Practical Answers & Real-World Video Guides for Sellers, Buyers & Investors.

Your Real Estate
Advantage Starts Here.

Straightforward answers.
Smart solutions. Real results.

Before you make your next move, put proven experience, smart strategy, and skilled negotiation on your side. As a Naperville real estate broker serving Chicago’s western suburbs and the greater Chicago metropolitan area, I’ll help you sell, buy, or invest with confidence—drawing on a proven record of helping Chicagoland sellers, buyers, and investors turn their real estate plans into results for more than 25 years.

Read the first guideMeet Larry
Larry Shakman · Real Estate Broker | Title Agent | Consultant
Larry Shakman, Real Estate Broker and Title Agent
Start here

Before you make your next move…

Get experienced guidance and a strategy built around your goals. Explore practical answers and real-world video guides on pricing, preparing, marketing, buying, selling, and negotiating a home.

Featured guide · Selling

What happens if I overprice my house?

The first cost of an asking price above the market may be the showings you never get. See ten ways pricing can affect buyer interest, offers, time on market, and carrying costs, plus a real Naperville example.

Read the overpricing guide →
Updated cover of The Top 10’s of Real Estate by Lawrence Shakman, Real Estate Broker, Title Agent and Consultant
The book behind the guides

The Top 10’s of Real Estate

Larry’s 2023 book organizes lessons from his work with sellers, buyers, investors, and agents into 32 short chapters. These video guides and practical answers draw on those original ideas and adds practical context for decisions people are making today.

Get My Free Book

Put more than 25 years of real estate experience to work for you. Get a complimentary PDF of The Top 10’s of Real Estate, filled with practical insights for sellers, buyers, and investors.

A short form, then your copy is ready to download.

View the book on Amazon →

Explore Video Guides & Practical Answers

Make your next move a smart one.

Explore 16 practical real-world guides on pricing, preparing, marketing, buying, selling, and negotiating a home.

02

Prepare to sell

Make thoughtful improvements before you list.

03

Market your home

Explore my strategy for attracting buyers.

“Your Marketing Matters”

04

Negotiate well

Weigh price alongside certainty and timing.

05

Buy with confidence

Prepare for offers, inspections, and closing.

06

Consider your options

Compare a traditional listing with other paths.

Blog & Updates

Before Your Next Move

Real estate insights, local market updates, and practical strategies from Larry Shakman.

Illustration of a welcoming residential street
Estimate your closing costs

Know your numbers before your next move.

Estimate your seller proceeds or the cash you may need to buy. Adjust the costs for your Illinois property, then let’s review the numbers and how they fit your goals.

Estimate Your Closing Costs

Planning estimates—not a final closing statement. Investors can use the buyer or seller estimate; this tool does not calculate rehab costs or investment returns.

Selling a property?

Estimate what you could receive after mortgage payoff, selling costs, and closing adjustments.

Buying a property?

Estimate the cash you may need at closing, including costs, credits, and amounts already paid.

Areas I serve

Serving Chicago’s western suburbs and the greater Chicago metropolitan area

Based in Naperville, Larry helps sellers, buyers, and investors throughout the western suburbs, Chicago, and the five collar counties—DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will.

Map highlighting DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties, with Cook County, Naperville, and Chicago shown for context
Western suburbs and the Chicago metropolitan area.
County boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024. City markers are approximate.
About the author

Meet Larry Shakman

With more than 25 years of real estate experience, Larry Shakman brings deep knowledge, proven expertise, and a client-first approach to every transaction. Throughout his career, Larry has successfully handled 1,000+ transactions and has worked with homeowners, buyers, investors, banks, and asset management companies across the Chicago metropolitan area.

Equator Certified
Equator Certified REO BrokerEquator Certified | Illinois Real Estate BrokerExplore my REO services →

His background includes residential sales, investment properties, distressed and bank-owned properties, property valuation, marketing, and negotiation, and he previously established himself as one of Illinois’ leading REO brokers, at times managing hundreds of properties for major financial institutions.

In addition to being a licensed real estate broker, Larry is a licensed title insurance agent, providing him with a unique understanding of the entire real estate transaction—from the initial consultation and negotiation through contract, title, and closing.

A longtime Naperville resident, Larry believes successful real estate begins with listening, understanding each client’s goals, clearly explaining their options, and providing experienced, straightforward guidance without pressure. Whether helping someone buy a home, sell a property, evaluate an investment opportunity, or simply decide the best next step, Larry puts more than two decades of real-world experience to work to help his clients make informed, confident real estate decisions.

Larry is the author of The Top 10’s of Real Estate (2023), ISBN 978-1-66788-796-8.

