You know that we are a real estate team in Harrisonburg, Virginia. And you know that Chris Rooker is our team leader, and that he’s been at it since 2003. You may even know that before real estate, Chris was in various management roles. But do you really know Chris Rooker? A short interview with Chris reveals his past, and his passions…

How long have you lived in the Harrisonburg area?
It depends on how you count. I first came to the area to go to school at James Madison University. (Unfortunately, I can no longer refer to myself as a “recent college graduate.”) After living in Northern Virginia and Orlando, I moved back for a year — and then lived in Charlottesville for two years. And then I moved back here permanently in 1998.

You didn’t answer the question. How long have you lived in the area?
14 of the last 18 years.

What did you do before real estate?
I worked in various management positions at non-profit organizations. The last three were the Foundation for Indigenous Languages, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, and Mars Hill Audio.

Why did you decide to pursue a career in real estate?
When my wife and I bought our first home in 2001, I found that I asked our Realtor more questions about her job than I did about the house we were buying. And then after we moved in, I kept looking in the paper every Saturday at homes and property. Every time real estate came up in conversation, my ears would perk up. Eventually, it dawned on me that I might want to make real estate my job.

What is your role on the team?
I work “in the field” with buyers and sellers — helping them to see clearly the opportunities and risks at each stage of the buying and selling process. I also provide the overall leadership for the team.

What do you love about your job?
There’s a moment in almost every real estate transaction when my client feels the excitement of achieving their goals or dreams. For buyers, it’s when they walk into a house and realize that it’s the one they have been waiting for — or, even better, when their contract is accepted. For sellers, it is usually at the closing table, when they realize that they have made it through a very difficult process successfully and smoothly. I love that I have a role in making those moments happen — it’s what keeps me going.