After graduating from high school, he studied at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, where his focus was "mostly literature."

Courtney's parents run a real estate business, which inspired the name of the band.

[2] Courtney spent a short time as the keyboardist for indie punk rock group Titus Andronicus from the neighboring town Glen Rock, New Jersey in 2006.

[2] Courtney married his wife[3] in Ridgewood on October 13, 2012, following Real Estate's tour for 2011's Days.

Courtney released his first solo album, Many Moons, on October 30, 2015, to critical acclaim.