What Makes a Home a “Ted”

By Grayling Holmes

How did Ted Wight go from an unknown in the real estate market in the early 2000’s to being known as St. Louis’ Million Dollar Listing Man in 2023? It’s because he only lists homes worthy of being called a “Ted.”

From the beginning of his career in real estate, Ted has been with Dielman Sotheby’s International Realty, a global real estate powerhouse with more than 1,000 offices worldwide in 75 countries and territories. In other words, Sotheby’s is the best because it has a network who can help you acquire or sell any home — and Ted Wight is one of the driving forces in Sothebys’ engine. “People contact me daily and ask ‘Ted, why do you always get the most exciting and interesting listings?’” Without missing a beat, Ted looked me square in the eye and said, “It’s because I have a track record of selling the best and unique homes.” Ted explained that the homes he represents have a “pedigree” – unique features that he conveys to prospective buyers. Even sellers sometimes don’t realize what a gem they have until their home is put in his capable hands.

Discriminating buyers have come to know that when they are looking for a luxury home that they want a “Ted.” I spent weeks discovering what that meant and how Ted has amassed an evolving portfolio that rivals the most talented realtors in the industry.

First stop was at his office at Dielman Sotheby’s International Realty in the heart of the smart-chic-suburban business center of Clayton, Missouri. Walking into the sleek glass doors of the building, I was immediately dazzled by the artwork dotting the waiting area. I could tell that this was not just any artwork, rather meticulously selected eye-catching paintings, and sculptures that clients would appreciate. Ted and his colleagues took seriously the adage that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. This is especially true if one’s target audience has the means to choose any realtor in the world. Showcasing the fact that Sotheby’s reflected the sophisticated aesthetic to which their customers were accustomed to was a necessity.

I told the receptionist that I was there to see Mr. Wight. Soon after, Ted emerged equipped with a smile that was at once winsome and captivating. He firmly shook my hand. Had I been a potential client, I would know at once that based on his elegant and graceful demeanor that I was in good hands — after all his reputation had preceded him and I was there to possibly buy a “Ted.” I thought to myself, if I only had a million dollars I would more than entertain looking at his refined listings portfolio. Slowly, Ted reeled me in and I knew at once why he had earned his reputation. He led me back to where I came in and like a museum curator began pointing out the intricacies of the pieces there and regaled to me the history of the magnificent sculpture displayed atop the waiting area coffee table. Although I am just a novice in the art world, I was taken back to my days at St. Louis University when I was taking notes in art appreciation class. Professor Wight expertly explained the nuance of the piece with a depth of knowledge. I would later discover that this was his “secret weapon.”

As we made our way back to his office, he continued his master class by casually pointing to every pedestal and carefully-framed piece dotting the landscape of the Sotheby’s office. Again, it was just what his cultured clientele craved. They either owned similar treasures or could picture one of the gems in their own homes.

We then sat down in his office and he explained how he went from Z to A in the business. Holding an MBA from Wash U, he did what most with the educational credential did; he went down the straight and narrow corporate path.

Then he illuminated everything I had heard and seen up until now that had sparked his love of real estate. Ted painted a picture of the next home his parents purchased, a home with a true pedigree. He explained that when he first saw it, the home inflamed his passion for real estate. It lit a fire. The home was unique. It was built in 1950 by William Bernoudy, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. It had history. It was interesting. It had flow. It was beautiful. It was a “Ted.” I couldn’t wait to see it. To walk through it. To see the home through the eyes of Ted Wight, and if I had the means, become the proud homeowner of an elegant dwelling draped with distinction.

“When I started my true profession, that of a realtor, I was an unknown entity in the industry, so I had to get the rock rolling,” he said. “I started a blog called ‘St. Louis Style’ which I still do to this day with the help my marketing manager Ryan Falk.” He went on to say that the blog not only focuses on interesting homes in St. Louis, rather it talks about the WHOLE picture of St. Louis and the attractive features of neighborhoods which might be a good fit for my clientele.

“One client might be a better fit for Ladue, Clayton, or the Central West End, and another might prefer Wildwood, or a country estate. My St. Louis Style blog gives them choices to fit their personality and lifestyle.” Then Ted used a phrase I had never heard before. He said, “Grayling, I make my blog ‘Googleable.’” I asked him what that meant and he said, “When one is doing searches on the type of home in which they would like to live, they will type in mid-century homes or the architectural firm Maritz and Young, or luxury St. Louis homes and my blog or name pops up at the top of the Google search.” He explained that 20 years ago he was one of the first St. Louis realtors who specialized in mid-century homes.

That made sense because homes from that era had spawned his love affair with real estate. “I laid the foundation for who I am today, by building a solid roster of listings through which I’ve gotten a steady flow of referrals. Listings make sales. Referrals make more sales. Knowing what potential clients want and demand in a home makes my reputation. It’s all synergistic. It’s what makes many in St. Louis call me asking for a ‘Ted’.”