25+ yearsReal estate experience
Hundreds of millionsIn sales
1,000+Transactions
Broker + Title AgentTwo perspectives on the transaction
25 years of service anniversary badge
Celebrating my 25-year milestone
@Home Realty Group, Inc
Real estate brokerage@Home Realty Group, Inc
@Home Title Services
Title services@Home Title Services
Institutional experience

REO & Institutional Asset Services

With more than 25 years in real estate, I bring extensive Fannie Mae and institutional REO experience to property valuation, marketing, and asset disposition throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

My background includes managing approximately 400–500 assets at peak inventory and coordinating 15–40 closings per month during peak operations. I provide market-supported BPOs, property assessments, vendor coordination, listing and marketing, negotiation, and contract-to-close support.

Equator Certified
Illinois Real Estate Broker

View REO Qualifications & ServicesOne-page PDF · opens in a new tab

For asset managers, institutional clients, and REO partners.

Client experiences

What my clients say

Real words from people I’ve helped buy and sell a home.

“I have used Mr. Shakman for two different properties and highly recommend his services and experience in the real-estate industry.”
Mike PeronChicago, Illinois
“He went above and beyond to ensure that every detail was taken care of and that I was informed and supported throughout the entire process.”
jorge rugerio
“I’m very excited and thankful for all that you did to make this happen.”
Jon Juron
“Since 2020 the housing market has been so unpredictable, his years of experience really shine through and make a difference.”
Julie Wittenburg
“Excellent communication, excellent game plan, the house sold in one day higher than the asking price. Excellent work Larry.”
Jordan DolinSeller
“Larry is now part of the family! I loved working with Larry. He’s very smart and passionate about his work. And fun!”
Kristina EvansBuyer
“Larry is a very straight shooter and helped me cut through the nonsense of finding our next house. Very responsive and friendly.”
Phil EvansBuyer
“I’ve enjoyed this man’s property reviews for many years on Facebook. He’s upbeat, concise, and informative.”
Michelle DolinSeller
“Larry was invaluable to me in the selling of my townhome. He knew the precise price point to list it, assisted in staging it, expertly negotiated the sale, and much more. I confidently recommend him to anyone!”
PSeller
“Larry was very knowledgeable of the community.”
Sylvester BoldsSeller
“Larry was very knowledgeable about the market and I received multiple offers right away as a result. There was great communication from him always and I will always use him and his team in the future 100%”
Kim RyanSeller
“Excellent skills in finding what you need and accommodating everything from viewing to close. Larry took the time and researched all possibilities and helped me attain my forever home.”
Ruth PattersonBuyer
“In my opinion, Larry is one of the best real estate agents in the business. He’s very knowledgeable, trustworthy, responsive and proactive. Above all, you can count on Larry to get things done.”
Scott GunnSeller
“It was great working with Larry. Honest and transparent every step of the way.”
Hatem and Danica DesokyBuyer
“Larry was amazing and knowledgeable of all things realty. He was also always available and quick to respond.”
Mayra RamosBuyer
“Thank you so much for making it happen! You both made it pain-free for me with no surprises (other than the utility bills)... You were both very responsive and pro-active which I really appreciate.”
ConnieBuyer
“Larry was great to work with... very professional... easy to talk and communicate with. Highly recommend and would definitely work with again.”
Tony ScialabbaSeller
“Larry was very knowledgeable about what needed to be done to get my property sold for the best possible price.”
Darrell HarrisSeller
“Thank you, Larry for all your help and I will be using you once more hopefully in the very near future.”
Michael PeronSeller
“You can trust Larry from start to finish in the selling process. He has extensive marketing knowledge, communication skills, and professionalism.”
Margie FayemiwoSeller
“He is very punctual, polite, professional, attentive to detail, very good advice and initiatives. I feel I had a relative helping me.”
Natalie RohanSeller
“Kept us informed on what was going on. We live out of town, so he helped us get the house staged and took great pictures.”
Vicki WilliamsSeller

Selected excerpts from client reviews. Pause to read at your own pace, or open all reviews below.

