How To Build a Successful Real Estate Career with Tara McGuire

Real estate agents often hear tips for getting started—but what about when you're already in the business, closing deals consistently, and ready to take things to the next level? Based on Tara McGuire’s hard-earned experience and success leading a top-producing team, this guide outlines tactical strategies to scale an established real estate business with purpose, efficiency, and heart!

Overview

Tara McGuire has been in Austin real estate since 1999 and currently leads a high-performing team under Bramlett Partners. In 2024, her team of four producing agents and one assistant closed 79 transactions and nearly $60 million in volume. Tara’s approach to growth is intentional: refine your systems, nurture your database, stay top of mind, and create consistency through systems and community engagement.

If you're an agent with momentum and you're asking, “What’s next?”, this is your blueprint.

A detailed write up is below the video!

Database Mastery

Build It—Even Before You Need It

Start with your existing connections. Go through your social media—Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn—and begin compiling names into a spreadsheet.
Include full contact info: name, phone number, email, home address.

Use Automation Tools

Tara uses the Super Portal to send market updates with sold data, which clients love.
Every contact with an address gets a daily market update email—no complaints, and it keeps her top of mind.

Never Miss a Connection

Tennis partners. School moms. A casual acquaintance at dinner.
Always ask: “Are they in my database?”
Missed opportunities often come from forgetting to enter someone into your CRM.

Staying Top of Mind with Existing Clients

Personalized Annual Real Estate Reviews

Keep them short but personalized
Include a call to action: “Please keep me top of mind for referrals.”
These reviews provide value and reinforce your position as their go-to agent.

Social Media: Reinforce Your Range

Post about clients in all price points and areas.
Make sure to point out geographical location and price points!
- “Yes, I work in Georgetown.”
- “Yes, I work with $350K condos and $3M homes.”

Geographic Farming with Intention

Open Houses—Strategic, Not Scattered

Pick a neighborhood and stick with it: Belterra, Highpointe, Circle C, etc.
Use branded signs and aim to do 4–6/month in the same area.
Over time, your name becomes the one people recognize—especially for curious neighbors (who ultimately become sellers) and repeat buyers.

Hyperlocal Facebook Groups

Tara created Circle C Homes for Sale and Rent and became the group admin.
Use it to share helpful content, not just ads, so it builds trust and grows organically.
Bonus: Residents post about moving or wanting referrals, giving you an inside track.

Community Events That Deliver

Example: Toy Drive + Pie Giveaway

Promote it on Facebook and mailers
They provided their email address, and Tara added them to her database and market updates.
Result: Direct business followed within weeks.

Monthly Direct Mailers

Mail sold stats to ~6,000 homes in the target area.
Yes, it’s expensive (~$2,000/month), but the ROI on even one $800K+ transaction is worth it.

Client Engagement That Feels Natural

Social Meetups

Weekly dinners or coffee with A+ or A-level clients—not always close friends, but people who matter.
No business talk required, but real estate inevitably comes up.
It’s about relationship-building, not selling.

Real Estate Reviews

Target one per week per agent on the team.

Time Blocking for Balance

Tara blocks her 7AM or 8AM Pilates every weekday—and does not check email beforehand.
Protecting personal time helps maintain long-term productivity and avoids burnout.
What’s not scheduled doesn’t get done—time block personal and professional priorities.

Ongoing Education & Sharpening Your Edge

Never Pretend to Know—Ask

Tara leans on the Bramlett Partners Facebook group and company guide to crowdsource info or find quick answers.
From tax protests to home issues by build year, the internal guide is a go-to resource.

Podcasts & Professional Growth

Listen to industry content during drive time:
- Real Estate Rockstars
- Stay Paid
Every episode has at least one nugget—like sending just sold cards to your database instead of random neighbors.

Visibility = Credibility

Go on home tours, post about cool features, share video walk-throughs.
People assume the listing is yours or you're working with buyers—reinforces your authority and activity.

Final Takeaways

To scale your real estate business as an established agent:

Focus relentlessly on your database.
Stay top of mind with regular value-driven touchpoints.
Be hyper-local and consistent in your farming.
Create repeatable systems that support growth.
Stay organized in a way that works for you.
Keep learning—and lean on your network.