Have you been searching for a Tacoma real estate agent and landed on MoveToTacoma.com? Here’s a little behind-the-scenes of what it’s all about. Move to Tacoma creator Marguerite Martin was recently featured on “Around the Block,” “the official podcast of the Tacoma Pierce County Association of Realtors.”
Host Jasmyn Jefferson introduced Marguerite as “someone who brings a fresh, innovative perspective to what it means to be a real estate professional in today’s market.” Jefferson also highlighted Marguerite’s success in training agents in Tacoma and around the country.
What Marguerite actually does (and how it helps Tacoma buyers)
One of the biggest points clarified in the interview: Marguerite isn’t operating like a traditional “one agent does everything and works with everyone” model.
Marguerite has been a real estate agent in the Tacoma area for 20 years. She’s also been a trainer for many different real estate brands including Windermere Real Estate, Coldwell Banker, John L Scott, and many more. This gives her a lot of insight into sucessful agents in the region. As she put it:
“My full-time job as a realtor is to prospect now because I don’t do the transaction. The expert agents that I refer clients to do that hard part. And I take the finder’s fee.”
And here’s the part that matters if you’re relocating or buying in Tacoma and want the right fit:
“My job is to build trust with the community and build trust with my ideal clients so that they reach out to me and I can learn what they want and find them the perfect realtor for them.”
This is why so many Move to Tacoma readers end up getting connected to an agent who’s a true specialist for their goals, neighborhood, price point, and style.
Why “Expertise” Matters (Especially When You’re New to Tacoma)
One of the reasons she was invited to the interview was to give advice to the local real estate community in how to stand out online and attract clients. Marguerite advocates that real estate agents cultivate local expertise and incorporate that expertise into their online marketing. In the interview, Marguerite framed niche and specialization from a buyer’s point of view:
“Philosophically I believe that every client deserves to work with an expert. They deserve to work with somebody who knows what they’re doing and can do a really good job for them.”
The problem is it’s difficult for clients searching online to discern who is (and isn’t!) a local expert, because agents are afraid to specialize in case they will lose clients. The impact is that agents drive super long distances and work clients in communities they don’t have as much expertise in. And the results are sometimes…. not great. She also explained why generic marketing doesn’t help consumers as much as agents think:
“The clients just assume you have a license, you’re a professional, you know what you’re doing. You have expertise. So when you’re stating those things on your profile, they’re just kind of glazing over.”
If you’re trying to choose a Tacoma real estate agent, what you actually need is someone who can clearly explain what they specialize in- and has the track record to back it up. Every city (and the variety of homes contained within them) is different. Local specialists know the hidden problems in certain types of local architecture (for example) and can guide buyers to catch problems, or connect them to local experts who can solve them. Marguerite is passionate that clients should be working with agents who live and work in the communities they serve.
Move to Tacoma is a resource for Tacoma real estate agents and their clients
Jasmyn Jefferson is the President of the Tacoma Pierce County Association of REALTORS and called out in the interview what a lot of locals and transplants have experienced firsthand:
“Move to Tacoma (the neighborhood guide and podcast) has become a huge resource. I hear people all the time… Did you find such and such? Because of, and a lot of times I’m hearing, yes.”
When discussing the technical aspects of running a site like this for over a decade Jasmyn also noted the site’s visibility, “Yours frequently beats out other large companies locally.” Marguerite (being Marguerite) responded with humor, “I’m just like one person with an old budget… y’all are gonna go look at this website that’s 10 years old and like limping along on its last grandmotherly legs, you know?” And Jefferson’s simple summary is the point: “Well, people use it.”
Whether you’re moving to Tacoma and looking to find your place or a real estate agent looking on behalf of your clients, here are some of the main features of the site that people find most helpful.
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Tacoma Neighborhoods Guide (with clickable map)
- Tacoma Podcast (where we interview people across Tacoma on what it’s like to live here.)
A Note on Trust, Feedback, and Doing the Right Thing
One of the most human parts of the conversation was Marguerite talking about building something public—and being willing to learn when people push back:
“I started a website called Move to Tacoma at a time that prices were doubling in our community and I got a lot of heat and it really hurt my feelings.”
But she also shared what came from that:
“I do try to consider it and I do try to listen and I have absolutely changed my mind about things and grown from it.”
For many readers, that willingness to learn- and to take the responsibility seriously- is part of what makes Move to Tacoma feel like a trustworthy place to start. Wondering about affordability and why Tacoma isn’t affordable anymore? Check out, “Tacoma isn’t affordable anymore. Here’s why.”
How Move to Tacoma Works
Here at Move to Tacoma we’ve been helping people find their place (and their real estate agent) in Tacoma for over a decade. We recommend choosing a local agent that lives and works in Tacoma and knows all the nuances of pricing, neighborhoods, and the condition (and quirks!) of these historic homes.
Here at MovetoTacoma.com we help people find their place in the City of Destiny. If you or a friend are looking to buy a home in Tacoma and would like help learning about Tacoma neighborhoods and finding a real estate agent please reach out to us! You can click the contact form on MovetoTacoma.com. You can also schedule a one-on-one with Marguerite on zoom by clicking here.
Step 1: Explore the Clickable Neighborhood Map of Tacoma
Our clickable neighborhood map of Tacoma’s neighborhoods is our pride and joy. Click through to find images and videos of each neighborhood. The Neighborhood guides on the map also include median home price information, blog posts about the neighborhoods, podcast episodes about the neighborhoods, and candid quotes from local neighbors.
Step 2: Listen to the Move to Tacoma Podcast
The best way to learn about Tacoma is to hear from the people who live here. On the Move to Tacoma Podcast Marguerite interviews Tacomans who’ve been here generations and Tacomans who just got here. From business and technology leaders to politicians and activists and everyone in between. The Move to Tacoma Podcast will give you insight into why people move here and how they find meaning and happiness in Tacoma.
Step 3: Read the Blog Posts on MovetoTacoma.com
On the Move to Tacoma Blog we have been writing about things to do in Tacoma, where to eat in Tacoma, hot button community topics, neighborhoods and more since 2015. There are hundreds of posts to help you find what you love in the City of Destiny. From posts about where to eat and drink to interviews with locals- the blog is a great place to keep up one what’s happening in Tacoma and Pierce County.
Step 4: Get Realtor Referral from a Local Realtor
Marguerite Martin is a different kind of Tacoma real estate agent. Reach out to find out answers to questions you have about neighborhoods in Tacoma and Pierce County. When the time is right to start looking, Marguerite can connect you with a local real estate agent who specializes in the neighborhoods you love most. You can see reviews from past clients who’ve worked with Marguerite on Yelp and on Google.
