A kayaker paddling across calm open water at sunset on the Chain O'Lakes in northern Illinois

Local · Honest · Five-star service

Your Chain O'Lakes area experts

Est. Fox Lake, Illinois

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.

4.9

450+ client reviews across the Chain O'Lakes

A weathered wooden dock with a mooring cleat and rope on the Chain O'Lakes at blue hour
Pistakee Bay — first light
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4.9★
Average client rating
450+
Reviews from real clients
10
Licensed Illinois brokers
6
Lake communities served
The Lakes Realty Group brokers together at their Fox Lake, Illinois office

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.

Lakes Realty Group Brokerage, Inc.
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.

The Chain O'Lakes at dawn under heavy mist, with reeds and a soft treeline on the horizon

42°23'46"N · 88°11'00"W

Fifteen lakes. Six villages. One home.

Chain O'LakesFox LakeMcHenryAntioch JohnsburgSpring GroveLake Villa

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
  • 445,000
    Post reach
  • 217,030
    Multi-photo views
  • 28,778
    Link clicks
  • 17,500
    Reels views

What our clients say

450+ families have trusted us with the move

4.9Average rating

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 Smarto

Michelle 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 Goldstein

We 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 Smarto

Pat'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 Smarto

I was contacted every time there was a showing. Always found out the comments made. Phone contact was easy.

Verified seller

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. Will definitely use again when I sell this house.

Verified client
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Historic brick main street storefronts in Antioch, Illinois in evening light

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.

135Heroes served
$285,520Given back to heroes
FirefightersPoliceEMSMilitary VeteransNursesDoctorsTeachers

Let'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.

16 E Grand Avenue, Fox Lake, IL 60020 info@lakesrealtygroup.com
  • 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.