Mel McGowan

“You will never regret hard work and dedication,” says Mel McGowan. “I’ve always told my kids that.”

If there were three words to describe powerhouse real estate agent Mel McGowan of RE/MAX At Home, they would be dedicated, driven, and disciplined. With over $73 million in career volume and $18.4 million last year alone, Mel’s not just working in real estate—she’s thriving. But what truly sets her apart is not the numbers. It’s her passion for people.

“I love meeting new people and facing the challenge of helping them navigate one of the most stressful things they'll ever do—buy or sell a home,” Mel says. “It’s not easy, but it’s so satisfying to hand them the keys to a house, in some cases, they never thought was possible.”

From Central Texas to Edmond: A Story of Perseverance

Born and raised in small-town Texas, Mel grew up on dirt roads and faith. Her father was a pastor, and her mother played piano in church. “We had that good old small-town feel,” she reflects. “Everyone knew everyone. I played every sport at our small school—volleyball, basketball, softball, ran track, played clarinet in the band, and was a cheerleader. If it was offered, I did it.”

After high school, Mel attended community college in Waco, originally planning to become a nurse. A year in, she pivoted paths, returned home, eventually married and had two children. She later became a single mom—her two kids were just three and five years old at the time.

“That was a tough season for us,” Mel admits. “I worked so hard to provide for them. They became the driving force behind everything I did.”

In 1994, Mel moved to Oklahoma and carved out a successful career in sales and eventually transitioned into administrative leadership.  During one of her business trips in 1999, she met Scott, her future husband, on an airplane. They dated long-distance for over two years—he was in Florida—and married in Edmond in 2002. Together, they had a son in 2003 and built a life rooted in love, faith, and family.

Finding Her Lane in Real Estate

Mel’s path to real estate was sparked by her sister, a real estate agent in Waco, Texas. Before getting her license, Mel spent a couple of years as her sister’s transaction coordinator. “It was the best training I could’ve asked for,” she says. “I learned how to work with lenders, title companies, work with contract documents, and deal with clients.” It paid off. “It literally helped me to get up and running quicker than some.”

When Mel finally decided to dive in, she committed with full force. “It was a good way to make my own schedule,” she shares. “Once I made the decision to get my license, I was committed to do whatever was needed to succeed.”

And succeed she has. Her first year alone, she hosted over 30 open houses, even though she had very few clients. “I passed out a ton of cards and stayed in touch with everyone I met,” Mel says. “Years later, many of those people have become clients and referral sources.”

Her secret? Consistency. “You have to ride the highs and lows in this business and keep your head in the game. Not every year is going to be a good year, but you’ve got to keep showing up.”

A Passion for People

What Mel loves most about her business isn’t just the real estate—it’s the relationships. “Helping people is what drives me. I also love mentoring new agents—teaching them how to talk to builders, get listings, and pass on what I’ve learned over the years.”

That servant’s heart was passed down by her parents. “They taught us what unconditional love looks like. I try to live that every day. I have a giving heart, and I’m always looking to help someone who’s going through a tough time, as I know what it's like.” She recalls the generosity of her sweet father, who would give someone the shirt off his back.  Now Mel helps others in any way that she can, going the extra mile for them when she can.

Family First, Always

Mel’s biggest joy is her family. Her husband Scott is the rock of their household—and an incredible cook. 

Her three kids—Jeff, Kari, and Logan—are now grown, and she beams with pride when she talks about them. Jeff and his wife Jayln live nearby in Edmond and have three children: Remy, Knox, and Kora. Kari and her husband Jimmy recently moved to Oregon with their daughter Nova, and Logan is headed into his senior year at the University of Oklahoma.

They have always had dogs, Boxers to be specific.  “Our friends joke that they want to come back in the next life as one of our dogs because we spoil them so much!” she laughs.

“Our family is super close. We love doing life together—ballgames, dance recitals, board games, fishing and backyard games. Christmas is everyone’s favorite time of the year. Our entire bunch comes over that morning and spends all day with us. It's incredibly special from a mom's perspective, and I love every minute of it.”

Faith + Friendships 

Outside of real estate, Mel finds joy in her faith, friendships, and spoiling her grandchildren. “Faith is everything to me. I love doing Bible studies with my friends.  I’m a huge sports fan—OU football and softball, and I'm a big Thunder fan! Spending time with my grandkids is priceless.”

She and Scott love entertaining at home, traveling with friends, visiting family in Texas, hitting the lake, going to concerts, and tackling the occasional remodeling project. “I love a good project,” smiles Mel.  

Words to Live By

Mel’s guiding belief? Relationships are everything.

“Relationships are one of the most important things you can have in life, and I'm very intentional on making sure I keep in touch with people,” she points out. God comes first, followed by family and friends.  “My friend tribe is super important to me and we are blessed to be able to do life with them.”

And to aspiring top producers, her advice is simple yet powerful: “Make it a priority to do something meaningful every day. Stay in touch with the people in your sphere.  Develop relationships with people in the industry, whether they are other REALTORS®, lenders, title companies or contractors.  Never underestimate the value of negotiation—it’s an art, not just a skill. And remember, patience pays off. The results will come.”

Mel’s career is proof that success isn’t about shortcuts—it’s about showing up, giving your all, and never underestimating the power of hard work.

As she puts it, “I love my job. It can be stressful at times, but it’s also very rewarding.”

And there’s no doubt—Mel McGowan makes it look like both an art and a calling.