More than homes: Realtor uses Instagram to celebrate community

by Sarah Hickner, Staff Writer & Book Club President

Kathy Tracey is bringing Reston and Herndon closer with her personality and her Instagram account. Photo contributed by Kathy Tracey

From hidden gems to hot homes, Kathy Tracey’s @greaterrestonliving shows what makes Reston and Herndon special. In 2025, the @greaterrestonliving Instagram account racked up more than 6 million views across 74 videos and carousels. For locals, Kathy Tracey’s social media has become the go-to source for what’s new, what’s happening, and what’s worth exploring in Reston and Herndon.

Which Reston parking lot is the worst? Was there really a nudist colony in south Reston? Where can you grab a rooftop drink? And, of course, what are the hottest new homes on the market? These are just a few of the topics Tracey covers with her upbeat, engaging videos.

What began as a way to share her love for the community has grown into a trusted resource for thousands of residents eager to stay connected.

Tracey’s story with Reston began long before she became a realtor. She and her husband Graham moved from New Jersey in 1996, starting in a small condo in Chestnut Grove Square. “It felt like everything was right outside our front door,” she recalls. Their children were both born at Reston Hospital, and over nearly three decades, the couple has watched the community grow and evolve. “For us, it’s more than a house. It’s about how you want to live your life,” she says.

Photo contributed by Kathy Tracey

That philosophy guides her work as a realtor. She enjoys helping buyers who assume homeownership is out of reach. “I talk to so many people who think buying a home isn’t possible, but knowledge is power,” she says. “Some have moved into their new home just a month after we first talked.”

When residents must leave the area, Tracey helps them sell their homes while preserving the lifestyle that drew them in. “Most of them have a little sadness about leaving,” she notes, “but they’re glad we’re able to sell the Reston lifestyle they fell in love with.”

Her Instagram content reflects that lifestyle. Posts cover new businesses, urban myths, nature spots, and local history. “Everyone loves a pretty or unusual home, but they also want to know what’s outside their front door,” Tracey says.

With lakes, distinctive architecture, proximity to D.C. and the Shenandoah, and small businesses that give the town character, she believes Reston offers a fuller way of living. Only 20% of her content is real estate-related; the other 80% celebrates the community itself. “Know me before you need me,” she says.

Tracey’s favorite Reston views include lakes at sunset, Glade Drive in peak fall color, the rooftop at SYN, a beer on the deck at Lake Anne Brew House, dinner at Red’s Table, and the Van Gogh Bridge during cherry blossom season. Her favorite moments on Instagram? When someone stops her in public to say they learned something new from her videos.

Through @greaterrestonliving, Kathy Tracey is building more than a following—she’s knitting the community together one reel at a time.