Life is too short not to have fun. All the best things in my life have come from saying “yes” to the unknown, embracing challenges, and focusing on the positives.
We first came to Montana on a fly-fishing trip. When my husband, EJ, and I returned home, we couldn’t get Montana out of our heads. We called a friend who’d moved up here, and he told us, “Don’t go anywhere in Montana until you’ve seen the Bitterroot Valley.” We came up over Easter, he showed us around, and that was it.
We went back to California, sold our house, packed up the kids, the dogs, the cats, and even the goldfish, and moved to Bitterroot Valley with no jobs lined up. We didn’t let the details or challenges hold us back. We knew we’d make it work. This place has everything we wanted: an outdoor lifestyle, unbeatable views, and a great family-friendly community for our kids to grow up in.
At the time, I had been working as a respiratory therapist. I checked out the local hospital and found out they averaged 13 hours of ventilator use a year. It looked like I was going to be changing careers.
The REALTOR® who helped us find our house asked if I wanted to be her assistant, and that’s how it all started in 1993. Real estate and medicine actually have a lot in common: there are plenty of rules, high stakes, and you always have to think on your feet. What I really love is the strategy, finding the perfect home, negotiating the best deal, or selling at a great price. I like turning problems into solutions. That’s what keeps it interesting for me.
This valley is where I live, play, and put down roots. Our kids grew up eating vegetables from our garden, picking wild huckleberries, camping, and of course fishing. The backdrop of our lives was made up of things you can only find here, like watching over 200+ elk walk through our backyard regularly. I’ve seen the town grow from no streetlights to five, and from dirt roads to paved ones. It still has the same character and charm we fell in love with years ago.
EJ is a builder and has built his business purely through his reputation. He builds high-end homes and specializes in log homes. We have built two houses together, and I have done plenty of hands-on work during those builds, learning a ton. Our businesses overlap in the best of ways, with my clients sometimes becoming his clients and vice versa. We love being reliable resources for our people.
I enjoy finding the fun in everything. Many of my clients are coming here looking for a second home. So I throw them in my truck and as we drive around looking at houses, I am explaining how to live in Montana, including things to consider such as if you want more sun for a garden or if you are okay living in a heavily wooded area. I point out great local businesses, fishing spots, and share all the things that make this area special. Countless times I help people find a second home here only for it to become their permanent residence. I’ve even helped 31 people from Auburn, California (my hometown) move here. This place just has that effect on people.
Outside of work, I enjoy fly fishing on the blue ribbon trout streams, reading, or going to dinner with our friends and clients (often one and the same). EJ and I have been married for 46 years, which has really just been a testament to our shared approach to life: life’s too short not to have fun. It’s been such a wonderful journey together. We have five grandkids who still think we’re cool and love to visit. I also served as president of the Bitterroot Humane Association, where I helped fundraise to build a new facility that’s a 10,000 square foot building, 4Xs the size of our old building. It’s one of my proudest achievements!
What makes this work so meaningful is that I’ve been in the shoes of many of my clients. From relocating to accommodating the needs of a growing family, building a dream home, or becoming empty nesters, we’ve done it all. That personal understanding makes it easy to connect with my clients and help create the best plan for their needs. Playing a part in helping people find their place here has been such a joy.
I’m known for being highly communicative and proactive, always keeping clients in the loop and anticipating needs before they arise. Problem-solving is at the heart of my approach. If an issue comes up, I find a way around it and keep things moving forward. I don’t shy away from challenges and thrive in high-pressure situations. I offer the level of service I would want for myself, making sure every detail is handled and every question is answered. Over the years, I’ve built strong connections with trusted local professionals, so my clients have access to reliable resources for anything home-related, from contractors to landscapers and beyond. I’ve also mentored some great agents who often partake in the process, serving as another reliable touch point as needed.
With 30+ years of experience, a love for building relationships with my clients, and a true passion for this area, I would be honored to guide you on your real estate journey!
Sincerely,
Kathie Butts
