My Story
From a small island in southeast Alaska to Scottsdale, Arizona, I carried with me the values and work ethic that my family taught me. Putting my best foot forward, I have built a wonderful life as a mother, wife and REALTOR®, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! When I moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, from a small island in southeast Alaska, I was nervous but very excited. My parents wanted me to stay, but I was determined to go to college and experience the world outside of my hometown. It was a big adjustment for me, coming from a small, trusting community and moving to a bustling city. But I was eager to start a new chapter in my life. I spent a lot of time outdoors, enjoying activities like hiking and laying out by the pool, which I never had the chance to do in Alaska. I also attended Scottsdale Community College and the University of Phoenix, where I earned a Bachelor of Marketing. Working full time while studying was a challenging but rewarding experience.
After graduation, I went into restaurant management at a golf club in North Scottsdale. But in 2005, I decided to switch gears and obtained my real estate license. It was a difficult transition since I did not have a large sphere of influence in the area. I had to meet people organically and gradually build my client base. I started by working in the rental market, an area that no other agents wanted to focus on. I built my foundation and database by working with rental leads, and eventually, those renters wanted to purchase or would refer someone that wanted to sell. Slowly but surely, my business started to take off. Growing up, I learned the value of hard work from my family of entrepreneurs who owned multiple businesses. As early as 8 years old, I was helping my grandmother run the lodge, cleaning rooms, washing dishes – anything to lend a helping hand. My father was very inspiring to me; he started from scratch and expanded his boat marina business to three islands, which was something that I deeply admired.
Balancing my career and personal life was the biggest challenge for me. With three children in different schools, every day has three drop-offs, and that could be tough to manage on top of their schedules. My girls, Taylor and Dylan, are very involved with dance. Our youngest, TJ, is in the first grade. One of the greatest lessons I had to learn was to rearrange my schedule to accommodate my family’s nee ds, and that helped me strike a balance between my work and personal life. It can be hard to set boundaries when you are passionate about your work, but ultimately it has made all the difference for me. My clients understand that when it comes to family, they always come first. Being an independent agent has been a learning experience, but with years under my belt in the industry, the greatest obstacle was believing in myself. My husband supported me and reminded me that I have been doing this since 2005 – I could do this! Keeping my focus on my clients and staying on top of the market trends, I am very proud of what I have achieved so far.
My life is a constant juggling act, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Through hard work and persistence, I have built a successful career in an industry that I am passionate about, all while prioritizing my family and my personal life. Staying true to my roots in the industry, I still enjoy working with renters and helping people at the very beginning of their real estate journeys. It is a great opportunity for me to educate people and help them understand exactly what it takes to go from renting to owning. Working with my clients through different phases of their lives is one of my favorite aspects of real estate because I enjoy building those longstanding relationships. By valuing people over money, I have been able to build my business on referrals, and I am very grateful for that. Staying up to date with the latest industry trends and technologies is an important aspect of my business. It allows me to provide the best possible service to my clients and ensures that I am always ahead of the game. Whether you are looking to buy or sell, I want to help make your dreams a reality. Even after the transaction is over, I will continue serving as your lifelong REALTOR®, helping you find success in every new adventure.
Sincerely,
Christina Rathbun
REALTOR®
Mobile 602.882.1919
Christina@DesertLivingProperties.com
www.christinarathbun.com
