Meet Tana Widdows of Tana Widdows Realtor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tana Widdows.

Hi Tana, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up a little bit everywhere. You could call it a gypsy lifestyle—born in Canada, I spent time in Vancouver and Squamish before moving to Medford, Oregon. From there, we landed in Sonoma, California, where I graduated from both Sonoma high school and Sonoma State University. All of those moves taught me how to adapt, start over, and appreciate the unique character of each new place I called home.

Before landing in North Carolina, my husband and I were living in Santa Cruz, California. We were trying—unsuccessfully—for over a year to buy a home there, constantly getting outbid. Then COVID hit. My husband lost his job, and we realized it was time to make a change. We wanted a better cost of living, and we were craving a fresh start. We had friends in Chapel Hill, and others moving from Santa Cruz to Chapel Hill, so we made a bold decision: move across the country with our two cats and start over.

We bought a house sight unseen. We packed up our lives, said yes to the unknown, and chased a new chapter.

Today, I’m a Realtor with Compass on the Terra Nova Team, serving buyers and sellers throughout the Triangle. My California real estate license transferred to North Carolina, and I brought with me the lessons I learned selling beautiful homes in Santa Cruz. Great marketing is everything—photos and videos are the first impression, and if a home doesn’t capture the imagination of buyers online, they won’t come see it in person. Beautiful marketing, helping people find their place in the world, being a part of helping people start a new chapter. That’s what drives me.

These days, life feels really good. We bought a home on four acres, and I’m obsessed with being a homeowner and all the renovations we have made. So much work and so much fun. We got a dog! We always wanted a dog but couldn’t get one as renters. I love walking our Great Dane, Harley Quin around our neighborhood.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been easy. Starting over in a new town during COVID, with no network and a brand-new business, was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But I leaned into community. I joined a leadership program through the Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce in 2022( https://www.carolinachamber.org/leadership-chapel-hill-carrboro/) and our cohort raised money for *InsideOut* (https://durhamcivilrightsmap.org/places/11-insideout-fighting-lgbtq-youth-rights/) a nonprofit that supports LGBTQ+ youth, by hosting the most fun drag queen bingo fundraiser this town’s ever seen. We raised more money than any class before us—and I met people and found a great way to contribute and be apart of the my new community. I needed that so much when I landed here with few connections.
When things get tough, I always say: go be helpful or go help someone. It shifts your perspective and gives your struggle a sense of purpose.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Tana Widdows Realtor?
I’m a Realtor based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and I specialize in helping people buy and sell homes across the Triangle—with a particular focus on Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. I’ve built my business on relationships, integrity, and smart strategy. Clients often tell me they chose me because I listened deeply, understood their goals, and had a plan—and they refer me because I delivered.

What sets me apart is the way I approach each sale as a partnership. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all advice. Whether you’re preparing your home for sale or navigating a tricky market as a buyer, I tailor the process to you and back it with data, experience, and a personal touch. I’m known for thoughtful staging and marketing that gets results, a calm and confident negotiation style, and the kind of communication that makes the whole process feel more human.

I’m most proud of the trust my clients place in me—many of whom I’ve worked with through multiple transactions. I also take pride in being an active contributor to my community, from local events to charity projects, and building genuine connections wherever I go.

It lights me up when I get a review like this one, from the sellers of 1011 Oxbow Crossing:
“One of the first and best decisions we made was choosing Tana Widdows as our real estate agent… she took the time to understand what is important to us. She never wavered in being our advocate… From start to finish, it was a true partnership. Anyone who is considering buying or selling a house would be lucky to have Tana on their side.”

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, I’d love to connect. My goal is simple: help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and as little stress as possible.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a natural risk-taker, you won’t find me jumping out of an airplane for “fun”—but I do believe in listening to your gut and betting on yourself when it matters most. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was starting my real estate business from scratch in a brand-new town during the height of the pandemic. I didn’t know many people, and the market was in flux, but I knew that if I showed up with heart, hustle, and a commitment to helping others, things would fall into place.

To me, risk isn’t about being reckless—it’s about being willing to step into the unknown with intention. I try to approach risk with a mix of courage and preparation. When things get challenging, I focus on how I can be a contribution to others. That mindset grounds me and oddly helps me move through uncertainty with more confidence.

Every meaningful step in my career has come from saying “yes” to something that felt a little bit scary but a lot aligned. I think that’s what healthy risk looks like—moving forward even when you don’t have all the answers, but trusting that you’ll figure it out as you go.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Tanasellschapelhill.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanawiddowsrealtorchapelhill/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Tana-Widdows-Realtor-Chapel-Hill-North-Carolina/100070931551535/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tana-widdows-ab9b347/