With more than $600 million in closed transactions, Joel Michael Schaub is well respected and well known by real estate professionals in Chicago. His billboards, TV commercials and promotional events have made him a household name.

In 2005, Schaub became the youngest vice president in Guaranteed Rate history at 23 years old. Year after year, he ranks among Guaranteed Rate’s top 1 percent of mortgage originators nationwide.
Growing up, Schaub always knew he wanted to work in real estate. “My aunt and uncle were successful real estate agents,” he says. “They taught me a lot about what good agents needed in order to be successful.”

A graduate of DePaul University, Schaub has a degree in finance and real estate. He has built a reputation for closing high-end, complex transactions in 10 days or less. “When agents see a pre-approval from me, they know the buyers are going close,” he says. Lucky enough to work predominantly by referral, Schaub’s typical month involves 20 or more closings, made possible with help from his knowledgeable team.

“What people want is a friend in the business; a real person who has your back, takes your calls and goes to bat for you,” says Schaub. “People choose me because they know I can get complex deals closed that others can’t.”

His secret weapon is his wife, Christine, who plays an integral role in the business by producing all of Schaub’s events, attending closings and arranging client thank-you gifts from Tiffany’s.
Schaub serves as a local chapter president of Business Network International and on the board of directors of Real Estate to the Rescue. He supports Lakeview Pantry and After-School All-Stars and is a silver-level sponsor of the Advocate Charitable Foundation.

Although he is a proven leader in Chicago real estate, Schaub still feels like he learns something new every day. “I am building a brand and a legacy that I can pass down,” he says. “Mortgage lending is more than a job; it’s my passion. I am proud of what I have built and excited to keep my foot on the gas.”