It was 10 years ago when, as a freshman at DePaul University, Michael Scavo fell in love with real estate. He entered the industry at just 18 as a leasing agent and quickly worked his way up, becoming a broker at 21 and launching his own brokerage as a managing broker at 23. Today, he leads the 20-member Michael Scavo Group at Compass, specializing in luxury apartment rentals and sales in downtown Chicago.
“Managing a team as large as mine while providing my clients with top-tier service requires a deep passion for this industry,” Scavo says, “and that’s ultimately what sets me apart from other agents.”
It’s not just his passion that makes Scavo stand out — it’s also his innovative approach to marketing. He was one of the first real estate agents in Chicago to leverage TikTok and Instagram Reels to showcase properties and services. His early adoption of social media has paid off, with his amassing more than 250,000 followers and tens of millions of views across both platforms. Today, the majority of his clients come directly from social media.
His Gen Z team follows his lead. “To be on my team means to be on social media, so all of my agents are just as active across TikTok and Instagram as I am,” Scavo explains. “Whether or not you’re in the market, pretty much anyone you ask has seen our videos and knows who we are.”
Beyond his digital presence, Scavo is recognized for his deep knowledge of Chicago’s luxury market and ability to match clients with their ideal homes, even with more than 300 high-end buildings to choose from. His keen eye for detail, strong industry relationships and hands-on approach facilitate the rental process for his clients. Many return to him year after year, trusting his expertise as their lifestyles and preferences evolve.
