Today we’d like to introduce you to Wade Giles.
Hi Wade, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hey there, thanks so much for having me! Well, real estate has always been a huge passion of mine. As a kid, I made a habit of grabbing free real estate magazines every time we went to the grocery store. It didn’t matter where we were, I was always so curious to see what homes cost and how they looked in different places. I’ve always been attracted to great design and architecture, and I’ve always loved homes and loved people.
I’m Texas born and raised. After graduating with a finance degree with a concentration in real estate, I pursued some other avenues, but when we landed in Austin 11 years ago, something about the place just clicked for me. The people, the buildings, the whole vibe—it was like a giant “Welcome” sign blinking just for me. So, I took the plunge into real estate without a second thought. Just six months after moving, with no real plan, no contacts, and frankly, not much of a clue, I started my real estate career.
Austin immediately felt like home, and I wanted to plant roots. The fact that I have experienced so much success over a relatively short amount of time here doesn’t just speak to me—it speaks to this city. I feel that my success is a true testament to the people here; it’s such a welcoming place that is so supportive of people and their ventures.
I started as a solo agent, but today, I have a team I couldn’t be more proud of. We were actually just recognized as the #1 small team by volume at the 2024 Ellie Awards with Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Texas, as well as their Pinnacle Award, placing us at the top 3% company-wide. Austin Business Journal also recognized us in the top 5 small teams in all of Austin at their 2024 Residential Real Estate Awards (#4 out of 18,000 realtors isn’t a bad start).
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth road? Not even close; it’s been an absolute whirlwind and adventure that’s kept me on my toes. And you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way. Had it been a smooth road, I probably wouldn’t be in the business today because I get bored super easily and love a challenge. I thrive in a world with undulation, I like to pivot and to be personal.
There have been plenty of changes. Our clientele has expanded and become more diverse over the years. The team has grown. We’ve restructured the team and had the opportunity to refresh our team dynamics and welcome new perspectives that keep us innovative and forward-thinking. Despite the many changes in the last decade, the constant is that I’m still incredibly passionate about what I do, and still wake up every morning genuinely excited to have the privilege to sell real estate in a city like Austin. And we make sure to mix in a good dose of fun. In a job as high-stress as real estate, finding ways to lighten the mood isn’t just nice—it’s essential.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
The Giles Group is a small team of real estate agents based in Austin. We’re your insider access to Austin’s luxury real estate market, backed by a track record as Douglas Elliman’s top Texas team and a deep commitment to finding you more than a house – it’s your next chapter. The private market in Austin can be quite elusive, and some homes sell with only a whisper – so having the right agent on your side can make all the difference in the world. My team and I have deep personal connections and access to exclusive networks, so we know about listings before they hit the market, and some that never make it to the market at all.
We’re obsessed with the client experience and constantly trying to find ways to improve that for each and every one of our clients. Our clients oftentimes become friends, some are even like family. We just hosted our annual crawfish boil client event, and everyone had a great time.
We’re committed to getting people home, and our work extends beyond our influence in Austin. For every home we help our clients buy or sell here in Austin, we contribute towards building homes for those in need in South Africa with 501c-3 organization The Heart That Gives Foundation. We’ve built
four homes and have broken ground on the fifth, and are funding other projects to support the foundation’s work. It’s our honor to be in the position to contribute to building homes and communities for families in need.
We have several equestrians on the team, which is kind of a fun and unique bit of flavor to the team. I have an American Saddlebred horse, Sherlock, who absolutely loves donuts. We love when we get the opportunity to help a buyer find the perfect hobby farm or equestrian estate.
Each team member is incredibly involved in their community and gives back through volunteer work, from serving on the board of Ballet Austin to volunteering with the FC Westlake Youth Soccer League, therapeutic riding centers, the Central Texas Pig Rescue, and fostering the Austin Bulldog Rescue, to name a few. Our Operations Manager, Amanda Quick, founded one of Austin’s largest green initiatives, repurposing over 10,000 pumpkins per year each fall to feed livestock sanctuaries.
Another unique aspect about our team is our marketing approach. I’ve had a lot of success making connections with and keeping in touch with clients on social media, and we’ve really taken a step into producing fun and atypical video content. You can check out @WadeATX on Instagram to see more. Of course, we cover standard real estate content, microsites, brochures, and open houses, but it’s been really rewarding getting to flex our creative muscles, too. We have connections with incredible local vendors to hit everything from printing high-quality brochures to landscaping and staging to photo and video production to show a home in its best light.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson? I think oftentimes in a career like real estate, you can get a lot of your own personal self-worth wrapped up into your career and tie it to things like sales or transactions. Your self-worth shouldn’t hinge on the deals you close. Sure, I’m in the thick of a business where sales are king, but I’ve learned to anchor my worth in what’s really important—my inner self, my family, and my friends. Another thing I would say I would also say that you can work with an agent collaboratively and get to the same place with kindness and clarity rather than being combative, even if they’re on the other side of the table. I picked up that lesson early in my career, thankfully, though it definitely came with a learning curve and some hands-on experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gilesgroupaustin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wadeatx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gilesgrp
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giles-group-austin/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegilesgroup
- Other: https://linktr.ee/wadeatx
Image Credits
Lauren Slusher
Julia Shelburne-Hitti
Kalibr Media
