TOP AGENT Christopher Thomas knows firsthand the true value of a helping hand. At 18 years of age, he purchased his first home. Though it was an uphill struggle throughout the entire process, Christopher kept at it, and with the counsel of his mother—who gave him the courage to keep trying—and a REALTOR who believed in him, he was able to overcome the obstacles to homeownership. It’s from this very same determination and drive that Christopher now approaches the obstacles that burden his clients. He provides encouragement, the highest level of service and results that speak louder than the challenges, giving hope to homeowners, business owners and multimillion dollar investors alike.

Obtaining his license in 2007, Christopher’s initial purpose was to buy and sell property for himself. It wasn’t long, however, before he began helping first-time homebuyers, an experience that changed his life. “My business really morphed in 2010. These past 5 years have been a wonderful experience in that I’ve been able to help people who never thought they could own a home.”

Though New 2 U Homes is a customary real estate brokerage, Christopher finds that first-time homebuyers are a focal point of the business, a fact that aligns perfectly with his own desire to not only assist his clients, but to help them enact change through real estate. “When someone buys a home, it not only changes them, it changes their family—especially if they’re the very first person in their family to have ever purchased a home. Homeownership changes their legacy, and their children. It’s a great feeling to actively help people add the investment of homeownership to their lives.”

Another factor in helping first-time homebuyers is the effect it has on the community. “Clients who purchase their first home become role models for others,” he says. “People view the home owner’s success and realize that they can achieve this goal too. Likewise, kids begin to believe they can achieve this goal. In short, homeownership changes the entire community.”

Indeed, having been involved with Rochester’s real estate market for the past 22 years, Christopher understands that dedication and hard work are the tools needed to make dreams a reality. With New 2 U Homes, he wants to help others in the community realize that it can cost less to purchase and own a home than to rent one, regardless of a client’s initial price point. “My brokerage doesn’t turn anyone away. I give classes once a month for first-time homebuyers, as well as one-on-one appointments. It’s about providing a full service for homeownership. We are a resource for the community, and it doesn’t take much time to help someone in need. Sometimes, all it really takes is a bit of encouragement.”

The brokerage’s stated goal is to “help Rochester and the world become a better place by helping motivated people achieve their real estate goals.” This sound business practice has resulted in a successful business that’s almost 100% referral-based, and is now on to assisting second-generation clients realize their dreams as well.

What Christopher loves most about his career are the possibilities. “I feel great when I wake up in the morning. It’s the fact that we’re making a difference one buyer—and one home—at a time. It might not seem like a dramatic difference, but I remember back to when I was a child, and how possible it is for others to be productive members of society due to the influence of positive role models. It’s making Rochester a great place to live by virtue of helping other people.”

Community involvement is vital to New 2 U Homes. Christopher is part of an initiative to provide young African-Americans with positive role models, thereby helping to make different life choices. He’s also part of a city-wide coalition to help others realize the benefits of living in Rochester, and he sits on several additional community outreach boards.

When not volunteering or working, Christopher and his wife enjoy traveling both nationally and internationally.

To contact Christopher Thomas, email him at cthomas@new2uhomes.com, call (585) 889-4663 or visit https://new2uhomes.com/content/