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Alaska real estate, buying a house in AlaskaPublished July 3, 2026
The Power of Predictable Success
There is a quiet confidence that comes from experience. Not flashy. Not loud. Not chasing headlines. Just steady, grounded momentum that builds year after year. For Craig Channer and the Ben Kinney Team at Real Broker Wasilla, that steady momentum has translated into remarkable results—$73 million in volume across 177 units last year alone.
But behind those numbers is something far more meaningful than production stats. It’s a philosophy. A discipline. A commitment to consistency that has shaped not only a top-performing team, but a way of life.
Craig didn’t begin his career in sales. His path into real estate was layered with hands-on experience—construction, oil field services, and real estate appraising. Each role gave him a different lens into property, value, and opportunity. But it was something deeper that pulled him toward the sales side of the industry.
“After spending some of my earlier years in construction and being inspired by books like Rich Dad, Poor Dad, I was attracted to real estate as a way to build wealth and help others do the same through owning real estate,” he shares.
A close friend saw the fit before Craig fully did. “A close friend told me one day, when I was a real estate appraiser, that he thought ‘I’d do alright in real estate sales’ and here we are today!”
That nudge became a turning point.
Building Something Bigger Than Yourself
Sixteen years later, Craig’s business has evolved far beyond a solo practice. Early on, he immersed himself in learning and growth, particularly after reading The Millionaire Real Estate Agent. The book didn’t just inspire him—it provided a blueprint.
“I feel like that was the natural progression. After reading the book The Millionaire Real Estate Agent I started aligning my goals for growth with the blueprint laid out by the Keller Williams association to build a team,” he explains.
But growth at a high level can be isolating. “About three years into building the team, we found ourselves being leadership lonely,” Craig admits.
That loneliness led to expansion conferences, which ultimately led to a strategic partnership with Ben Kinney and his organization. At the time, Craig’s team was just the 13th team to join. Today, that organization has evolved into PLACE—a technology-driven platform now comprising more than 500 teams nationwide. For Craig, leadership isn’t defined by awards or accolades.
It’s defined by impact.
“When the people around us are able to more fully live a life worth living,” he says when asked how he defines success as a leader.
He points to one of their greatest accomplishments: “One of our biggest accomplishments that comes to mind is watching our teammates continually expand their personal real estate portfolios.”
It’s not just about selling homes. It’s about helping the people inside the organization build wealth, security, and opportunity for themselves and their families.
The people who have shaped Craig along the way reflect that leadership mindset. “The people that have shaped us in this industry are Zig Ziglar, Ben Kinney and Chris Suarez,” he shares. Ben Kinney and Chris Suarez, in particular, remain active influences. “Ben Kinney and Chris Suarez are our pillars, keeping us engaged on a weekly basis and constantly pouring into us with their knowledge and expertise.”
And perhaps no quote better captures Craig’s leadership philosophy than this one from Zig Ziglar: “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”
Family First, Always
For all the systems and production, the heartbeat of the team remains family.
“We can all say our families are our biggest supporters, that stand behind us. We all rely on each other and our strong sphere of influence. Their legacy priorities reflect that grounding.
“The legacy that we are most focused on and the highest on our priority list is the legacy that we are leaving behind for our families,” Craig shares.
As for the industry? “As far as the industry is concerned, our blueprint of consistency, accountability, and reliability.”
Outside of work, travel provides balance—especially when it includes a sandy beach destination. Their rental properties keep them busy, but experiences matter. Time matters.
Because in the end, what’s the point of success if you can’t enjoy it?
Advice for the Next Generation
When asked what advice he would give to aspiring agents, Craig doesn’t hesitate. “Join a team! We believe that is the future of this industry, if you want to go further, faster. Plus it’s more fun when you do it together..!”
There’s humility in that answer. After all, this is someone who could easily boast about independence or personal accolades. Instead, he points toward collaboration.
Three words best describe Craig and his approach: “Consistent, experienced, adaptable.”
And those words show up everywhere—in the numbers, in the schedule, in the leadership style, and in the quiet confidence that comes from doing the right things repeatedly over time.
In a world that celebrates instant wins and overnight success, Craig Channer and the Ben Kinney Team are proof that steady growth still wins. That discipline compounds. That planting seeds still works.
Not so exciting, perhaps. But beautiful.
Craig Channer
Owner Operator | Realtor | Ben Kinney Team | Real Broker LLC
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