Spotlighting the Elite Luxury Marketplace & The Agents Behind It
by Sabina Dana Plasse
For many, business, work, and home existences have shifted to virtual realities in order to accommodate changing lifestyles. In the luxury home market, the buying and selling of properties continues to skyrocket across the nation—especially in the Mountain West, including northwest Montana’s Flathead Valley. While buyers searched for luxury homes and land acquisitions, Flathead Valley’s National Parks Realty made its shift and joined Forbes Global Properties. With this new membership, National Parks Realty is able to accommodate their buyers’ and sellers’ interests with a newly formed network of elite brokerages and exposure that is focused solely on the luxury real estate market.
“We handpick who joins, and we were proud to select National Parks Realty as our exclusive Montana member.”
–Alex Lange, Forbes Global Properties, CEO
“The Forbes Global Properties membership supports our reputable and locally-owned brokerage with a luxury brand that is recognized around the world, and we couldn’t be prouder.”
–Jeff Raper, National Parks Realty Forbes Global Properties, Managing Broker
“Forbes Global Properties is a curated, invitation-only network of the local luxury experts in select cities and second-home destinations worldwide,” says Forbes Global Properties CEO Alex Lange. “We handpick who joins, and we were proud to select National Parks Realty as our exclusive Montana member.”
As a top-producing, locally owned, and independent brokerage, National Parks Realty welcomed the call to the global stage and joined as an exclusive founding member of Forbes Global Properties in April 2021. As a result, the firm now enjoys access to the exclusivity of Forbes’ engaged international audience and high-level branding and property marketing services.
Lifestyle has become even more critical to the luxury home buyer during the pandemic. As a result, it is a massive draw for out-of-state buyers coming to the Flathead Valley in northwest Montana. Through National Parks Realty and Forbes Global Properties, more potential buyers discover the region’s year-round lifestyle appeal.
“If you live in New York, how do you know whom to call as a Realtor® in Montana?” says Lange, noting that affluent non-local buyers may be familiar with the Forbes brand but not necessarily with the local Flathead Valley agents or the distinctive homes and incredible lifestyle offerings they represent. “Forbes Global Properties gives exposure to regional real estate firms to connect people to luxury properties for one’s lifestyle focus,” he continues. Lange also notes that today’s luxury home buyers are increasingly relocating to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle, often centered on the outdoors. “The change in living and working requirements due to the pandemic has allowed for the appeal of the Flathead Valley to the high-net-worth individual. Since corporate workers are no longer bound to their offices or urban-economic hubs, they can now live anywhere,” he explains.
“Being a member of Forbes Global Properties has allowed National Parks Realty to have a more significant reach and audience to ensure that our sellers see the best of those offers.”
–Lisa Lorge, National Parks Realty Forbes Global Properties
Frequently, our high-end homebuyers who are new to the area have spent time vacationing in the Flathead Valley and loved the experience of having a world-class ski resort, golf courses, and a National Park so close,” mentions Lisa Lorge, a Whitefish, Montana-based real estate agent. “With a new level of interest, northwest Montana has seen record-setting sales and demand. Therefore, you must be on top of your game,” affirms Lorge. “The market has become very competitive with plenty of luxury homes often having multiple offers presented, and being a member of Forbes Global Properties has allowed National Parks Realty to have a more significant reach and audience to ensure that our sellers see the best of those offers.”
Mike Anderson, an agent from Whitefish, Montana, points out, “Sellers would like to know what we have to offer for exposing their lifestyle properties to a qualified audience. Even in this fast and furious market with many buyers waiting, our clients deserve to be assured that they receive first-rate marketing for their real estate investments. Forbes Global Properties checks that box.” Anderson also highlights that “low-interest rates and bonds can change anytime, and the market will slow down. While we are in a resort town, aggressive, desperate buyers won’t always knock down the door with cash offers. By branding luxury homes with a luxury company, we’re taking the extra step to ensure long-term success for our clients and ourselves.”
Besides the international network and exposure, Forbes Global Properties promotes luxury real estate through its publishing channels, providing insights to potential buyers and sellers about luxury housing trends and top properties worldwide. “They have extraordinary writers and are very good at promoting,” says Denise Lang, a National Parks Realty Broker in Bigfork, Montana. “It’s impressive. The attention to detail is consistent for our high-end luxury market. For example, they will post an article about golf courses in Spain and France and include the Flathead Valley with these destinations. My sellers love this type of exposure for their homes.”
“By branding luxury homes with a luxury company, we’re taking the extra step to ensure long-term success for our clients and ourselves.”
–Mike Anderson, National Parks Realty Forbes Global Properties
Along with the mountain resort lifestyle, buyers are also seeking larger home offices and furnished homes, which in the second home market has always been a priority. However, a home office has become essential to those seeking a lifestyle property where they can operate a business. Combining lifestyle amenities with business operations has made Flathead Valley a desirable place to live, surpassing the expectations of many buyers.
“Forbes Global Properties exposes our luxury listings, which is great for sellers and buyers alike —but it’s also great for Bigfork,” states Denise Potts-Belt, a broker based in Bigfork, Montana. “Although there’s a new stigma with sellers who want to receive multiple offers and a cash payment over their asking price, there’s no question that the Flathead Valley has massive appeal. There are waterfront properties, mountain views, and expansive acreage for those seeking privacy and refuge. Luxury means different things to different people. I take it for granted, but it’s a luxury to be living here.”
“Luxury means different things to different people. I take it for granted, but it’s a luxury to be living here.”
–Denise Potts-Belt, National Parks Realty Forbes Global Properties
With a new level of interest, Flathead Valley has seen record-setting sales and demand. As a result, National Parks Realty agents have been busier than ever, guiding buyers and sellers to navigate this new and energized market.
“The luxury properties and top-producing agents have always been here. Joining Forbes Global Properties affords the appropriate spotlight to both,” remarks Jeff Raper, National Parks Realty Managing Broker. “The Forbes Global Properties membership supports our reputable and locally-owned brokerage with a luxury brand that is recognized around the world, and we couldn’t be prouder.”
For more information about National Parks Realty/Forbes Global Properties, contact:
Whitefish Office
406.862.8400
601 Spokane Avenue
Whitefish | Montana
Bigfork Office
406.837.1249
710 Grand Avenue
Bigfork | Montana
Eureka Office
406.297.4700
124 Riverside Drive, Suite 202
Eureka | Montana
Info@NPRMT.com
866.599.8160
NationalParksRealty.com
“The attention to detail is consistent for our high-end luxury market.”
–Denise Lang, National Parks Realty Forbes Global Properties
