Meet Chris & Chris, one of Compass’ Most Dynamic Husband and Wife Teams
Ms. Chris Stockwell and Mr. Chris Laubach are one of Compass’ most dynamic husband and wife Realtor teams. She has been a successful agent in Chicago since 2008 and he brings more than 3 decades of ad agency experience to the team. Her many years in this business combined with his savvy marketing ability make them a uniquely well-rounded duo. But how did it start and how does it work?
They were both working in advertising in New York City in the early ‘80’s. They met in a beach house on the Jersey Shore where they took shares with some fellow alums from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania (where they both went but did not know each other). They had something in common right off the bat– she was in account management, and he was in the creative department. Same business, different skill sets. And that is probably the secret to their success today.
After living together in NYC for a few years, they tied the knot in her mother’s backyard garden in Evanston, where Chris S. grew up. Chris L. likes to joke that it was in small print at the end of their marriage contract that they would end up in Chicago, but he didn’t read that far! In 1989, to be near her parents, he took a job in the creative department at Leo Burnett, and she went to work in the development office at the University of Chicago. In their first year here, they bought a house in Lincoln Park. They then had two sons who they raised in the city. Chris S. became “the stay-at-home mom who was never at home,” since she was very involved with the boys’ schools and extra-curriculars. When they were in high school, she chose real estate as her next career and took to it right away.
How did Chris and Chris end up working together as a realtor team? The timing just ended up being perfect. As Chris L. was losing enthusiasm for his Mad Men life, Chris S. was getting so busy that she was considering hiring an assistant. He wanted the job, but she insisted he get his license so he could do all the things she needed him to do. He did and joined her in 2015, starting as “her assistant.” After about 6 months, though, he had sold properties to people she had never even met so she officially made him her partner.
They will admit that it took them a while to find the balance in how to support each other without offending one another. She had years of experience and was used to doing things a certain way. He was fresh out of all the licensing classes and seminars and liked suggesting new ways to do things. They both had to open their minds to a blend of expertise and enthusiasm. Chris S. tends to be a little more serious and pragmatic. Chris L. prides himself on being a creative thinker with a sometimes goofy sense of humor. They both try to make the process as easy and enjoyable as possible for their clients, but their approaches to that are not always the same. What’s nice is that they can both gauge whose personality might be a better fit with a particular client. And of course, they always have each other’s back. All of her years in the business have made her an expert in neighborhood knowledge and market statistics. He loves doing the marketing for themselves and for their listings. They also love bouncing ideas off each other on the best ways to negotiate a deal.
What they enjoy most about the business is seeing their buyers’ eyes light up when they find a new home that really excites them, and then getting them the best deal possible. They both like finding creative ways to sell their listings while getting the most money they can for their sellers. They both find it satisfying to put deals together, hold their clients’ hands all through the process, and they’ve actually made several good friends along the way (with their clients and with other agents).
They appreciate that they are now in a business where both experience is valued, and youthful enthusiasm is welcomed. They are grateful that it does not suffer from sexism or ageism, like so many other professions do. They have always enjoyed the true collaborative spirit in the brokerages where they have worked, especially at Compass where they were one of the first teams to join when it arrived in Chicago. And it doesn’t hurt that they have a real passion for this city. Moving here from New York City (which they felt was the center of the universe at the time) they weren’t really sure how long they would stay. That was 30+ years ago! They love how Chicago has so much culture, team spirit, incredible architecture, and the amazing lakefront. They just feel really grateful to have found this profession that has given them flexibility in their lives coupled with the ability to help people, sometimes in profound ways. Chris and Chris love what they do and, for them, it’s a pleasure going to work each day!