In July 2021, Chad Waclawczyk and Tom Hyde took a bold leap, leaving the security of a traditional real estate firm to launch Carolina Home Partners by eXp Realty. What began as a mutual respect for each other's work ethic quickly blossomed into a thriving partnership. With Carolina Home Partners, Chad and Tom share a vision to create a better experience for both agents and clients.

Chad’s journey began in Texas, where he worked in sales and marketing for major retail clients, managing teams across the U.S. and Canada. 

The move to North Carolina was a turning point. 

Tom transitioned to real estate after more than 30 years on Wall Street. He worked as a corporate bond broker and sales trader, running a trading desk for decades, but the long commutes—nearly two hours each way—and a desire to do something different with his days motivated him to make a change. In 2017, he and his wife relocated to North Carolina, seeking a better quality of life. Three years later, he began his real estate career. 

Chad and Tom first connected near the end of 2020, when they met at their former brokerage. Their shared values brought them together. 

"Several individuals suggested we meet, and soon we began covering for each other when one of us was out of town," Chad recalls. "I had known for a few years that I wanted to lead my own firm, and I had even created the Carolina Home Partners brand, but the timing wasn’t right—until I met Tom."

A pivotal moment in Chad’s life spurred the decision to move forward. 

"My mom, who always encouraged me to  believe in myself and define my own value and worth, was diagnosed with cancer," Chad shares. "She reminded me that life is short, and you either take control of it or it will control you. And above all, do not live life and regret that you didn’t take a chance to change your life for the better. That was the push I needed to take the leap."

After carefully vetting brokerages, Chad and Tom launched Carolina Home Partners under the eXp Realty umbrella in July 2021. The pair believe that eXp’s model, combined with their commitment to agent success, has been key to their rapid growth. 

The foundation of Carolina Home Partners is simple yet transformative: prioritize agents and success will follow. 

"Our goal is to create an environment where agents can maximize their income, reinvest in their business, and grow," Tom explains. "Unlike traditional real estate models where the team leader takes a significant percentage of their agents’ earnings, we focus on keeping as much money in our agents’ pockets as possible."

Chad adds, "We’ve heard skeptics ask how we cover our costs. We find ways to make it work. It’s about efficiency and creating opportunities for our agents to thrive."

This agent-centric approach aligns with eXp Realty's culture, which returns much of its profits to its agents. 

Today, Carolina Home Partners is home to 30 agents, and the word is spreading about the firm’s innovative approach. 

Tom emphasizes their commitment to growth. "Our goal is to continue creating opportunities for our agents to expand their businesses while delivering best-in-class service to our clients. We’re not just building a company—we’re building a community."

Both Chad and Tom are motivated by a desire to give back. "eXp’s culture is all about helping others," Chad says. "It’s a selfless business model, and we’re here to guide our agents every step of the way."

For Tom, the partnership with Chad is a testament to the power of collaboration. "One plus one is greater than two," he says. "Together, we’re creating something that neither of us could have done on our own."