Christine W. Ross: Reliable. Resourceful. Relentless.
Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker
Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)
Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS)
Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)
BA, Journalism, Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash.
200-hr Yoga Alliance teaching certification
While new to Amelia Island, Christine is far from new to real estate and holds an assorted mix of designations that reflect her commitment to education and expertise in the business.
"I wrote my first offer in 2014 on an upside-down bucket outside a dilapidated camp in the woods outside of Schroon Lake, NY," she says. "There was no cell service and my clients wanted to sign it before we left. We found the bucket, flipped it and used it as a table. At that moment I realized real estate was just as interesting as my earlier career in journalism ~ the story behind every buyer and seller is unique, and every deal has a life and story of its own."
Initially licensed in NY's Southern Adirondack Region, Christine honed her real estate skills primarily in the Lake George area, selling a mix of land, multifamily, residential and new construction before moving to Boca Raton in August 2018. She earned her Broker Associate's license in Boca, and worked primarily with investors and second-home buyers while there. Christine lives an eclectic, family- and community-centered life, serving on the board of Olympic Theatre Arts in Sequim, Wash., before "retiring" from her position as copy editor, features writer and outdoor columnist for the local newspaper in 2003 when her son was born. She served 3 terms as president of the Lake George Central School District PTSO during his elementary years and also held board positions with the Lake George Arts Project and the Capital Region Nordic Alliance.
Before earning her real estate license, Christine founded and operated MAYA Gallery and Studio, a miniscule yet invigorating yoga studio/art gallery in the back of a martial arts center in Queensbury, NY. With billable hours left in the day and a child by then in 3rd grade, she joined Coldwell Banker. When the "child" turned 14 and was accepted into Florida Atlantic University's early college program, she listed and promptly sold the family home. With the property in contract and many sets of downhill skis in storage, the Ross family moved to Florida. Mr. Ross, however, was not a fan of the South Florida crowds and even less so of the weather, and once their son finished at FAU they knew it was time to head north.
"Amelia Island offers the best of everything," Christine says, "and I look forward to living and working here until I'm too old to do either. It's cold enough that I no longer feel silly for keeping all my NY sweaters, but it's never too cold to go to the beach. I love it."
When not with clients Christine enjoys beach walks with her dog, bike rides with her family, local 5K's by herself, and the 6:30 am classes at Centred on Yoga downtown. What she loves most about Amelia Island, however, are the people: "I grew up on an island in Puget Sound, and have lived a lot of places. There is a kindness to the people on this island that I have never experienced anywhere else. It comes through in their eyes, in their smiles (even alone while driving!), at the hospital, in the market ... everywhere I go, and I look forward to sharing the magic of the island with clients as I guide them through the buying and selling process."
