20-Something and a Top Producer

A day in the life of Christian Thede

By Judi ConnorChristian Thede, a top-producing REALTOR® for Northbrae Properties in Berkeley, earned $270,000 last year and anticipates making nearly $500,000 by the end of 2006. Christian has been a REALTOR® for four years and concentrates primarily on residential properties—handling a split of 60 percent buyers and 40 percent sellers. He typically holds no more than two open house events a week and, currently, he has three properties in escrow. When he’s not out selling properties, this 27-year-old’s hobbies include flying planes, racing his Porsche and riding horses. Here’s a look at a typical day in hislife.

Monday, January 30, 2006

7 a.m.: Woke up and showered. Checked e-mail, finished off the day’s to-do list, and grabbed a Clif® bar on the way out the door.

8:30 a.m.: While driving, ate a Clif® bar and called a client to verify if she still wants him to pick up a 3R report (report of residential building record) for her later that day. Called one of his condo conversion clients for an update on her situation, and learned what she wanted him to cover with the attorney he was on his way to meet.

9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.: In downtown Berkeley, met with an attorney regarding the progress of several condo conversion projects. The attorney gave an update and, during this, Thede discovered that the fire marshal’s requests on one of his projects are easily met. However, they lost his tentative parcel map so he will have to bring a new one.

9:35 a.m.: Stopped at his office to pick up the keys to a fourplex he was going to visit. While at his office, checked his e-mail. Made a couple of calls—one to congratulate friends on their new baby, and another to place an order for small rubber ducks (which he gives to clients’ children). Also, called to book a plane to take a friend flying to get an aerial view of his friend’s new 77-acreproperty.

10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Drove to inspect the fourplex property in Oakland. While driving, called the owner to let him know he was en route. Inspected the property and discovered damage—tenant appeared to have punched a hole through a door and a wall. While there, measured the door, then called and asked a laborer to go to Home Depot to get a new door and repair the wall.

11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.: Stopped down the street from the fourplex to check out a property he sold a month ago. Called the owner to tell him the gardener still hadn’t arrived.

11:45 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Stopped to get his car washed on the way to the Board of REALTORS® (Berkeley).

12:15 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Stopped at the Board of REALTORS® to chat with staff. Checked out the Metro (compilation of commercial real estate listings) while there just to keep up-to-date.

12:30 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.: Stopped at Old Republic Title Co. in North Berkeley to pick up a preliminary title for one of his deals (client wants to switch buyers on the title).

12:45 p.m. to 1 p.m.: Went to the office and called another title company to check and see how things were progressing with another deal.

1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.: Walked to the corner, ordered a chicken salad. Ate lunch at his desk while reviewing new listings on the computer.

1:45 p.m.: Hopped in the car to go to the City of Oakland Records. On the way, called up a client interested in buying an eight-unit property; discussed the offer price and different issues.

2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.: Stopped at City of Oakland Records; checked on an eight-unit property to see if it had progressed to the public hearing notice stage. Walked down the hall to pick up a 3R report for a client. Also, ordered a 3R report for another property he will list in a few months, to make sure the property’s in-law unit is legal. Walked down the hall to check paperwork on another condo conversion project.

3:15 p.m.: Drove about six blocks to a property he sold about a year ago to check on the contractor he recommended for the owners’ bathroom renovation.

4:15 p.m.: Went home, checked e-mails, and answered a call from client.

5:30 p.m.: Went to the gym.

7 p.m.: While at dinner with a friend, answered a call from a client interested in seeing a property.

9 p.m.: Started to-do list for following day.

11 p.m. Lights out.

Judi Connor is a San Francisco-based freelance writer.