At Laura U Design Collective, we often partner with Houston real estate professionals who understand that luxury homes are curated, considered, and crafted around a client’s lifestyle. A great luxury realtor will help you see potential, identify long-term value, and connect you with a trusted network that brings your dream home to life.
Whether you’re purchasing a historic estate in River Oaks, a sleek high-rise apartment in the Museum District, or a new construction in Memorial, the synergy between your real estate agent and interior designer can shape the outcome of your entire journey. From architectural walkthroughs to early renovation planning, collaboration between realtor and designer can help you save time, avoid costly surprises, and ensure your new home supports your aesthetic, needs, and future goals.
In this Journal post, we’re sharing three of the best luxury real estate brokerages in the Houston area; these are firms we admire for their market knowledge, client care, and ability to see both the beauty and the bones of a property. We’re also sharing a few insights into how your designer and real estate broker can—and should—work together from day one.
What to Look for in a Luxury Real Estate Agent
Not all real estate agents specialize in luxury properties and not all luxury agents bring the same level of service or expertise. When buying or selling a high-end home, you want a partner who sees the bigger picture and understands the value of design, detail, and discretion. Below are a few qualities we believe set the best agents apart.
- Knowledgeable about Houston’s most sought-after neighborhoods
- Design literacy that ensures they can recognize good bones, assess renovation potential, and collaborate effectively with architects and designers
- An established network (from contractors and inspectors to interior designers and stagers)
- Discretion and professionalism, especially when working with high-profile or private clients (whether buyers or sellers)
- Clear communication and proactive guidance, especially when handling complex transactions
- A client-first mindset (they should be committed to you!)
How Your Realtor and Interior Designer Work Together
At Laura U Design Collective, we frequently collaborate with real estate professionals who understand that purchasing a home is often the beginning—not the end. There is so much more to this process than getting the best deal on your real estate transaction. The most effective real estate brokerages Houston has to offer understand this. When interior designers and real estate agents work together early, clients are better equipped to make confident, informed decisions—especially in a competitive market like Houston.
Whether a home needs a full renovation or a few strategic updates, a designer’s perspective during the buying process can help buyers see past dated finishes, understand scale and proportion, and identify opportunities to enhance the property’s value over time.
If you want the home of your dreams, you’re going to have to renovate—or buy a lot and build a custom home.
—Laura U Design Collective
Laura has walked homes with her Realtor, Carol Rowley, to show buyers exactly that: the potential of a dated space. Our Willowick project is a stunning example of this. This home had great bones but was stuck in the early ’80s. It’s hard to envision the end result when all you see is dark wood paneling, but with guidance from both a Realtor and a designer, the client was able to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Three Exceptional Luxury Real Estate Brokerages in the Houston Area
Each of the brokerages below exemplifies the professionalism, discretion, and insight we look for in a real estate partner. If you have a question about the market, these are the people who will have the answer.
Nan and Company Properties
Founded in 2014, Nan and Company Properties has quickly become a leader in the Houston, Texas luxury real estate market. With a strong emphasis on innovation, communication, and client service, the firm blends a global perspective with deep local expertise.
This makes them a trusted partner for both Houston residents and international buyers. Their network includes over 5,500 affiliate offices worldwide, yet their focus remains distinctly personal: helping clients navigate real estate with confidence, clarity, and a sense of home.
Nan Properties Represents Laura U’s River Oaks Modern Project
We’re proud to partner with Nan and Company Properties as they represent our River Oaks Modern project as it hits the market. Their forward-thinking approach to marketing and their understanding of architecture, design, and lifestyle make them a natural fit for showcasing a project of this scale and sophistication.
Their team’s professionalism, market knowledge, and ability to see both the beauty and the potential in a home align seamlessly with how we design and how our clients live.
Contact Nan Properties here.
Living Houston Real Estate
Led by Broker and Founder Laura Weisman, Living Houston Real Estate brings a fresh, experiential approach to the Houston real estate market. With a focus on luxury service, high-impact marketing, and client advocacy, the firm offers deeply personalized real estate services, whether you’re buying your first home, listing a luxury property, or transitioning into a new life stage.
What Makes Living Houston Real Estate Unique
Positioned as a design-forward and community-rooted brokerage, Living Houston boasts close attention to detail, collaborative culture, and concierge-level care. From custom builder partnerships to light staging and white-glove marketing services, their approach mirrors our own commitment to aesthetics and client alignment.
Contact Living Houston Real Estate here.
Greenwood King Properties
Founded in 1984, Greenwood King Properties is one of the most established and respected luxury real estate firms in Houston, TX. With three offices across the city and a team of nearly 170 agents, Greenwood King boasts deep local knowledge, award-winning marketing, and a long-standing commitment to service.
As one of the few privately owned brokerages of its size in Houston, the firm brings a personalized, boutique approach to the high-end market while maintaining over $1 billion in annual sales since 2012.
Why Locals Love Greenwood King Properties
Greenwood King real estate agents are intimately familiar with the neighborhoods they represent. Whether you’re searching in River Oaks, West University, or Memorial, their team provides street-by-street expertise that helps buyers and sellers navigate each transaction with confidence. Their in-house resource center, The Lobby, underscores that client-first philosophy by providing homeowners with curated services and assistance as needed.
Contact Greenwood King Properties here.
The Right Partner Makes All the Difference
In a city as architecturally diverse as Houston, finding the right real estate professionals to guide your search (or sale) is key to a smooth, worry-free experience. The brokerages outlined above share our values of design integrity, client care, and clear communication.
Whatever your goals, we believe the best outcomes occur when your agent and your designer are aligned from the start. Together, we help you see not only what a home is but what it can become.
Ready to transform your newly purchased home or find the perfect property? Reach out to the team at Laura U Design Collective to schedule a consultation.
