WHO: Chris White, top individual agent in Long & Fosters VA/WV region with more than $36 million in volume for 2007; NVAR Top Producer and member of the NVAR $30+ Million Dollar Sales Club and Long & Foster Founders Club
WHERE: Office at Long & Fosters Alexandria/Old Town Historic District office, home in Mount Vernon on the Potomac
WHEN: A native of Alexandria, Chris earned a masters degree in counseling from the University of Virginia. He spent 20 years as a teacher, guidance counselor and administrator in the Fairfax County Districts Alexandria-area schools. Earning his Realtors license in 1986, he says, I got into real estate when I was still in the school system. I would buy lots and build houses on them. It got to be where it was a question of choosing one or the other. In 1997, he went into real estate full time.
Many Realtors have followed the same career path, from education to real estate. He explains the connection, saying, As a counselor, you learn how to deal with people and guide them through different problems, like the ones that often appear in buying or selling a home. In addition, he adds, The first question buyers ask is, What are the schools like? and I have pretty good inside information about that!
WHY: He enjoys his career, he says, because it helps him meet the many fascinating people who make up the fabric of our community. Many clients have become great friends. There is nothing more satisfying than receiving a heartfelt thank-you letter from a client whom I have just successfully navigated through the process of buying or selling a home.
WHAT: His family includes his wife Peggy, grown children Megan, Maura, Matthew, Mark and Michael, plus Molly the beagle. He is an avid runner and a lacrosse fan, especially since twins Mark and Michael play for the University of Maryland Terrapins. He is also on the Board of Directors for Woodland Plantation and the Mansion House Club.
WHICH WAY: Predicting the future of the housing market, he says, Recent developments in the mortgage area to raise limits of government-backed loans should be a huge advantage for our market. In addition, rising gas prices should be a great benefit to our area, as people choose to move closer to the main employment enters and public transportation.
