Meet a Dad: Ballroom Dancer & Realtor Christian Perry! | Greenwich Moms

This week’s Meet a Dad interview is with Christian Perry, a Greenwich Dad of two who is not only a Realtor, but also an accomplished professional ballroom dancer who appeared on 13 seasons of Dancing with the Stars, and has even danced with celebrities like Will Smith and Shakira. He now lives in midcountry with his wife and kids Grantham (7) and Suzette (5). We spoke to Christian about his amazing ballroom career, his passion for real estate, his family life in Greenwich and more.

Can you please tell us a little bit more about yourself?
My family and friends refer to me as a Renaissance man. I’ve traveled the world as a professional ballroom dancer which has allowed me to mix and mingle with notable people across the world. My hobbies include aviation, boating, golf, and taking friends for a horse and carriage ride in mid-country Greenwich. My family lives on Round Hill Rd. I designed, drafted, and built my home and remodeled the one next door.

When did you move to Greenwich and why?
I permanently moved to Greenwich in 2015. My wife and I chose to raise our children here because we want them to have vivid memories of their childhood throughout the changing seasons. Greenwich is also where my wife was born and raised so she loves it. Advanced educational opportunities and access to the world through New York City were also driving factors in basing our family in Greenwich.

Can you please share a bit about yourself as a realtor?
I believe that improving my client’s quality of life is my #1 goal. I have 15 years of real estate experience beginning as a home flipper to opening a building and development company. Last year I became a Realtor and this spring I starting working at the best Brokerage in town, Sotheby’s International Realty. I’ve strategically teamed up with the best agent in town, Danielle Claroni, and together our abilities are unparalleled (claroniandperryteam.com). My unique expertise as a builder gives my clients the advantage when buying and investing in property. It’s important to know whether a purchase will become a money pit. I mitigate complications during the home buying and selling process fairly quickly and I’m able to provide my clients with smart solutions based on my experience which also includes finance. Currently, my partner Danielle and I have a lot of beautiful land in addition to homes for sale in Greenwich, Stamford, and Westport. The land opportunities are great for developers because the options are endless.

The market in Greenwich has been so hot for well over a year know—do you think it’ll continue?
My experience also includes finance as I worked at Merrill Lynch as a Trader and Financial Advisor. I’m familiar with timing the market. Real estate is a bit less volatile and in my opinion, a lot easier to navigate. At any point in real estate, there will be families downsizing and simultaneously other families trading up. Company bonuses will never stop. Inheritances will never stop. Kids leaving home for college will never stop. You never know what motivates someone to sell or buy a home. I see this as a great opportunity. Almost every home I have ever built has sold in the winter months, which goes against the common belief that spring and fall are the hottest times to sell. In my opinion, as long as there are “virus conversations” in the news, we will see an active market through the rest of this year.

Can you please share a little more about your ballroom experience?
I didn’t know that I could dance until I was 22 years old. The Hollywood swing dance scene is where I got my start. Early on in my dance career, I was fortunate enough to star in notable projects like the Gap Swing Dance commercial shot in 1998 to Louis Prima’s “Jump, Jive and Wail”. This opportunity put me on the map! The TLC network also gave me a show called “Ballroom Bootcamp”. I’ve had the pleasure to tour the world and perform with artists such as Jonas Brothers, Will Smith, Shakira, Shaggy, Fergie, Julia Roberts, John Travolta, and many more through Dancing With The Stars. Like real estate, dancing is my passion and I love to share it. Follow me on Instagram for dance tips mixed in with my real estate advice. @ChristianPerryRealEstate

What charities are you involved with?
I’m fully invested in the First Tee program giving kids the opportunity to pick up a sport that can help them get ahead in business and help them learn the core values of life. I’m also working with the Academy of Aviation in Westchester to inspire inner-city youth to reach for the stars and become pilots. I come from a family of aviators and I’m passionate about aviation which led me to become a recreational pilot during my dancing career. I’m active with Greenwich United Way, Boy Scouts, John Starks, Boys & Girls Club, Abilis, and the YMCA. I performed in the Dancing Stars of Greenwich gala for Abilis.

Anything else you’d like to share?
Make sure to wave when you see me and my horse, Versailles, driving our carriage around mid-country Greenwich. One of the perks of living in Greenwich is that you can have a horse in your backyard! . I often interview my friends while riding and post videos on the I Love Greenwich blog (My partner Danielle Claroni and I power that blog and the social pages.)

We love supporting local businesses. Can you please share your fave places in your area to:  

Go to dinner as a family: Thai Basil

Have a date night: Polpo

Grab a coffee: CFCF

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