We recently connected with Christina Hakala and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Christina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a client that you appreciate them?
One of the best ways I’ve shown appreciation to my clients is by truly making them feel seen—not just as buyers or sellers, but as real people with stories, dreams, and goals. I love surprising them with thoughtful gestures, like dropping off a birthday gift or sending a quick message on a holiday to let them know I’m thinking of them. But it goes deeper than that.
During the transaction, I make it a point to really listen—what they’re passionate about, what lights them up, what they’re working toward—and I take notes. Maybe they’ve mentioned they love hiking, or they’re dreaming about starting a home garden. I’ll find little ways to acknowledge those things, whether it’s a gift that ties into their hobby or a simple message of encouragement. It’s all about the personal touches that remind them I care beyond the closing table. I think they feel genuinely valued—not just for their business, but as people. And that’s the goal.
Christina, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m Christina Hakala—a Realtor, health coach, and someone who’s deeply passionate about helping people live better, fuller lives. I got into real estate because I genuinely love connecting with people and guiding them through one of the most important transitions they’ll ever make: finding a place to call home. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about being part of that journey.
My real estate business, Hakala Real Estate, is built on relationships, not transactions. I work under the brokerage Real Estate by Referral, which means most of my clients come through word of mouth—people who’ve worked with me and trust me enough to send their friends and family my way. That trust is everything to me. I offer full-service residential real estate support, from buying and selling homes to providing expert guidance and emotional support throughout the process. I also incorporate my background as a health coach when it’s needed—because home is more than four walls; it’s where wellness and life happen.
What sets me apart is my heart for people—especially Veterans. Supporting Veterans and suicide prevention is a huge part of my mission. I make sure that my clients, especially those who’ve served, feel understood and supported every step of the way. Whether it’s helping them navigate VA loans or simply being someone who listens and cares, that advocacy is core to who I am.
I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built. It’s not unusual for clients to become close friends, and to me, that’s the best sign that I’m doing things right. I want potential clients to know that when they work with me, they’re not just getting a Realtor—they’re getting someone who’s genuinely invested in their well-being, their goals, and their future. I bring warmth, insight, and a steady hand to what can be a stressful process, and I’m honored every time someone trusts me to walk that road with them.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
A major turning point for me came when my husband lost his job after 15 years. It was a tough season—watching him struggle to find something new, trying to figure out our next move as a family. He had always wanted to get back into flipping homes, and I believed in him, so we decided to just go for it together. We jumped in with both feet and flipped a couple of houses side by side.
But then came a moment that changed everything for me. We were getting ready to sell one of the renovated homes, and the Realtor we had just… didn’t show up for us. They didn’t guide us, they didn’t even visit the property. We felt totally unsupported—and after all the work we’d put in, that was a pretty rough experience.
That was the moment I knew something needed to change. I made a decision right then and there that no one should ever feel like we did. The very next day, I enrolled in real estate school. A few months later, I passed my exam, and I haven’t looked back since.
What started as a pivot in a difficult time turned into discovering my true calling. I honestly feel like this is what I was meant to do all along—I just wish I had started sooner! It’s given me the opportunity to serve people in a way that’s real, personal, and deeply fulfilling.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One story that really reflects my resilience goes back to when my husband lost his job after 15 years. That season tested us on every level—financially, emotionally, and as partners. Instead of letting it break us, we saw it as an opportunity to build something new together. We took a leap into flipping homes, learned everything from the ground up, and supported each other through the challenges. That experience eventually led me to real estate, which ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
But my resilience shows up in more than just my career. It’s been a constant thread in my health journey, in strengthening my marriage, and in the way I show up for my clients. With my husband, it meant growing closer through the hard times instead of letting them pull us apart. In my health journey, it’s been about making consistent choices—even when progress feels slow. And with my clients, it’s about walking with them through big, emotional transitions and being their steady hand when things feel overwhelming.
Resilience, to me, isn’t about having it all together. It’s about continuing to show up—imperfect, but committed. Whether it’s in my personal life or professional world, I lead with heart, and I don’t give up when things get tough. That’s just who I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hakalarealestate.net
- Instagram: hakala_real_estate
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christina.hakala