How does a rural and lifestyle real estate company make it to 100 years? It starts with constructing a team of professionals who bring a lifetime of their unique experiences and expertise along with their commitment, determination and vision of success. United Country’s century-long success is built on the grit, integrity and forward-thinking of real estate professionals like brokers Gary Hubbell and Michael Krieg. Both, in their own distinct ways, are master marketers who carved out enduring careers by harnessing their niche knowledge and their deep understanding of the land and people they serve.
Their commitment to excellence, constant learning and creative problem solving reflect the values of each and every member of United Country. Whether they are leading high-profile auctions or closing massive international resort deals, Hubbell and Krieg continue to raise the bar higher and higher.
Gary Hubbell, ALC – Broker/Owner of UCRE | Colorado Brokers & Auctioneers
Gary Hubbell is a Colorado native and decorated and distinguished real estate broker and auctioneer, specializing in ranches, hunting properties, luxury homes, mountain land, horse properties and so much more. As an award-winning writer, photographer and drone videographer who has produced marketing campaigns for top national brands, Hubbell has built a reputation for setting a high standard of marketing across the board. He holds the illustrious Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation, a mark of excellence and expertise in the real estate industry that is only earned by the most accomplished land professionals. On top of all these achievements, Hubbell has also led some of Western Colorado’s largest real estate and personal property auctions.
Why did you join United Country?
“When I became knowledgeable about United Country, I realized this is a company that actually gets it when it comes to SEO and marketing. There I was with one little website that I’d designed and built, and it was functional, and it still works very well for me today. But I knew that I could never push the marketing horsepower to that website that United Country could do. And when you’ve got 3,000 websites that you can gang up on a certain keyword or a result or a category, I would never be able to replicate that on my own.
“I looked at United Country and realized it was the platform that I really felt like I needed in order to market the properties I was representing and the kinds of properties that I specialize in.”
Whenever you get new agents that are looking to join your office, how exactly do you sell them on United Country? Or what do you tell them about the company and how it’s been functioning?
“With our marketing tools, the world is yours. The world is your oyster. If somebody came to me and said, you know, I want you to sell the port of Long Beach or the Empire State Building, we have the tools in house to sell the largest assets. We have the platform and we have the marketing. We have the technology. We have the capability, and we have the in-house knowledge. I tell people you have everything at your disposal to go get any listing that’s out there.”
What are your words of wisdom for young people in their careers?
“The number one way to help your career is to become a specialist in something, whether it’s selling convenience stores or churches, whether it’s selling bars and restaurants or outfitting businesses or whatever. You need to educate yourself and get as highly educated as you can. And, even more importantly, do a very good job for your clients. So, it’s the combination of excellent marketing, competency, expertise and education.”
Michael Krieg – Broker Associate with UCRE | Real Colorado Properties & Costa Rica Properties
Michael Krieg is a seasoned real estate broker and marketing expert out of Grand Junction, Colo., who specializes in luxury homes, international properties, farms, resorts, ranches, businesses and investment properties. Krieg has successfully closed high-value deals across the western United States, as well as the largest contiguous tract of land ever sold in Costa Rica. Known as a real estate problem solver, Krieg finds innovative solutions seamlessly and is consistently ranked as a top 1% producer, earning him multiple national and international awards. Many brokers get bogged down in traditional approaches to real estate. If you really want to buy or sell real estate, ask Mike. He might have an answer when no one else has one.
Why did you join United Country?
“My very first commission check, 90 days in the business with United Country, doing what Bill Baker told me to do, follow the UC program, was $397,000. It put us on the map. I was the number three agent in the country [in] my first year in the business.
Mike and Dan hadn’t even gotten started with what they’re doing now. And now, I can’t leave it alone. Every morning when I wake up, I open my little toolbox like I’m a child. And I come up with different ways to use everything they provide for us. We pay our royalties, and, I’ll say it, and I’ve said it for years, we are getting way more for our money than we’re paying for.”
What are your words of wisdom for young people in their careers?
“There’s safety in a multitude of counsel. That’s it. Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions! There are no foolish questions, only fools that never ask them. And I had a million questions for Bill Baker. I never got to ask one of them because he answered them all before I could get them out of my mouth. And if I do have a question, I know I can dial up corporate and somebody will give me an answer. Anything I have ever needed, anything I have ever requested from corporate has been answered.
“What[ever] you think you know, there’s always somebody smarter that knows more than you. Don’t be afraid to ask. And oddly enough, I get 20 phone calls a month from agents and brokers all over the country asking me this and asking me that. I’m a subject matter expert for commercial and I love the fact that they have the questions. Knowledge is wisdom and wisdom is money in this business. And if you care, you’ll ask. If you don’t care, you won’t care to ask.”