Managing Broker
Hello! I’m Michael, and thank you for spending a few minutes with me here.
I began my real estate career in 1993 in Seattle and have since had the distinct honor of being an instrumental part of my clients’ life stories during the pivotal purchases and sales of their cherished homes. After more than three decades in the business, I am now proudly retired from day-to-day real estate—but remain a foundational part of TeamUp Seattle and the values on which this team was built.
My mission statement has always been simple: real estate is all about genuine connection. Your connection to the home, your connection to the process, and your connection with the people guiding you through it. TeamUp’s business continues to thrive on balance, positive energy, and fulfilled promises—every time—and I’m grateful to see those principles carried forward by this exceptional team.
I never thought of myself as a salesperson. I don’t respond well to most sales methods, and that has never been the experience I wanted for buyers and sellers. Throughout my career, I’ve been an advocate, educator, collaborator (and sometimes therapist), always believing that informed clients make the best decisions—educated decisions, not just emotional ones.
While I’m no longer actively representing clients, my influence, mentorship, and philosophy remain deeply woven into TeamUp’s approach. If you feel a genuine connection to this team, know that the same care, intention, and heart that defined my career continues to guide every client experience.
Because it was never just about buying or selling a home—it was about creating an emotionally rewarding, enjoyable process and life-long memorable experiences. That’s what makes each transaction special and unique—just like you.
Passions beyond real estate:
Avid exercise enthusiast — move it or lose it!
Certified theater geek — my annual NYC Broadway trips are always a highlight
Quality time spent with loved ones — this always fills my soul with a special peace
Michael is #1. We moved a couple of months ago and found our dream place in a cool building on day one. Well, we thought we did, because we were dazzled that it hit one (and only one) of our many criteria. Still, we were in love and wanted to buy it. However, because we really weren't ready and because there were many other offers on it, we did not get it. We were crushed. Michael assured us that we would find a place that hit all of our criteria. He talked with us about what was really important to us and came up with lots of great options for us. It was so great to have someone who knows the area so well and could give us some of the history of buildings and what is happening in the city. Of course, with Michael's guidance, we found a place that we loved. The best part is that right before we bought, another unit in our original "dream building" came on the market and we could sincerely say that we were thrilled that we worked with Michael and found our REAL dream condo. We could not have asked for a better real estate professional!!
Hillery Gladden
Stop what you’re doing, pick up the phone and call this amazing team! Michael Ackerman and Melissa Clarke are, individually, amazing people and as a team, magnificent! Melissa was our primary contact and was with us every step of our journey selling our West Seattle home as we moved to Southern California. Day one, Michael came to our home with his team and we were blown away by their efficiency, professionalism and warmth. It was instant connection with them both! We were able to literally turn over the keys to Melissa and move to California, leaving this dynamo of organization to manage the oh so many details of prepping our home to sell; painting, plumbing, yard work, staging, the list goes on. We sold in 9 days with multiple offers. Melissa takes pride in providing outstanding care of your home. Melissa managed our sale as if it was her own and her attention to detail was astounding. Doing on our own what she accomplished so quickly, would have been impossible. We cannot speak highly enough of this truly powerhouse of a team. Elise Blane and Pete Elkins
Elise Blane
We hired Michael and his team to sell our First Hill condo in Seattle. We were moving out of state and would not be there during the sale process, so we were looking for a real estate agent to provide a comprehensive service with strong communication skills. We chose Michael and his team because of his immense enthusiasm, knowledge of the Seattle condo market, and beautiful marketing materials. The team coordinated with our building management regarding building access, documents, and anything else that was needed. We followed Michael's recommendation for staging vendors, banking service providers, and listing price.
Jessica Kottke
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