Google rankings - need advice

My site is http://mcnabs.com/index.php

It is not doing well in Google for keywords. "Sierra Vista AZ real estate" - "Sierra Vista Arizona real estate"

This competitors site is doing very good, how do I beat it? http://www.arizonahomestores.com/

 

Build more backlinks and more quality content with the keywords you're after.

 

It looks to me like I have better keyword density and better backlinks than the competition. Could I be penalized somehow?

 

Creative content marketing will help.
When I say creative content, it is a little different approach of creating content.
It is more on pictures with a precise content on it, that talks about your business or anything relevant to your niche.
Perfect example would be (if applicable) infogprahic, video or a slide presentation.

 

Hire a SEO copywriter plan 30 article for you the flipping into powerpoint, video and infographic. Quality content will helps.

 

I have many backlinks coming from discussion forums were I put links to my site in the signature. I have removed these links from the forums but they are still being reported by Google in my webmaster tools. Are these hurting me? How can I get Google remove them?

 

No it couldn't possible.

 

Your keyword is really long, try to backlink it on forums and blog posts as many as possible.