How to Buy a Home in Billings | Credit, Loans & First-Time Buyer Tips

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

Billings Real Estate Market 2026: Buyer Tips, Costs & What to Expect

In this episode, we sit down with Jamie Lee Rindahl of eXp Realty to talk about navigating today’s Billings real estate market, what first-time buyers should expect, and how her background in marketing gives her clients an edge. With experience in marketing and advertising prior to real estate, Jamie brings a strategic approach to helping buyers and sellers—focusing on relationships, education, and finding the right solution for each client. In this conversation, we cover: 🏡 Jamie’s background in marketing and how it translates into real estate success 📈 How the Billings market has shifted since 2020 and what that means for buyers and sellers 💰 Why home prices have risen significantly and where they may be heading ⚖️ The challenge of balancing buyer expectations (2008 mindset) vs seller expectations (2020 mindset) 📊 Why 2026 may be a year of stabilization in the housing market 🏠 The difference between renting and owning—and when it makes sense to make the move 💸 Hidden costs of homeownership most buyers don’t think about (repairs, insurance, taxes, maintenance) 📉 Why affordability isn’t just about interest rates—it’s about the full financial picture 🧾 Loan options explained, including FHA, VA, rural development, and assistance programs 🎯 Why first-time buyers need a plan—not just a budget 🤝 The importance of interviewing your agent and building a strategy together 📍 Jamie’s wide service area across Billings and throughout Montana 🌆 What makes Billings a strong, community-driven place to live and invest Whether you're a first-time home buyer, currently renting, or thinking about selling, this episode gives you a realistic and practical look at how to approach the market in 2026. ---------------------------------------- 📍 Connect with Jamie Lee Rindahl 📞 Phone → 406-591-0500 🌐 Website → jamierindahl.exprealty.com [http://jamierindahl.exprealty.com] 🌐 River’s Edge Realty → Boutique site mentioned in episode 📱 Social → Facebook & Instagram (primary platforms) ---------------------------------------- 🎙 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 selling question 🔔 Subscribe for more Billings & Montana real estate insights

What It Takes to Succeed in Billings Real Estate

In this episode, we sit down with Brenda Mills of Keller Williams to discuss her journey into real estate, what it takes to succeed in today’s Billings market, and how she helps both buyers and sellers navigate the process. After spending 10 years as a hairstylist, Brenda made the leap into real estate full-time—driven by the desire to better support her family and build a flexible, high-growth career. Since then, she’s quickly built momentum, closing dozens of deals and developing a reputation for hands-on service and strong client relationships. In this conversation, we cover: 🏡 Brenda’s transition from hairstylist to full-time real estate agent 💼 Why she chose Keller Williams and the value of a supportive brokerage 📸 How she helps sellers stand out with cleaning, prep work, and strategic improvements 🔧 Why small upgrades (paint, repairs, cleaning) can help homes sell faster 📈 Her rapid growth in real estate, including closing 43 deals in a year 🎯 Her goal to scale to 80 deals and what it takes to grow in this industry 🤝 The importance of teamwork and cooperation between buyer and seller agents 💡 Why mindset and consistency matter more than market conditions ⚠️ The biggest mistake buyers make—getting too emotional or unrealistic on price 💰 Why sellers shouldn’t over-invest in upgrades without consulting an agent 📞 Why the first step to buying a home is simply reaching out and starting the conversation 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The reality of being a realtor—long hours, sacrifices, and constant availability 🌆 What makes Billings a great place to live, work, and raise a family Whether you're buying your first home, selling your current one, or just curious about the local market, this episode gives a real, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to succeed in real estate—and how the right agent can make all the difference. ---------------------------------------- 📍 Connect with Brenda Mills 📞 Phone → 406-200-3198 📱 Facebook → Message directly via her profile ---------------------------------------- 🎙 Follow the Podcast Website → yourhomebillings.com [http://yourhomebillings.com] Instagram → @yourhomebillings Facebook → @yourhomebillings ---------------------------------------- 👍 Like this episode 💬 Comment your biggest real estate question 🔔 Subscribe for more Billings & Montana real estate insights

How to Buy a Home in Billings | Credit, Loans & First-Time Buyer Tips

In this episode, we sit down with mortgage loan officer Doug Ross to break down what first-time home buyers in Billings need to know before starting the home buying process. With over a decade of experience and a background in engineering and project management, Doug brings a structured, education-first approach to lending—helping buyers understand their options, avoid costly mistakes, and feel confident throughout the process. In this conversation, we cover: 🏡 Why you don’t need perfect credit to qualify for a home loan 📊 The truth about credit scores (FHA vs conventional requirements) 💡 Why getting pre-approved before house hunting is critical 💸 How monthly payments determine your real buying power ⏳ How long pre-approvals last and what can invalidate them ⚠️ The 3 biggest mistakes home buyers make during the loan process 🚗 Why major purchases (like buying a car) can hurt your approval 📈 How credit, income, and assets determine your loan options 💰 Down payment myths—including options with little or no money down 🧾 The difference between pre-qualification vs pre-approval 📉 How interest rates are trending and what to expect in 2026 🤝 Why communication and education make or break the lending experience 🌎 The advantage of working with a mortgage broker vs a traditional bank Whether you’re just starting to think about buying a home or already looking, this episode gives you a clear, step-by-step understanding of how the lending process works—and how to set yourself up for success. ---------------------------------------- 📍 Connect with Doug Ross 📞 Phone → 916-259-6302 📧 Email → ross.doug@outlook.com [ross.doug@outlook.com] 🌐 Website / Social → Available via direct contact ---------------------------------------- 🎙 Follow the Podcast Website → yourhomebillings.com [http://yourhomebillings.com] Instagram → @yourhomebillings Facebook → @yourhomebillings ---------------------------------------- 👍 Like this episode 💬 Comment your biggest home buying question 🔔 Subscribe for more Billings & Montana real estate insights