By: Matt Emma
Dan and Deb Christensen got married at 18. Forty-seven years later, they’re still partners in everything they do. Four married children and ten grandchildren round out a life that’s always been about family and connection. “That’s what it’s all about,” they say, and it shows in how they run their business.
Dan entered real estate in 2001. Deb joined him in 2014 after getting her license. By 2015, they had made a decision that changed the direction of their work. Instead of chasing transactions, they began building something centered around their community. A year later, they began assembling a team. Their approach was guided by a book called The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann. The core idea was simple: give more value than you receive in payment.
The Smart FixUp Model
Most agents list a home and hope for the best. The Christensens do something a bit different. They walk through each property with a licensed contractor they’ve worked with for over a decade. Together, they’ve completed more than 100 homes. They make what they call Smart FixUp suggestions, which are designed to identify improvements that could potentially return value when the home sells.
Then they take it further. They make the design decisions. They manage the work. And the seller doesn’t pay a cent upfront. Everything is covered at closing when the proceeds come through. On top of that, they pay for professional staging and high-resolution photography. “It’s all about presentation and our client’s experience,” they explain.
The results are typically positive. In their community, the Christensen Realty Group holds between 35 and 40 percent of the market share. Their average price per square foot runs $65 to $75 higher than other sales in the area. While these numbers are impressive, they come from a combination of consistency and a carefully developed system that seems to work well for them.
More Than Transactions
The Christensens don’t see themselves as salespeople. They see themselves as problem solvers. Their ideal client is someone who recognizes the potential in their home and wants to maximize their equity before selling. Southern California offers that opportunity more often than not, and the Christensens are well-positioned to help unlock it.
“Our ideal client knows our consistent track record, home presentation standards, and trusts us to bring it all together,” they say. Trust is the foundation. Their clients understand that the team approach means everyone is focused on helping in their own way. It’s not about one person doing everything. It’s about a system where every role adds value.
Growing Without Losing Focus
The team has grown to eight people. Four are producing agents. Four work in team and client support roles. Client support, they say, is taken to the next level. Recently, they brought on a new listing manager and an events and social media coordinator. They’re also rolling out CRG Home Selling Solutions, a tiered service model that offers three commission options based on what the client actually needs.
The Smart FixUp program has been their signature offering, but they know it’s not right for everyone. Now clients can see exactly what services they’ll receive at each level and choose what makes sense for their situation. It’s another layer of transparency in a business that doesn’t always operate that way.
A Year That Proved the System
In 2025, the real estate market contracted. Many agents struggled. The Christensen Realty Group closed over $75 million in volume. It was their best year on record. What makes that number even more remarkable is that Dan and Deb were gone for more than five months, traveling across the country in their RV.
The business didn’t skip a beat. That’s the power of a team built on systems, not personality. It’s proof that when you invest in people and processes, the work can continue even when you’re not in the room.
They also stay visible in their community. They sponsor youth activities and seven annual events, including their Movie in the Park, which drew around 900 people last August. It’s not a marketing tactic. It’s part of who they are.
The Christensens didn’t disrupt real estate by being louder or flashier. They disrupted it by caring more, preparing better, and showing up consistently. That’s the quiet edge that’s difficult to replicate.
More information about the Dan and Deb Christensen can be found at: ChristensenRealtyGroup.com
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