This episode is our holiday break from market stats and spreadsheets. Think Spotify Wrapped, but for real estate and lending.

We’re reflecting on 2025 with our favorite client moments, hard lessons learned, boundaries we finally enforced, funny and weird stories from the year, and what we’re carrying into 2026 (and what we’re leaving behind). We also rapid-fire some holiday hot takes, because obviously we can’t help ourselves.

If you’re an agent, lender, or just someone who wants an honest, cozy, end-of-year conversation about business, boundaries, and staying sane in this market, this one’s for you. Grab your coffee (or peppermint mocha… or don’t 😆) and join us.

🎧 Hosted by: Mariesa Holm & Denae Alley

📌 New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming in January.

Follow us on Instagram @thelenderandtheagent

You can reach Mariesa here: [email protected]

You can reach Denae here: [email protected]

In this episode of The Lender & The Agent, Mariesa Holm and Denae Alley get real about what it actually looks like to juggle:

🏡 full-time real estate

💸 full-time lending

💁‍♀️ being moms & wives

🎉 hosting Thanksgiving for 20+ people

📈 business planning for a new year

🧘‍♀️ and trying to squeeze in even one moment of self-care

We unpack:

• Why Q4 feels like a weird mix of “slow” and “overwhelming”

• How we set boundaries with clients (and still serve at a high level)

• The exact scripts we use when we can’t respond immediately

• How tools like The Brick, cube timers, and Asana help us stay sane

• Scheduling workouts, acupuncture, and friend time like non-negotiable appointments

• What we’re planning for 2026 and how we reverse-engineer our goals

• Why honoring your own calendar makes you a better agent or lender

• How we navigate mom-life, business ownership, and winter chaos without burning out

If you’ve ever felt torn between family, clients, holiday events, and the never-ending to-do list… this episode will feel like a warm hug and a reality check.

✨ Listen in and then tell us in the comments: What’s ONE boundary you’re setting this season to protect your time and energy?

0:00 Holiday chaos & client expectations

2:10 Business planning for the new year

4:40 Boundaries that actually work

7:00 Communication habits that save your sanity

10:20 Self-care that’s realistic for busy moms

14:00 Tools that keep us focused (Brick, cube timers, Asana)

17:15 How we structure our weeks during winter

18:45 Listener Q&A: What should we cover next?

📱 Instagram: @holmrealestate & @denaealley_mortgageadvisor

🎧 Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes real estate & lender life

The latest numbers are in — and the market is shifting again. In this episode, Mariesa Holm (@holmrealestate) and Denae Alley (@denaealley_mortgageadvisor) break down the real story behind today’s interest rates, home prices, and inventory across Snohomish and King County.

You’ll learn:

📉 Why mortgage rates actually went up right after the Fed cut rates

🏦 What a potential 50-year mortgage could mean for future homeowners

📊 The latest local stats for Snohomish & King County (prices, inventory, days on market)

💡 How to prepare now so you can move fast when rates shift again

🧠 Why starting early with your lender and agent removes the emotion from big buying decisions

Whether you’re a buyer waiting for the “right” time, a seller watching the market, or a fellow agent staying informed — this episode will give you a clear snapshot of where things stand right now in the Greater Seattle area.

🔗 Resources Mentioned: https://linktr.ee/thelenderandtheagent

📱 Follow on Instagram: @holmrealestate

& @denaealley_mortgageadvisor

November 2025 real estate market update, Seattle housing market update, Snohomish County home prices, King County real estate, Seattle mortgage rates 2025, 50-year mortgage explained, buying a home in Snohomish County, Seattle housing trends, Holm Real Estate, Denae Alley mortgage

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming — and let’s be honest, it might not check every box on your dream list. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it.

In this episode, Mariesa Holm (@holmrealestate) and Denae Alley (@denaealley_mortgageadvisor) break down why your first house is often a stepping stone — the key to building equity, gaining experience, and positioning yourself for the home you really want down the road.

You’ll learn:

🏡 Why “waiting for rates to drop” could actually cost you more

💸 How equity compounds even when your first home isn’t perfect

📈 What the numbers really look like if you buy now vs. two years from now

🧭 How to separate your needs from your wants when buying your first home

💬 And how to start the process confidently — even if you’re not quite ready to buy today

Whether you’re renting and dreaming of ownership, or just trying to decide if now is the right time, this conversation will help you see the bigger picture and move forward with clarity.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

📘 Download the Free Sell to Buy Guide: https://mariesaholm.myflodesk.com/sel...

📅 Schedule a No-Obligation Zoom Call with Mariesa: https://scheduler.zoom.us/mariesa-holm

📅 Schedule a No-Obligation Call with Denae:

https://www.npacificmortgage.com/dena...

