You might know Chad Carroll from Bravo’s hit series Million Dollar Listing. Chad grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and went to college in New York before visiting family in South Florida and falling in love with the lifestyle.

Seeing the potential for Miami to become the next major city, Chad decided to move down south and jumpstart his real estate career.

Today Chad Carroll is the #1 Compass agent in South Florida and the founder of the “The Carroll Group”, an unstoppable team at Compass. Working tirelessly to help his clients bring their dreams to reality, Chad has done $848 million in sales in 2021 alone and over $4 billion in his career so far.

What was the first deal you closed in Miami?

A short sale at the Flamingo South Beach for a one-bedroom bayfront apartment. My client purchased it for $99,000, then renovated and flipped it for $154,000. That was my second deal. From then on, I was hooked and became obsessed with searching for deals that would bring value to my clients.

Who was the one person that always believed in you?

Myself. I entered the market in 2009 and everyone thought I was crazy for leaving a stable job in marketing to sell real estate during a recession, but I have always been one to go against the grain. I had faith in the South Florida market and knew that combined with my unremitting work ethic and background in marketing, I would succeed and come out on top. 

If you were not working in real estate, what would you most likely be doing?

Real estate is my life, it’s impossible to think of myself doing anything else.

What does a typical day in your life look like?

I wake up at around 5:30 or 6AM every morning, with no alarm, and start working. Once I get through emails, I take my French Bulldog Max out for a walk, then head to the gym which is an extremely important part of my routine. A good workout helps me clear my head, get focused, and keeps me motivated. Then I go to the office in Aventura before heading out for showings and appointments. My day can take me anywhere from Fort Lauderdale to Miami to West Palm Beach. Sometimes I take my boat out to give clients a true taste of the South Florida lifestyle.

Is there a deal you are most proud of?

The record-breaking sale of 4 Tahiti Beach. The property is beautiful, but it was a challenging listing that multiple agents had failed to sell–and it even failed to sell at auction. The home had been on the market since July 2017. I took over in October of 2020 and sold it by March for $28.9 million. 

What inspired you towards your career in real estate?

I have always had a passion for architecture and luxury homes–and I enjoy interacting and connecting with people. Coming from a family of doctors, I knew that route wasn’t for me. That is when I moved to South Florida and entered the real estate business 13+ years ago, working mainly on rentals. I was determined to learn everything I could about the market and make a name for myself. I worked 16-hour days, 7 days a week – and with a scarcity of jobs at that time. There was no choice but to work hard and stand out. 

Is there a personal habit that contributes the most to your success?

Sticking to my daily grind. I work nonstop and do whatever it takes to get deals done. 

What are tasks in your business that you delegate?

I have a great team that includes back office and marketing support, but I micromanage every aspect. When it comes to negotiations, I handle everything myself.

What is the biggest mistake you see buyers making?

Having blinders on when it comes to choosing which neighborhood to buy. The lifestyle component is such a key factor, and it’s important to understand if the area you’re buying in will be a good fit. If you don’t know the city well, explore and get to know secondary markets before making your decision.

Who is an architect you would most like to work with?

SAOTA, I love their work.

What is something you wish you were told when you first started your career?

Never count a deal complete until it’s closed because anything can happen. 

How has social media impacted your business?

Social media is my strongest marketing tool and has allowed me to connect with buyers and sellers from around the world. My online presence plays a critical role in the sales process and getting exposure for listings across an international audience. I am seeing more deals than ever before converting directly from my social pages. I just closed a $23.5 million penthouse sale in Sunny Isles with a friend who I met on Instagram. About 9 years ago, I sold a beautiful home in Boca Raton to a lottery winner, who had heard about the property from her 12-year-old son. He had seen the listing on my Instagram page. After that, I became a believer in the power of social media and put a significant amount of resources and time towards growing my online platforms early on.

What are some apps or software that you could not live without?

Follow Up Boss, Constant Contact, and the Compass real estate app. 

How do you think the market will change in the next year?

We will continue to see a consistent level of demand, but I expect prices will start to level off as interest rates rise and new properties enter the market.

What is the biggest challenge for the modern agent?

How to differentiate yourself and stand out to get in front of clients and source deals, especially in such a tight market.

Anything we should expect to see from Chad in the next year?

More record-breaking deals. I’m also working on developing some incredible properties in Miami and Fort Lauderdale–and look forward to bringing them to market. 

Connect with Chad on Instagram  @chadcarroll or his website