortgageadvisor) break down why your first house is often a stepping stone — the key to building equity, gaining experience, and positioning yourself for the home you really want down the road. You’ll learn: 🏡 Why “waiting for rates to drop” could actually cost you more 💸 How equity compounds even when your first home isn’t perfect 📈 What the numbers really look like if you buy now vs. two years from now 🧭 How to separate your needs from your wants when buying your first home 💬 And how to start the process confidently — even if you’re not quite ready to buy today Whether you’re renting and dreaming of ownership, or just trying to decide if now is the right time, this conversation will help you see the bigger picture and move forward with clarity. 🔗 Resources Mentioned: 📘 Download the Free Sell to Buy Guide: https://mariesaholm.myflodesk.com/sel... 📅 Schedule a No-Obligation Zoom Call with Mariesa: https://scheduler.zoom.us/mariesa-holm 📅 Schedule a No-Obligation Call with Denae: https://www.npacificmortgage.com/dena... 📱 Follow on Instagram: @holmrealestate & @denaealley_mortgageadvisor buying your first home, starter home tips, first-time homebuyer Seattle, Snohomish County real estate, dream home planning, how to buy a house Washington, homebuying advice 2025, real estate podcast Seattle, Holm Real Estate, Denae Alley mortgage

Episode 4: Sell to Buy: How to Navigate Buying a New Home When You Already Own One

In this episode, Mariesa Holm and Denae Alley break down one of the biggest challenges homeowners face — how to buy your next home when you already own one. Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or relocating, there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy. They unpack the four main paths you can take: 1️⃣ Sell first, then buy — the safest route, but it means planning for temporary housing. 2️⃣ Buy contingent — make your purchase dependent on your current home selling (and learn how to avoid getting “bumped”). 3️⃣ Buy first — what it takes to qualify for both mortgages, bridge loans vs. HELOCs, and smart ways to leverage your equity. 4️⃣ Rent out your current home — using your property to build long-term wealth while still moving forward. You’ll also hear their real-life advice on: The emotional vs. financial pros and cons of each strategy How interest rates and loan programs are shifting right now Why “waiting for rates to drop” might cost you more than you think The step-by-step process to plan your sell-to-buy move without the stress 🔗 Resources Mentioned: 📘 Download the Sell-to-Buy Guide: https://mariesaholm.myflodesk.com/selltobuyguide 📅 Book a free, no-obligation call with Mariesa or Denae here: https://tr.ee/iS_ZxBRT_i 📱 Follow along on Instagram: @holmrealestate & @denaealley_mortgageadvisor sell to buy a home, buying and selling a house at the same time, bridge loan vs HELOC, contingent offer explained, home selling tips Seattle, Snohomish County real estate, buying a home in Snohomish County, real estate podcast Washington, Holm Real Estate, Denae Alley mortgage