Elite 25 is a club for the verified top 1% of real estate agents in the hottest markets in the country. Each week, we bring you insights, challenges and success stories from these top earners. If you're interested in luxury real estate, this is the show for you.
A Life-Changing Accident, Luxury Real Estate & Authentic Connections with Wade Giles
In this episode of the Elite 25 Podcast, Wade Giles of the Giles Group at Compass shares how a life-changing accident at 20 shaped his perspective on gratitude, relationships, and building a career in Austin’s luxury real estate market.
Wade opens up about being hit by a truck in New Orleans, being told he might never walk again, and the recovery that inspired him to trade job offers for a backpack and an adventure overseas. He discusses bringing that same appreciation for life and connection into his business, from introducing clients to Austin on the water to building a team that keeps relationships at the center.
He also breaks down the growing demand for wellness spaces, privacy, and quality in luxury homes, why social media doesn’t always tell the full story about an agent, and where he would invest $10 million in Austin real estate. Whether he’s discussing waterfront properties or helping a longtime client sell their first home, Wade explains why care, authenticity, and follow-through matter at every price point.
If you want an inside look at Austin’s luxury market and the experiences that shape a standout agent, this conversation is packed with perspective on resilience, connection, and lasting success.
Subscribe to the Elite 25 Podcast for more interviews with Austin’s top agents and luxury market leaders.
@elite25austin
www.elite25austin.com (http://www.elite25austin.com)
8 Jul 2026
33 Years of Mortgage Insights, Asset-Based Loans, and Market Cycles with Jim Trungale
In this episode of the Elite 25 Podcast, Jim Trungale shares how he transitioned from an early sales career in the insurance industry to becoming a 33-year cornerstone of residential mortgage lending and a premier sponsor of Austin’s luxury real estate market.
Jim discusses his deep history in the business, tracing back to an early childhood surrounded by real estate, inspired by his mother, Pat Trungale, who was one of the top luxury agents in Dallas. He pulls back the curtain on Southstar Bank’s highly flexible portfolio and non-QM lending models, explaining how these specialized products cater to high-net-worth, self-employed individuals who do not fit traditional Fannie Mae guidelines. Jim breaks down his analytical approach to complex financing, explaining why a strong math background and extensive experience across major financial cycles allow him to engineer creative solutions—such as asset-based lending or helping clients bridge the purchase of a new home before selling their current one. Whether he’s navigating inflation-driven rate increases or educating top-tier agents on macroeconomic mandates at the latest Elite 25 luncheons, Jim explains why a seasoned lender always prioritizes transparency, relationship-building, and adaptive problem-solving.
If you want an inside look at the structural mechanics of multi-million dollar residential financing, the evolution of interest rates from the nines to the twos and back, or how to establish your business as an irreplaceable community asset, this conversation is packed with wisdom on financial strategy, market longevity, and earning long-term referral trust.
Subscribe to the Elite 25 Podcast for more interviews with Austin’s top agents and luxury market leaders.
@elite25austin
www.elite25austin.com (https://www.elite25austin.com/)
24 Jun 2026
From Assistant to Top 1% Real Estate Agent: The Power of Mentorship with Megan Cavazos
In this episode of the Elite 25 Podcast, we sit down with Central Austin luxury real estate expert Megan Cavazos of Gottesman Residential. Megan shares her unique journey into the industry, starting her real estate career at 36 as an assistant to legendary Elite 25 agent Carol Burdette, before launching on her own and making the Elite 25 in her very first full year.
Megan dives deep into the distinct, non-competitive mentorship culture at Gottesman Residential and explains how she is now paying it forward by training the next generation of successful agents. We also explore her "superpower"—the extensive, hands-on make-ready process that gives her listings a competitive edge—and get her expert take on why Austin’s recent "market correction" has paved the way for a remarkably stable, healthy luxury housing market.
Whether you are a new agent looking for mentorship advice or a buyer/seller trying to navigate the central Austin neighborhoods like Tarrytown and Old Enfield, Megan's insights are invaluable.
Subscribe to the Elite 25 Podcast for more interviews with Austin’s top agents and luxury market leaders.
@elite25austin
www.elite25austin.com (http://www.elite25austin.com)
Who has been a guest on Elite 25 Luxury Real Estate
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Anna Lee
Will Steakley
Kevin Burns
Darin Walker
Wende Parks
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
61
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
50
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