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When it comes to luck, you make your own.
"Lucky Town" 1992
Bruce Springsteen
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Dear Friends, Family & Clients,
Summer has officially arrived in Bigfork and you can feel the shift everywhere - longer days, warmer evenings, boats back on the water, patios filling up, and that wonderful seasonal buzz that comes as visitors return and our little village comes alive.
This is always such a special time of year in Northwest Montana, and this year feels especially meaningful.
Bigfork just celebrated its 125th birthday, and America is preparing to celebrate her 250th which should make this year's Bigfork Fourth of July Parade quite a hit, bringing with it all the hometown charm, community spirit, and small-town celebration that makes this place so beloved. If you’re downtown for the parade, please stop by our office - we'll have food, beverages, and chairs available for anyone who would like to join us, relax, visit, and enjoy the celebration.
Before we dive into the remainder of this newsletter, I’d also like to wish a very Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, grandfathers, stepfathers, and father figures in our community. Thank you for the guidance, support, wisdom, and love you bring to your families every day. I hope your day is filled with appreciation, laughter, and time spent with those you love most.
The Bigfork Summer Playhouse has kicked off another wonderful theater season, adding music, laughter, and live performance back into our summer nights. And of course, the Monday Market is back - one of my favorite weekly traditions and something I’m proud to support as a sponsor. It’s such a fun way to gather, shop local, see familiar faces, listen to great music and enjoy the best of a Bigfork summer evening.
Real estate is feeling that seasonal energy too. We have been busy with a beautiful collection of new listings, each offering its own version of the Montana lifestyle - from lakefront and mountain views to acreage, privacy, golf community living, and move-in ready homes designed for gathering and enjoying this incredible place we get to call home. As summer activity picks up, buyers are actively touring, and well-positioned properties continue to draw strong interest.
I’m also very honored to share that I have been recognized as one of the RealTrends Top 100 producers in Montana. I am deeply grateful for the trust, referrals, and relationships that make this work so meaningful.
Last month brought a fun, slightly delayed, birthday celebration with neighbors for “Dining with Denise,” and I’m always grateful for those simple moments around a table with good food and good friends who make this community feel like home.
Inside this month’s newsletter, you’ll find plenty of summer inspiration - including a fantastic chile bean bake recipe that would be perfect for your next campfire picnic, updates on local happenings, featured properties, and a brief look at what’s happening in the market.
From a market perspective, summer is taking shape in a very familiar way. Inventory has improved in some areas, giving buyers more options, while desirable and well-priced properties are still attracting attention. Across Northwest Montana, the market feels more balanced than it did during the height of the frenzy, but quality homes in sought-after locations continue to move when pricing, presentation, and strategy align. For both buyers and sellers, local insight matters - especially as tourism, second-home interest, and seasonal showing activity increase.
Whether you’re preparing to list, thinking about buying, or simply staying informed, I’m here to support you every step of the way. My deep understanding of the local market allows me to guide you through a smooth, transparent, and confident real estate experience - always with professionalism, market expertise, and a friendly touch.
If a move has been on your mind, or if you’re simply curious about what your property may be worth in today’s market, I’d love to connect.
Have a wonderful month with all the beauty that June in Montana has to offer.
Warmly,
Denise
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As summer arrives across Northwest Montana, we're seeing a healthy and active real estate market. Inventory continues to grow, giving buyers more options while home values remain strong throughout the valley.
Flathead County welcomed 526 new listings in May, a 13% increase from April, while median sale prices held steady at $570,000. Communities such as Bigfork, Whitefish, Kalispell, and Lakeside continue to attract buyers seeking Montana's exceptional lifestyle, recreation, and natural beauty.
While homes are generally taking a bit longer to sell than in recent years, well-priced and well-marketed properties continue to stand out. As always, every market segment tells a different story, and I'd be happy to discuss what these trends mean for your specific real estate goals.
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Bigfork is Being Quietly Dismantled
America loves its small towns. It photographs them, vacations in them, makes Hallmark movies about them - Hallmark made one about Bigfork, “Christmas in Montana.” Reader’s Digest named it one of America’s best Christmas destinations. Travel + Leisure wrote about it. Thousands come for the Fourth of July parade. More come all summer long for the lake, the mountains, the Wild Mile, the art. This place is not a secret. It is not undiscovered. It is beloved.
Whether you live here full time, visit every summer, or stopped here once on your way to Glacier and never forgot it - you came for a reason. That reason is exactly what is at stake. And the people dismantling it are counting on you to stay quiet.
Don’t.
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‘A Labor of Love’; Owners Complete Restoration of Historic Bigfork Inn
Gracing the entrance of downtown Bigfork, the Bigfork Inn has served as a staple of the lake town’s character and a place of community gathering since the early 1900s. For the past nearly five years however, the doors of the Bavarian-style building have remained shut as a transformation took place inside – a “labor of love” that began with a decision that was “just plain stupid,” structural engineer Michael Brooks said with a grin.
