Tara Smith Broker/REALTOR®, SRES®, Ally®

Home is one of the best investments any of us can make, and it’s my privilege to guide clients through that journey. I work equally with buyers and sellers—whether you’re dreaming of a luxury vacation retreat, taking the exciting step toward your first home, navigating the challenge of buying and selling simultaneously, or settling an estate with care and clarity.

For the past nine years, I’ve been a successful, top-producing, full-time Realtor, helping clients move through the twists and turns of the market with confidence. My background spans decades of marketing, sales training, and client relations, allowing me to bring both expertise and empathy to every transaction.

I’m honored to be a member of Allen Tate’s Gold Circle and to be recognized frequently as a Monthly Top Performer and Quarterly VIP. My deep knowledge of the Foothills and the Catawba Valley—paired with a genuine appreciation for the people who call this region home—enables me to provide guidance that goes far beyond the MLS. Whether you’re preparing to sell at top value or we’re exploring several counties to find the perfect fit, I’m here to help you make informed, confident decisions.

Real estate, for me, has always been a story of passion and perseverance. Every client who invites me into their homeownership journey becomes part of the legacy I’m working to build—one centered on integrity, compassion, and helping others find their place to call home.

Raised as a military brat, I learned early how to adapt, relocate, and find “home” in unexpected places. That experience gives me a unique perspective when working with clients relocating to Lenoir, Morganton, Hickory, and the greater Foothills and Catawba Valley. Though I’ve lived across the country and overseas, my own homeownership story began in Indiana after graduating from Indiana University, Bloomington. A career in sales led me to Indianapolis, but North Carolina’s scenic beauty and warm hospitality eventually pulled me south. I moved to Charlotte in 1997, and later, in 2016, my husband and I settled on our farm in Lenoir.

While I devote most of my days to serving clients, I deeply value giving back to the community I love. I serve on the Board of the Caldwell Arts Council and am hands-on in helping prepare its new location for the community. I’m also a longtime supporter and former Board Member of Foothills Canine Rescue. Over the years, I’ve worn many volunteer hats there—and more often than not, you’ll find a couple of foster puppies at my house waiting for forever homes.

When I’m not working or volunteering, I’m likely out on the golf course enjoying the views, or helping my husband tend to our farm. With five grown children, three grandsons, four dogs, and a garden that grows faster than I can keep up with it, there’s never a dull moment.

I’m Tara Smith—your Realtor in the Foothills and the Catawba Valley. Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply looking for trusted guidance on the local market, I’m here to help you find your place to call home.