Today we’d like to introduce you to Wade Giles.
Wade, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been fascinated by homes and how people live. I could spend hours getting lost in design magazines, studying floorplans and elevations, and imagining how different spaces could be lived in. I’ve always been drawn to architecture and interior design, but what really pulled me into real estate was the human side of it. Getting to show up for someone during a big life transition and help them find their place is a responsibility I take seriously.
That interest eventually became a calling to help others feel at home here in Austin, a city I love and know by heart.
When I started my real estate career in 2014, it was just me, a laptop, and a lot of hustle. My husband and I had moved to Austin only six months earlier. I didn’t have a built-in network or a big plan, but I had a strong work ethic, a finance degree with a concentration in real estate, and the belief that good business starts with good people.
Those early years were all about listening, learning, and showing up for clients in real and meaningful ways. I was taking buyers out all day, writing contracts late into the night, and figuring things out as I went. But I loved it. I still do. Helping someone find their first place in Zilker or sell a long-held family estate in Westlake has never just been about the property. It’s about what that move represents, and what it unlocks in someone’s life.
Over time, what started as a solo operation grew into The Giles Group, a full-service real estate team rooted in connection, creativity, and delivering an experience that feels as good as the outcome.
Today, we’ve had the privilege of guiding hundreds of clients through buying, selling, and investing in Austin. From bungalows in Bouldin to lakefront estates and everything in between, our approach is consistent. We lead with care. We advocate with clarity. And we’re proud to create a process that feels personal, thoughtful, and just a little better than expected.
What sets us apart isn’t just our results, it’s how we get there. Every client and every transaction matters to us. We take the time to understand your goals, walk with you through the transition, and tailor every part of the experience to what you need most.
At the end of the day, that’s what this work is really about for me. Helping people feel at home – in every sense of the word.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been anything but smooth, and I mean that in the best way. Building my career in Austin real estate over the past decade has been one long, hands-on masterclass in adaptability, grit, and growth. In the early days, I wore every hat. I handled the showings, wrote the contracts, marketed the listings, and coordinated everything behind the scenes. It was a lot, but it taught me the kind of resilience you can’t read in a book.
Eventually, I realized that in order to truly elevate the experience for my clients and scale with intention, I needed to bring the right people into the fold. Building a real estate team sounds simple in theory, but getting the dynamics right, balancing personalities, strengths, and work styles was one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced. It took time (and a few hard lessons), but today, I can say with full confidence: we’ve built something really special. The Giles Group operates with this seamless trust and respect that only comes from a team that’s deeply aligned.
We’ve also had to navigate some wild swings in the market. When the pandemic hit, everything changed overnight. Demand surged, inventory dropped, and the pressure on both agents and clients was enormous. At one point, homes were selling in 24 hours for well over asking, with buyers waiving every contingency imaginable. That market called for speed, strategy, and a calming presence, which we were proud to bring to the table.
Today, things are more balanced, but buyers and sellers are looking for something different. It’s no longer about just finding a house or securing a quick offer. Clients want long-term value, intentional advice, and a team they trust to guide them through every decision. That shift from reactive to deeply consultative is something we’ve embraced fully.
We’ve been impressed with The Giles Group, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At The Giles Group, we help people buy and sell homes in Austin with strategy, sincerity, and an unwavering commitment to exceptional service. We’re a team of real estate professionals who truly love what we do, and we’ve built our reputation by delivering personalized, thoughtful guidance through every stage of the real estate journey.
We love working in neighborhoods like Westlake, Barton Hills, Zilker, Travis Heights, Bouldin, Tarrytown, Old West Austin – places where we’ve built lasting relationships and often guided the same home through multiple sales. These are communities we know deeply: their histories, the architecture, the builders. That kind of familiarity comes from years of walking the homes, talking with the neighbors, and seeing firsthand how each area continues to evolve. While we work across the greater Austin area, clients are often drawn to us for exactly that reason, they know we bring more than just market knowledge to the table; we bring context, perspective, and a true sense of place.
Our mission is to help clients find not just a home, but the home, the one that reflects their lifestyle, supports their goals, and just feels right. We pair that vision with standout marketing, sharp negotiation, and a calm, confident presence throughout the process.
One thing we’re especially proud of is our brand. We’ve invested a lot into making sure our visual identity reflects the level of care and excellence we bring to every client experience. From cohesive social campaigns to beautifully crafted brochures and signage, we’ve created something that feels elevated, timeless, and adaptable, whether we’re listing a new build in Westlake or a historic bungalow in Travis Heights. I’ve had people stop me in the grocery store and say, “Are you Wade Giles?” recognizing me from our campaigns before we’ve ever said a word. Honestly, that kind of moment means the world. It tells us the intention we’ve poured into building a brand that feels elevated, cohesive, and human is doing exactly what we hoped: connecting with people in real life.
Every listing we bring to market is presented with intention. We create custom video content, strategic digital campaigns, and thoughtful storytelling that connects each property with the right buyer. And for our buyers, we take the time, sometimes months or even years, to help them find a home that’s more than just the right layout or location. It has to feel like theirs.
Of course, none of this would work without the team.
Kate is the glue of our operations and our marketing engine – brilliant with strategy, masterful with details, and constantly learning new skills to keep us ahead. Christi brings warmth and intention to everything she touches. From unforgettable client events to handwritten notes and the perfect closing gift, she’s the heart of our client experience. Lauren is organized, steady, and has a gift for follow-through – she’s the one who keeps our systems running seamlessly. Cassandra brings energy, connection, and charm. She’s a natural with people and has an incredible ability to build trust from the first handshake. And Christy is a standout agent and fierce advocate for her clients. She brings deep knowledge, great instincts, and a personal commitment to real estate.
We often hear that working with us feels like working with a close friend, who just happens to be really, really good at real estate. That’s the heart of what we’ve built. And it’s what we show up for, every single day.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Growing up around horses shaped everything about who I am. I was the horse-obsessed kid whose parents couldn’t afford the luxury of owning one, so I did whatever it took to be around them. I worked off my lessons, mucked stalls, fed before school; it wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me the kind of work ethic and discipline I still carry into every aspect of my life.
Horses have a way of humbling you. They don’t care who you are or how much experience you have, they’ll teach you patience, presence, and the value of showing up consistently. And for me, they also gave me a dream I held onto for years: winning a World’s Championship.
When I got into real estate, part of what drove me was the desire to make that childhood dream a reality. I knew if I built something meaningful, I could eventually return to the show ring, not just as a rider, but as a competitor at the highest level.
In 2021, I was honored to be named World’s Champion. Before that, I’d earned Reserve World’s Champion in 2019, 2020, and 2022, and Reserve National Champion in 2020. In 2021, one of our horses was even nominated for UPHA Horse of the Year.
It still gives me chills to say that out loud. The ribbons are incredible, of course, but it’s what they represent that matters most: grit, heart, and a deep appreciation for the long road it takes to get where you want to go. You could say that real estate made my childhood dreams come true.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gilesgroupaustin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wadeatx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gilesgrp/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wadeatx/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegilesgroup
- Other: https://share.google/ooNYP17RXecv5xKbC
Image Credits
Professional lifestyle photos – Lauren Slusher
Equestrian photo – Rachel Barron for Doug Shiflet Photography
