Based on a shared vision for a real estate company that would set the precedence for superior service and professionalism, Michael Golden has created a new real estate brokerage model for the 21st century. Along with @properties co-founder Thaddeus Wong, Golden has built a multi-billion-dollar real estate business from the ground up by raising the bar of professionalism in residential real estate, and employing modern technology to manage high sales transaction volume.
Originally from Boston, Golden graduated from Bates College, in Lewiston, Maine, where he earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Philosophy and Economics. He came to Chicago in the early 1990s and began working as an HR consultant to Fortune 500 companies. Further into his career, Golden began selling real estate in 1995 and co-founded @properties in March 2000.
What began as a small firm with two other associates has since grown to a community of more than 700 brokers, as well as a company that has doubled and even tripled its sales growth -- year in and year out. In 2008, @properties recorded transactions of $1.8 billion. Additionally, the company also manages sales for The Chicago Spire, and recently launched both a commercial and relocation division.
In 2006, @properties ranked No. 341 on Inc. magazines prestigious Inc. 500 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America, and in 2007, it ranked No. 5 on Crains Chicago Business Fast Fifty list of the fastest-growing companies in Chicago. As a result of this recognition, in 2008, Wong and Golden were inducted into the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame by the University of Illinois at Chicagos Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies; and also presented with the 2008 Impact Award by the Lincoln Park Builders of Chicago.
Besides the companys growing success, @properties serves Chicago by extending its support to local charities and foundations, including Maryville Academy, Christopher House, Teen Living Programs, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, the Y-Me Race to Empower; Loop the Loop 5K and the annual Bucktown 5K. Last year, the company partnered with CARE to aid humanitarian efforts in the Darfur region of Sudan. This year, agents and staff participated in Rebuilding Together for the first time.
Elected as the 2007-2008 president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS, Golden continually strives to improve service to his clients and position his fellow Realtors to be the voice of real estate in Chicago. His analytical abilities and entrepreneurial spirit have made him one of the citys top sellers of residential real estate. As an expert in development marketing, he advises many of Chicagos leading real estate developers on complex issues such as site selection and acquisition, construction cost analysis, financing, and the entire sales and marketing process for new residential projects.
In addition to his passion for real estate, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Kelly, and three children -- Grace, Caroline and George.
