Her Story
About Lara
Lara Murphy is a seasoned real estate professional and licensed broker with approximately 17 years of experience in the industry. Based in the Charlotte Metro area, she currently leads Murphy Home Group with eXp Realty, specializing in lifestyle-driven moves throughout Charlotte and the Lake Norman region. Lara began her career in new home sales with Beazer Homes and Mattamy Homes, progressing into sales management before temporarily stepping away from real estate during the 2008 downturn. She later expanded her professional background by earning a master's degree in Bioinformatics from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte before returning to real estate in 2017.
Since rebuilding her real estate business, Lara has developed a strong focus on land, acreage, ranch, horse properties and rural lifestyle homes. Her expertise is supported by her Land and Ranch Certification and her personal experience living on 20 acres with five horses. She also holds a Pricing Strategy Certification and helps clients navigate complex property considerations, including zoning, acreage, fencing, water access, outbuildings, neighborhood nuances, comparable sales and long-term value. In addition to serving buyers and sellers of unique properties, Lara works closely with empty nesters and clients navigating significant lifestyle transitions, including downsizing, relocating, or moving from urban areas to properties offering greater space, privacy and flexibility.
Beyond real estate, Lara is committed to giving back through volunteer work at a therapeutic riding facility serving autistic and disabled children. She has seen firsthand how interaction with horses can help individuals build confidence and experience meaningful personal growth. Lara credits mentors, collaboration, continuous learning and client trust as important foundations of her success. She believes in collaboration over competition and approaches each transaction as a long-term relationship rather than a one-time business opportunity, combining market knowledge, strategic guidance and a calm, hands-on approach to help clients make confident real estate decisions.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lara
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the mentors who believed in me early on and generously shared their knowledge. I also value being in the right rooms, building meaningful relationships, and trusting myself. Since 2017, I have built my business from the ground up by earning my clients’ trust and staying committed to my vision.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to find a mentor who is willing to share their knowledge and playbook, and work closely with them. Rather than trying to figure everything out on my own, I’ve learned the value of letting experienced professionals show me the way, especially in a field like real estate, which is more challenging than it may appear.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering real estate is to find a mentor who is willing to share her knowledge and work closely with you. Learn from someone experienced rather than trying to figure everything out on your own. Be prepared to wear many hats, from working with lenders and networking to handling marketing, social media, and writing.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is the industry’s shift toward private listings, which could limit consumer access to available properties. At the same time, AI is creating opportunities by automating routine tasks and improving efficiency, although it still lacks the human insight needed to understand the unique differences between neighborhoods and communities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value integrity, generosity, and giving back to others. I believe in collaboration over competition and sharing knowledge rather than keeping secrets to avoid creating competition. I strive to build others up and contribute to a supportive, success-driven community.
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