📱 Follow on Instagram: @holmrealestate

& @denaealley_mortgageadvisor

buying your first home, starter home tips, first-time homebuyer Seattle, Snohomish County real estate, dream home planning, how to buy a house Washington, homebuying advice 2025, real estate podcast Seattle, Holm Real Estate, Denae Alley mortgage

In this episode, Mariesa Holm and Denae Alley break down one of the biggest challenges homeowners face — how to buy your next home when you already own one. Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or relocating, there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy.

They unpack the four main paths you can take:

1️⃣ Sell first, then buy — the safest route, but it means planning for temporary housing.

2️⃣ Buy contingent — make your purchase dependent on your current home selling (and learn how to avoid getting “bumped”).

3️⃣ Buy first — what it takes to qualify for both mortgages, bridge loans vs. HELOCs, and smart ways to leverage your equity.

4️⃣ Rent out your current home — using your property to build long-term wealth while still moving forward.

You’ll also hear their real-life advice on:

The emotional vs. financial pros and cons of each strategy

How interest rates and loan programs are shifting right now

Why “waiting for rates to drop” might cost you more than you think

The step-by-step process to plan your sell-to-buy move without the stress

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

📘 Download the Sell-to-Buy Guide: https://mariesaholm.myflodesk.com/selltobuyguide

📅 Book a free, no-obligation call with Mariesa or Denae here: https://tr.ee/iS_ZxBRT_i

📱 Follow along on Instagram: @holmrealestate

& @denaealley_mortgageadvisor

sell to buy a home, buying and selling a house at the same time, bridge loan vs HELOC, contingent offer explained, home selling tips Seattle, Snohomish County real estate, buying a home in Snohomish County, real estate podcast Washington, Holm Real Estate, Denae Alley mortgage

In this episode of The Lender and The Agent, Mariesa and Denae break down what the government shutdown really means for mortgages (spoiler: not much for conventional loans) and where delays might actually show up. They dive into the latest trends with interest rates, explain how Fed moves impact borrowing costs, and share their take on upcoming rate cuts.

You’ll also hear real-life stories from the field—like negotiating a 3% buyer credit, protecting a seller’s equity, and why right now might be a sweet spot for buyers to land a deal before the new year rush.

Finally, the duo digs into Snohomish and King County stats—average home prices, days on market, supply shifts, and negotiation trends—helping you see exactly where the market is balancing out and where opportunities lie.

If you’re planning to buy or sell in 2025, this episode will give you both the data and the real talk you need to move forward with confidence.

Contact Mariesa here: 206-930-4072 or [email protected]

Contact Denae here: 425-478-1363 or [email protected]

Easily schedule a consult with us or download our buyer & seller guides here: linktr.ee/thelenderandtheagent

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain and letting you get to know us a little better—both as professionals and as people.

Mariesa shares how she went from transaction coordinator to Realtor, what it really takes to make money in real estate (spoiler: it’s not as much as people think), and why 2019 was the turning point in her career.

Danae opens up about how she fell into lending, the puzzle-solving side of mortgages that keeps her excited, and why finding the right mortgage is about more than just chasing the lowest rate.

We also dive into:

The biggest myths about real estate agents & lenders

Our hobbies and life outside of work (yes, pickleball and figure skating come up!)

Rapid-fire questions that reveal our guilty pleasures, coffee orders, and dream homes

What it’s really like balancing real estate, lending, and mom life

Join us every other week as we share housing insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and a real look at the lives of a Realtor and a Lender who are also moms.

🔑 Subscribe to stay updated on market trends, tips for buyers & sellers, and candid conversations about this business.

To reach us go to: linktr.ee/thelenderandtheagent

We’re back with a brand-new season and a brand-new name: The Lender and the Agent! In our first episode, we dive into the hot topic on everyone’s mind — should you wait until spring to buy or sell?

We break down:

Why today’s market in Snohomish & King Counties offers more opportunities than you think

How a 48% increase in inventory changes the game for buyers and sellers

The truth about seller credits vs. price reductions

What a 2-1 temporary buydown is (and how it can save you $$$ every month)

How contingent offers and strategic prep can keep you from juggling two mortgages

Smart timing tips for Pacific Northwest homeowners (like why you can’t paint in the rainy season 🌧️)

Whether you’re upgrading, downsizing, or just starting to plan, this episode gives you the behind-the-scenes strategy to make the numbers work for you — without the pushy sales pitch.

Follow us on Instagram @thelenderandtheagent

You can reach Mariesa here: [email protected]

You can reach Denae here: [email protected]

For our FREE Sell to Buy Guide go here: https://mariesaholm.myflodesk.com/selltobuyguide