Rachel Verdone Lewistown Montana Realtor

09/29/2026

POV: you’re thinking about buying a home in Lewistown and you find my account 👀

Listen, l know nobody wants to think about winter before pumpkins are even on the porch.. but if you want to be settled by the holidays, now’s the time to start looking.

Send me a message and we’ll make a plan 🤎

09/18/2026

Yes, I’m a real estate agent and yes, I’m about to tell you it’s a great time to buy despite mortgage rate headlines this week 🤷‍♀️

Our local market has a little secret… Lewistown homes have been closing at an average of ~90% of original price over the last couple of months. Yeah, you read that correctly. While l will earnestly attribute much of that stat to blatantly overpriced properties meeting reality, that gap is hard money you can negotiate to help offset rate woes if you play it right.

Send me a DM and I’ll help you identify properties to utilize this strategy on and break down what that 10% discount could mean for you 💌

09/14/2026

Chokecherry Festival recap 📸

I had the absolute best time meandering around and capturing this iconic Lewistown event over the weekend. Such a great collection of local artists, makers, and yummy bites.

For more of what life in the heart of Montana looks like comment GUIDE and I’ll send my curated Lewistown guide your way 💌

07/15/2026

I know the usual advice is “don’t pay someone else’s mortgage” with no nuance attached, but not everyone is prepared to buy even when the finances make sense.

Here’s what nobody tells first-time buyers: when this much money is on the line, it’s natural to feel it emotionally, not just financially.

You’ve probably noticed some buyers move through the process like butter, while others feel like they’re white-knuckling it the whole way. That distinction is entirely based on emotional readiness and it’s something you can absolutely prepare yourself for.

Here are 5 signs you’re one of those steady, ready buyers

1. You know what you want your life to look like - it’s 100% normal if your must-haves shift along the way, but buyers who are chasing deals instead of getting clear on their priorities rarely win in the long run

2. You’re not interested in shortcuts - you’ve accepted and budgeted the costs and time required to get to closing. You realize that patience and investment in inspections and due diligence now saves you a much bigger headache later.

3. You trust the people in your corner - when your agent or lender flags a risk, you know it’s because they want you to win, not slow you down. Having a team genuinely invested in your outcome makes all the difference.

4. You’ve practiced living with the payment - you’ve spent a few months setting aside what your future mortgage would cost to bills and savings so the number feels familiar instead of scary by the time you’re ready to sign.

5. You’re moving on your very own timeline - not because your lease is up or rates are down, not because some imaginary deadline tells you you’re behind (spoiler: there’s no such thing as being behind in this life). You’re doing what feels right for you.

Honorable mention: You ask questions, even the ones that feel silly - the language and process are going to feel absolutely foreign the first time around but you deserve to understand every word.

If we haven’t met yet, I’m Rachel 👋 l work with folks across Montana with the goal of giving you a confident entry into this market. My DMs are always open for the questions you’ve be

07/01/2026

Confession: childhood me spent several Fourth of Julys watching the parade from the deck instead of the curb, thanks to a mascot named Ruffy I was convinced had it out for me. Healed now.

Anyway, this weekend is my first Fourth of July in Lewistown, and the whole town is celebrating America's 250th! Full weekend schedule live on the blog.

America turns 250 this weekend, and Lewistown, Montana is throwing a three-day 4th of July celebration to match. Here's what's happening July 3-5, 2026 in central Montana.

06/23/2026

Here’s something l think about a lot when I’m working with younger and first time home buyers.

When you’re stretching to afford a home in this economy, it’s hard not to feel like everything should be perfect. You’re spending more than any generation before you did at this stage.. of course you want it to be right. That feeling makes complete sense.

Coming to terms with this idea is a hard conversation to have, but here’s what l know to be true: waiting for the home that checks every box at a first time buyer price point usually just means watching prices climb while you wait. Holding onto that picture is keeping a lot of folks from ever getting their foot in the door.

Your first home was never supposed to be your last one, it’s supposed to be the beginning. Where you figure out what you love, what you’d do differently and what you’re willing to work for. Where maybe you bring a baby home, or get that second dog, or finally have room for a real dining table. And then one day you pass it on to the next family who needs exactly what it became for you.

That’s the real strategy. Not saving until everything is perfect, but buying something with room to grow and using time as leverage. If you put in the effort, that first home can be the down payment for your dream home. That’s how you actually get there.

In a market like Lewistown, this strategy has real teeth. Homes with history and good bones, just waiting on someone with a little patience and vision.

If you’re thinking about buying your first home in central Montana and want to know where the real opportunity is, my DMs are always open. I’ve put together a list of homes with the strongest equity building potential right now and I’d love to put it in your hands 💌