“I like to say the path is the reward,” Brooks said. “It’s been quite a path. Because once we open it, and we put so much passion into it, it’s not ours anymore.”
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Three Montana Towns Just Made a
Major National List
It’s not surprising to see Montana towns on lists of some of the best places to live. After all, our state has a lot to offer. What is surprising is when you see a top-ten list, and three Montana towns are on it.
Travel + Leisure has put together a list of the top ten best U.S. mountain towns to live in, and Montana is well represented.
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Historic Guardians: Efforts Work to
Preserve the Story of Bigfork
The story of Bigfork began 125 years ago today, on May 17, 1901, when an enterprising young man by the name of Everit L. Sliter filed a plat for the fledgling settlement.
As Denny Kellogg and Ed Gillenwater tell the story, though, Bigfork's history actually began a little earlier, in fact. This was when the forces of nature conspired to carve the valleys and peaks that would one day come to define this scrappy little village on the shores of Flathead Lake.
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The Best Lakes in the U.S. for a Scenic Summer Getaway
Located about halfway between Missoula and Glacier National Park in western Montana, Flathead is the largest natural freshwater lake in the western U.S.
The lake area’s microclimate is ideal for growing sweet Flathead cherries. Visitors can sample the fruit at U-pick farms or during the Flathead Cherry Festival held every July in folksy downtown Polson.
Flathead Lake State Park, which encompasses the shoreline, is where locals head for camping and hiking, as well as paddling out to Wild Horse Island to see bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and the island’s namesake wild horses.
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12 of America's Prettiest Small Lake Towns
Located on the picturesque shores of northwest Montana’s Whitefish Lake, Whitefish is a short drive from Glacier National Park.
The town is known for its stunning alpine scenery, quaint downtown, and laid-back vibes. During winter, visitors come to enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Whitefish Mountain Resort; in warmer months, people enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, and paddleboarding.
Whitefish’s walkable downtown is filled with cafes, boutiques, breweries, art galleries, and restaurants - plus, the town regularly offers events like Restaurant Week, Gallery Nights Art Walks, and live music at local venues through the summer.
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The BMM - Good Times for all!
This is our 9th year of making Mondays in Bigfork just a little more fun. The BMM is a weekly summer market that includes: Fresh Goods, Bakers, Artists, Food Trucks, Cocktails, Live Music and a chance to dance with your neighbors & friends - GOOD TIMES for all! We are a family-friendly event and assure you that there is something at our market for all ages.
Check out our page for this season’s
vendor & music line-up!
| | | | Home Listing Prices Post Sharpest Drop in 9 Years as Sellers Face Reality Check | | | |
How to Stay Grounded When
Everyone Else Is Buying
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What Bigger Homes Reveal
During Peak Activity
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Questions Buyers Forget to Ask
(But Should), Before Writing an Offer
| | | Why a Controversial Law Could Make Your HOA Fees Even More Expensive | | | |
Use This Designer Paint Trick
to Fake Higher Ceilings
| | | Retirees Expect Their Homes to Be a Financial Safety Net. They Shouldn't | | | |
What Did Cowboys Actually
Eat On the Trail?
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The Line On a Dog's Nose
Serves a Specific Purpose
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How To Road Trip With Your Dog:
15 Practical Tips
| | | 2025 LIVE Montana is now on the stands! The link to the digital version is included below and you can pick up a physical copy at your office. | | Our Digital Listing Catalogue is also a great option. Bookmark the link above so you can keep on eye on what's been recently listed and sold. | | |
Year in Review:
It's the Glacier Sotheby's 2025 Annual Market Report.
This is a great place to see how far the reach is and what I can do for you through the Sotheby's platform!
| | The 2025 Mid-Year Luxury OutlookSM delves into the pivotal, forward-looking issues shaping luxury residential property markets around the world. | | |
TESTIMONIAL
Denise has represented me in four real estate transactions, and each experience has reinforced why I trust her so completely. Her judgment, transparency, and commitment to creating the smoothest possible process consistently set her apart.
When I finally decided to sell my home after years of consideration, Denise guided me through every strategic decision - timing, pricing, preparation, even moving tips. Thanks to her thoughtful strategy, we received two offers within 14 days, and Denise leveraged her network to bring in a second qualified buyer whose needs aligned perfectly with the property.
What I appreciate most is how Denise anticipates next steps and prepares her clients for what may come. Selling a home is stressful, but having someone in your corner who can foresee scenarios, navigate challenges, and stay focused on the best outcome makes all the difference. Denise delivers results and peace of mind.
-Sara P.
