Leading a team gives Michelle Gassensmith an edge over the competition. “It helps our business, as it is not just one agent working for the clients, but seven-plus agents,” says Gassensmith, broker associate with the Gassensmith Group at Compass. “I started a team so that we could all better serve our clients but still have a life-work balance, which is critical, because as real estate agents, we tend to work 24/7.”
Gassensmith has worked in real estate for 17 years, assisting first-time, move-up and luxury buyers and sellers in McHenry, Kane and Lake counties (she’s also licensed in Wisconsin). She grew up in McHenry County and presently resides in Crystal Lake, giving her firsthand experience that helps clients narrow their property searches and understand the lifestyle they are buying into. “Whether clients are buying or selling, I sit down with them and walk them through the process,” she explains. “I tell them what I will be doing and what I’d like for them to do so, that we can get to a successful closing.”
Gassensmith developed her business acumen from working in sales at AT&T for 15 years. “I did an early retirement from AT&T and stayed home to raise my two boys,” she says. “During those years, I did consultant work on the side with an individual I worked with at AT&T, as well as assisting a business friend start his own commercial real estate firm.”
It inspired her to earn a real estate license and launch her career at a traditional residential real estate company. “Continuing to treat others as I would like to be treated has allowed me to rise above the competition,” she declares.
Gassensmith has received several accolades during her tenure as a real estate agent, including ranking in the top 1% of all McHenry County brokers in 2020 and being named a top 20 agent for McHenry County this year.
Outside of work, Gassensmith enjoys spending time with friends and family, as well as seeking out fun, new places to share unique culinary experiences. She also enjoys traveling to new destinations each year.
