Born and raised in historic downtown Charleston, Leize Gaillard is a twelve-generation native to the city, with French Huguenot roots dating back to 1680's Charleston. Leize's first piece of "real estate" was a replica Charleston single house built for her by her grandfather, former Charleston Mayor, J. Palmer Gaillard, for her third Christmas.
Leize has a passion for Charleston architecture and historic preservation and appreciates the role of a real estate agent to encourage a spirit of stewardship among would-be buyers of Charleston property. Leize enthusiastically shares life-long knowledge and experience of the Lowcountry with clients and customers so that all who come here feel a sense of welcome as they consider making Charleston their home.
Leize attended Charleston Day School and Porter-Gaud School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Davidson College in Davidson, NC and a Masters of Education in Counselor Education at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. Prior to pursuing a career with William Means, Leize worked in higher education administration at the College of Charleston.
Joining her experience helping people with her love and appreciation for place, Leize joined William Means to launch her real estate career in 2014. She has quickly become a Realtor to watch, joining the ranks as a Realtor of Distinction within her first two years in the business. Leize's client-focus and attention to detail is a hallmark of her style as a Realtor.
Leize is active in the Charleston community, having actively served on the Board of Directors of Society 1858, an auxiliary group of the Gibbes Museum of Art and of Enough Pie, a start-up non-profit founded in 2012 aimed at promoting arts-based community engagement in Charleston's upper peninsula. Leize has been a contributor to South of Broad Living neighborhood magazine and has a dedicated audience that enjoys her monthly e-newsletters which feature real estate and community news and happenings.
Leize is an avid hobbyist, making time for passions including sewing and design. Leize is also a lover of the outdoors, having hiked from Georgia to New York on the Appalachian Trail in 2006. While she feels at home in the mountains, Leize's heart is in the Lowcountry, spending time at her family's home on Edisto Island when possible.
Leize resides in Charleston's upper peninsula with her husband, a General Contractor, and they welcomed a son in 2018.
To learn more, follow Leize on Instagram @leizegaillard.
When it comes to blending the old and the new, Charleston gets it right. Few places with the history and tradition of Charleston that also offer the fresh opportunities for culture, dining, and business that we have here in the Lowcountry. This blending of old and new is also reflected in people here in Charleston. Whether you’ve lived here for decades or just a few months—if you love this place, you are welcome.
Spoleto Festival USA is a highlight of my year, and I would encourage any friend planning a visit to come during this time. Charleston during Spoleto is especially lively, light, and brewing with culture and creativity. For an enjoyable Spoleto evening, try walking (or riding bikes!) to dinner and a show under the oaks in the Cistern Yard.
I love a home that is both timeless and manages to reflect the era during which it was built. One of my favorite parts of Charleston’s old homes are the intricate and sometimes subtle architectural motifs that give a glimpse into the styles and fashions of the time during which the home was constructed. By contrast, in newer homes, I love the clean lines and minimalist details of a modern design. Old or new, intentional design choices are part of what make a home special.