Stuart Deane is the owner and team lead at TDT Realtors, a real estate brokerage based in Arlington, Texas. Originally from Brisbane, Australia, Stuart’s journey to business success has taken him across the world—and through many chapters.
He graduated from Redeemer Lutheran College in 1988, where he represented the state of Queensland in both golf and athletics. The discipline and focus he developed through sports shaped his approach to life and business. After moving to the United States, Stuart built a new path in Texas, where he saw an opportunity to make real estate more personal and less stressful.
With over a decade of experience in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, Stuart has become known for his calm, honest, and client-first style. He founded TDT Realtors with his wife, Elizabeth Deane, combining their skills to create a brokerage rooted in integrity, local expertise, and results. Together, they’ve helped hundreds of families buy, sell, and invest with confidence.
What sets Stuart apart is his no-pressure approach. He listens, communicates clearly, and focuses on building trust. His goal isn’t just to close a deal—it’s to make sure each client feels heard and supported.
Outside of work, Stuart enjoys fishing, golf, and spending time with his family. He believes success comes from showing up every day, doing what’s right, and treating people well. For Stuart, real estate isn’t just a career. It’s a way to make a real difference in people’s lives.
Interview with Stuart Deane: Defining Success Through Clarity, Commitment, and Consistency
What does success mean to you today, compared to earlier in your life?
Earlier in life, success was about performance. I was an athlete growing up in Brisbane. I represented Queensland in both golf and athletics. Back then, success meant beating your personal best or winning the next event. It was very measurable—seconds, strokes, rankings.
Now, success looks completely different. It’s about relationships, trust, and whether I’ve helped someone move forward in their life. I don’t chase numbers anymore. I pay attention to whether I’m doing things with integrity and whether I’m proud of the way I handled each day. It’s more internal now.
What habits or decisions have helped you stay consistent over time?
I’m very big on routines. Real estate can be chaotic, especially when you’re running a brokerage, but I find structure helps keep me grounded. Every morning starts the same: quiet time, coffee, check-ins. I don’t jump into emails until I’ve mapped out my top priorities for the day.
Also, being in business with my wife, Elizabeth, adds a layer of accountability. We’ve built TDT Realtors together, and while we divide responsibilities, we’re aligned on values. That keeps things steady. There’s no pretending when your business partner knows you that well.
You often say your style is “no pressure, no sales scripts.” How did that become your approach?
Honestly, I think it came from being on the other side of the transaction once. I’ve moved internationally. I’ve bought homes. I’ve been the client. I know what it feels like to sit in an agent’s office and feel like you’re being pushed instead of heard.
When I started in real estate, I noticed a lot of agents focused more on “the close” than the conversation. That never felt right to me. So I made a decision early on: I would never pressure people into decisions just to hit a goal or win a commission. It’s slower sometimes—but it builds long-term trust. And trust is what leads to real success.
You started your career in Australia and ended up running a brokerage in Texas. What surprised you about building a business in the U.S.?
A lot, actually. The biggest surprise was how fast things move here. In Australia, the property process is more regulated and a bit slower paced. In Texas, things can change in a matter of hours. You have to be sharp, responsive, and willing to pivot quickly.
Also, Texans value straight talk. That actually worked in my favor. I don’t sugarcoat, and I think clients appreciate that. But navigating a new market took time. I didn’t rush it. I spent years just learning the neighborhoods, watching how people moved, where the growth was happening. That early observation phase laid the foundation for how I operate today.
What’s a moment in your career that tested your idea of success?
Starting our own brokerage, without question. When Elizabeth and I left the big-name brokerages where we’d been top producers, it was a risk. At places like RE/MAX and JP & Associates, we had systems, brand recognition, all of that. But we were ready for something different—something more personal.
The first year on our own was tough. We had to build everything from scratch. Website, systems, compliance, onboarding other agents. There were days where it felt like we’d taken on too much. But that test forced us to clarify what we were really about. And once we got through that, everything became more stable.
How do you measure success when the outcome isn’t in your control—like a deal falling through?
I measure it by how I handled it. Did I communicate clearly? Did I do right by the client? Did I give honest advice, even if it wasn’t what they wanted to hear? If the answer is yes, then I consider that a success—even if the deal doesn’t close.
Sometimes doing the right thing means advising someone not to buy or sell. I’ve done that. I’ve told clients, “You’re not ready,” or “You can get a better deal if you wait.” That’s not fun in the short term, but in the long run, those are the clients who come back and send referrals.
Is there a personal lesson or failure that shaped your view of success?
Yes—early on, I let work bleed into everything. I was always reachable, always available, thinking that was the key to growth. But it actually made me less effective. I wasn’t showing up fully in either space—home or work.
It took some tough conversations with family and with myself to reset that. Now, I protect time with my family. I fish. I unplug. It makes me better at what I do. Success isn’t about being available 24/7. It’s about being fully present where you are.
What advice would you give someone trying to define success on their own terms?
Be clear on your values before you chase goals. It’s easy to get distracted by numbers, especially in industries like real estate. But if you don’t know what you stand for, you’ll get pulled in every direction.
Start small. Show up consistently. Listen more than you speak. And don’t be afraid to say no to things that don’t align. Success isn’t a finish line. It’s a rhythm—and you find it by being honest about what matters to you.