Top Realtors and Real Estate Agents in Lake Forest, IL
Rankings based on verified MLS transaction data. Last updated September 2026. No pay-to-play.
Find your Lake Forest agent
Tell us where you are and our algorithm matches you with up to three top agents for your home.
- Free
- About 2 minutes
- No obligation
Top Agent
Top 0.15%
in Lake Forest, IL
$366.1M
All-Time Sales
$780K - $5.8M
Price Range
7%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent
(1)
Brad W. Andersen
Griffith, Grant & Lackie Realtors
32 Years of experience
2+ Sales in the last 12 months
$165.4M
All-Time Sales
$700K - $4M
Price Range
55
Sold in Lake Forest, IL
Top Agent(2)
Kimberly Shortsle
Jameson Sotheby's Lake Forest
11 Years of experience
14+ Sales in the last 12 months
$57.1M
All-Time Sales
$990K - $4M
Price Range
7%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent$593.2M
All-Time Sales
$400K - $3M
Price Range
4%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent$366.6M
All-Time Sales
$380K - $2.3M
Price Range
5%
Negotiated Off List
Top AgentTop 2.15%
in Lake Forest, IL
$229.6M
All-Time Sales
$450K - $3.4M
Price Range
8%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent$108.6M
All-Time Sales
$330K - $2.5M
Price Range
5%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent$1.9B
All-Time Sales
$430K - $6.1M
Price Range
5
Sold in Lake Forest, IL
Top Agent$1.01B
All-Time Sales
$270K - $3.7M
Price Range
6%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent$1.61B
All-Time Sales
$710K - $8.5M
Price Range
4%
Negotiated Off List
Top AgentTop 2.74%
in Lake Forest, IL
$310.2M
All-Time Sales
$290K - $1.6M
Price Range
4%
Negotiated Off List
Top AgentTop 2.89%
in Lake Forest, IL
$443M
All-Time Sales
$290K - $3.9M
Price Range
5%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent(485)
Jim Starwalt & The Star Home Team
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes
28 Years of experience
610+ Sales in the last 12 months
$1.08B
All-Time Sales
$200K - $2.2M
Price Range
5%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent(88)
Kimberly Zahand
Keller Williams North Shore West
11 Years of experience
113+ Sales in the last 12 months
$241.4M
All-Time Sales
$330K - $23.8M
Price Range
7%
Negotiated Off List
Top AgentTop 3.26%
in Lake Forest, IL
$379.5M
All-Time Sales
$160K - $1.4M
Price Range
5%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent$236.6M
All-Time Sales
$410K - $2.8M
Price Range
3%
Negotiated Off List
Top AgentTop 3.41%
in Lake Forest, IL
$223.1M
All-Time Sales
$490K - $5M
Price Range
5%
Negotiated Off List
Top AgentTop 3.56%
in Lake Forest, IL
$560.2M
All-Time Sales
$270K - $4.3M
Price Range
3%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent$218.1M
All-Time Sales
$370K - $2.9M
Price Range
6%
Negotiated Off List
Top AgentTop 4%
in Lake Forest, IL
$719.8M
All-Time Sales
$350K - $3.7M
Price Range
8%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent$323.6M
All-Time Sales
$230K - $2.9M
Price Range
5%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent(352)
Danielle Dowell
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
19 Years of experience
332+ Sales in the last 12 months
Top 4.15%
in Lake Forest, IL
$1.16B
All-Time Sales
$440K - $6.5M
Price Range
6%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent$266.2M
All-Time Sales
$220K - $1.4M
Price Range
5%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent(29)
Renee OBrien
Keller Williams Northshore West
18 Years of experience
37+ Sales in the last 12 months
$146.3M
All-Time Sales
$180K - $1.3M
Price Range
6%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent$304.8M
All-Time Sales
$1.1M - $20M
Price Range
1
Sold in Lake Forest, IL
Lake forest Housing Market Trends
Homes in Lake forest take a median 50 days to sell, go for 100.23% of asking, prices are up 15.8% from a year ago. Verified MLS market data through September 2026.
Market temperature
Balanced market
3.2 months of supply. Under 3 favors sellers, over 6 favors buyers.