Read all client reviews
“I have used Mr. Shakman for two different properties and highly recommend his services and experience in the real-estate industry. He was always available by phone, text, or email to answer any type of question i had. If you need a property sold, give Mr. Shakman a try, you will not be disappointed.”
Mike PeronChicago, Illinois
“I had the pleasure of working with Larry Shakman as my real estate agent, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. Larry’s professionalism, knowledge, and dedication to finding the perfect home for me were truly outstanding. He went above and beyond to ensure that every detail was taken care of and that I was informed and supported throughout the entire process. Thanks to Larry’s expertise and guidance, I found my dream home quickly and smoothly. If you’re looking for a top-notch real estate agent who genuinely cares about his clients, Larry Shakman is the one to go to. Thank you, Larry, for everything!”
jorge rugerio
“I’m very excited and thankful for all that you did to make this happen.”
Jon Juron
“I have used Larry as my professional realtor for many properties. He’s been a great mentor , as his current up to date market knowledge is top notch. His valuations on homes are always spot on , which is important for how long a home can sit on the market .

He sold my father in laws house 2624 Cranbrook , Naperville at a time that was sensitive to the whole family. His professionalism and willingness to make so many extra trips to make sure work that needed to be done was completed.
He will make sure the deal is the best it can be and it helps he can be the title agent too as the whole process is so much smoother.
He helped me sell my own house at 1401 Fallcreek Ct.
His connections with photographers and contractors along with other agents helps for a smooth transition.
He helped sell a home in a 55+ community, which always comes with its unique challenges because of strict HOA rules.
Larry will make sure you are feeling as little stress as possible and work to make sure you get the amount your home is worth.
Since 2020 the housing market has been so unpredictable, his years of experience really shine through and make a difference.”
Julie Wittenburg
“Excellent communication, excellent game plan, the house sold in one day higher than the asking price. Excellent work Larry.”
Jordan Dolin
“Larry is now part of the family! I loved working with Larry. He’s very smart and passionate about his work. And fun! I don’t know how many hours of his life he applied towards helping us find a home that would work for us but it was A LOT. Thank you Larry, after this experience, I consider you a friend for life.”
Kristina Evans
“Larry is a very straight shooter and helped me cut through the nonsense of finding our next house. Very responsive and friendly.”
Phil Evans
“I’ve enjoyed this man’s property reviews for many years on Facebook. He’s upbeat, concise, and informative. He has an outstanding crew working for him. It sold for very close to this remarkable man’s initial call. I am very happy with a near stressless sale.”
Michelle Dolin
“Larry was invaluable to me in the selling of my townhome. He knew the precise price point to list it, assisted in staging it, expertly negotiated the sale, and much more. I confidently recommend him to anyone!”
P
“Larry was very knowledgeable of the community. His specialism was to par and above he suggested contractors and handyman if I needed them. I give him 11 ½ stars—sorry you can only give 5.”
Sylvester Bolds
“Larry was very knowledgeable about the market and I received multiple offers right away as a result. There was great communication from him always and I will always use him and his team in the future 100%”
Kim Ryan
“Excellent skills in finding what you need and accommodating everything from viewing to close. Larry took the time and researched all possibilities and helped me attain my forever home.”
Ruth Patterson
“In my opinion, Larry is one of the best real estate agents in the business. He’s very knowledgeable, trustworthy, responsive and proactive. Above all, you can count on Larry to get things done.”
Scott Gunn
“It was great working with Larry. Honest and transparent every step of the way.”
Hatem and Danica Desoky
“Larry was amazing and knowledgeable of all things realty. He was also always available and quick to respond. All of these things put together made him extremely reliable and made my experience in purchasing another home stress free. He’s the best!”
Mayra Ramos
“Thank you so much for making it happen! You both made it pain-free for me with no surprises (other than the utility bills)... You were both very responsive and pro-active which I really appreciate.”
Connie
“Larry was great to work with... very professional... easy to talk and communicate with. Highly recommend and would definitely work with again.”
Tony Scialabba
“Larry was very knowledgeable about what needed to be done to get my property sold for the best possible price. He kept me up to date on all information about how listing and final sale was going and was there from start to finish. Thanks again Larry.”
Darrell Harris
“I met Larry after approximately six months after I had my parent's house on the market without a single viewing with another agency. Thank you, Larry for all your help and I will be using you once more hopefully in the very near future.”
Michael Peron
“You can trust Larry from start to finish in the selling process. He has extensive marketing knowledge, communication skills, and professionalism.”
Margie Fayemiwo
“He is very punctual, polite, professional, attentive to detail, very good advice and initiatives. I feel I had a relative helping me.”
Natalie Rohan
“Kept us informed on what was going on. We live out of town, so he helped us get the house staged and took great pictures. He even did a little cleaning and gave us great suggestions on what needed to be done before we put it on the market.”
Vicki Williams
Let’s talk through your options

Have a real estate question?

Whether you’re thinking about selling, looking for your first home, looking for a great investment opportunity, or just have some questions, I’m happy to help you move forward.

Text or call 630-921-0611 · Email Lshakman@reo-property.com