Rick Sobin Joins @properties as VP of Brokerage Services in Firm’s New Lincoln Park Office

@properties, the No. 1 residential brokerage firm in the city of Chicago and the largest independently-owned brokerage firm in Illinois, announced today that Rick Sobin has joined the company as vice president of brokerage services.

@properties co-founders Michael Golden and Thaddeus Wong said Sobin, 46, will be stationed in @properties’ new East Lincoln Park office, which is opening this fall in the Webster Square mixed-use development at Lincoln and Webster avenues. He will oversee broker training and marketing and assist in the office’s daily operations.

Prior to joining @properties, Sobin was vice president and branch manager of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Koenig Rubloff Realty Group and its predecessor firm, Prudential Rubloff Properties. From 2009 until his departure last week, he managed that firm’s Gold Coast office. Previously, he oversaw Prudential Rubloff offices in Lincoln Square and Lakeview.

“Rick is one of the more interesting, knowledgeable and universally-liked brokers in our industry. It’s a huge hire for @properties as we look to grow our presence in Lincoln Park and on Chicago’s Near North Side,” said Wong.

“As a local, independent company, @properties is able to quickly respond to market changes. I admire their energy, their creative marketing and the focus they place on their brokers. When REALTORS® are given the time, attention and resources they need to do their jobs well, the client comes away a winner, and that’s why you’ve seen @properties succeed in such a big way,” said Sobin.

Sobin took an unusual path into real estate. He studied film at Columbia College and worked as a camera technician for 16 years. He was involved in a number of local film productions, including “High Fidelity” starring John Cusack, “Road to Perdition” starring Tom Hanks, and “The Dark Knight” starring Christian Bale as Batman. He was also a guest instructor of cinematography at Columbia.

An avid motorcycle rider, Sobin once rode from Chicago to Fairbanks, Alaska, and back. These days, with a wife and two young children, he spends his time away from work in less risky pursuits including home-improvement projects and volunteering for the Disney II Educational Foundation, which raises money for the Disney II Magnet School. Sobin resides in Old Irving Park.