Honored to Be Named a “Woman to Watch” by Montana Real Producers October 2025 issue

Heather Lupton
Oct 1
5 min read

This month, I had the privilege of being featured in Montana Real Producers magazine as a “Woman to Watch.” Out of more than 4,000 real estate agents in the state of Montana, this recognition is something I will not soon forget.

I share this honor with my incredible Aspen Grove Realty team, my supportive colleagues, referral partners, and, most importantly, my clients who have entrusted me with some of the biggest decisions of their lives. Without each of you, this recognition would not be possible.

This journey has been full of challenges, lessons, and moments of joy. From starting fresh in the Bitterroot Valley with no network, to building a business on relationships and trust, to now being surrounded by a strong and kind team... it has all been worth it. I am deeply grateful for the chance to do this work with a pure heart and a true purpose.

Below is the full article as it appeared in Montana Real Producers. I hope you’ll take a moment to read it, because this is more than a recognition of me. It’s a recognition of the community, family, and clients who made it possible. Thank you for walking this journey with me.

Pure of Heart

“I’m motivated by my clients and what’s best for their unique situations. Every day, I remind myself who I’m working for—them. Whether I’m writing contracts, negotiating, or helping them through tough decisions, their best interests are always my top priority. I lead with a pure heart, and that’s what drives my success in this business. My heart is in it for the right reasons,” said Heather Lupton, Broker of the Aspen Grove Realty Team at REAL Broker.

Heather grew up in the Bay Area of California. When she turned 18, she moved to the wine country, where she continued her career in law enforcement. There, she met her husband Matt. When Matt endured an early retirement from the Sheriff’s Department, the Lupton family began looking for a new place to call home.

“We traveled around all the national parks and surrounding areas in the Western US looking for a new place to call home; it was easy to fall in love with the Bitterroot Valley. We wanted a beautiful, outdoorsy place to raise our kids. This valley is everything we wanted and more,” she detailed. Heather and her family moved shortly after, and she describes it as one of the best decisions they’ve ever made.

“After we moved, I knew I didn’t want to work the long, dangerous hours in law enforcement anymore,” she said. “My husband was actually the one who suggested I would make a good real estate agent. It was always something I’d found interesting, and I knew I could do right by my clients.” She jumped headlong into the business and earned her Montana real estate license in 2018. She later went on to earn a license in Idaho.

“Believe it or not, law enforcement proved to be excellent training for real estate,” Heather said. “So much of that line of work is navigating and negotiating with people in their most stressful moments. Real estate is similar. I learned how to understand people and get to the root cause of the issue. I learned how to keep things calm and work toward the best interest of all. I’ve used the skills I learned in that field so much more than I ever thought I would.”

Heather hit the ground running, leaning into her new community to build an incredibly successful business. “I didn’t have a network here to fall back on; I had to work for my clients and prove that I would do exactly as I said I would.” Now with nearly a decade in real estate, the majority of her business comes from referrals and repeat clients, many of whom are also from a law enforcement or military background.

“My business is built on a purely relational basis, not transactional. I look at how I can have the biggest and most valuable impact on and for my clients, without focusing on the bottom line and without regard to how long it will take to get there. That guiding light has served me and them well. It keeps my business growing and ensures longevity in my career,” she said.

Heather earned her Broker endorsement in 2020 and ultimately her Supervising Broker Endorsement shortly thereafter. By 2023, she was ready for the next evolution of her business and founded Aspen Grove Realty. For Heather, the goal has always been to exceed clients' expectations in both results and customer service – something they’ve undoubtedly done.

“Real estate decisions are some of the biggest investments people will ever make in their lives. We need to remember that, and our job is to advise them through the transaction and beyond. I think sometimes that’s forgotten by some of our peers. Our goal at Aspen Grove is to thoughtfully advise our clients in a way that will make awesome things happen for them. Not us,” Heather said.

The Aspen Grove Realty team has now grown to include REALTORS® Kali Hinrichs, Susana Moore, Samantha Moulding, Dana Rosanelli, Barbara Burnham, and Sheena Dee Berry. Together, they have become a powerhouse team in the Bitterroot Valley. More importantly, they all share Heather’s value of the customer above all else.

“My team is incredible,” she said. “They’re kind, thoughtful, and considerate. All of them are always willing to be there, and we can always find a personality match for our clients with one of our agents. We pride ourselves on being a true collaborative group. I work hard to make sure they’re well-trained and equipped to steward our clients, but I also learn alongside them. It’s a two-way street.”

The Aspen Grove Realty team lives and works by the words: Land. Legacy. Lifestyle. “We’re proud of the land that we get to live on. We sell the beautiful life we live. And we’re creating a lasting legacy for our clients, their families, and even our families as well. We remember our “why” every single day because of it. It helps guide our work and remind us why it’s important,” Heather added.

Earlier this year, Aspen Grove Realty partnered with REAL Broker. “It’s been a blessing,” Heather said. “We have access to their technology and resources, but did not have to give up the brand we’ve created and are known for. It’s been great for both our agents and clients. We’re the same team with the same values, we just have more tools at our disposal for the benefit of us and our clients.”

With a successful business and team to her name, Heather is looking for ways to balance her work and personal life. “I’m thankful for a team behind me so I can take a breather when I need it. I want to be fully present for my clients, but more importantly, my family. I’m still learning how to do that and do it well,” she said.

When she does take time away from real estate, she loves to spend time with Matt and their three daughters, Bailey (14), Madison (11), and Hazel (2). She enjoys coaching softball in Hamilton and loves riding and training her horses. She and Matt are always working on their property; they also love shooting, hiking, and traveling.

“Remember who we work for,” she concluded. “Be true to our clients' needs. Take the time to listen and do what is best for them, not you. Be true of heart.”

Connect with Heather at heather@soldbyagr.com or www.soldbyagr.com.