Larry Shakman - The Real Estate Therapist

01/25/2026

01/13/2026

🏡 **NEW LISTING | Whyrent Real Estate Co. | Rare Downers Grove North Opportunity** 🌳**5875 Walnut Avenue | 100 x 275 Lot (.63 Acres)**

👀 This is a rare chance to secure a premier oversized lot in one of Downers Grove’s most desirable locations—offering **two compelling paths**: renovate and restore, or build new.

✨ **Option 1: Renovate & Reimagine**

A solid home with many of the big-ticket items already completed—ideal for buyers who want space, location, and upside.

**Major Updates Already Done:**

* 🪟 Windows – approx. 4 years
* 🏠 Roof – approx. 5 years
* 🔥 Furnace – approx. 2 years
* 🚿 Water Heater – approx. 2 years
* 🧱 Siding – under 1 year
* ❄️ A/C – approx. 5 years
* 🛏️ 3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | Basement
* 🚗 Detached 2-Car Garage

Bring your vision and updates to restore the home while enjoying one of the largest residential lots in the area.

🏗️ **Option 2: Build New | Luxury or Custom Spec**

For builders and luxury buyers, this lot is the standout.

**Why This Lot Is Special:**

* 📐 100 ft frontage x 275 ft depth
* 🌳 Mature trees, depth, and privacy
* 🏊 Space for a pool, sports court, outdoor kitchen & more
* 🚧 City water with public sewer available for tie-in
* 📄 Survey available

Perfect for an estate-style luxury home in a neighborhood where opportunities like this are extremely limited.

📍 **Location That Delivers Lifestyle**

* 🎓 Downers Grove North High School
* 🚆 Minutes to Metra BNSF (express to Chicago)
* 🛣️ Easy access to I-355 & I-88
* 🌿 Walkable to multiple parks and trail systems
* 🛍️ Close to Downtown Downers Grove, Oak Brook & Naperville

🔑 **Why This One Stands Out**

✔ Rare oversized lot
✔ Walkable, lifestyle-driven location
✔ Renovation or redevelopment flexibility
✔ Strong mechanical updates already in place
✔ **Motivated seller**

Whether you’re looking to **renovate, rebuild, or redevelop**, opportunities like this in Downers Grove North don’t come along often.

📩 **DM me for details, pricing, or a private showing.**

01/05/2026

💪 The Power of Differentiation

🌟 Want to stand out in the crowded real estate market? 🌟

It’s no secret that real estate is changing, and with inventory at an all-time low, it’s harder than ever to secure listings.

So how do you make sure you’re the one that sellers choose?

👉 Hard value.

That’s exactly what Title Services’ Contract to Close Concierge Service provides — measurable savings for your clients and a huge edge for you in the listing presentation.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to stand out. Click below to learn more:

🔗 https://listingagentadvantage.com/

At Title Services, we pride ourselves on being a reliable partner for real estate agents and investors. Our comprehensive "Contract-To-Close" title and

01/02/2026

🏡 BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME IN DOWNERS GROVE NORTH 🏡

An exceptional opportunity to create a custom luxury home on a rare oversized lot in Downers Grove.

✨ Why this location stands out:

• 🎓 Downers Grove North High School District

• 🚆 Minutes to Downtown Downers Grove & Metra

• 🚗 Easy access to I-355 & I-88

• 🌳 Walk to multiple parks & green spaces

📐 The Lot:

• 100 x 275 (.63 Acre) Infill Lot

• Ideal for luxury new construction

• Existing home sold as-is

• City water with public sewer nearby (tie-in available)

🌿 Walkable Lifestyle:

• Gelwicks Park – 0.1 mi

• Ebersold Park – 0.3 mi

• Whitlock Park – 0.5 mi

• Hummer Park – 0.6 mi

• McCollum Park – 1.5 mi

🍽️ Live Close to It All:

• Downtown DG shops & dining

• Community events & farmers markets

• Convenient access to O’Hare & Midway

🔨 Perfect for:

✔️ Custom home buyers

✔️ Luxury builders

✔️ Families wanting top schools & walkability

📄 Survey available

🚶 Walk the lot and envision what’s possible

Opportunities like this are rare — especially in DG North.

Build the home you’ve always imagined.

12/31/2025

🥂✨ Happy New Year 2026! ✨🥂

❤️🎉So grateful for the incredible clients, friends, and families who trust and support me year after year. Wishing you all a year filled with good health, happiness, and moments worth celebrating. Cheers to what’s ahead! ❤️🎉

#2026

12/17/2025

🗣️ Real Talk

📉 Listings Are Tougher to Get, and Inventory Is Down.

The market is tight. Inventory is down. And listings are harder to get than ever. 🤔 So, how do you compete and stand out to potential sellers?

👉 I’ve been in this business for 25 years, and here’s what I know: you need more than a friendly smile and a shiny marketing package. You need hard value. That’s why I’m so excited about Listing Agent Advantage at Title Services' Contract to Close Concierge Service. This service helps sellers save thousands on closing costs, and it gives YOU the edge in the listing conversation.

🙂 Try us, you'll like us!

If you want to WIN more listings, let’s talk. It’s simple to get started. Check out ListingAgentAdvantage.com now.

12/15/2025

🔑 Real Talk for Real Estate Agents 🔑

The market is shifting, inventory remains low, and securing listings remains a challenge. 🏠 But it doesn't have to be a scary change. My name is Larry Shakman, and I've been in real estate for over 25 years. Whether you're a seasoned agent or just getting started, now is the time to level up your game.

💡 How? With Title Services Contract to Close Concierge Service.

This service provides hard value to your sellers by saving them thousands on closing costs. 💰 And the best part? It's completely FREE to partner with Listing Agent Advantage at Title Services!

Ready to stand out and win more listings? Click the link to get started: ListingAgentAdvantage.com

12/14/2025

💡 What's the REAL difference between Soft and Hard Value?

All listing agents know the importance of soft value — things like great photos, killer video tours, and strong social media promotion. But here's the thing: soft value won't win you that listing if your competition is offering hard value.

🔑 Hard value is tangible, and it’s something your clients can see, touch, and feel.

That’s where Listing Agent Advantage at Title Services’ Contract to Close Concierge Service comes in. With this service, your sellers can save thousands on closing costs — a huge benefit that can differentiate you from the competition. (and you get to take all the credit!)

Want to start offering hard value? Head to ListingAgentAdvantage.com to learn how!

09/17/2025

Michael LaFido, Realtor - LUXE Group

So far this year, buyers in the extreme upper end of the Chicago-area housing market have already bought more homes at $4 million and up than they did in all of 2024, and there's still more than three months to go in 2025.

The voracious appetite for homes in the upper one-tenth of 1% of prices may seem out of step with consumers' wariness about the U.S. economy amid stubborn inflation.

Christie's International Real Estate agent Jena Radnay represented buyer, seller or both in five of the six highest-priced home sales in 2025 to date, all of them in Winnetka. She wasn't in on No. 4, the sale of a penthouse condo in the city.

On the highest-priced sale in the city, a Gold Coast condo that went for more than $10.1 million, Carrie McCormick and fellow agent Sharon O'Hara represented the sellers.

"At this level, (buyers are) motivated by scarcity, lifestyle and long-term value," McCormick told Crain's. "True trophy properties, whether a Gold Coast penthouse or a Winnetka lakefront estate, rarely come to market, and when they do, buyers move decisively because they know these opportunities won't come around again."

Read more here: https://www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-real-estate/chicago-area-luxury-home-sales-track-record-year?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=soc-own