What homes sell for
$1,349,357
median sale price
How fast they sell
50 days
median time on market
Supply and competition
3.2 months
of supply on the market
The numbers speak
for Lake Forest.
Every agent above earned their place with closed sales, not advertising. Tell us about your home and our algorithm picks the Lake Forest agents whose results fit it.
Lake Forest agents analyzed for these rankings
days faster: top-ranked agents sell in 28 days, the Lake Forest market in 50
median sale price in Lake Forest
Do Top Lake Forest Agents Sell Faster?
The 24 top-ranked agents on EffectiveAgents in Lake Forest sell in a median of 28 days, compared with the Lake Forest market median of 50 days on market.
About 22 days faster (44% quicker than the Lake Forest market)
Median days to sale reported by the top-ranked Lake Forest agents on EffectiveAgents, compared with the Lake Forest market median days on market. Agent figures reflect each agent's reported sales history.
When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in Lake Forest?
Based on the last 24 months of verified MLS market data, homes in Lake Forest sell fastest and closest to asking when they go under contract in June. To hit that window, plan to list around April.
Median days on market by month (shorter is faster)
June
Best month to sell
54 days
Typical time on market
99.6%
Of asking price
Seasonal averages from the last 24 months of Lake Forest, IL sales. Individual results vary with price, condition, and how the broader market moves. A local agent can pinpoint the right timing for your home.
What These Numbers Mean for Lake Forest Buyers and Sellers
The Housing Market Trends module above shows a market where negotiating leverage is split in ways that reward careful reading. The median sale price sits at $1,349,357, and prices moved +15.8% year over year, yet the average sale-to-list ratio of 100.23% tells a different story about the closing table. With 30.3% of homes selling above list price and 49.5% going off the market within two weeks, well-priced properties in Lake Forest (60045) are still drawing competitive attention.
At the same time, 3.2 months of supply and 81 active listings against 26 monthly sales point to a market that has not tipped fully toward either side. Only 18.8% of listings recorded a price cut, which suggests most sellers are holding their positions rather than chasing the market down. The median time to sell registered a -12 days change in market time, so buyers gain room to evaluate homes that linger past the 50 day median.
For a buyer, this combination means moving decisively on freshly listed, correctly priced homes while negotiating harder on anything sitting beyond the median window. For a seller, the data supports pricing at or near recent comparables rather than reaching, since the above-list activity is concentrated among realistic asking prices. With 1,349 licensed agents operating locally, outcomes vary widely by representation, which is where matching with a verified, data-ranked agent changes the equation.
What Lake Forest Home Prices Mean for You
Understanding the true cost of homeownership in Lake Forest goes beyond the listing price. These calculators break down what today's market conditions mean for your budget, your timeline, and your negotiating position.
| Median home price | $1,349,357 |
| Down payment (20%) | $269,871 |
| Loan amount | $1,079,486 |
| Monthly payment (PITI) | $8,983 |
Based on 28% debt-to-income ratio, 7.32% mortgage rate (as of October 22, 2026), 30-year fixed loan, 1.15% property tax rate, $275/mo insurance. Actual requirements vary by lender.
Based on $1,349,357 median home price with 20% down at 7.32% (as of October 22, 2026) for 30 years. Property tax estimated at 1.15% of home value.
Year-over-year data reflects the most recent rolling period from Lake Forest MLS records. Prior year values calculated from current figures and published YoY changes.
What to Look for in a Lake Forest Realtor
Choosing an agent on name recognition alone overlooks what actually moves a transaction: measured results and negotiation record. EffectiveAgents ranks 75 agents in Lake Forest out of 1,349 licensed locally, using verified transaction and outcome data rather than advertising spend. The top-ranked agent, Cory Green at Compass, has closed 353 transactions with $345.1M in all-time sales volume. That volume matters in a market where 30.3% of homes sell above list price and the average sale-to-list ratio reads 100.23%, because an experienced negotiator can hold a seller's number or structure a buyer's offer to win without overpaying. Across the 60045 zip code, that skill separates a home that closes near the 50 day median from one that drifts past it and invites price cuts. Review patterns are equally telling: Cory Green carries 55 reviews, and consistent, recent feedback is a stronger signal of reliable service than a single high rating. When comparing agents, read for repeated themes in reviews rather than isolated praise.
