Tara Scouten on Real Estate and Community
By QUINN PROPST
Ward Media Staff Reporter
Tara Scouten knows firsthand what it means to dream of a home. Growing up in Minnesota, she watched her single mother juggle multiple jobs just to keep food on the table. Out of those struggles came two ambitions that shaped her life: to be the first in her family to graduate from college, and to one day have a home of her own.
Today, as a realtor with John L. Scott, Scouten helps others pursue the same dream—guiding clients through more than a transaction, but a journey toward stability and belonging.
A Childhood Shaped by Determination
Scouten’s early years were defined by both hardship and resilience. She and her sister grew up in a trailer park, relying at times on government milk and cheese and subsidized school breakfasts. Watching her mother’s constant hustle taught her the value of perseverance—and sharpened her awareness of what homeownership represented.
“I grew up in a trailer park, in a little single wide,” Scouten said. “From an early age, I could see that a few things meant a lot for my friends, that I perceived parents were successful, and that was they had homes and could earn equity and lived a better standard of living than I did.”
Instead of seeing limitation, Scouten saw possibility. She set her sights on education and homeownership—not just as personal milestones, but as markers of stability and achievement.
“My big goals since childhood were being the first to have an education, to go to college in my family, and hopefully own a home one day,” she said.
Those goals, born out of determination, remain the foundation of her work today as she helps others turn their own dreams of home into reality.
The First Steps Toward Homeownership
Scouten’s journey was never easy, but it was always forward. She worked at Burger King in high school, saved to buy her first car, and paid her own insurance.
“I always needed to work, even when I had a successful marriage and had a successful career as a therapist and a husband with a good job, I was always still working hard,” she said.
Education was her first mountain to climb. Tara became the first in her family to attend college, then went on to earn a master’s degree in therapy. For over 20 years, she worked as a therapist, honing the skills that would later set her apart in real estate: listening, empathy, and attention to detail.
“Most people say that makes me a better real estate agent, better listener, more attentive to the details,” she said. “So that’s part of my strengths, I guess.”
But the dream of homeownership never faded. After graduate school, Tara bought her first home in St. Paul—a charming 1925 bungalow, purchased for $90,000.
“It was everything I had dreamed of—cute, even though I knew I was more than likely getting engaged and getting married and he had a house. So I made those goals. I was always more of an intrinsic goal setter, I guess you could say.”
A New Chapter: From Therapy to Real Estate
After two decades in therapy, Scouten was ready for a new challenge. Real estate, with its blend of art, architecture, and human connection, was a natural fit.
“I always loved real estate,” she said. “I love art and architecture, and I love to see a variety of homes and layouts.”
The Pacific Northwest, with its stunning waterfronts and diverse communities, became her canvas.
Scouten’s approach to real estate is deeply informed by her background. She understands the anxieties of first-time buyers, the complexities of family transitions, and the emotional weight of finding a home.
“I love teaching first-time home buyers and holding their hands and educating them,” she said. “There’s no bad question, because it’s a big process, if you don’t know it.”
Her own experience as a single mom, a first-generation homeowner, and a hard worker gives her a unique perspective.
“I worked my way out of poverty via working hard and getting an education, but mostly real estate,” she said.
Now, she channels that same determination into helping others achieve what once seemed impossible for them.
Guiding Families and Investors in a Shifting Market
The Kitsap housing market, like much of the country, has seen dramatic shifts in recent years. Rising interest rates, changing inventory, and evolving buyer expectations have made the process more complex than ever. But for Scouten, these challenges are opportunities to serve.
“Buyers are a lot more discerning because rates are higher,” she said. “So it’s taking a little bit longer for buyers to get into homes or find the right home they want, because they are more discerning, paying a higher rate. But they also have some wiggle room in negotiating.”
Her advice to clients is rooted in patience, preparation, and local expertise.
“It’s about patience and really waiting for that right one to come on, and really being prepped and ready with a good lender and a good approval process, and ideally getting fully underwritten before we make an offer,” she said.
Scouten’s network is one of her greatest assets. Years of experience, deep community ties, and a reputation for integrity allow her to connect clients with the right opportunities—and the right people.
“It’s connecting the dots in the community and being well networked. I think that is really important,” she said.
For investors, Kitsap offers unique advantages: a stable market, a mix of waterfront and military-driven demand, and a community that values both growth and stability. Scouten herself owns multiple investment properties in the area, giving her firsthand insight into the opportunities and challenges her clients face.
Scouten’s leadership is not just about transactions—it’s about transformation. She mentors new agents, encourages clients to ask questions, and fosters a culture of kindness and collaboration.
Her own mentor, KJ Lange, was a strong, independent woman who guided Tara through the early years of her career.
“She was my mentor for the first year. I killed her with texts and a million phone calls. Because I’m very inquisitive. I had a question about everything. And if you don’t know something in a new role, it’s like, I want to learn it all,” she said.
Now, she pays that mentorship forward, helping others navigate the complexities of real estate with confidence and compassion.
Community at the Heart of the Business
For Scouten, real estate isn’t just about buying and selling property—it’s about contributing to something bigger. That’s one reason she feels at home with John L. Scott Real Estate, whose company motto is Living Life as a Contribution.
“I just feel like givers gain and what goes around comes around,” she said.
Giving back is central to Scouten’s philosophy. She invests time and energy into local organizations ranging from the Poulsbo Film Festival and the Humane Society to Coffee Oasis, the Master Gardeners Club, and Paws.
“Supporting the community gives me so much in return from knowing people and helping others,” she said.
Her commitment doesn’t end with nonprofits. Scouten continues supporting her clients long after the keys change hands. For many, she becomes a connector and trusted resource.
“Sometimes I joke, I’m a traditional, old 411 operator, and I have my headset on, and I’m connecting people, but that’s the other half of the job. Like, after they move in, ‘Tara, do you have a good dentist? Who’s your favorite painter? You know, who’s this or that… and so it’s this ever rolling Rolodex in your head of who’s the best person I can connect you to, and what would be a good fit for you?”
A Legacy of Empowerment
Scouten’s impact is perhaps best measured in the stories of the families she has helped. She recalls with pride the moment she handed the keys to a mother with a disabled son, helping them find a home that was both accessible and beautiful.
“There were just tears in her eyes,” Scouten said. “She said, ‘I just never thought I’d own my own place, let alone a place with an amazing view’. And, you know, she was so thankful.”
These moments are the true rewards of Scouten’s work.
“Negotiating hard for the win and then taking it all the way through closing and handing out those keys, and knowing that pride and home ownership and that that’s going to get somebody, equity and leverage for a lifetime, there’s nothing better.”
Advice for the Next Generation
For those considering a career in real estate, Scouten offers both encouragement and a dose of reality.
“I like to shock them with the reality of how much we work,” she said. “It’s good to have boundaries, but sometimes it is hard if you’re really going to be successful in this world. You do have to take vacations, you just have to have some time off.”
The work is demanding, but for those with the drive and heart, it is deeply rewarding.
“If you’re a person of change and hustle and scurry and want to be on the go, that’s great, it will work for you,” she said. “That’s awesome. You’re the person for the job, and everybody brings a different strength to the job.”
Women Driving Real Estate Forward
Scouten’s journey from a single-wide trailer in Minnesota to the forefront of Kitsap’s real estate market is a story of grit, generosity, and the transformative power of home. As a woman driving real estate, she embodies the values of empathy, leadership, and community that are shaping the industry’s future. In a shifting market, Scouten is not just helping families and investors find houses—she’s helping them find home.
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