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Hailing from Port Washington, New York, Christopher M. Wands comes from a long line of real estate professionals. Now, as a team leader and luxury expert in Miami, Wands carries on his family’s legacy.
“I’m proud to lead an exceptional team,” Wands said, “and one of the most rewarding aspects of my role has been helping team members grow into top producers in their own right. I focus on creating a strong support system where they can thrive — offering mentorship, sharing insights and teaching the fundamentals of the business from the ground up.”
Find out how this team leader does more than lead; he empowers each person “to reach their full potential and build a sustainable, successful career in real estate.”
Name: Christopher M. Wands
Title: Executive Director of Luxury Sales and leader of The Wands Team at Douglas Elliman
Experience: 9 years
Location: Miami, Florida
Team name: The Wands Team at Douglas Elliman
Team size: 9
Transaction sides: 48.6
Sales volume: $100,282,407
Awards:
Douglas Elliman awards:
- YPN Miami 20 under 40
- 2016 Rookie of the Year
- 2017: Presidents Award
- 2018-19: Gold Award
- 2020: Platinum Award
- 2021: Diamond Award
- 2022: Pinnacle Award
Ellie team awards (2023):
- No. 15 medium team nationwide (GCI)
- No. 5 team transactions
- No. 6 team GCI
- No. 8 team volume
- Pinnacle Award
Ellie team awards (2024)
- No. 11 team volume
- No. 10 team rental (GCI)
- No. 8 rental transactions
- No. 7 team transactions
- Pinnacle Award
Ellie team awards (2025)
- No. 11 medium team nationwide (GCI)
- No. 4 team rental transactions
- No. 7 team by GCI
- No. 8 team by volume
- No. 8 team by rental (GCI)
- No. 10 team by transactions
- Pinnacle Award
What do you wish more people knew about working in real estate?
This isn’t the kind of career you can treat like a side hustle if you want to be truly successful — you have to live and breathe it. Real estate is a lifestyle, not a 9-to-5 job, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s a constant grind, requiring discipline, resilience and an unwavering commitment to your clients.
Social media and TV shows often glamorize the industry, but they rarely show the long hours, the problem-solving and the relentless hustle it takes to truly master your craft.
What’s something you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
I wish I had truly understood the time and dedication this career demands. I went into it thinking it would offer more flexibility and maybe even be “easy”— but I quickly learned it’s the opposite.
Becoming a top producer takes relentless hard work, long hours, and a deep commitment to the craft. I wouldn’t trade this career for anything, but I now know success doesn’t happen overnight. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to be patient, stay focused and trust the process.
Tell us about a high point in your career
A defining moment in my career was closing the sale of Residence 5801 at One Thousand Museum. It was my first major deal handled independently, where I represented the buyer of the lower penthouse.
What made it even more special was that it took place in one of the most architecturally iconic buildings in the city — a true milestone, both personally and professionally. Not only was it a personal milestone, it was a pivotal moment that affirmed my ability to navigate complex, high-stakes transactions and deliver results at the luxury level.
It gave me the confidence to step fully into my own as an agent and helped set the foundation for many of the record-breaking deals I’ve gone on to close since. That experience continues to motivate me and remind me of how far I’ve come.
What’s your top tip for newly formed teams?
Start small and focus on building a strong foundation — establish your team structure and back-office systems first. Expansion without the right operational engine in place will lead to inefficiencies and setbacks.
It’s not just about growing; it’s about growing smart. Scale only when the infrastructure is ready to support it.
What’s one thing you wish every agent knew?
This business isn’t about quick wins — it’s a long game. Prioritize building genuine relationships over chasing commissions. When you commit to mastering your craft and delivering real value, the money naturally follows as a byproduct of your success.
