FAST FIVE: Christine Matheny

Christine Matheny is a local realtor at Century21 who has made a name for herself as one of the preeminent realtors in Coeur d’Alene. Matheny has several accolades to her name, including winning the Community Impact Award in 2022 and 2024 from the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber, as well as being involved with the Panhandle Affordable Housing Alliance as a Committee Member since 2024 and Board of Directors Member since 2025. In her work, Matheny highly emphasizes building a relationship with her clients whether they’re simply moving neighborhoods or are new to North Idaho entirely.

Q1: How did you end up changing careers and entering real estate?

After more than 30 years in customer service, I was ready for a career that would allow me to combine my passion for helping people, my business experience, and my love for North Idaho. Real estate felt like a natural next chapter. I earned my real estate license in August 2020, during a time when the market was anything but predictable!

What I quickly discovered is that real estate is about so much more than buying and selling homes. It's about relationships, problem-solving, and helping people navigate some of life's biggest transitions. I absolutely love what I do, and I wish I had made the leap sooner!

Q2: What features do you think everyone should have in their homes?

Natural light, a functional kitchen, and a comfortable space to gather with family and friends! I believe a home should complement your lifestyle rather than the other way around. Whether it's a spacious kitchen for entertaining, a peaceful backyard retreat, or a cozy place to unwind at the end of the day, the most important feature is that it truly feels like home.

And because we're fortunate enough to live in beautiful North Idaho, I'd add plenty of storage for all those outdoor adventure toys (a shop is even better!), an efficient heating system for our chilly winters, and a welcoming outdoor space to soak up our gorgeous surroundings. After all, living in North Idaho is as much about enjoying the outdoors as it is about loving the place you call home!

Q3: What's the most rewarding part of helping people buy homes? Is there a particular experience that stuck with you?

The most rewarding part is seeing the emotion when someone realizes they've found their home. Sometimes it's a first-time buyer receiving their keys, a family finding room to grow, or someone starting fresh after a major life change.

I especially appreciate helping people who thought homeownership might be out of reach. Being involved in workforce housing initiatives has reinforced my belief that everyone deserves an opportunity to find a safe, stable place to call home.

Every transaction has its own story, but the ones that stay with me are those where I know I made a meaningful difference in someone's life.

Q4: What's something people might be surprised to learn about you outside of your work in real estate?

People might be surprised to learn how much of my time is dedicated to community service and housing advocacy. I serve on several local boards and committees focused on creating affordable workforce housing opportunities and advocating for homeowners in manufactured home communities.

Another fun fact is that I'm a former triathlete, having competed in 27 triathlons myself! Since 2021, I've enjoyed volunteering annually with the IRONMAN Coeur d'Alene Water Safety Team. Having experienced the sport firsthand, I have a special appreciation for the dedication of the athletes and the incredible community support it takes to host an event of this magnitude.

Events like IRONMAN bring so much more to our community than an exciting race day. They generate valuable revenue for local hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants, retail shops, and other small businesses. Visiting athletes often bring family and friends, introducing even more people to the beauty and hospitality of North Idaho.

I genuinely love being involved in our community, whether it's supporting housing initiatives, cheering on athletes, or helping make Coeur d'Alene a wonderful place to live and visit. North Idaho is my home, and I believe giving back is one of the best ways to show appreciation for the community that gives us so much.

Q5: What is the strangest or most unexpected thing you've encountered while showing a home?

After showing hundreds of homes, I've learned to expect the unexpected! Every home has its own personality, and sometimes the biggest surprises are waiting behind doors you wouldn't think twice about opening. There are some pretty interesting basements out there! Nothing quite compares to walking down a dark, creaky staircase into a cold, damp basement with only a flashlight, wondering what might be waiting at the bottom!

One experience I'll never forget involved a pre-foreclosure property during the middle of winter. I received a call from a gentleman I had never met who had just arrived in town and convinced me to meet him at the property for a showing. I did a quick background check, and nothing concerning came up, so I agreed.

By the time we met, it was dark, freezing cold, and icy outside. To make matters worse, the electricity had been shut off at the vacant property. Feeling uneasy about the circumstances, I stopped by my house beforehand and picked up a pistol for personal protection.

So there I was, showing a complete stranger through a dark, vacant foreclosure home with a flashlight and a concealed pistol! Talk about taking the phrase "expect the unexpected" to a whole new level!

Thankfully, the showing ended without incident, but looking back, I realize just how many warning signs I overlooked. I absolutely DO NOT recommend that any real estate professional put themselves in that kind of situation. No showing or potential sale is worth compromising your personal safety.

That experience taught me a valuable lesson about trusting my instincts, setting boundaries, and putting safety first. I can guarantee you one thing: I would never put myself in that position again!

    Christine Matheny with former Coeur d'Alene Realtors Association President Michael Wendland.
  

    Matheny holds her Community Impact award from the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber.
  

    Christine Matheny competing in one of her 27 triathlons.