Not every day does a real estate agent find themselves at the helm of presenting a house that’s become a cultural landmark. But for David Christensen, leading the charge to sell the iconic Walter White residence from AMC’s ‘Breaking Bad’ was just another day in an extraordinary life.
As fans of the critically acclaimed ‘Breaking Bad’ know, the Albuquerque, New Mexico house that played a starring role in one of television’s highest-rated shows of all time, recently hit the market for $3,995,000.
David, owner of Christensen Group | eXp Realty Luxury, knew it needed to be presented as an important piece of American culture. “This is more than a house. It’s a symbol of extraordinary storytelling that continues to resonate with fans around the world,” David said. “It’s a character in its own right, as iconic as Walter White himself.”
The listing, presented in collaboration with his team and entertainment industry contacts, was a masterstroke of blending real estate savvy with pop culture allure.
From the Drums to the Spotlight
Before David was guiding his luxury real estate clients, he was chasing another kind of stardom. Born and raised in a small New Hampshire town, David dreamt of becoming the next drummer of a Van Halen-style rock band.
When his parents issued the age-old ultimatum – college or a job – David chose a third path: Boston’s burgeoning rock scene. “I really wanted to take a stab at making it as a drummer in music,” he recalls. “But what I discovered was that I loved the business and marketing side of music even more.”
By 25, he packed up his beat-up car, scraped together $700, and hit the road to Los Angeles. There, he dove headfirst into the music industry, starting as an intern earning $100 a week at an indie record label. He did it all – sweeping studio floors, calling radio stations, and eventually managing his own artists. His career rose each step of the way, ultimately leading to the launch of his successful artist management firm, DCM, and an executive position with Warner Brothers Records. With a wide range of his musical artists recording on Universal, Interscope, Columbia, and the historic Motown record labels, (including a co-management collaboration with Randy Jackson of “American Idol” fame, and negotiating what became the most significant new artist deal of its time), David had realized the “big city, music industry” dreams of that small-town New Hampshire kid.
A Titanic Journey – Literally
During his stint in LA, he was asked by good friend and Titanic explorer, G. Michael Harris, to undertake a once-in-a-lifetime project by heading media operations for an expedition to the Titanic. There was one caveat: To truly “feel” the enormity and detail of the ill-fated ship and to be able to promote it, he needed to dive to the wreck site. And so, with great appreciation and excitement, he did.
In 2005, he and two others squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder in a Russian MIR submersible, descending 12,800 feet (2.5 miles) to the ocean floor. It took two hours down, six hours filming the ship in the “new HD format,” and then two hours back up to the surface.
The dive was a huge risk, but one David couldn’t pass up.
“The Titanic wreck is a very dangerous place, one that is in a state of deterioration. The biggest concern was if something were to fall on the sub, or we were to get stuck, there was no ability for a rescue.
“It was surreal,” he says. “Seeing the wreck of Titanic with my own eyes – it’s an experience that I’ll be moved by forever.”
Returning to His New England Roots
After two decades in the entertainment industry, it was time for a new chapter. David returned to New Hampshire to be closer to family and to “re-set and recalibrate”. With encouragement from family and close friends successful in the real estate business, he set his sights on real estate. He quickly called on relationships and friendships from his time in the entertainment industry and secured his first listing, the Bedford, NH childhood home of comedian Sarah Silverman.
“I shared with my friends back in Los Angeles that real estate felt almost identical to the entertainment business. My job was to market and present a home, which felt the same as finding and developing an artist, then putting the sparkle on that project. It was very similar. And so from that moment on I thought ‘I think I will really enjoy this new career.’ ”
The Breaking Bad Connection
David’s entertainment industry roots continued to pay off in 2024 when a longtime friend and colleague, Ryan Johnston of InterPhase Entertainment, introduced him to the Padilla family, owners of the “Breaking Bad” house. The listing, presented in collaboration with Christensen Group | eXp Realty Luxury, entertainment partner InterPhase Entertainment, and Christensen Group agent (and Albuquerque native), Sonya Avila, was a combination of strategy, showmanship, and storytelling – qualities David honed during his years in Los Angeles.
In addressing the nearly $4M asking price for the Breaking Bad house – a modest, 1,900-sq-ft ranch home, David is focused on attracting a specific type of buyer.
“We are betting on the cultural significance of the home. The Guinness World Records noted it as the most-watched and critically acclaimed show of all time and it still has a worldwide audience. We are confident our buyer will be on the investment, and entrepreneurial side of the business and could very well be outside of the US. With upwards of 300 cars a day traveling by or visiting the home, a high-end, Airbnb or pop-culture museum experience would be a perfect fit,” he said.
Looking Ahead
From rock stages to the ocean floor, from Los Angeles to New England, David’s journey has been defined by reinvention and resilience. Since joining eXp Realty in 2021, David has led his NH-based Christensen Group | eXp Realty Luxury, where he collaborates with a team of seven and a revenue share group of 85 agents across multiple states, to exceptional heights. His accolades are impressive: four-time ICON agent, three-time Platinum Circle Award winner, and a “Best of Zillow” honoree for six consecutive years.
With over $150 million sold personally and 325 homes closed; David has already built a legacy. But if you ask him, he’s just getting started, continuing to push boundaries, proving that a career is only limited by the imagination.
Giving Back
As David puts it, “I’ve lived many lives, but the thread that connects them all is the power of connection.” The opportunity for him to be able to now give back has become paramount. “We are truly committed to paying our good fortune forward.”
Christensen Group has been working with the humanitarian non-profit Convoy of Hope for the past year to help raise funds for their incredible efforts supporting communities domestically and abroad; and most recently those impacted by the tragic California Wildfires.
“Having spent many years living in Los Angeles, with many close friends still there, this is extremely close to my heart.”
Whether it’s music, storytelling, real estate or charitable projects, David’s mission is the same: to help people. “At the end of the day, it all comes down to connecting with people — and helping them find their story. That, and the deep love for my family, is truly my passion.”
