Real Estate Success Blueprint: Tips, Tools & Truths from Title Pro Tamera Gaede

In our previous article, we explained the reasons why every realtor can benefit from building a strategic relationship with an experienced title rep. Industry insights, market knowledge, connections with key players in the game – a good title rep will give you this, and much more.

Today, let's break down some of the lessons Tamera Gaede, a seasoned title executive at Lawyers Title has gathered over the years. She works with realtors, lenders, escrow professionals, you name it. She's knows what works, and what doesn't. 

From database tips to podcasting strategies, she shares a realistic, no-fluff blueprint for growing your business right now.

Be sure to check out the full /RealEstate interview with Tamera on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. 

CRM First, Everything Else Later

If there’s one non-negotiable in your business toolbox, it’s a good Customer Relationship Management system.

“You cannot scale without a CRM. You can’t even follow up properly. I’m shocked by how many agents still say they don’t have one,” Tamera shares.

She often recommends Real Geeks because of its affordability and all-in-one capabilities. Not only are you getting an SEO-optimized IDX website, but a fully-functioning and intuitive CRM with built-in follow up sequences, automation tools, autoresponders, a customer-facing app, and much more.

This makes it the perfect ally for solo agents and small teams who don't want to deal with multiple software subscriptions and complex integrations.

But whether you choose Real Geeks or not, a good CRM is the backbone of your business. It should help you:

·  Organize your leads and past clients

·  Automate email/text follow-up

·  Track communication

·  Build long-term nurture campaigns

Your Database is Gold, So Mine It First

We're looking at a tighter market today, so it makes sense that some agents are tempted to throw money at cold leads or farming campaigns in search of traction.

But Tamera urges agents to start with what they already have:

“Have you fully worked your database? The people who already know, like, and trust you. Are you really staying in touch with them?”

Your sphere of influence (SOI) — friends, family, past clients, and community connections — is the lowest-cost, highest-conversion source of business. But it only works if you’re engaging with them intentionally and consistently.

To help agents stay organized, Tamera breaks your contacts into four key lead pillars:

SOI — Your personal and professional network. These people already trust you, nurture them.

Farming — A geographic or niche market you're targeting over time with print, digital, and face-to-face outreach.

Investors — Often overlooked, but these repeat clients are data-driven and need consistent property opportunities.

Online/Tech Leads — Website forms, social media DMs, or paid platforms. Cold leads that need fast, structured follow-up.

“Your database should be your first and strongest pipeline,” Tamera says. “If it’s not, you’re likely spending money you don’t need to.”

TL;DR: Before you pay for leads, make sure you're truly maximizing the ones you already have.

Geo-Farming Is a Long Game — Don’t Rush It

Geo-farming — targeting a specific neighborhood with consistent marketing — is a proven strategy. 

But Tamera is clear about what it is not: “It’s not a quick fix. Farming takes 9 to 12 months minimum to generate results. You have to be consistent, relevant, and visible.”

That means:

·  Postcards alone won’t cut it

·  You need to show up at HOA events, garage sales, or neighborhood Facebook groups

·  You should layer your marketing: digital + print + face-to-face

According to Every Door Direct Mail, the average homeowner receives 2–3 real estate mailers per month. It takes 8+ touches to generate brand recall.

Tamera recommends geo-farming after you’ve mastered your SOI and have a solid follow-up system in place:

“Farming is a way to expand your business — not a substitute for working the people already in your circle.”

Investors Are Overlooked and Incredibly Profitable

A lot of agents are intimidated by investors, assuming you need deep knowledge of cap rates, flips, or multi-family math to work with them. But Tamera encourages agents to rethink that.

“You don’t need to be an expert. Just be a reliable, informed partner. Investors value speed, data, and trust. That’s it.”

Investor clients often buy or sell multiple properties per year, don’t require a ton of hand-holding, and prioritize efficiency over emotion.

In short, they're oftentimes the dream client.

