Awards & Achievements

Whether you are buying or selling your home, working with a qualified real estate professional gives you a competitive advantage.

Please take a few moments to review my career accomplishments.

Nominee 2016 NAR Good Neighbor Award
Since 2006, Michael has organized a non-perishable food drive every year to support food pantries in his local community as a way of giving back. In 2016, Michael was nominated for the National Association of Realtors Good Neighbor Award for his consistent effort to raise awareness about hunger and delivering over 7 tons of non-perishable foods stuffs since 2006 to the Northfield Township Food Pantry and the West Deerfield Township Food Pantry.

Five Star Real Estate Professional
Michael was awarded the Five Star Real Estate Professional Award in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021 & 2022. Five Star Professional partnered with Chicago magazine to determine the real estate agents in the Chicago area who provide exceptional service and overall satisfaction. The Five Star Professional research team contacted clients, peers, and industry experts, and asked if they had experience working with a real estate agent. Those who participated in the research provided the name of a Realtor and rated that individual according to criteria such as integrity, communication and customer service. The survey data was collected and scored, resulting in the list of 2016 Chicago Five Star Real Estate agents. The Five Star award goes to less than 7% of real estate agents.

Professional Business Coaching
Michael Cell has been very fortunate to have worked with the best professional business coaches around since 2001 through Buffini and Company and has enjoyed the personal growth opportunities and accountability that having a great coach provides. Coaching has helped Michael to live a balanced life so he can serve his clients at the highest level.

ABR - Accredited Buyer's Representative
The Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (REBAC), an affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS®, to real estate practitioners who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria.

GRI - Graduate REALTOR® Institute
Graduate REALTOR® Institute designees have taken a minimum of 90 hours of specialized real estate related courses. Nationally recognized as top performers in the real estate industry, GRIs are dedicated to bringing you the knowledge and guidance you need to make your transaction go smoothly.

SRS - Seller Representative Specialist
The Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) designation is the premier credential in seller representation. It is designed to elevate professional standards and enhance personal performance. The designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) who meet specific educational and practical experience criteria.

Habitat For Humanity
In 2006 Michael flew to Baton Rouge, LA to help build 4 homes in a one week blitz for families whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. It was an awesome experience to work side by side with not only the families who were going to move into the homes, but also with 100+ Realtors from all over the country with a common goal and interest. In 2007 Michael also helped build a home in Waukegan, IL. These projects were sponsored by Buffini and Company and entitled "Hands of Hope."

Since participating in these two builds, Michael has been a strong financial supporter of Habitat and applauds their mission.

Top Sales Awards
Michael received @'s highest award, Road to Rolex, in 2021 and was inducted into the @properties Christies International Real Estate Hall of Fame.

From 2010 to 2016, Michael was with Re/Max Experts and was elected to the prestigious Re/Max Hall of Fame in 2015.

Michael started his career with Coldwell Banker; was there for nearly ten years and was # 1 Agent Coldwell Banker Deerfield for Closed Units 2008; Coldwell Banker International Diamond Society 2002, 2004, 2005; Coldwell Banker Sterling Society 2003, 2008; Coldwell Banker International President's Circle 2006, 2007.

But perhaps Michael's biggest achievement has been building his business by exceeding his clients' expectations so that he can work almost exclusively by referral.