Theresa Bastian

My Story I use my expertise to advocate powerfully for my community and for my clients' interests. I was about to board a plane at Chicago O'Hare International Airport when my phone rang. Once I answered, it felt like the rug had been pulled out from beneath me. My grandmother had had a stroke and was hospitalized, unable to speak. I've been close to my grandma since I was young; I was even her next door neighbor at the time. I couldn't imagine anyone else handling her care or leaving it up to strangers, so I took a leave of absence from the high school where I taught. The days were quiet without conversation, and grandmas aren't as portable as infants, so we stayed home most days. But what I didn't know was that this was the beginning of a domino effect. Not long after I stayed home with grandma, I started helping my then husband with his real estate business. From there I went on to join a startup home valuation company and take real estate into the 21st century, making it more accessible and training others to do the same. After a couple years I had my son and continued to juggle him, real estate, my grandma, and for one more year teaching. When I left teaching to pursue real estate full time, grandma and two kids in tow, I knew that even though that job title was over, education itself would never leave me. I went on to open a real estate school and create a curriculum, training a new generation of REALTORS(R). At the same time, I continued to take on more and more roles in my community from the school to state-wide organizations such as the State Bar of Texas Grievance Committee. In 2019, I led the local campaign to help pass a $1 billion school levy that would fund our local schools in ways that would impact the students for decades after. I ran a social media campaign, brought together school PTA presidents past and present, created a website, designed and sent out mailers, and even set up a schedule to wave signs during school pickup and drop off. Getting that levy passed was something that I know will impact other children throughout Austin as schools that were badly in need of renovation and updates are rebuilt. I still remember the wave of relief that washed over me knowing that we'd made a difference. I've never been one to mince words--I'm an action taker. I believe in my community and I back it up with the time and effort I put in. When I got that call all those years ago, my life took another path, and I chose a way that I didn't expect. That way led me to have a wonderful five years with my grandma, getting to introduce and share her with my son and daughter, and the career I have today as a licensed real estate broker. What I didn't realize until years later was that sometimes the smallest moments can have the biggest impact on a life. I love being a REALTOR(R) and seeing the impact I can have on my clients' lives and on the community. I am also the mother of two - Lukas, who is serving our country as a United States Marine, and Sophia, who is a high school senior. In my free time, you will find me paddle boarding on Lake Austin or boating on Lake Travis. I have dedicated the last 20 years of my life to training other Realtors, and that's given me the ability to notice the details below the surface: school districts, zoning, neighborhood, transit patterns, economic trends. I have the experience to see how these fit together to potentially impact your home purchase or sale. My extensive service in our community allows me to have first-hand knowledge of the neighborhoods, school districts, and locations that will best suit your needs. And because every person is different, I promise to tailor an experience to fit your needs exactly. I am not just here to conduct a transaction; I am here to build a stronger community - one homeowner at a time. With gratitude, Theresa Bastian Broker-Owner, Let's Move Austin