Who We Are

Our Story

The Watermark story began a decade ago. Coming out of the global financial crisis in 2009, the single-family home rental space was just starting to form into an institutionalized asset class. Eric Theisen and Freddy Ellis left corporate positions to help launch a real estate development company with an inner city faith based High School, Chicago Hope Academy, to help the school cover their operating deficit.

Supplying newly formed institutional buyers with rental homes, they redeveloped communities and forged the beginnings of this new, rapidly growing asset class. As single-family homes for rent became more prominent and consumer demand continued to surge, Eric & Freddy started Watermark to capitalize on the next level of opportunity – building single-family communities designated specifically for rent.

WE WIN

The pursuit to champion everything we do.

WE ARE CONSISTENT

The unchanging demeanor to achieve sustained excellence.

WE ARE PRECISE

Our standard is exactness, accuracy in every detail.

WE ARE SCRAPPY

The relentlessness to do whatever it takes to get the job done and done well.

WE WILL PROTECT

We will protect the team. We will protect the cause. We will safeguard equity partner money like it is our very own.

Why We do it

We believe in something greater than ourselves

We exist to give – to cultivate. To create a new brand of real estate that gives residents a better place to live. A place to call home. To develop a new, wholistic standard of living. To not just fill units with tenants, but to cultivate a better life for residents.

Chicago Hope Academy

Since 2013, Watermark Properties have been proud partners of the Chicago Hope Academy, a private, preparatory high school on Chicago’s near west side.

FOR OUR NEIGHBORS

Our financial models may communicate how we best serve our stakeholders, but it is our actions that communicate how we actively seek and serve others in the communities in which we operate. If all else changes, Watermark will always remain committed to our greatest calling – serving people.

WITHOUT BORDERS

Our unrelenting commitment to prioritizing relationships over transactions is inherent to our identity and is the beautiful byproduct of team-members who genuinely care about their neighbors. Whether it’s across the street or across the world, everyone at Watermark is passionate about investing time, effort and resources to effect positive change unto others.

Watermark gives

"I chose to nominate Helping India Together because they change lives for individuals, especially young orphaned girls, and collectively elevates the communities."

"I wanted Watermark to donate to Fortress because they provide resources that brings hope to the lives of families working to end the cycle of generational poverty."

"Prevent Child Abuse America envisions a world where all the children grow up happy, healthy, and prepared to succeed in supportive families, and communities. That's why I chose to nominate PCAA."

"Daniel & April Murphree moved to Burma in 2015 to work with leaders, pastors, and educators who are caring for orphans, cultivating education reform, and developing leaders."

“Watermark Gives” is a program we set in place in order for our team members to give back to organizations and causes that are near & dear to their hearts.

In 2022, we have the privilege to donate to these 12 organizations in need chosen by our team members:

Giving back has been a foundational principle to Watermark’s culture & vision from its very inception. Our hope is to create opportunities to allow our team of Rhinos to make an impact beyond the bottom line, to give back to causes we are passionate about, and to have fun doing it as a team.