Sometimes life can throw us curve balls. We spend years thinking ahead before college, we anticipate our future career while we learn our trade and wait for the opportunity to work in our selected career field. Yet we find ourselves having to re-adjust, thinking of how to turn all those years of dreaming and planning into a new career path. Mattison Ference with Hayden Outdoors Real Estate is an example of being flexible, but purposeful.
Mattison graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the Fall of 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education and two minors: Agricultural Economics and Animal Science. She then proceeded to be Agricultural Education Instructor and FFA Advisor at Sandy Creek High School for the 2018-2019 school year. Upon completion of that school year, she married Johnny Ference (Ord, NE native) and moved to Ord. Considering her new husband and father-in-law were the Agricultural Educators for Ord…and with no openings at surrounding schools, Mattison began planning her next career move. After much thought, she decided to pursue her real estate license and became licensed in the State of Nebraska during the Summer of 2020. Not an ideal year to start a new business, but any time is a great time to find a new passion!

To Mattison, there is much correlation between being a teacher and being a real estate agent. Both provide opportunities to educate as well as guide and care for clients as she did with her students. After making phone calls to various brokerages in the area, Mattison made the decision to join the team at Hayden Outdoors Real Estate. She felt the dynamics of the brokerage and the services they offer, would be the best fit for the service she wanted to provide clients as well as personally nurture her agriculture/farming background.

Hayden Outdoors is a family-owned real estate company and brokerage with a background in the cattle and ranching business. In 1976, Leo Hayden founded the company as the Property Exchange, working with farms and ranches for sale near Hays, Kansas. The brokerage moved to Goodland, Kansas in 1981 and became Hayden Inc. In the late 1990’s, Leo was joined by his two sons, Dax and Seth, to help grow the business in multiple states. In 2003, Hayden Outdoors was formed to represent sellers and buyers on farm, ranch and recreational properties in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. Over time, Hayden Outdoors has built a team composed of brokers and agents with experience and knowledge in their markets and an affinity to “Do what they say they will.”


Mattison now specializes in Farm, Ranch, Waterfront and Rural Residential properties in central Nebraska. Hayden Outdoors represents the finest real estate for sale. Located in Ord, Mattison can help with all your Nebraska buying and selling needs. She has a strong devotion to service and values trust and confidence in relationships with clients. Mattison is dedicated to superior service and is sensitive to the client’s needs. Specialized services range from staging consults, design and organization services, professional photography and videography, drone photography/videography, complimentary house cleaning for open houses and more!

In her first year with Hayden Outdoors, Mattison closed 10 transactions, which totaled over $2 million worth of property. Mattison is quick to share her gratitude with her clients, highlighting that not all real estate agents even get a listing in their first year in the business. “I have met some incredible people through this business, and I love that clients can become lifelong friends.” Even though Mattison has tried to take a step back as her and her husband prepare to welcome their first child this July, she’s on track to close just shy of $3 million worth of property in 2022 so far. “I am excited to see what 2023 and the future will bring! I am just thankful to be able to provide for my growing family. I’m sure the future will bring forth many more great relationships, and possibly a car seat in a Ranger at showings!”

If there’s one thing Mattison wants the community to know about Hayden Outdoors, it’s that while they are a larger brokerage, they re-invest in the communities their agents serve. “I feel there is a misconception with my business that if you choose to work with me, you’re supporting Colorado and not Ord. That is simply not true. Yes, some of the funds from each transaction will go back to my brokerage, however our brokerage is great about re-investing that money back into the business to better serve its clients (aka: “you”). They are also quick in generosity to support our local area when it comes to conservation efforts or local events such as the Nebraska’s BIG Rodeo, with plans of more ways to contribute in the future.” Mattison dreams of one day having an office located in downtown Ord where her clients can stop in and visit and the community can gather!
Mattison has a strong affinity for working in her community to grow its vibrancy. When she’s not closing deals, you’ll find her at football and wrestling meets, at town functions, or at the Catholic Church where she serves as the Director of Religious Education. Mattison also serves as the Vice President of the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce where she shares her passion for supporting local businesses. Mattison is devoted to cultivating a community that supports each other in all their endeavors to create prosperous living for everyone in Ord and Valley County. “My husband and I strive to donate our time and money to help improve our community and to see that it becomes and remains sustainable and vibrant. This is only possible when we have others supporting us. It takes all of us supporting each other to support our community, we cannot be at odds.”

To learn more about Hayden Outdoors Real Estate and agent Mattison Ference, visit their WEBSITE or follow Mattison on FACEBOOK.
Check out the high quality ways Hayden Outdoors can showcase your property: