By: Tom White
Some real estate agents talk about square footage and upgrades. Noé De Leon talks Lifestyle. Experience. Legacy.
From the Marine Corps to Tom Ford and now redefining what it means to sell luxury homes in Texas—Noé’s story is anything but ordinary. And the way he sells real estate isn’t either.
From the Marines to Michael Kors to Million-Dollar Homes
Back in 1987, Noé joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. He was still a college student when he was called up and deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during Desert Storm. Just 21 at the time, he remembers writing a letter to his loved ones and placing it in his breast pocket before heading out—just in case.
“That moment changed everything for me,” he says. “When I made it back, I knew I had to live with more intention.”
After the military, Noé spent years in the luxury fashion industry, working with brands like Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, and eventually helping launch Tom Ford Eyewear. It was there, immersed in high-end design and brand storytelling, that he learned how much emotional meaning can be embedded in a product—and how that meaning can shape someone’s desire to buy.
“Every Tom Ford frame had a story. It was named after someone who inspired him. We didn’t just sell sunglasses. We sold emotion, intention, lifestyle. That stayed with me.”
Getting Into Real Estate for the Right Reasons
Sixteen years ago, after years of traveling throughout the country, Noé’s wife asked him to come home and be more present for their two teenage daughters. He did—and that led him into real estate.
But he didn’t start in luxury. His first year was focused on helping underserved families, often Spanish-speaking, buy their first homes in the $50,000–$85,000 range. He sold 42 homes that first year alone.
“I just focused on serving people. They’d introduce me to their friends and families, and that’s how it grew,” he recalls. “I never worried about where the next deal would come from.”
Eventually, Noé began gravitating toward luxury—but not because he wanted flash or recognition. He was frustrated by how poorly high-end properties were being marketed.
“There was no story. No emotion. No soul,” he says. “And that’s what protects value—storytelling. That’s what creates connection and justifies price.”
Now, Noé spends weeks preparing a listing before it goes live—understanding the home, its design, materials, and energy, and crafting the right message for the right buyer. “It’s not about reaching everyone. It’s about reaching the right one.”
The Luxury Collective: A New Kind of Real Estate Community
For the past three years, Noé’s been building something behind the scenes: a community of like-minded agents called The Luxury Collective. It started inside a single brokerage but is now open to agents everywhere.
“To be a real collective, you need people from different brokerages, backgrounds, and perspectives,” he explains. “Now we’ve opened it up, and we’re seeing growth fast.”
The Luxury Collective is already gaining momentum where we have interest in Austin, where a core group of luxury agents are ready to launch. Noé’s goal is to expand into 10 cities over the next five years, offering mastermind-style support, in-person connected Luxury educational events and curated experiences that many agents have been missing since COVID.
Helping Clients Plan the Life They Want
What makes Noé different is his approach to clients. It’s never just about the house. It’s about what kind of life that house makes possible.
He’ll ask buyers what career made them happiest. He’ll ask their kids what they want out of school. He’ll show them not just the homes they asked for, but the communities they didn’t know to consider.
“I always ask for a free day. A day to show them around the city from my perspective. Not just what they’ve researched online,” he says. “Because sometimes, that one day can change everything.”
He tells the story of a family moving from Dubai who ended up choosing a completely different neighborhood—because he insisted they take one extra day to explore a different option. Years later, they still tell him how it changed their lives.
For Aspiring Luxury Agents: Stop Waiting, Start Previewing
Noé’s advice to agents wanting to break into luxury is straightforward but powerful: Preview homes weekly. Get to know neighborhoods inside out. Build relationships with listing agents before you need them.
“Practice on your own time, serve on theirs,” he says. “And if you don’t have luxury clients yet, do open houses for agents who do. That’s how I got my first break. One buyer walked in, I closed the deal, and everything changed.”
He believes luxury isn’t about how big the house is—it’s about how deep the connection is between the buyer, the property, and the lifestyle it unlocks.
“This isn’t about selling real estate. It’s about planning the life someone wants to live. That’s the responsibility we have—and it’s a privilege.”
Check out Noé Instagram to learn more.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content, no guarantees are made regarding the outcomes of any services or strategies mentioned. Real estate transactions and investment decisions should be made based on individual circumstances and professional advice.
