In real estate, stories of resilience and passion are often overshadowed by market trends and sales figures. Yet, the journey of Christelle Jansen van Rensburg, a dedicated eXp Realty agent based in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa, stands as a beacon of inspiration.
Real Estate Was the Change Christelle Needed
Christelle’s foray into real estate began in January 2015, driven by necessity and a relentless determination to succeed.
“I entered real estate out of sheer desperation,” Christelle recalls. “After many years in the motor industry, by August 2014, I had reached my limit and needed a change.”
She initially explored media consulting, selling radio ads, but when her employer failed to pay her, she sought a new path.
“I contacted my aunt, who had experience in real estate. She referred me to her former principal, who had just opened a Keller Williams office in Gqeberha.”
Real Estate Journey Progresses
Christelle’s career evolved as she moved from Keller Williams to NRG Property, where she found a mentor in eXp South Africa agent James Conyers.
“I was drawn to working with James; he’s a genuine and gentle leader. I’m thrilled that NRG joined eXp Realty.”
Christelle’s trust in James led her to join eXp Realty as well. “When James announced his move to eXp Realty and invited the team to join, I wasn’t nervous at all. I trust James implicitly. And it has been an amazing experience ever since I joined eXp Realty in October 2021.”
Her tenure at eXp Realty has been marked by dedication and achievement, with Christelle capping twice already. However, her journey has not been without significant personal challenges.
She Was Involved in a Traumatic Accident
On April 9, 2017, Christelle’s life took a dramatic turn when she was involved in a severe motorbike accident. Riding her husband’s ZX10 Kawasaki, she lost control on a bend, resulting in life-threatening injuries.
Despite the severity of her injuries, Christelle was resilient. Her recovery was long and arduous, involving extensive surgeries and rehabilitation.
“I underwent about 18-19 hours of operations. I was in ICU for a month and a half and mostly on a ventilator, followed by a few days in high care, and then I spent two and a half months at Aurora Rehab Hospital.
Motivation Behind Her Resilience
Christelle’s motivation to recover was fueled by her love for her family and her passion for real estate.
“I had to be strong for my kids. I have three children, including little Theo, whom we adopted at 20 months old. He was just five at the time of the accident. And a very caring husband. It was their love and support that subconsciously motivated me to pull through and start doing what I needed to do again.”
Christelle said returning to real estate wasn’t easy and it was difficult to leave Aurora Rehab Hospital, which she describes as her “safe space with medical staff and fellow patients.”
“Returning home meant adjusting to normal life in a different body, where my injuries are often invisible to others. Daily pain and limited movement are my new reality. For instance, I recently fell in front of a client during a viewing and had to ask for help to get up.
“My orthopedic surgeon credits my strong mind for 90% of my swift recovery. Subconsciously, even while in a medically induced coma, I was driven by the need to be there for my three traumatized boys.”
Returning to Real Estate Helped Her Recovery
Christelle’s passion for real estate and helping others kept her going.
“I love interacting with people, especially guiding first-time buyers through the process. It gave me purpose and helped me heal because I was helping others.
“Our business model is hugely beneficial to me as I don’t have to be at the office. On bad pain days, I have the luxury of working from home and even in bed if I need to. I also love the environment of collaboration that eXp fosters, so you never feel like you are competing with each other.”
