224-225-1139
info@lakesrealtygroup.com
Local · Honest · Five-star service
Your Chain O'Lakes area experts
We live on these lakes and we sell on these lakes — helping families buy, sell and settle into the water’s edge of McHenry and Lake County.
450+ client reviews across the Chain O'Lakes
Who we are
It's a big move. We've got you.
We love the Chain O'Lakes. This is where we live, where we play, and where we raise our families — so we know which channels stay deep in August, which streets flood, which school districts fit, and what a waterfront lot is genuinely worth.
16 E Grand Avenue, Fox Lake, Illinois
“We are your neighbors. We grew up in this area, or have been here decades.”
Pat Smarto — Designated Managing Broker & Owner
Where do you want to start?
Two ways we go to work for you
Whether you're looking for the right house on the right channel or preparing to list the one you're in, the first conversation is the same — and it's free.
Buy your
next home
Waterfront, in-town or acreage — we'll help you find the one that fits, and it'll be smooth sailing getting there.
Search Homes
Sell without
the second job
Listing your home shouldn't run your life. Our marketing, our tech and our local knowledge do the heavy lifting.
Sell Your Home
42°23'46"N · 88°11'00"W
Fifteen lakes. Six villages. One home.
Communities we know by heart
Explore the lake towns that make up the Chain O'Lakes
Fifteen connected lakes, six distinct villages, and a hundred different reasons people choose one over another. Here's where we work every week.
01
Fox Lake
The front door to the Chain. Marinas, a walkable downtown, Metra service to Chicago and homes for sale from starter cottages to full waterfront.
Explore Fox Lake
02
McHenry
A revitalised downtown on the Fox River, strong schools and the widest range of property types on the Chain.
Explore
03
Antioch
A historic main street, the Wisconsin border minutes away, and quiet lake neighborhoods on Loon and Channel Lake.
Explore
04
Johnsburg
Pistakee Bay and channel-front homes with private docks — the heart of boating life on the Chain.
Explore
05
Spring Grove
Open country at the top of the Chain — larger lots, horse property and the Nippersink corridor.
Explore
06
Lake Villa
Village parks, trails and small lakes — a family-first pocket of Lake County with easy access to everything.
ExploreWe also cover more than fifty named subdivisions across McHenry and Lake County, from Pistakee Beach to Running Brook Farm.
See Waterfront ListingsLive from the MLS
On the market right now
Why choose us
Great marketing sells homes.
Anyone can be a realtor. But when it comes to selling your home for the most money with the least stress, you want the best one on the Chain — and you should be able to see exactly what that buys you.
- 01
Professional Photography
Every listing is shot properly, so your home leads the search results instead of getting scrolled past.
- 02
Home Video Tours
Storytelling through beautiful, high-quality video — buyers walk the house before they ever book a showing.
- 03
Drone Photography
On the Chain, the lot is the story. Aerials show the channel, the dock and the water access in one frame.
- 04
Facebook & Instagram Advertising
Advanced, targeted social advertising that puts your home in front of thousands of local buyers.
- 05
Neighborhood Mailers
Print that still works here — plus we email your home straight to our database of active, interested buyers.
- 06
Community Experts
Ten licensed Illinois brokers who live here, price here and negotiate here every week of the year.
The numbers speak for themselves
2025 marketing results- 445,000Post reach
- 217,030Multi-photo views
- 28,778Link clicks
- 17,500Reels views
What our clients say
450+ families have trusted us with the move
Best experience ever, especially since I was not present in the state for the process. Very military friendly and I would highly recommend to anyone.
Verified client review
It took a long time for my husband and I to find the house that we were excited about but Pat Smarto was very patient with us. She was always there to show us the properties we wanted to see and always available to answer any questions we might have on any of the listings. When we finally selected the house we purchased, Pat assisted us through the process of negotiating the contract, inspections, and finally the closing.
Verified buyer · Worked with Pat SmartoMichelle was quick to call, text, and email me. When I told her we were just starting out and still a few months out from purchasing, she helped us with initial steps. She was never pushy. We felt like she treated us like her own kids — wanted us to understand the process, taught us what to look for off the bat, and genuinely listened to our needs. Seriously, Michelle is awesome. She definitely became family.
Verified buyer · Worked with Michelle GoldsteinWe very much enjoyed working with Pat. When we met up with Pat it always felt like meeting a friend. We appreciated that Pat let the house speak for itself rather than trying to push a list of “selling points”. She helped us determine if a house would meet our needs by asking specific questions. We had a pretty long wish list and went through several attempts to buy a home and Pat stuck with us through it all.
Verified buyer · Worked with Pat SmartoPat's sincerity and candor in guiding me through the process was superior. Not too much hype — an honest, down-to-earth approach. Exceeded my expectations and delivered on everything discussed at the start! I give her my highest recommendation!
Verified client · Worked with Pat SmartoI was contacted every time there was a showing. Always found out the comments made. Phone contact was easy.
Verified sellerBest experience ever, especially since I was not present in the State for the process. Very military friendly and I would highly recommend to anyone. Will definitely use again when I sell this house.
Verified client
Homes for Heroes
You serve us. Let us serve you.
Firefighters, police, EMS, military, veterans, healthcare workers and teachers get money back after closing when they buy or sell with our brokers — at no cost, and with no change to how the sale works. Just tell us before you start.
The brokers behind the sign
Ten licensed brokers who actually live on the Chain
Lakes Realty Group Brokerage, Inc. is independent and locally owned, working out of 16 E Grand Avenue in downtown Fox Lake.
Pat Smarto
Designated Managing Broker & Owner 02Stephanie Liscomb
Managing Broker · ABR, C2EX, ePRO, MRP, PSA, RSPS 03Michelle Goldstein
Broker · ePRO, Green, SRES 04Melonnie Hartl
Broker · SRES, ABR, PSA, C2EX, ePRO 05Lisa Rabe
Broker 06Stacy Volkmar
Broker 07Brian Jensen
Broker 08Lauren Hopkins
Broker 09Cristy Wilson
Broker 10Ben Lamboley
BrokerLet's chat
Start with a conversation.
No pressure, no pitch. Just a straight answer about what your home is worth, what's available on the Chain, and what your next move could look like.
- 01
We'll meet over coffee or on a video call and get to know each other — on your schedule, not ours.
- 02
We'll talk through your goals, your hopes and your timing. Knowing what you actually want is how we serve you well.
- 03
You'll leave with a free market analysis of your home, so you know exactly what it's worth today.

