Lori Lee and Mandi Lee share the same last name and although the two are not related, their strong bond of friendship has created a real estate team that is going places. Lori and Mandi met at Ogden High School when Lori taught Mandi debate. Lori lovingly refers to Mandi as one of her debate “all stars.” The two made a strong connection at that time. So much so, that Mandi took care of Lori’s spec
ial needs daughter and twin boys - first as a young babysitter and then as a nanny. The fall after Mandi’s graduation, Lori chose a different career path so she could be around to help her daughter get to and from school. She had a good friend, Ralph Anderson, offer her a job in real estate and she hasn’t looked back. Lori started off with Coldwell Banker with her good friend as his listing coordinator. After he decided to leave and go sell timeshares, Lori realized it was sink or swim. She got her real estate license, put her head down and went to work. Not long after that, she hired Mandi to be her assistant. Mandi had been going to Weber State University, interestingly enough, to be a school teacher just like her mentor, Lori. She was thinking that may not be the career path for her and she started learning more about the real estate business and loving it. As soon as she turned 21, she completed her real estate license, and like Lori, hasn’t looked back. Lori and Mandi worked on the same team for about 5 years and had a fabulous time. “Mandi then went on her own like all good buyer’s agents should,” Lori said. She stayed on her own for quite some time. The two have worked a majority of their time with Coldwell Banker, but also have worked with some other real estate agencies. They feel at home working with Coldwell Banker and creating their own Lee Team. They have found that Coldwell meets all of their needs as professionals so they can spend more time with clients. Both women love helping people achieve their dreams and that aspect is what brings them back to work every day. The two feel that they have come full circle in many ways. Lori was Mandi’s teacher, Mandi helped care for Lori’s kids and now Lori loves helping take care of Mandi’s 13-year-old daughter, Erisa. It was even Erisa that suggested the two women make the Lee team. The family aspect is one reason why they love their careers in real estate. “Real estate can be a 24/7 job and our clients deserve that, but so do our families which is why a team creates a perfect balance.” Mandi said. Mandi can be at a soccer game while Lori is showing a house and Katie is answering the phones. It makes it a win-win for everyone. The two ladies talked about working as a team 18 months ago and weighed the decision very carefully because they are such dear friends. They decided they could only be stronger working together and could help each other with the family aspect, because they could pick up for one another when needed. So far, the partnership has been seamless. Mandi is married to Brian and between the two, they have four children and a one grandbaby. The couple are active pickleball players and live in Pleasant View. Lori is also a Pleasant View resident and is a single mom of three – her special needs daughter and twin boys. Lori considered herself blessed to be working in a successful real estate career when she lost her husband Mike to an unexpected heart attack 8 years ago. The two bring their shared philosophy of caring deeply for clients and putting service to all they meet at the top of their lists. They cover Weber and Davis counties primarily and also touch into Box Elder and Salt Lake, but will go wherever their clients need. One reason for their coming together is they have strengths in every area of real estate –Between the two they have 33 years of real estate experience. Covering residential, investors, land, and most recently adding commercial to their resume. Mandi and her husband have personally invested in dozens of rental properties and flips, which gives her a direct perspective of the needs of her investor clients. Both have lived in the Ogden area their whole lives, and enjoy everything about their surroundings – the mountains, the recreation and the people. They hope their passion for the business shines in all they do. “When you love something the passion shows,” Lori said. The two find themselves getting personally tied to their clients, which is a good thing. “Our best day is when we can count our clients as our friends, then you know you’ve done your job,” Mandi said. So, when you think of real estate, think of the Lee Team.
