With his genuine nature and unassuming demeanor, Anthony “Tony” McTaggart is redefining what it means to be a top-producing real estate agent and team owner at Nebraska Realty.  

Tony's path to real estate success, however, was anything but a given almost a decade ago. As a self-described introvert, he initially faced challenges with formal job interviews and struggled to find the right career fit. It was his older brother, Kevin, who finally suggested a career in real estate.

"My brother knew I was a hard worker and that I disliked job interviews, so he encouraged me to get my real estate license. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made," Tony recalls.

 

After following his brother’s advice, Tony obtained his real estate license in 2014, where he quickly discovered his passion for helping people navigate the complexities of buying and selling homes. Tony's educational background in business finance from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln provided him with a solid foundation, but it was his innate ability to connect with clients that quickly set him apart.

“I also got lucky with a great mentor,” Tony explains. “Jeni Meyer gave me an opportunity to work alongside her. I would not be the agent I am today without her guidance, she took me under her wing and showed me how she did real estate. Now I get to share those experiences with other agents.”

Tony describes his philosophy of success as "winning at least one thing each day." He believes that success isn't just about achieving big milestones; it's about making a positive impact, whether it's making someone laugh, helping a client, or providing for his family. This outlook has guided Tony’s approach to both life and business.

“Some days that win might be a personal one, other days that win might be something that positively impacts someone you love, ” Tony asserts.

Never one to push the envelope, Tony says he enjoys listening more than talking to avoid overwhelming anyone. Instead, he lets his clients do the talking and adapts to their personalities.

“For a lot of my clients, buying a home can be extremely stressful. I feel like I excel at taking the stress out of their situation,” Tony shares. “I also tend to crack a lot of ‘dad jokes’ when I am with my clients and just try to be another one of their friends who happens to be knowledgeable in real estate. I am honest and will let them know if I think they are making a big deal out of a nothingburger and clients tend to appreciate that.”

Growing up in the small farming community of Hartington, Nebraska, Tony says a strong work ethic and the value of a good reputation were instilled in him from a young age.

“If you messed up, the whole town knew about it; so you had to be careful with how you treat others,” he recalls.

 

Tony has consistently been in the top 5 percent of Nebraska Realty’s 1,000 or so agents the past three years, and he gives full credit to his amazing team at Premier Real Estate Team. Established in April of last year, the Premier Real Estate Team comprises Tony plus seven seasoned agents who share a commitment to excellence. This year, the team is projected to close approximately $45 million and record 140 sales.

Tony firmly believes in creating an environment where his agents are given the tools to provide exceptional service to clients while maintaining their independence.

“Success breeds success, so having agents that are successful and seasoned, they push each other,” Tony offers. “Our team thrives on having an atmosphere of time freedom, too.”

Tony's wife, Nicole, also plays a pivotal role as the team's licensed transaction coordinator. Her full-fledged support allows Tony to work odd hours — often a necessity in the real estate industry — and focus on his clients' needs.

"Nicole supports me tremendously outside the office as well by allowing me to help people and watch the kids while I'm doing that. It means a lot, and it can be stressful for spouses," Tony says with gratitude.

 

Outside of his real estate career, Tony values his family immensely. He and Nicole have three daughters, Atlee (13), Bristol (4), and Nora (2), and are expecting their fourth child, a baby boy, in early November.

Despite a busy schedule, Tony makes time for loved ones and enjoys summers by the pool, golfing, playing guitar, and attending his eldest daughter's dance competitions during the school year.

“We also have a small yorkie poo named Winnie. She’s 5 years old and the kids love to tease and play with her,” Tony smiles. “But she is small enough to fit through the fence, so we put wiffle balls on her harness so she can’t squeeze through to go visit our neighbor’s dog.”  

Tony admits he’s a bit of a sports nerd as well, and loves watching and playing just about anything. He may be laid-back as a real estate agent, but he’s competitive at sports.

“Sports teach you how you can be a team player, and you learn work ethic that translates to business,” Tony notes. “But I’m careful to keep the competitiveness out of real estate; I don’t compare myself to other agents.”