From Stalled to Sold: How a Strategic Approach Turned 12 Years of Inaction Into a Community Win

$43,000 | Vacant Land | 1615 Glenwood Dyer Rd, Lynwood, IL 60411

Challenge

For over a decade, a 1.21-acre parcel of vacant land listed in Lynwood, IL, sat unsold. Zoned residential with potential for B-3 commercial use, the lot had been listed since 2008 by another agent and suffered year after year of price reductions—dropping nearly $400,000 over six years without attracting a buyer. By the time the investor group owners reached out to me in 2020, the land was overgrown, undervalued, and overlooked.

This wasn’t just another listing—it was my first commercial deal. And the previous agent had significant experience in the area. The sellers took a chance on me, and I was determined to reward that trust with a thoughtful, intentional strategy.

Action

I started where logic directed me: with the Village itself. Rather than simply repost the listing and wait, I contacted local leadership to ask what types of businesses they hoped to see in the space. That conversation sparked ideas—pharmacies, small grocers, and discount retailers—and I used those insights to guide targeted outreach.

My research led me to Dollar General, whose development team responded immediately. Within one business day of reviewing the parcel, they submitted an offer.

By staying in close contact with the Village from the beginning, we avoided potential zoning conflicts and built community support for the sale. Communication with the buyer stayed open throughout the due diligence process, and even when an unexpected bat habitat was discovered on the property, we kept things on track. The buyer offered to reimburse the seller for the land clearing at closing—a creative solution to a problem both sides had seen before!

Results

The land sold for $43,000 after being on the market for just five months under my care—ending a 12-year streak of frustration for the sellers. For Dollar General, the parcel checked every box: the right size, visibility, and distance from other stores. And for the Village of Lynwood, the store fulfilled a key goal—bringing needed retail access to the community.

The sale also opened the door to more local partnerships. The Village contact I first spoke with went on to become mayor, and she has since entrusted me with the sale of two more municipally owned parcels. One has already been sold to a local entrepreneur. The other is in progress.

“It has been a pleasure and the residents are excited.” -Mayor Jada D. Curry Village of Lynwood