Melonnie Hartl, Lakes Realty Group

Melonnie Hartl, Lakes Realty Group Broker/Realtor - ABR, SRES, PSA, ePRO - with Lakes Realty Group specializing in waterfront properties.

Serving Lake, McHenry & Northern Cook Counties in Northern Illinois. https://www.lakesrealtygroup.com/about/meet-melonnie-hartl

Every agent has heard the sentence "I cannot believe I am about to ask this" a thousand times. 💬😅 And the questions that...
06/19/2026

Every agent has heard the sentence "I cannot believe I am about to ask this" a thousand times. 💬😅 And the questions that follow are almost always the smartest ones! 🧠✨

This post covers the 6 most common questions buyers and sellers are too embarrassed to say out loud. 🤫 Asked. Answered. Zero judgment. 🙅‍♀️⚖️

If any of these felt familiar, know that you are not alone! 🤝 Send this post to someone who needs "permission" to ask their questions, too. 📲✨

And remember—you can send me a message with your own questions anytime. I’m always here to help! 📩🗝️

🏡🧐💡⚖️💬

Paint color data is one of those things nobody thinks about until they are getting ready to list. 🏡 Then suddenly, they ...
06/18/2026

Paint color data is one of those things nobody thinks about until they are getting ready to list. 🏡 Then suddenly, they are Googling what sells! 📈💻

Here is what the research consistently shows: Buyers respond to clean neutrals that feel warm, not cold. 🕊️✨ They are often put off by loud accent colors, even ones that are trendy right now. And nothing kills curb appeal faster than a faded front door! 🚪🚫

If you are planning to sell in the next 6 to 12 months, this is the summer to repaint the front door, touch up trim, and neutralize any bold wall colors inside. 🎨🖌️ A weekend of painting can add thousands to your final sale price! 💰🙌

Thinking about selling? Send me a message! 📲 I will walk through your home and tell you exactly which projects will pay off and which ones will not. 🛠️🏡✨

🏠🎨🖌️✨💰

06/17/2026

Outdoor furniture that survives summer storms, blazing heat, and still looks good next season? ⛈️☀️ It does exist!

Here’s what to buy if you're tired of replacing patio furniture every year. 🪑🛋️✨

🏡🌿🔥⛱️

You missed out on the dream house. 💔 And then you spent the next three weeks looking at homes that just didn't feel righ...
06/16/2026

You missed out on the dream house. 💔 And then you spent the next three weeks looking at homes that just didn't feel right. 🏠🚶‍♀️

Here is what most buyers do not know: Roughly 15% of pending sales fall through before closing. 📉 Inspections, financing, appraisals, or even cold feet—deals die all the time. 🙅‍♀️💸

When they do, the home goes back on the market... unless someone submitted a backup offer. 📝✨ That buyer skips the bidding war. That buyer closes on the home everyone else thought was gone. 🗝️🏆

If you have been watching a home go pending before you could act on it, the door is not closed! You just need a partner who knows how to structure the move and keep you in the running. 🏃‍♀️💨

Save this post! 📌 Send it to anyone house hunting right now, and send me a message if you want to walk through the strategy for a specific property. 📲🤝

🏡🗝️📉✨🤝

This is not the fun June post—but it is the one that matters most. 🕊️☀️If you own a home with a pool, or you are spendin...
06/15/2026

This is not the fun June post—but it is the one that matters most. 🕊️☀️

If you own a home with a pool, or you are spending the summer at a home that has one, please take 5 minutes this week to check the basics. 🏊‍♂️📋

The non-negotiables:
📍 Four-sided fencing with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
📍 A pool cover or safety net that is actually rated for weight.
📍 Life rings or a reaching pole within arm's reach of the water.
📍 Designated "Water Watchers" at every gathering. Not "everyone is watching," but one specific adult whose only job is watching. Rotate every 20 minutes. 🛑👀
📍 Swim lessons for every child in the home (ISR lessons if they are under 4). 🫧

Drowning does not look like it does in the movies. It is quiet. There is no splashing. There is no yelling. 🔇 A child can go under in the time it takes to check your phone. 📱❌

Please share this post. Every parent, grandparent, and neighbor with a pool should see it. Let’s keep our community safe this summer. 🧡🌊🩹

🏠🏊‍♀️☀️🙌🩹

Every plumber has a story about grease. 👨‍🔧🍳The homeowner who swore they never poured it down the drain... the family th...
06/14/2026

Every plumber has a story about grease. 👨‍🔧🍳

The homeowner who swore they never poured it down the drain... the family that thought running hot water and dish soap after every meal was enough... the kitchen where years of "Bacon Sundays" eventually added up to a $2,000 pipe replacement. 🥓💸❌

This post walks through what actually happens inside your pipes, why the hot water trick actually makes it worse, and how to get rid of grease the right way. 🚰🧼🧤

Save this post to protect your plumbing! 📌 Share it with anyone who loves to cook, and send me a message if you are thinking about buying or selling this year. 📲🏡✨

🏠🍳🛠️🧤💸

Happy Birthday to the United States Army! 🇺🇸🪖 Today we celebrate 251 years of extraordinary service, bravery, and sacrif...
06/14/2026

Happy Birthday to the United States Army! 🇺🇸🪖 Today we celebrate 251 years of extraordinary service, bravery, and sacrifice for this great country. 🦅✨

Thank you to all the soldiers, past and present, for your unwavering dedication and selfless service in protecting our freedom. We are eternally grateful! 🎖️🫡

🎖️🛡️✨🦅

This is one of those maintenance tasks nobody tells you about—and almost nobody does! 🤫🧤 But it only takes 15 minutes of...
06/13/2026

This is one of those maintenance tasks nobody tells you about—and almost nobody does! 🤫🧤 But it only takes 15 minutes of work and can shave real money off your electric bill. 📉⚡️

Did you know refrigerators are the third biggest energy drain in most homes? 🧊🔌 When the coils get coated in dust, the compressor has to work harder and run longer. Over a year, that adds up to hundreds of dollars of wasted electricity and a much shorter lifespan for your fridge. 💸📉

While you’re back there, try the "Dollar Bill Test": 💵🧐
Close the door on a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easily, your seal is leaking cold air and it’s time to replace it! ❄️🚫

Save this post and put it on your calendar! 🗓️✅ Your fridge will last longer and your monthly bill will shrink. 🙌💰

🏠🧤✨

Real estate agents have stories. 🤫 The kind that start with "so this one time at an open house..." 🏡Buyers tour with the...
06/12/2026

Real estate agents have stories. 🤫 The kind that start with "so this one time at an open house..." 🏡

Buyers tour with their whole extended family and wonder why the listing agent remembered them for all the wrong reasons. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Sellers leave out their prescription bottles 💊 and passports 🛂 and wonder why things go missing.

Whether you are touring homes or hosting one, the 4 rules in this post will save you from the most common mistakes agents see every weekend. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♂️

Save it. 💾 Share it. 📲 And send me a message if you want the full list. ✉️

Today we honor the women who have dedicated their lives to serving this great nation. 🇺🇸💪Thank you for your strength, yo...
06/12/2026

Today we honor the women who have dedicated their lives to serving this great nation. 🇺🇸💪

Thank you for your strength, your bravery, and your unwavering commitment to protecting our freedom. We are forever grateful for your service and leadership! 🎖️✨

🦅🎖️✨💪

Address

16 E. Grand Avenue
Fox Lake, IL
60020

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