Meet Chris Dunham | The Real Estate Guy™

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Dunham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Was just kind of thrown into the Real Estate Industry. Wrapped up a few years in college, didn’t want to go into Journalism as planned, due to low financial reward. We were purchasing a home, was pushing my wife towards it, she opted not to, so I jumped in, feet first, without looking.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
With 20 plus years of experience, the biggest reason I am different from those around me is I build relationships. I am not all about the “Transactions”. I sell a home, it’s how I make my living, but the connections I make are for life.

I didn’t know anyone when I started (had no “in” with lenders, investors, builders etc) I truly built this on my own. Knocking on doors every weekend, Cold Calling a few nights a month. Sending mailers. Connecting with local businesses and cross marketing (benefitting both us). Establishing a presence in many zip codes.

TV, Radio advertising, Bill Board Ads. Eventually landing a weekly radio show on iHeart in Phx, “Real Talk USA with The Real Estate Guy™”. Am still connected with a handful of people that helped develop that show.

Loyalty. I have been very loyal to my vendors, Lenders, Home Inspection Company, Escrow Company etc.

In 1999 I accidentally created my “mantra” When you’re ready to sell or buy, Call the Real Estate Guy™, which is now a state trademark (AZ) as well as my acronym, RLS8GUY™, being a nationwide trademark.

The struggles were not as one would think, as again, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, so I had nothing to compare it too. I never looked at it (still don’t) as Sales, I look at it as a life changing event, that I am blessed to navigate.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It would be a week of adventure. I don’t drink, as I write this, I am approaching 17 years 7 months sober, so my “rush” or “high” has to do with athletically based activities.

If my Best Friend was coming to town, we’d start with a hike up camelback mountain. I would mix in some trail runs over the week, along with flat road runs. I’d bring him to workout with me at Orangetheory Fitness (I am there 8x a week). I would add skydiving to our agenda.

Some of the restaurants would be Mastros in Phoenix. Zin Buger, downtown Gilbert and Charlestons in Mesa.

Other activities would include day trip to places like Jerome (Haunted city in Arizona). Travel up north to the Natural Bridge in Payson, AZ. If it is during the spring, a float down the salt river, where we might stumble upon some wild horses.

A night of gambling and shows at a local Casino (always bands in Town, national acts or cover bands).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
West USA Realty. The first real company I worked for when I left Century 21 after my first 6 months. West USA was a 100% company, so it truly was like jumping off a cliff and hoping for the best. I connected with an office manager, Lynn Sperry, who truly helped me navigate my next 2 years in the business, which lead me to become one of the companies Top Producers in a very short amount of time.

She has since passed away, but she truly was/is the reason my foundation of success was planted.

Website: RLS8GUY.COM

Instagram: @RLS8GUY

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/therls8guy

Twitter: twitter.com/RLS8GUY

Facebook: facebook.com/TheRLS8GUY

Youtube: youtube.com/user/SLTNSRLS8GUY

Image Credits
Emma Jaye (only the pic with fire on computer behind me)