Learning what makes people tick, developing relationships with customers and bonding with co-workers who became like family kept Christopher Owens bartending for 16 years at Kilroy’s in Springfield, Virginia.

Just as he was deciding he needed a career change, Owens was approached about a real estate opportunity in D.C. and decided to take a chance. From that moment forward he never looked back. His drive and passion made him excel in his first few years. 

“I asked lots of questions in the beginning, and I also quietly observed,” says the lifetime native of Northern Virginia. “I did favors and helped my new colleagues, whether it was writing up a contract or hosting an open house when another agent had a conflict.” 

Along with his own drive to excel, Owens has always enjoyed helping other people figure things out and succeed. He knows how to listen. It’s a cliché for a reason that bartenders are like therapists. 

Why Douglas Elliman? With its wide reach and success in other markets, Owens wanted to be a part of an established brand that was coming to Arlington, where he hopes to have a positive impact on the growth of the Columbia Pike corridor in South Arlington where he enjoys living.

Douglas Elliman may have a reputation for high-end real estate, but they span all price points. Owens has his own idea of luxury. “Luxury is not a price but a level of service that I believe every client deserves,” he says.

“Numbers don’t lie. I often rely on data to educate clients, whether they are buying or selling. When I need to steer a client in a certain way, usually toward reconsidering making an offer that’s too low or adjusting a sales price that is too high, I show them the numbers.” —Christopher Owens