During our talk, I learned that the blog was but a stepping stone to him making an indelible imprint on the market. Ted is everything, everywhere, all at once. A long-time advertiser at Sophisticated Living, I had seen his face everywhere in print. Sitting with friends at the theater about to watch a stage production of the play AIDA, executive producer Andrew Kuhlman got on stage to welcome everyone to the first-ever Pride night at STAGES. He then asked if his sponsors would stand and take a bow. To my amazement, there was Ted waving to everyone. Omg, I thought. The myth. The man. The mogul. The real estate legend. Ted Wight himself sponsored this lavish production. What were the odds?

I later asked him why he sponsored the evening. “I believe it is important to give back to our community and to participate in events which support organizations. I am on the Friend’s boards of the St. Louis Art Museum and The Sheldon, as well as the official boards of the St. Louis Public Library, the Missouri Baptist Hospital Foundation, and the St. Louis Fashion Fund.” Ted is also the president of the Tennessee Williams Festival and co-chair of the Missouri History’s Museum’s Threads benefit. When asked why I have seen his face so often in the society columns he said, “Being present at events show my support of those important organizations and allow me to stay connected with people. It is my honor to be invited to each and every single event.”

When asked if he did anything beyond a blog to promote his brand, he said that he has a three-pronged approach, print, online, and direct mail. “Funny story,” he said. “I posted a picture of one of my outdoor garden plants a week ago and to my surprise got more than 10,000 hits. That plant is worth its weight in gold in terms of exposure. I love it!”

After our talk, he walked me out. Once outdoors, in his naturally cultured voice, he pointed to the Sotheby’s sign and said, “Grayling, I’ve always been with Sotheby’s. They are the penultimate purveyor of luxury residential real estate in the world. The brand is correct for Ted.”

He then invited me to come out soon to see his family’s mid-century home. A few weeks later, I drove out to Ladue. I got turned around a bit, called him and said that I must have missed it. He caught me off guard by instructing me to turn around and drive past the stockade fence to his home. I drove past a fence and parked next to his Tesla. I then asked him what is a stockade fence. Without missing a beat, he said, “Oh, that’s just a fancy way of saying a privacy fence.” I knew at once that I had come to the right place. His knowing architectural nuances and terms was why he had made a name for himself as an upscale realtor.

He invited me into his home, but stopped short and pulled a weed. “I pull at least one weed per day,” he said. I knew then that he was meticulous about his home. He loved it and was its caretaker, forever preserving its integrity. It was a house I had seen examples of in books and driven by when visiting Chicago, home of Frank Lloyd Wright-style architecture. He then offered me tap or sparkling water. I chose sparkling. When in Rome, I thought. I walked into the kitchen and he remarked that just a year ago he had gotten it redone by Dana King. “It’s something I often suggest to my clients. If you’re buying a home, you might need to modernize it a bit, just enough to make it yours without taking away its originality.”

He then opened the fridge and said, “Oh, I need to sit these pastries out so that they are room temperature for my guests tonight, I’m having a dinner party for seven.” He unboxed the elegant sweets and put them on a platter we and we began our tour.

I was mesmerized as he described how the house had a flow and that the floor-to-ceiling windows looked out onto the lawn and gardens that literally surrounded the house. “The architect did that so that the inhabitants felt they were outdoors, even when they were indoors. Their house is very symbiotic.” He then led me to the gardens and showed me every flower and tree. Once again, I was in his expert hands as he explained every nuance of the house, its history, and its architectural intent. “Just like I have shown you with my own home, I also highlight important features with clients for homes that I am selling.” Once again, he brought it home, pun intended. The uniqueness of a home meant that a home has a pedigree – it made a home a “Ted.”

He then showed me why this mid-century Bernoudi home indeed had a pedigree and was the very definition of a “Ted.” And in true Missouri SHOW-ME State fashion, in meticulous detail, he took me on a walk through and SHOWED ME. In his charming and knowledgeable way, Ted highlighted the special features of the dwelling. He SHOWED ME why for years people called upon him…again and again.

He pointed out the Japanese influence that peppered the home, gardens, and guest house. Every nook and cranny were filled with history. He even told me how his home had been photographed by prominent photographers and had been decorated to enshrine the architect’s original design intent. He showed me where he sat each morning in his meditation garden looking out on the colorful petals and shooting greenery while sipping coffee. Ted had even installed a bee hive. This home had everything. Location. Style. Grace. History. He made me fall in love with it. The home was quintessentially a hidden gem.

I then asked Ted how he continues to climb that rock of real estate, how he has reached the pinnacle. He said, “Grayling, I haven’t gotten to the mountaintop quite yet. I’m only 58, and spend most of my time in the St. Louis market and helping clients with out of town needs. He then said something that will stick with me. He said, “I often have clients come to me and say that they want to have a second home in Naples. I ask, which Naples? Naples, Florida? Or Naples, Italy? With my Sotheby’s International connections, I can as easily get you a home in either.”

I imagine that as long as it’s a “Ted” home, they will be happy.