Having worked in Chicago Radio Broadcasting and Media for over two decades, I’ll be the first to tell you that communication is the key to everything.

My tenacious work ethic has spawned great success in real estate. In 2018, I was presented with the Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Star Homes “Emerald Star” award, an honor achieved for reaching top sales agent status in the BHGRE® Grayslake office.

My incredible broker/owners then decided to take things a step further, and we joined forces to create The Jim Starwalt Team in 2019. Our success continues to be supercharged, as together we earned the highly coveted “Emerald Elite” status, a corporate honor that is bestowed upon the top 2% of affiliated sales associates and teams in the entire BHGRE® national network.

In 2020, my numbers kept on climbing, even in the throws of a global pandemic. I achieved “Emerald Club” status, our team went “Emerald Elite” once again, and we all continue to work hard on behalf of all of our clients. I continue to achieve my goals, too!

We take a tremendous amount of pride in our work. We understand what a real estate transaction means to you and your family, and that’s a task that we don’t take lightly. Our bar of expectations has been set extremely high, and our execution is literally award winning. You'll quickly see why we’re praised most often by our clients for our enthusiasm, patient approach, and unwavering loyalty. It's about getting it right for YOU. If the process has always seemed intimidating or stressful, then it's probably time we talk...

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Accordingly, it is essential to work with a knowledgeable and trusted professional. There are many factors to consider when buying or selling a home, and a REALTOR® can offer invaluable insight that may save you a great deal of money, or even save you from making a terrible mistake. Real estate transactions can be complex; only a REALTOR® like me can make a difference.

In my spare time, I can be found at local community festivals with my family, out at my “second home” that I affectionately call Wrigley Field, or enjoying a nice scenic cruise on my motorcycle.

About Scott Straus:

Where do you call home?

I currently live in Hainesville. I was born and raised in Deerfield, and also had multiple addresses in Chicago, so I tend to call “home” anywhere from the city to the Wisconsin state line! 

What do you do when you're not working?

I am a big fan of cruising on my motorcycle, going to Cubs games, and taking my family out to all of the various events and festivals in our community. (And surrounding townships.)

What do you love about your job?

I love being able to help people accomplish a goal. It’s more than “help me buy or sell.” It’s a wish. “We want to move out of state, we’re ready to travel more, we need to buy closer to our parents.” This job simply can’t be done by computer. It takes fresh ideas, the ability to anticipate, and the foresight to see an approach all the way through.

What is your favorite TV show?

Being a family of 5, it’s hard to find a window to watch ANY TV! If we do get those brief moments, we love to catch up on episodes of Lego Masters! (Our entire family has a Lego problem…lol…)

Favorite Movie?

I will never be able to pick just one, so I’ll say that I am all about comedy. If it’s funny, and I mean a good honest funny, I’m all in!

Favorite Food?

I’ll go a step further and say that it’s specifically the cheddar dog and cheddar fries from Dear Franks in Deerfield. If you’ve never had them, then we need to talk!

Why did you choose to work at BHGRE Star Homes?

I knew within 5 minutes of meeting the Starwalts that this was the place. They have the platform that no other brokerage has, AND IT WORKS. (I’d be happy to show you!) Combine that with actually getting the support that every agent craves, and it’s the proverbial jackpot. I simply love it here!