UC Legends: Specialization, Service & Marketing Mastery with Gary Hubbell & Michael Krieg

What does it take to thrive in the rural and lifestyle real estate market for 100 years? United Country Real Estate has reached the elusive and impressive 100-year milestone in 2025 due to the innovations and the excellence of the professionals that make up the company.

The answer to United Country’s success lies in the caliber of expertise of professionals behind the name –brokers and auctioneers whose grit, vision and industry knowledge raise the bar higher and higher. Brokers Gary Hubbell and Michael Krieg are two of those incomparable and irreplaceable leaders. They have elevated what it means to market properties, reach new clients, and create a lasting legacy.

Why United Country Was the Right Fit

When reflecting on why they joined United Country, both brokers pointed to the program’s marketing capabilities as the turning point for them. For those trying to make themselves known in a competitive market, the scale and sophistication of UC’s tools create opportunities that are simply unavailable elsewhere.  

Hubbell, who has achieved his Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation, knew he needed a stronger marketing engine to match the quality of the properties he was representing.

“When I became knowledgeable about United Country, I realized this is a company that actually gets it when it comes to SEO and marketing…I knew that I could never push the marketing horsepower to that website that United Country could do,” Hubbell said.

Krieg echoed a similar sentiment, speaking candidly about his early success after following the United Country program.

“My very first commission check, 90 days in the business with United Country… follow[ing] the UC program, was $397,000. It put us on the map.”

Marketing Mastery

Whether these real estate pros and marketing masters are selling ranchland in Colorado or a luxury resort in Costa Rica, both Hubbell and Krieg believe in harnessing the full spectrum of marketing tools available.

“If somebody came to me and said, you know, I want to sell the port of Long Beach or the Empire State Building, we have the tools in house to sell the largest assets,” Hubbell said. “We have the platform and the marketing. We have the technology. We have the capability, and we have the in-house knowledge.”

From drone videography to large-scale auction marketing, both brokers have built a reputation for their strategic and creative thinking. Their efforts continue to set benchmarks within the company and across the real estate industry.

“We are getting way more for our money than we’re paying for,” Krieg said while reflecting on his long-standing belief in the value of the United Country program.

The Power of Asking & Wisdom of Experience

Krieg’s career has been shaped not just by the big wins, like selling the largest contiguous tract of land in Costa Rica, but by a mindset of curiosity and willingness to ask questions –a practice he believes agents should embrace if they want to improve.

“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,” he claims.

Support from mentors like Bill Baker and easy access to industry-relevant leadership helped Krieg move quickly and confidently. “Anything I have ever needed, anything I have ever requested from corporate has been answered,” he added. He now pays it forward as a commercial property subject matter expert.

Krieg also emphasizes that learning never ends, and that the best professionals are the ones who keep learning and care enough about their growth to ask questions.

“Knowledge is wisdom and wisdom is money in this business. And if you care, you’ll ask.”

Specialization & Service: The United Country Mission

While many agents try to be generalists, both Hubbell and Krieg stress the importance of becoming a true expert in a specific niche. It’s not just about standing out in the market, but rather being able to deliver better service to clients. After accomplishing that, your reputation will precede you.

“The number one way to help your career is to become a specialist in something. You need to educate yourself and get as highly educated as you can. And, even more importantly, do a good job for you clients,” Hubbell said.

His advice highlights the winning United Country formula: focus on listings, niche mastery and an unwavering commitment to providing the best service to clients. This combination leads to stronger relationships, better deals and long-term success.

A Legacy of Leadership

As United Country celebrates its 100^th year, the legacies of Gary Hubbell and Michael Krieg reflect the company’s enduring values –resilience, innovation, mentorship and integrity. Whether they’re redefining marketing excellence for a massive horse ranch in Colorado or advising on a multimillion-dollar investment deal, Hubbell and Krieg exemplify what it means to lead with purpose.

Their combined wisdom continues to inspire the next generation of brokers, auctioneers and real estate professionals. And as they mentor, innovate and break new ground, they carry forward the legacy of a company built by and for rural and lifestyle real estate experts.

Dig deeper into their valuable experiences and insight by reading the full Q&A on JoinUnitedCountry.com. To start buying or selling real estate with some of United Country’s leaders, contact them directly and Find Your Freedom® today!

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.

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 Costa Rica and other desirable international locations. 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.