In Grand Blanc, Michigan, real estate is rarely just about square footage or sale prices. For Abby and Chris Gustafson, the co-founders of Rise Realty, it has always been about the families behind the front door. The ones packing up a first home to make room for growing kids, the ones trying to get into a better school district, or the ones finally ready to buy after years of renting. Abby and Chris understand those moments because they have lived them too. Together, they have built an independent brokerage that serves Genesee County and the surrounding areas, and their work is shaped by the same values that guide their own family. Honest conversations, steady guidance, and real advocacy for every client who walks through their process. Clients do not come to Rise Realty looking for a transaction. They come looking for two people who will treat the decision with the same care they would give their own.

A Husband and Wife Team at the Heart of the Brand

Abby is the face of the brand. She is the voice clients hear online, the personality they connect with on social media, and the first point of contact for much of their community. Her presence has shaped how Rise Realty feels from the outside: warm, approachable, and rooted in everyday life. Chris works alongside her on strategy, negotiations, and the systems that keep their business running smoothly. The two of them operate as a true husband and wife team, and that partnership is woven into every part of how they serve their clients.

Rise Realty was launched in 2026, and the move to become independent was one of the most meaningful steps they have taken. It gave them full control over the client experience, their marketing, and the way they support the agents on their team. “This allows us to build a business that is focused on long-term growth and stays in line with our core values,” they explained.

Relationships Over Volume

Their approach leans heavily on relationships rather than numbers. While many agents depend on the MLS and wait for buyers to come to them, Abby and Chris treat real estate as a marketing and relationship business first. Their listings are positioned to stand out through video, storytelling, and intentional exposure, but the heart of their work is something simpler. They show up for people. They answer the phone. They tell clients the truth, even when it is not what the client hoped to hear. “Clients always know what’s happening, what’s next, and how we are protecting their best interest,” they said.

Guiding Families Through Big Decisions

Their ideal clients are often families who feel they have outgrown their current home. They need more space, a better school district, or a new location, but the idea of selling and buying at the same time feels overwhelming. Abby and Chris walk them through it slowly, from pre-approval to planning to negotiation, making sure each step is clear before moving to the next. “Our goal is simple,” Chris said. “Help families upgrade their homes, get the most out of selling their homes, build wealth through real estate, and feel confident every step of the way.”

That guidance is rooted in advocacy. They see themselves as the people standing in their clients’ corner, protecting their interests and helping them avoid costly mistakes. Much of that ability comes from experience that reaches beyond traditional real estate. They are active investors who renovate older homes and bring them back to their original character, and they also own rental properties. Chris spends much of his time on remodeling and rehab projects, which has given them a close understanding of how homes are actually built and what to watch for. Clients often lean on that expertise to help them make smart purchases.

Consistency That Speaks for Itself

They help an average of more than sixty families each year buy and sell homes, with all of that business coming from referrals and social media rather than cold calling or paid leads. Before going independent, they worked with eXp Realty and Real Broker, where they earned the highest production awards each year from 2022 through 2025. Chris has also expanded into mortgage services, giving clients one steady source of communication from start to finish.

The Family Behind the Business

Abby and Chris are parents to two boys, ages eight and ten, and they homeschool while running the business. Abby is passionate about natural health and homeschooling, often sharing that journey with other mothers. Chris enjoys coaching baseball, Tigers games, and video games with his sons.

For the families of Genesee County, Rise Realty has become something steady, a business shaped by trust, advocacy, and real human connection.