Erica Christoffer is a multimedia journalist and contributing editor with REALTOR® Magazine. In addition to writing print and online articles, Erica oversees the magazine's Broker to Broker content, co-manages the 30 Under 30 program, and manages the YPN Lounge. Connect with her via email: echristoffer@nar.realtor.

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A Class Like No Other
As advocates for their clients and the industry, the 30 Under 30 honorees of 2020 are rising to previously unimaginable challenges.
July - August
2020
When 30 Under 30 applicants describe how they’ve triumphed over adversity—whether of a personal or professional sort—we notice. Those experiences are always an important consideration for the magazine’s staff judges, who assemble a stellar class of young, accomplished real estate professionals from a spirited and highly competitive selection process.
In this year, which marks the program’s 20th anniversary, these high achievers are facing a previously unthinkable set of obstacles stemming from a national crisis. The honorees’ career journeys will be shaped—if not fully defined—by their ability to adjust their business practices and safely serve clients in need during a pandemic that’s thrown everything in our world upside-down.
The coronavirus era has brought into vivid relief how important it is for people to have a place to live where they feel comfortable, safe, and, if they’re really lucky, able to keep working. As hard-driving, tech-savvy industry advocates, 30 Under 30 class members are doing what they can to support clients who want or need to buy or sell real estate now. Many are also moving into leadership roles, championing issues to keep the real estate industry and their community strong.
This group of go-getters was chosen early in the year, during “normal” times, based on a combination of factors: production numbers in 2019, innovative marketing practices, industry leadership, and dedicated community service. When the usual ways of doing business were upended, they—like so many of their peers—figured out how to sustain their business safely.
For clients who didn’t feel comfortable buying a home without setting foot in it, AD Adedapo in Upper Marlboro, Md., took the extra measures needed to enable in-person showings. He provided masks and gloves for buyers, waiting outside so he and the buyers could have a followup cell phone conversation from their respective cars. Emily Beutler says while some activity fell off, she continued to see lots of pending sales and closings in her Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, market. ”The buyers who are out looking are serious buyers in need of housing,” she says. New Orleans practitioner Kristen Boyd says she completed several transactions during the stay-at-home period, working with title companies to help clients close safely. Boyd says she has appreciated the benefits of mobile services and curbside signings. She foresees some of these adaptations becoming permanent options, offering greater flexibility in how sales are transacted into the future.
Learn more about these 30 high performers, who’ve worked hard and smart—and pushed through impediments—to earn recognition as the 30 Under 30 Class of 2020.
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Emily Ackerman |
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Francesca Lampert |
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Adedoyin Adedapo |
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Aubrey LaRue |
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Emily Beutler |
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Sarah Maiga |
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Madison Blau BenShimon |
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Sam Medvene |
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Nikolas Boone |
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Kimberlee Meserve |
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Kristen Boyd |
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Cyrus Mohseni |
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Cole Cannon |
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Jordan Mott |
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Jonathan Fayard |
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Christine Nieva |
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Logan Geddie |
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Jordan Pyle |
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Victoria Hill |
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Eduardo Reyes |
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Elliot Hoyte |
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Lauren Rogers |
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Brad Inhulsen |
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Keeyan Sabz |
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Joshua James |
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Rachel Scheid |
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Bita Kamoei |
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Kevin Spivey |
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Sarah Knauer |
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Casey Sutherland |
Contributing Editor
Nicole Slaughter Graham is a freelance journalist and writer based in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Nathan Hansen is a freelance writer and editor from Minneapolis with more than 18 years of experience. Connect with Nathan at nathanrhansen@gmail.com.
Lee Nelson is a freelance journalist from Illinois. She writes for several state REALTOR® association magazines along with LawnStarter.com and Nurse.org. She has written for Yahoo!Homes, MyMortgageInsider.com, and TheMortgageReports. Contact Lee at leenelson77@yahoo.com.
Gina Rautenberg is a freelance writer who specializes in the real estate industry. Previous clients and publication sources include Inman News, realtor.com®, Edina Realty, and Engel & Völkers. To get in touch, please email gina@woodennickelcontent.com.
Senior Editor
Graham Wood is senior editor for REALTOR® Magazine. He can be reached at gwood@nar.realtor.
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