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JUST LISTED
130 Alpine Drive, Bigfork
MLS #30072034 $624,000
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JUST LISTED
198 Blaine Lakeshore Drive, Kalispell
MLS #30071364 $3,195,000
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JUST LISTED
13034 Red Owl Trail, Bigfork
MLS #30067186 $1,450,000
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JUST LISTED
188 Eagle Bend Drive, Bigfork
MLS #30072037 $2,140,806
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JUST LISTED
599 Pommel Drive, Bigfork
MLS #30071061 $2,600,000
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JUST LISTED & UNDER CONTRACT
900 MT HWY 82 Tract 1, Somers
MLS #30071292 $485,000
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JUST LISTED
20 Wood Ridge Drive, Columbia Falls
MLS #30072498 $1,895,000
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JUST LISTED & UNDER CONTRACT
510 Swan Hill Road, Bigfork
MLS #30071347 $1,400,00
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JUST LISTED & UNDER CONTRACT
900 MT HWY 82 Tract 2, Somers
MLS #30071295 $485,000
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ON MARKET
350 Browns Road, Kalispell
MLS #30070401 $1,978,675
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PRICE IMPROVED
176 Blaine Ridge Road, Kalispell
MLS #30068674 $994,500
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ON MARKET
315 Gleneagles Trail, Columbia Falls
MLS #30067122 $180,000
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CLOSED
417 8th Avenue West, Kalispell
MLS #30065579
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UNDER CONTRACT
13831 Great Bear Loop, Bigfork
MLS #30069251 $998,579
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PRICE IMPROVED
1673 Whitefish Hills Drive, Whitefish
MLS #30064158 $1,495,000
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ON MARKET
280 Shady Lane, Bigfork
MLS #30065231 $1,350,000
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CLOSED
423 Palouse Prairie Road, Bigfork
MLS #30067774
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PRICE IMPROVED
620 Swan River Road, Bigfork
MLS #30067784 $1,275,000
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ON MARKET
12284 Cygnet Way, Bigfork
MLS #30067783 $1,797,775
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ON MARKET
NHN Hiltop Terrace, Bigfork
MLS #30067357 $184,500
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CLOSED
32 Peaceful Court, Bigfork
MLS #30065055
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CERI'S CORNER:
-Road Trip Pros
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Hello friends, it’s Ceri here.
By now, Odin and I have logged enough miles in the back of John & Denise's Highlander that I feel qualified to offer some travel advice.
First of all, despite what my brother may tell you, road trips are not about sleeping the entire way. They're about vigilance. Somebody has to monitor wildlife sightings, evaluate every drive-thru menu, and make sure John doesn't miss a turn.
That somebody is usually me.
Now, I won't say sharing the back seat with Odin is always easy. He's roughly the size of a small moose and believes personal space is a suggestion. Fortunately, after years of traveling together, we've developed a system: he takes up most of the room, and I graciously allow it.
You're welcome, Odin.
One thing I've learned from all our adventures is that dogs experience road trips very differently than you all. While our hoomans are admiring the view and navigating traffic, we're busy collecting information. Every stop has new smells, new stories, and new discoveries.
In fact, that little groove that runs from a dog's nose to our mouth -called the philtrum - actually helps keep our noses moist and improves our ability to pick up scents. (See above referenced article here)
So while hoomans are snapping photos of beautiful scenery, we're conducting
highly sophisticated scientific research.
So bottom line: Know your seat assignment - (Odin and I each have our designated spots in the back of the Highlander), which helps maintain peace, order, and the occasional treaty negotiation. Always keep water available, make regular stops for stretching and sniffing, and give us enough room to ride comfortably. According to the road trip experts, (How to Road Trip with Your Dog), that's exactly what dogs need to stay happy on long drives. Personally, I think they forgot to mention pup cups,
but otherwise their research seems solid.
Whether we're heading across Montana or just taking a quick drive into town, some of my favorite memories happen from the back of that Highlander. New trails, new smells, and new adventures are always waiting.
Even if I do have to share them with Odin.
Until next time,
🩷 Ceri
Road Trip Specialist, Chief Navigator, and Director of Snack Acquisition
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DENISE'S COOKING CORNER
-Cheesy Green Chile Bean Bake
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DENISE'S READING CORNER
-The Midnight Train
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A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“Matt Haig returns with another life-affirming novel . . . If you enjoy the “Midnight” experience, climb aboard.” —The New York Times Book Review
When your life flashes before your eyes, where would you stop? Matt Haig’s The Midnight Train is a thoughtful, imaginative story about memory, regret, love, and the choices that shape a life. The novel follows Wilbur Budd, an 81-year-old man who finds himself aboard a mysterious train with the power to carry him back through the defining moments of his past.
As Wilbur revisits the people, places, and decisions that made him who he is, he is forced to confront not only what he lost, but what he may have misunderstood along the way. At the heart of the story is Maggie, the great love of his life, and the question of whether looking back can bring peace - even when the past itself cannot be changed.
Like Haig’s beloved The Midnight Library, this book explores the tender space between what was, what could have been, and what still matters most. It is a moving reminder that a meaningful life is not always measured by success or certainty, but by love, forgiveness, and the courage to see ourselves honestly.
A reflective and heartfelt read for anyone who has ever wondered where they would go if they could step back into one unforgettable moment.
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