Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Raak.
Hi Michael, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi, I am Michael Raak (pronounced “rock”), a Top Producing Agent with Memorial Compass RE Texas, LLC.
After pursuing a degree in film at The University of Colorado Boulder, I started my first company, Flashback Films Inc., in 2012. Soon after startup, I had the opportunity to work with Frank Liu on “Art Now Houston,” which was about Sawyer Yards. During this effort, I became aware of Houston’s expanding real estate market. At the same time, I realized that with the increasing use of video content created from cell phones, the demand for customized videos might be declining. After a few years, real estate became my primary focus and I was able to secure my first job as a sales consultant with In Town Homes in 2018.
By the end of that year, I became a full-time Realtor working the neighborhoods and areas that I had spent most of my life, such as The Heights, Rice Military, Spring Valley Village, Spring Branch, and even selling 160 acre parcel in Chappell Hill. I accepted an offer to join Compass Real Estate in 2020, and by the end of the year, I had sold nearly $20M in real estate joining the ranks of the top 2% of agents in Houston both in total volume and average listing price.
The Compass platform gave me the network and tools I needed to start working with a greater number of clients in River Oaks and the Memorial Villages. I leveraged my knowledge base in new construction and pricing homes properly, to help my Buyers find the right homes and my Seller clients to sell their listings for the highest value.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not long after joining Compass, the greatest challenge of my career presented when I listed a $3.5 M spec home in Hunter’s Creek Village for my client, Villanova Homes.
The home, 1111 River Glyn, was beautifully built inside and out by Negar Rowe, but no home had recently sold on the market as a spec in the Riverbend neighborhood. In less than 50 days we had a full-price cash offer after a well-executed initial open house- I was able to deliver my client the target, not only because their product was so desirable, but I also knew that we could justify the sales price based on comps.
In our current market, the biggest challenge is the lack of inventory for our Buyers. For our Sellers, this creates an opportunity to sell at top dollar. But when Sellers are also Buyers, their choices about whether to improve what they have or upgrade to a more costly neighborhood can be overwhelming. This is where I can help both Buyers and Sellers, by helping obtain cost estimates for repairs or updates, and providing whatever information they need.
Although my specialty remains in Luxury New Construction within the 610 loop and Memorial areas, I have sold everything from high-rise condos, to farm and ranch properties in the Texas Hill country.
My varied experiences help me better navigate each deal to accommodate the individual needs. I love the challenge of finding places they will love, that work their budget and lifestyle, and have the potential to increase in value. I take pride in going the extra mile. I feel very blessed to have all the amazing clients/friends that I have helped over the last five years, and greatly appreciate their support of my real estate business.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I think it is important for Realtors to understand the development side of real estate. I have done much to further my knowledge in this area through coursework and staying heavily involved in the build process from start to finish. This has trained my eye to notice things such as structural damage and other issues that might otherwise go unnoticed by potential buyers.
I am very excited about a current project that has been in the works for well over a year, which is expected to hit the market later this year. It is a new build in River Oaks by Villanova Homes that has been custom designed by Nina Magon Studio.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My wife, Jessica Raak (who is also an entrepreneur and amazing mother) as well as my children, Savannah (2) and Lincoln (7 months). Spending time with my family and friends is paramount. I love good food and enjoy cooking for guests and grilling outdoors. Fishing Galveston Bay, golfing around Houston, and playing tennis at Memorial Park are some of my favorite activities. Also, who doesn’t enjoy eating out at all the amazing restaurants we have here in our city?
Please call or text me directly for any Real Estate needs! (713) 398-1240
Contact Info:
- Email: michael.raak@compass.com
- Website: https://www.compass.com/agents/michael-raak/
- Instagram: @michael.raak.compass
- Other: https://www.har.com/michael-raak/agent_MRaak11
Image Credits
Chelsea Janacek (SEEM Photography)
POST Houston
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