Debra Katherine Parkinson

My real estate career has been long, successful, and fulfilling. Working with buyers and sellers, helping them realize their dreams, has been the ultimate career experience. If I divide my life into segments, I’d say I’m entering my final career chapter, perhaps I may write a book.

Why did we move to Montana? Not for the same reason so many moved during the pandemic, but for the reason many “Baby Boomers” move… to be close to their grandchildren. That being said, if we learned nothing else from our pandemic experience it is that where we live and who we live with is important. Uprooting isn’t easy, we’ve been here a few years now, and I feel we have navigated the transition.

There are some things that I know well in real estate. Those include:

* Vast knowledge of lakes and mountains, as I have lived on, in, and around lakes and mountains for my entire life.

*Horse property - horses are my passion so if horse property is in your dreams, I’m who you need to work with.

*Relocation necessities and concerns - I know firsthand what it’s like to relocate to the Flathead Valley.

So my question for you is…“What can I do to help?”

Want to know more about my life and work history?

I love the things you love. Outstanding quality in architecture, design that captures your imagination, how

the floor plan functions, and particularly the location. I was born in the Upper Peninsula, and grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I know that my life today was influenced by my environment. I enjoyed touring neighborhoods on my bike, admiring the fine residences, the lakes and beauty of nature. My passion for architecture was inspired by my surroundings, this led to my life calling as a Real Estate Professional. I even had the good fortune to live across the street from a Frank Lloyd Wright estate.

I left Michigan to attend UCLA. There I pursued my passion in architecture, design and art history, one of my favorite tours was of the “Gamble House” by Green & Green in Pasadena.

My dreams of creating a great life were realized when I married my husband Bob of 35 years. Prior to having children, we built a Mediterranean style home in Santa Rosa Valley, Ventura County. In 1988 I became a licensed real estate agent. My first sale was the home that Bob and I designed and built. When the property was sold it was recorded as the highest sale in the history of the area. Because we were owner/builders, (Bob is a general contractor and real estate broker) I had the freedom, or dare I say, carte blanche, to build our first home. I put myself fully into every aspect of it. The completion felt like the accomplishment of my life, it was so gratifying being able to put my years of design, knowledge of materials, plumbing/appliances and construction to work. This was my project and I envisioned every aspect of it. What was very satisfying to me was, the buyers saw my vision and loved it as much as I did. The buyer, an executive of Disney, lived in the home for many years. This was just the start of a very fulfilling career.

We relocated to Southern California’s “Inland Empire” in 1989. We decided to make the rural mountain community of Lake Arrowhead, in the San Bernardino Mountains, our home and there we raised our daughters. In 1995 I became a licensed real estate broker, and we opened our own real estate office. Over the years we have owned our own construction company, two real estate franchises, and became affiliated with Christie’s International Real Estate, Luxury Portfolio and LeadingRE. We also built three homes for our family and remodeled four homes. If you’re counting, we’ve moved a few times.

In 2015 as empty nesters we moved to another rural area, Yucaipa, California to pursue a life that included horses where we own a home. I still maintain my broker’s license at Keller Williams Redlands and work with buyers and sellers in the Inland Empire, primarily taking care of ongoing clients and referrals.

In 2020 we purchased a home in Kalispell, Montana and have the good fortune of living close to our grandchildren and their parents. Life is really good here, it feels like home to me. I am enjoying this new chapter, working with PureWest Christie’s International Real Estate. We learned during the pandemic the importance of where we call home. People want to be more self-sustaining, with more space and freedom. The place you call home should be where you spend your “better future.”

In my years of working in the real estate profession, I’ve worked with clients from entertainment, sports, aerospace, corporations, government officials, friends and neighbors. I’ve worked for very high wealth clients and clients with far less, the gamut of personalities and socio economic status. I’ve been consistently a top producing agent. I seriously can’t think of any profession more fulfilling for me than real estate. I've been able to put my experience/skills/knowledge/creativity to work for my client’s benefit. When you work with me, you’ll find that I not only get the job done, but that you’ll feel like family. Contact me and let me help you find a better future, and hopefully to find out why so many of my former clients are now some of my best friends.