When Gina Kirschenheiter first announced she was getting her real estate license on The Real Housewives of Orange County, the collective internet eye-roll was almost audible. We’ve seen this movie before. A reality star needs a "storyline" or a fallback plan, so they take a few classes, snap a headshot in a power blazer, and call themselves an agent. People expected it to be a phase, like a short-lived skincare line or a one-off podcast.
But honestly? Gina Kirschenheiter real estate isn't just a side hustle that fizzled out after the cameras stopped rolling. She’s actually doing the work. As of early 2026, Gina is more than just a "TV realtor"—she’s the co-founder of a legitimate team, The Gated Group, and she’s closing multi-million dollar deals in the competitive OC market.
If you’ve been following her journey, you know it hasn't been a straight line. There were some awkward growing pains on screen—remember that cringey moment with Jenn Pedranti and the "vouching" drama?—but the numbers tell a story that the show sometimes glosses over.
Moving Beyond the RHOC "Newbie" Label
Gina didn't just stumble into this. She officially got her salesperson license in April 2023. Initially, she hung her hat at First Team Real Estate, one of the big dogs in Orange County. It was a smart move for a beginner. You need that corporate structure when you're still learning the difference between an escrow deposit and a wood-destroying organism report.
By the end of 2024, she made a massive pivot. She left the traditional big-box brokerage and joined eXp Realty.
Why does that matter? Well, eXp is known for its cloud-based model and high splits, which is exactly what you want when you already have a massive platform like Gina’s. She didn't go it alone, either. She teamed up with her partner (and now fiancé!), Travis Mullen, to launch The Gated Group.
They basically bet on themselves.
The move was about more than just a higher commission check. It was about building a brand that wasn't tied to a specific office. When you look at the listings they’ve handled recently, they aren't just selling 500-square-foot condos. We’re talking about properties in the $1 million to $2.5 million range in spots like Rancho Mission Viejo and San Clemente.
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The Numbers: Is She Actually Selling Houses?
There’s a lot of chatter on Reddit and Bravo fan sites about whether she’s "successful" or just "pretending." Some skeptics pointed out that $10 million in sales volume (which she claimed to have hit with Travis in their first year) isn't actually that much for California.
Let's be real: in Orange County, $10 million is like five or six houses.
But for a first-year agent? That’s a massive win. Most new agents don't sell a single house in their first twelve months. Gina has managed to close nearly 10 deals with a total value hovering around $17 million according to recent industry tracking. Her average sale price sits at roughly $1.9 million.
Recent Sales and Listings
- 26 Entonar Road (Rancho Mission Viejo): Closed for $1.949 million. This was a heavy hitter for her, a 4-bedroom turnkey home that she marketed with her signature "design-driven" approach.
- 25 Via Garona (San Clemente): A $2.05 million deal where she represented the buyer.
- 147 Jaripol Circle: Another Rancho Mission Viejo property that moved through her team in early 2025.
She’s clearly specializing in the "New OC"—those master-planned communities like Esencia and Ladera Ranch. These aren't the drafty old mansions of Coto de Caza; they are high-tech, modern-farmhouse style homes that perfectly match Gina's personal brand.
The Travis Mullen Partnership
Working with a spouse—or a fiancé, as of their New Year’s Eve 2025 engagement—is a recipe for disaster for most people. Gina and Travis seem to have found a groove, though.
Travis has the more "puzzle-piece" brain. He handles a lot of the backend, the logistics, and the "boring" paperwork. Gina is the face. She’s the one using her Instagram following to get eyes on a property that a normal agent would just stick on the MLS and pray for.
It’s a classic "Front of House / Back of House" setup.
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They’ve also leaned into the "Gated Group" name, which is a bit of a cheeky nod to their lives in the OC. It sounds exclusive, but their marketing is actually pretty accessible. They focus a lot on first-time luxury buyers—people who have the money but are intimidated by the old-school, stuffy real estate world.
The Reality TV Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about the "Housewife Factor."
Being on TV is a double-edged sword in real estate. On one hand, you have a built-in lead generation machine. Your phone rings because people want to meet the girl from Bravo. On the other hand, serious sellers can be wary. They wonder: Is she going to show up to the inspection, or is she filming a scene at a tequila tasting?
Gina had to fight through that "dumb blonde" or "clueless newbie" edit.
In Season 18, we saw her get visibly stressed about her career. She wasn't just playing a role; she was genuinely worried about her reputation. That vulnerability actually helped her E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness). People saw her studying. They saw her failing. And they saw her eventually getting those "Sold" signs.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Business
A big misconception is that she’s just a "referral agent" who passes leads to other people for a fee. While she definitely does some of that (it’s easy money), her DRE records show she is the "Responsible Agent" on several significant transactions.
She’s also sober now, which she recently celebrated as a three-year milestone in early 2025. That clarity has clearly trickled into her business. You can see it in her marketing—it's sharper, more consistent, and less about the "drama" and more about the "design."
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She’s even started talking about the "superpowers" of her team, focusing on things like luxury staging and media presence. She isn't just selling a house; she’s selling the visibility that only a reality star can provide. If you list with her, your house is going to be seen by hundreds of thousands of people. You can't buy that kind of reach with a Zillow ad.
Limitations and The "OC Bubble"
Is Gina the top agent in Orange County? No. Not even close.
She isn't competing with the Josh Altmans or the Heather El Moussas yet. Her volume is respectable, but she’s still a small fish in a very big, very expensive pond. The OC real estate market is notoriously fickle. If interest rates spike or the "Bravo bump" wears off, her team will have to rely on actual grit rather than just fame.
Also, there was some controversy regarding her ethics on the show—specifically regarding client confidentiality. Critics (and some fellow realtors on Reddit) slammed her for discussing a client's financial situation on camera. That’s a big no-no in the industry. It’s a lesson she seems to have learned the hard way.
Actionable Insights for Aspiring Agents (or Buyers)
If you're looking at Gina's career and wondering how to replicate that "pivot," or if you're thinking of hiring her, here is the breakdown:
- Leverage what you have. Gina didn't hide from her TV past; she used it to build The Gated Group. Use your existing network, no matter how small.
- Partner with your opposite. If you’re the "people person," find a "data person." The Gina/Travis dynamic works because they aren't trying to do the same job.
- Specialization is key. She isn't trying to sell houses in LA or San Diego. She’s sticking to the Rancho Mission Viejo area where she lives and breathes.
- Expect the "Hater Tax." When you're successful in a public way, people will scrutinize your numbers. Keep your receipts (and your closed-sale records) ready.
Gina Kirschenheiter real estate isn't a fluke. It's a calculated transition from a reality TV star into a legitimate business owner. She’s currently licensed through March 2027, and with her engagement to Travis and their growing team at eXp, she isn't going anywhere.
The next step if you're following her career? Watch the 2026 spring market. That will be the real test of whether The Gated Group can move from "new kids on the block" to a permanent fixture in the Orange County luxury scene. Keep an eye on the MLS for those Rancho Mission Viejo listings—that's where she’s making her mark.