How to attract them:

·  Attend REIA meetups or investor Facebook groups

·  Post about investor-friendly listings or duplexes

·  Learn the basics of return on investment (ROI) and cash flow

Tamera’s advice: “Start by asking around. You probably already know someone who’s dabbling in investment properties. Serve them well, and they’ll refer other investors to you.”

Online/Tech Leads Require Urgency and Structure

Leads that come from your website, social media, or lead platforms (Zillow, Realtor.com, Real Geeks) are cold. They don’t know you yet. That means your speed of follow-up determines whether you win the relationship or not.

Tamera sees many agents wasting this opportunity.

“They spend money on leads, but they don’t follow up quickly, or they give up after one or two calls. That’s just throwing money away.”

Best practices:

·  Follow up within 5 minutes of a new lead (your odds of conversion drop drastically after that)

·  Use pre-written scripts and drip campaigns in your CRM

·  Don’t treat online leads like a “maybe” — nurture them like they’re already in your pipeline

We've shared this stat with you ad nauseam, but here it is again for good measure: According to InsideSales Lead Response Study, responding to a lead within 5 minutes increases conversion chances by 900%.

“Online leads can work, but only if you treat them like gold,” Tamera says. “You need structure, automation, and hustle.”

Podcasting as a Relationship Tool

Tamera’s podcast, The Closing Table, isn’t just about marketing. It’s about connection.

“I invite people I already do business with, or want to. We talk about real estate, yes, but also about value, strategy, and what’s really happening in the market.”

The podcast allows her to:

·  Highlight strategic partners (agents, lenders, coaches)

·  Share useful insights with her audience

·  Stay top-of-mind even when she’s not face-to-face

What Can We Learn from This?

As an agent, consider starting a hyper-local podcast. It doesn’t have to be fancy. You could:

·  Interview restaurant owners, local nonprofits, school principals

·  Showcase neighborhood events or stories

·  Share housing updates and tips for buyers/sellers

“You can’t be everywhere all the time, but a podcast lets you build brand visibility in a scalable way,” Tamera adds.

Consistency and authenticity are more important than perfection. Just start — your audience is waiting.

Be a Connector, Not a Coach

Tamera’s not trying to be a business coach. She knows her strengths, and she leans into them.

“I don’t build your business plan. But I know who does. I’ve spent years building a network so that when you hit a wall, I can connect you with someone who’s already solved that problem.”

This mindset allows her to scale her support and avoid over-promising. As an agent, it’s a good reminder: you don’t need to do everything — you just need to be resourceful.

She follows up with agents after making introductions to ensure they got what they needed and continues to act as a facilitator throughout the relationship.

And just as Tamera acts as the facilitator for agents, you act as the facilitator for buyers and sellers. 

Industry Trends Matter 

Tamera actively monitors market changes through:

·  Multiple mastermind groups

·  Real estate media outlets

·  Direct conversations with agents and brokers

“Whether it’s the NAR commission lawsuits, local board mergers, or AI in real estate, I ask: how is this affecting agents today? Then I share that insight back.”

By being the hub of timely, reliable information, she earns trust and keeps her clients ahead of the curve.

Remember: 61% of buyers and 66% of sellers choose their agent based on trust and local expertise.

Tamera isn’t just absorbing. She's sharing what matters to her leads. That’s the role every top agent (and title rep) should aspire to play in their market.

Final Takeaways from Tamera

Here's a summary of Tamera's business success formula:

1.  Get your CRM in order

2.  Work your database before you spend elsewhere

3.  Create multiple lead pipelines (SOI, farming, investors, tech leads)

4.  Be consistent, not perfect

5.  Build a brand that helps others first

6.  Stay educated and share what you learn

This Is the New Standard

Gone are the days of “spray and pray” in real estate. Weekend warriors are not going to cut it. If you want to thrive, you need structure, support, and strategy.

Tamera Gaede is proof that the right partnerships make all the difference. Whether it’s launching a podcast, investing in a CRM, or finding your local investor network, she shows agents that the path to growth isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing the right things.

“If you're not growing, you’re falling behind,” she says. “Find the people — like me — who can help you move forward.”

To listen to the full interview with Tamera, check out /RealEstate on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.