Published January 9, 2025
In 1986, after years of experience in the real estate industry—and driven by a deep passion for the Austin community—our founder Emily Moreland decided it was time to build something truly meaningful. She envisioned a real estate brokerage rooted in professionalism, ethics, integrity, dependability, commitment, and hard work—the very values she lived by every day. Emily wanted a company that didn’t just conduct transactions but built relationships and gave back to the community she loved so much.
Moreland Properties started as a small, independent firm—a bold step at a time when few women owned brokerages and even fewer led them. With only a handful of dedicated agents and team members, Emily set out to create something different: a firm that valued people over size and service over speed.
Just four years into the journey, our brokerage officially took on the name Moreland Properties, marking the birth of a brand that would grow to become one of Central Texas’s most respected boutique brokerages. Over time, our firm expanded from two agents in a single location to over 100 agents operating across the city of Austin and throughout the Texas Hill Country.
What began as a bold leap of faith has endured through decades of market highs and lows—a testament to Moreland’s resilience, expertise, and steadfast commitment to its clients and agents. But growth wasn’t measured just in numbers; it was measured in relationships—lasting connections with clients, agents, and the community at large.
Today, Emily Moreland continues to play a vital role in the firm’s direction as Chairman of the Board and stays involved with attendance at weekly meetings at both offices, while President Sarah Railey leads day-to-day operations with the same hands-on commitment to excellence that Emily instilled from the start.
Under their leadership, Moreland Properties has maintained a culture that prioritizes collaborative teamwork among agents, deep local market knowledge, exceptional client service through personalized experiences tailored to individual needs, and a passion for community involvement and support of the city we love and live in.
From supporting local nonprofits to engaging with civic organizations and cultural institutions, the heart of Moreland’s legacy lies in giving back. Emily herself has served on boards and committees that enrich Austin’s quality of life—from performing arts and ballet to economic development initiatives. Her commitment reflects a broader company ethos: to make Austin stronger, more vibrant, and more connected.
As Moreland Properties celebrates 40 years in the Austin real estate community, we reflect not just on our history, but also on how far our vision has reached. We remain committed to being more than a brokerage—we strive to be trusted advisors, neighbors, and stewards of the communities we serve.
Whether helping first-time homebuyers, guiding seasoned sellers, or supporting our agents in building their careers, Moreland Properties continues to shape the neighborhoods we call home with integrity and heart.
Here’s to the next 40 years of service, innovation, and community. As Emily Moreland would say—onward.
