Hello and Happy 2025!
Though ringing in the new year initially felt daunting, it’s settling in, and I’m optimistic about what lies ahead.
Below is a recap of our family, endeavors, and business from 2024.
Amy and I celebrated 25 years of marriage this past November. We fondly remembered that day, which took place on a warm Thanksgiving weekend in Oak Brook at Christ Church. Our family was there, along with many high school students who attended the ceremony, reflecting our involvement as youth leaders at the time. Looking back on those days, it’s hard to believe that only two of our four children are still in high school.
Micah is a junior at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where he plays defensive line for the football team, which advanced to the third round of the Division 3 playoffs. We are grateful for the guidance and course work which has taken him from his original interest in Kinesthiology to declaring a double major in Business and Theology. Micah has been dating a delightful girl named Sophie since their freshman year. She comes from a wonderful family, and we love her like a daughter.
Abigail is in her second year at the Hinsdale District 86 Transition Center. Her soccer team won the Illinois Special Olympics championship last summer. Currently, she’s in the midst of basketball season, and it’s so fun to watch her team play. Her employment has brought great joy mixed with sadness when the doors closed to our community’s ice-cream store, The Daily Scoop. Abbey enjoyed serving ice-cream for the past two years.
Noah is preparing for his final lacrosse season at Hinsdale Central, where he earned All-Conference honors. He also made All-Conference as a middle linebacker on his football team in the fall. We’re awaiting his decision on which college he’ll attend, and whether he’ll pursue a sport there. Amy and I both are stretching out each day with Noah as we approach another major transition for our family.
Elizabeth is a sophomore at Hinsdale Central High School. She plays volleyball and lacrosse for the school and basketball on our church team. Over the summer, she went on a mission trip to Mexico, where she worked tirelessly building houses with Christ Church’s high-school community. Her interests revolve around friends, free time and exploring how to beautify skin, hair and nails.
Amy is in her second year at Christ Church of Oak Brook. She started the year working in the newly reopened preschool, but after delays with state licensing and lower-than-expected enrollment, she returned to her original role on the First Impressions team at the welcome desk. She also went on a mission trip to India and the Mexico mission trip with our daughter.
We added another canine to the McCurry family! Cash (Johnny) is a CollieDoodle. After a slow start, Kenya has warmed up to the idea that she has a friend. And we think he is a lot of fun too.
A significant portion of my energy last year went toward serving on the steering committee for the Clarendon Hills Centennial Celebration. We set three main goals: connect the community, educate about the town’s history, and motivate future leaders. We succeeded, hosting many memorable events throughout the year, culminating in a ticketed concert in one of our parks. The band Sister Hazel played for almost 5,000 people, followed by a customized drone light show — truly one of the proudest moments in our town’s history.
In real estate, 2024 brought many meaningful moves for our clients. One particularly impactful story was of a widow who needed to downsize into a two-bedroom apartment after the death of her spouse. With time running short and hope fading, we were able to find the perfect new community for her. Another client needed to sell a highly customized home that included a medical wing for his wife, who required 24/7 care for many years. With the help of our trusted vendors, we refreshed the property and presented it in a clean, inviting way. After a few days on the market, we had multiple offers, helping him smoothly transition to his next home.
The real estate market was not without its challenges, with 2024 seeing the lowest number of housing sales since 2008, making things tough for many brokers. However, just like in 2010 when many Realtors left the industry, we were able to achieve a record number of successful moves for our clients. Inventory is starting to pick up, and we’re hopeful that 2025 will bring relief for buyers seeking their next home.
Another significant change in the industry involved a class action lawsuit, resulting in a shift in how listing brokers advertise commissions for buyer’s brokers. While this was a learning curve, the industry is adapting, and brokers have become stronger as a result.
Lastly, Compass Real Estate, which I joined just six years ago, has been recognized as the largest real estate company by volume for three consecutive years. This is an incredible achievement, especially considering Compass’s rapid growth from its 2012 start in New York City. Locally, Compass also acquired @Properties Christie’s International Real Estate, further strengthening our presence.
Thank you for taking the time to read this update. I’d love to hear how you’re doing, so please reach out and stay in touch!
Warmly,
Mike
