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From the Titanic to the “Breaking Bad” House: The Art of the Comeback

"If we were just listing it as a four-bedroom home, it was a nice $350,000 house... The intrinsic value of the home was its pop culture status." — David Christensen

Samantha McLean Samantha McLeanDecember 4, 2025
3 minutes read

David Christensen is not your typical real estate agent. He is a former Hollywood executive, a Titanic diver (one of fewer than 200 people to reach the wreck), and the agent responsible for listing the iconic Breaking Bad house.

In this episode of Thought Leaders, David joins Samantha McLean to break down the specific strategies he used to list a $350k home for nearly $4 million, how he rebuilt his life after hitting rock bottom, and why he believes “white glove service” is mandatory at every price point.

Episode Fast Facts

  • Guest David Christensen (The Christensen Group, eXp Realty)
  • Key Listing The “Breaking Bad” House (White Family Residence)
  • The Strategy Re-zoning the home as a commercial attraction/museum to justify a higher value.
  • The Price Flip Re-framed a ~$350,000 residential value into a ~$4 Million commercial opportunity.
  • Unique Feat Dived 12,800 ft to the Titanic wreck in a Russian sub (2005).
  • Top Skill Patience & Listening (Transferable skills from his music industry days).

The “Breaking Bad” Strategy

The Challenge:

The home of Walter White from Breaking Bad is a modest ranch house in Albuquerque. Zillow valued it at roughly $350,000, but the owners wanted to sell.

The Narrative Flip:

David realised a family of four would not buy the home due to the 300+ tourists driving by daily. He needed a different buyer.

The Solution:

  • Target Audience: Instead of residential buyers, David targeted investors and museums.
  • The Pitch: He pitched the property based on its intrinsic pop-culture value and potential gate receipts, not its square footage.
  • The Work: He worked with the city to negotiate variances that would allow a commercial enterprise to operate in a residential neighbourhood.
  • The Result: The property was listed for just under $4 million — a valuation supported by business revenue projections rather than comparable sales.

The Mindset: Hitting Rock Bottom & The “Second Act”

David’s journey to the top of real estate wasn’t a straight line. After a high-flying career at Warner Brothers Records (working alongside Randy Jackson), David lost everything to alcoholism.

The Comeback Strategy:

  • Total Reset: David moved back to New Hampshire to rebuild from scratch.
  • Skill Transfer: He realised the skills from music management – patience, listening, and managing egos – were perfectly transferable to real estate.
  • Sobriety as a Superpower: Now nearly 15 years sober, David credits his recovery with his ability to remain calm and attentive, enabling him to provide a level of service he couldn’t have offered in his “first act.”

The Titanic Metaphor:

David draws a parallel between his 2005 dive to the Titanic (12,800 feet down) and his personal life. The darkness and pressure of the ocean floor served as a metaphor for his personal collapse—and his eventual return to the surface.

Strategic Insights for Agents

1. Luxury is a Feeling, Not a Price

David argues that “luxury” is often mistaken for a price bracket. He applies the principles from the book Unreasonable Hospitality to every transaction. Whether it is a starter home or a multi-million dollar estate, the marketing and service quality remain “white glove.”

2. Niche Down to Scale Up

David recently launched a Sports and Entertainment Division at eXp. By focusing on a specific demographic (athletes and entertainers) with unique needs (privacy, complex schedules), he can tailor his marketing materials to speak directly to that audience, rather than being a generalist.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • The “Commercial Reframe” Technique: How to identify if a property has “intrinsic value” beyond its residential comps (like the Breaking Bad house).
  • Hollywood Storytelling: Why David asks, “If this house were a movie, who is the audience?” before every listing.
  • The “Second Act” Blueprint: Practical advice for agents rebuilding their careers or lives after a major setback.
  • Service Architecture: Why you must deliver $30,000 worth of marketing value if you expect a $30,000 commission.
  • The “Invisible to Visible” Shift: How sharing personal struggles (like sobriety) can deepen client connections and trust.

Resources Mentioned:

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Samantha McLean Samantha McLeanDecember 4, 2025
3 minutes read
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Samantha McLean

Samantha McLean

Samantha McLean is the Co-founder and Managing Editor of Elite Agent, Australia's trusted platform for real estate news, insights, and community connection. With over 20 years in sales and marketing across respected global companies, Samantha brings practical expertise and thoughtful leadership to the industry. Since founding Elite Agent, Samantha has grown the brand from a magazine into a dynamic media hub that includes the Elevate podcast, daily newsletters, and engaging industry events. Her approachable style and genuine curiosity have earned Elite Agent recognition, including multiple Mumbrella awards for excellence. Samantha is passionate about exploring how technology, especially artificial intelligence, can improve productivity and client relationships without losing the essential human touch. She regularly discusses these topics with industry experts on the Elevate podcast. She holds a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology Sydney. Connect with Samantha at Elite Agent or aipoweredagents.com or visit her personal website samanthamclean.com.