Paul DeLano transformed his Michigan Lakes and Land real estate company into Lake Life Realty in 2017 with a laser focus on the lake lifestyle that he has enjoyed for more than 20 years. The firm exclusively sells lakefront property, leveraging DeLano’s experience as a lakefront property developer as well as mortgage company owner and financial advisor.
DeLano has held No. 1 market share for lake front sales in Cass, Berrien, St. Joseph, and the Southern Half of Kalamazoo & Van Buren Counties in Michigan since 2012. In eleven years, he has sold more than 760 lake properties; in 2022, he closed 80 transactions worth $57 million, more than four times his nearest competitor. Nearly all of the sales, about four-fifths homes and one-fifth open lots, are on the 25 large all-sport lakes in the five counties.
The sales are about evenly divided between permanent homes and second home getaways. About half of the buyers come from Chicago, with most of the rest from nearby South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart and Kalamazoo.
For sellers, the team at The Lake Life Realty offers superior expertise, and total commitment to the sale of lakefront homes. DeLano’s background equips him to assess each property effectively, and his marketing strategy has proven results in the marketplace. DeLano also maintains an extensive database of buyers looking to purchase lake homes.
For buyers, Lake Life Realty offers unsurpassed knowledge of properties coming onto the market as well as experience and expertise in navigating the purchase without pitfalls, from technology infrastructure to property taxes. DeLano, who grew up in Chicago, knows how to exceed the expectations of city dwellers who seek to enjoy the lakefront lifestyle.
The firm listens to buyers’ preferences for lake size, distance from home, bedrooms, bathrooms, frontage, landscape, budget, and other features, then generates a list of 10 to 30 homes that meet the criteria. The buyer choose six to ten homes for a tour with a Lake Life professional of two to three hours, with five to ten minutes per stop – a speed-dating process that gives a feel of each lake’s unique feel and typically includes a stop to sample a cheeseburger at a local eatery. Once the buyer settles on a lake, they get a boat ride to make sure they enjoy being on that water.
For buyers and sellers alike, Lake Life Realty has its finger constantly on the pulse of the Michigan lakefront market, and only the Michigan lakefront market, to ensure the best results possible.
Sales data provided by the Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors (MLS), sales of Inland Lake properties from 01/01/2012 to 12/31/2022, located in Cass, Berrien, St Joseph and the Southern Half of Kalamazoo and Van Buren Counties in Michigan.
