Delaware Realtor, Milford Native and Firefighter/EMT
“When clients can be educated on the market and then understand what options they have, they can make the best decision for their future”
Hi, I’m Austin. I sell homes across Delaware, I put out actual fires on the side (more on that in a second), and I genuinely love helping people figure out this whole buying-and-selling thing. If you want the short version, it’s right below. If you want the story, keep scrolling — I promise to keep it fun.
The short version:
- Born and raised in Milford, Delaware — I’m a Delawarian for life (with one brief New York detour I’ve since forgiven myself for).
- Realtor and co-owner of the Loft Team at Myers Realty, serving all of Delaware: New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties.
- 8+ years as an agent, 1,000+ transactions — I’ve seen just about everything and anything a transaction can throw at you
- 14 years as a firefighter and EMT, currently a Lieutenant — service is kind of my whole thing (thankssss mom and dad)
- I’ve helped clients save over $1 million in closing costs. That’s real money back in real pockets, I’m proud of this
- My listings get seen by tens of thousands thanks to intentional social media marketing that reaches way more buyers than a yard sign ever could
Who is Austin Gardner?
I’m a Milford, Delaware native and a Realtor who never really left home… and trust me, I tried once. I spent about a year up in Rochester, New York as a Ballet Dancer, learned that I missed Delaware more than I expected (and that I do not miss lake-effect snow), and came right back. I’ve been here ever since, which means when I tell you about a neighborhood, a school, or the best day to hit the beach, it’s coming from a lifetime of living it.
These days I’m a Realtor and co-owner of the Loft Team with Myers Realty. “Co-owner” is a fancy way of saying I’m all-in on this — my name’s on the door, so your experience is personal to me.
Wait — you’re a firefighter and a Realtor?
Yep, both. For the past 14 years I’ve served as a firefighter and EMT — some of it paid, some of it volunteer, and today I’m a Lieutenant. It’s not a side hobby; it’s a huge part of who I am. My ability to serve my community both as a Paid and Volunteer FireFighter, EMT, member of the Delaware Air Rescue Team (and hopefully a couple other fun things later this year) is something I’ve very proud of.
Here’s why it matters for you: the firehouse teaches you to show up when things get hard, stay calm when everyone else is stressed, and put people ahead of everything else. Real estate deals get stressful and things go sideways — inspections, financing hiccups, a seller with cold feet. When that happens, you want the person in your corner to be steady. Fourteen years of running toward problems instead of away from them tends to come in handy.
What’s it actually like to work with me?
In a word: no-pressure. My favorite part of this job is teaching, so I’ll walk you through every step until it makes sense — minus the confusing jargon and the hard sell.
Here’s roughly how it goes:
We talk — about what you want, what you’re nervous about, and what “a win” looks like for you. No commitment, just a conversation.
I do the homework — pricing, neighborhoods, the real numbers — and I explain it in plain English so you can make the best decision for your future!
We make a plan together, whether that’s getting your home sold or finding the right one to buy, we create a plan for YOU and what YOU need to make happen at the end of the day.
I handle the hard parts — negotiation, paperwork, the curveballs (and headaches) — and I keep you in the loop with what you need to know the whole way!
We get you to the finish line: and I’m still your guy long after the keys change hands. Owning a house isnt just a one time deal, its what you have to juggle while you’re living in it, contemplating the next move and the next steps after that!
Two things I’m a little competitive about: saving you money (I’ve helped clients keep more than $1 million in closing costs in their own pockets) and getting sellers seen. My background in social media marketing means your listing lands in front of far more buyers than the old “sign in the yard and hope” approach.
Where in Delaware do you work?
All of it — I’m a statewide guy, and being from central Delaware means I’m comfortable everywhere from the Wilmington suburbs to the Sussex County beaches. Here’s the quick lay of the land I cover:
New Castle County (north) Commuter access, jobs, suburbs Professionals, MOT area, families near Wilmington/Newark
Kent County (central) Affordable, Milford Area, central, my home turf First-timers, value seekers, Dover-area folks
Sussex County (south) The beaches and Quiet Resorts Retirees, second-home buyers, beach lovers
Thinking about a move to a specific part of the state? My moving to Delaware guide breaks down the taxes and lifestyle, and the Delaware beach towns guide sorts out Rehoboth vs. Lewes vs. Bethany vs. Fenwick.
Ask me for the “where do the locals actually go” list and I’ll happily overshare.
A few of my go-tos:
Best beach day: Rehoboth if I want to go to the Arcade and eat, Dewey to party and Cape Henlopen to have a real beach day!
Where I send people for crabs: Go to Flowers Beach, there are so many different ways to crab there and there are ALWAYS crabs
Underrated town most people drive past: Sussex – Milton, it is a charming town with a bunch of underrated restaurants! Kent – Camden, it is the “new” Dover with some much growth the last decade! New Castle – Talleyville, pretty much Wilmington, but with the cute shops, local feel and easy to access highways!
My perfect Delaware Saturday: Wake up, go to the Farmers Market in Milford and stop by Dolce Bakery, get cleaned up to go to the Beach (Rehoboth or Cape), relax for a bit and then get lunch at one of the awesome restaurants near by, go home and relax before getting dinner at Easy Speak or Areans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What areas of Delaware do you cover? All three counties — New Castle, Kent, and Sussex. I’m based in central Delaware and work statewide, from the northern suburbs to the beaches.
Do you work with both buyers and sellers? Both. I help sellers price and market their homes to get top dollar, and I guide buyers — including a lot of folks relocating from out of state — through every step.
How do you help sellers get more money? Two big levers: smart, data-backed pricing, and marketing that actually reaches buyers. My social media marketing gets listings in front of a much larger audience than traditional methods.
Are you really a firefighter? 100% real and nationally certified — 14 years and counting, currently a Lieutenant. It’s a big part of why clients trust me to stay calm and handle whatever a deal throws our way.
Let’s talk — no pressure, I promise
Whether you’re buying your first place, selling the family home, or just daydreaming about a move to the beach, I’d love to help you think it through. Reach out anytime, or if you’re curious what your home is worth, grab a free Delaware home value estimate, I’m here to be of service to you!
Austin Gardner, Realtor · Co-Owner, The Loft Team at Myers Realty · [302-215-2165] · AustinGardner@LoftTeamDE.ceom · [DE license #RS0025472]