Women's History Month: Former clerk finds new home in career as Realtor
Tina Lanier, who recently launched her second career as a Realtor with the Price Realtors office in Southmont, looks through home listings. {Contributed photo}
After 32 years with the City of Lexington, the last 27 as the municipal clerk, Tina Lanier retired a year ago but she recently launched a second career as a Realtor.
In December 2021, she passed the state/national real estate exam, which she described as “the hardest test I’ve ever taken.” She proudly noted she was among only 37 percent of the people taking the test last year who passed on the first try.
Soon after obtaining her license and designation as a Realtor, Lanier joined Price Realtors in their Southmont office near High Rock Lake and sold her first property within 20 days of joining the firm.
“I always wanted to get into real estate but didn’t have time when I was working for the city,” Lanier said. “So now is my time to fulfill other dreams. So far, it’s been exciting, fun and challenging. But I’m up for the challenge.”
Lanier’s job as municipal clerk involved a lot of records management, including preparing city council agendas, recording and composing minutes from all the council meetings and a large project that included a recodification of the city’s code of ordinances, which hadn’t been done in 30 years. Such attention to detail and providing customer service to the public when seeking records has prepared her well for her next vocation.
“I think I can really utilize some of the experience I had as a clerk.” Lanier added she is well-versed in the city’s subdivisions, schools, amenities such as parks and recreation opportunities, the uptown Lexington business district and other attractions that would appeal to new residents. With various industries locating in the county, such as Egger Wood Products, and other industrial developments off Interstate 85, Lanier expects the area to gain new residents.
Lanier is looking forward to working with people to help them find homes. “I love people — I’m a nurturer,” she explained. “I see myself continuing in that role of helping and serving others.”
A Lexington native who has lived in Denton for more than 40 years, Lanier had offers to join several real estate firms but chose Price Realtors’ Southmont office.
“I felt like it was a good fit for me because it’s halfway between Denton and Lexington. I get the best of both worlds where I have so many friends, former colleagues and customers. I want to continue the relationships I’ve built through working for the city.”
A new member of the Lexington Board of Realtors, Lanier is Price Realtors representative to the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce.
“I’m looking forward to meeting other Realtors in the area, as well as builders and developers.”
Lanier recalled how thrilled she was when she and her husband, Mike Lanier, were able to secure a Farmers Home Administration loan for first-time homebuyers as young newlyweds. They still live in their original home in Denton, where they raised their son, Matthew, a recent N.C. State University graduate who lives in Raleigh.
“That loan gave us an opportunity to be young first-time home buyers. Homeownership shouldn’t be a scary thing for young adults, especially those just graduating from college. I really want to help people with the American dream of being a homeowner.”