How We Rank Lake Forest Real Estate Agents
Our rankings are built from verified MLS transaction data, not advertising spend. For every agent we analyze more than fifteen performance signals, including sales volume in your city and zip code, recent and all-time transactions, days on market, negotiation results (how far above or below list price an agent's clients actually close), price-point fit, and verified reviews. The agents shown first are those whose verified results put them at the top of the Lake Forest market today.
Agents cannot pay for placement in these rankings. The underlying data refreshes as new closed transactions are reported, so rankings shift with real market performance. Learn how we rank agents.
1,349
agents analyzed
15+
performance signals
$0
paid for placement
Rankings reviewed by Kevin Stuteville, Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker (License BK3068131), Founder of EffectiveAgents.
Data last updated: September 2026
Lake Forest Real Estate Agent FAQs
Who is the best real estate agent in Lake Forest, IL?
The top-ranked agent in Lake Forest, IL is Cory Green at Compass, with 353 closed transactions, 55 client reviews, and $345.1M in all-time sales volume. EffectiveAgents does not rank agents by advertising or self-reported claims. Each of the 75 ranked agents is evaluated using verified transaction history, sale-to-list performance, and client review patterns drawn from 286 analyzed transactions. The strongest match depends on your price point and timeline, so we recommend comparing several ranked agents before deciding.
How were these Lake Forest real estate agents ranked?
Rankings are built from verified MLS transaction data. We analyze more than fifteen performance signals for every agent, including sales volume in your city and zip code, recent and all-time transactions, days on market, negotiation results, price-point fit, and verified reviews. Agents cannot pay for placement.
How many real estate agents are in Lake Forest?
Our data covers 1,349 real estate agents serving the Lake Forest area. The count represents agents with transaction activity recorded in our Lake Forest market data, not simply everyone holding a license.
What does the median sale price in Lake Forest mean for sellers?
Lake Forest's median sale price is $1,349,357 as of September 2026. Half of recent sales closed above that figure and half below. It is a useful baseline for understanding the market, but an experienced local agent will price your home against comparable recent sales in your neighborhood, not the citywide median.
How long does it take to sell a house in Lake Forest?
In Lake Forest, the median home sells in about 50 days, though the market recorded a -12 days change in time on market year over year. Actual timelines vary with pricing, condition, and season. Homes priced accurately move faster, with 49.5% of listings going off the market within two weeks, while overpriced homes often linger and eventually see reductions, accounting for the 18.8% of listings with price drops. Working with an experienced local agent to set the right initial price is the most reliable way to shorten your selling timeline.
Does it cost anything to use EffectiveAgents?
No. EffectiveAgents is free for home buyers and sellers, with no obligation to work with any agent we match you with.
Do agents pay to be ranked or featured?
No. Agents cannot pay for placement anywhere in these rankings. Positions are earned from verified transaction performance only.
What commission do Lake Forest realtors charge?
Commissions are negotiable and vary by agent, service level, and transaction. There is no set rate, and recent industry changes have made commission structures more flexible than ever. Discuss the structure directly with your agent before signing a listing or buyer agreement.
Should I use a local Lake Forest agent or a national brand?
The individual agent matters more than the brand on the sign. Offices within the same national franchise vary widely in performance, and the agent you hire, not the logo, prices your home, negotiates your contract, and manages your closing. A strong local agent brings firsthand knowledge of Lake Forest neighborhoods, pricing patterns, and buyer activity. Compare agents on verified local results such as recent sales, days on market, and negotiation outcomes rather than name recognition.
What questions should I ask a Lake Forest realtor before hiring them?
Ask how many homes they have closed in Lake Forest in the past year, what their average sale-to-list ratio is, and how much of their business is in your neighborhood and price range. Ask how they will market your home or find you listings, and how often they will communicate. Strong agents answer with specifics. Verified transaction data is the fastest way to confirm what you hear.
Top Realtors by Zip Code in Lake Forest, IL
Nearby Cities
Learn more about top real estate agents in other cities near Lake Forest, IL
Free Real Estate Calculators
Planning a move in Lake Forest? Run the numbers first.
In Lake Forest