Whether you are looking to buy or sell, we offer concierge-level of care throughout the entire process, while making it FUN for you too! Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or to have us help guide you through your next real estate transaction.  Or do you know of someone looking to buy or sell? Check out our testimonials below and refer us with absolute confidence!

One of the most well-known real estate mantras your real estate professional will tell you is this: “If you overprice your home, it will take longer to sell and it will sell for less money.” Yet, many sellers believe their homes can defy market physics.

Overpricing seldom works because buyers search for homes online according to their loan qualifications. If their ceiling is $500,000, they’re not going to search for more expensive homes, and your home won’t be found by the buyers who are most qualified to buy it. When buyers can afford more, they’ll compare your home to other homes in the same price range and your home may fall short in features, location or condition.

Search price increments vary depending on scale. Buyers use $10,000 increments for $100,000 homes and $100,000 increments for million-dollar homes. Pricing just over a logical range end point like $255,000 or $505,000 will exclude that home from some search results. If you price just under a range end point, like $498,000, your home will be seen by the buyers who are most likely to buy your home.

While some buyers’ search in higher price ranges than their rounded end point, their intention is to offer less, so that makes setting a higher price for your home counterproductive.

Your best chance of selling your home quickly for the highest price possible is to attract buyers who see your home as well priced. You’ll attract more serious buyers who make higher offers with fewer negotiations.

Homes with all-white kitchens look great in magazines, but a recent survey found they’re not popular with homebuyers because of upkeep. So, before you paint your kitchen, replace your countertops or install new cabinets, use these helpful hints to make your kitchen more appealing as well as more user-friendly.

Set the tone. Think about your kitchen’s functionality and personality. Dark walls or cabinets tend to be more elegant and formal. Bright colors are cheerful, playful and family-friendly. If you like white, add some soft color in a glass backsplash.

Gray areas. According to Lowessemployees.com, the most popular colors and materials in kitchens floors are gray, charcoal or espresso ceramic, stone and hardwood.

Quartz, not granite. Manufactured quartz is the leading countertop material, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Quartz is tougher, easier to maintain, offers numerous colors and patterns, mimics the high-end look of granite, and it’s more earth-friendly.

Colorful appliances. Houzz.com reports that bold color in sinks, backsplashes and accents is replacing neutrals. You can get a Viking range in orange, or go retro with Elmira Stoveworks’ faux-1950’s appliance, in turquoise.

Clean lines. Flat-panel or Shaker-style door treatments help streamline the kitchen. Choosing shelves in place of a few upper cabinets allow pretty dishes, glassware, and wall paint to show.

Light. More windows and light never hurt, but you’ll also need task lighting, whether in overhead lights, track lighting, pendant lights or under cabinet lights.

Before you choose hue-rich appliances, countertops, cabinets, or new paint, make sure you try color samples under the same lighting you’ll be using in your kitchen.

They’re called “roof-over jobs” and they’re more common than you may think. In some areas, codes allow homeowners to install a new roof on top of an existing roof, but it’s not necessarily a good idea.

While it can save homeowners money, roof-overs don’t provide the same protection as a single roof where the previous roof has been completely removed. While many building codes allow for up to two layers of asphalt roofing, for example, some homes may not be structured to handle the additional weight. All layers must be removed before a new roof system is installed, if weight is going to be an issue.

There are other concerns. Some manufacturers will not warranty a roof-over because the substrate may not be smooth, flat and clean enough. Insurers may also decline to either insure the roof-over or pay for roof damage if there are multiple layers.

If you’re buying a home with a multilayered roof, it’s difficult for structural inspectors to do a thorough inspection. This means fissures and leaks could be easily missed. Asphalt roof-overs also super-heat in the summer, which causes buckling that leads to leaks.

So what do you do if you’re buying a home that needs re-roofing? The home inspection should reveal any roofing issues, including layers. The inspector will tell you the building codes for roofs in your city and what your options are. If you’re buying in a community managed by a homeowner association, there may be additional restrictions on the type of materials you may use.

Ask your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices real estate professional for more information.

How much are you planning to put down on your next home? If you say 20 percent, you could be living in the past. Since Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac introduced 3% down mortgages nearly two years ago, the product has gained in popularity.

The three-percent mortgage, also known as the Home Possible Advantage program, allows first-timers and other qualified homebuyers to get into a home much sooner and allows homeowners to take their remaining down payment monies to use for other purposes – savings, furnishings, student loan payments, etc.

Anytime the down payment is less than 20 percent, borrowers should realize that their monthly payments become more significant. You’re financing a larger amount, which raises your debt profile and your financial risk if you want to finance other things like vehicles or college.

Fannie and Freddie require borrowers to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI). While that raises the monthly payment, it makes low down payment loans attainable, allowing more people to enjoy homeownership. Along with mortgage interest, PMI payments are tax deductible for long-form filers. Last, PMI can be discontinued when the loan is either five years old, or if rising home prices have allowed the borrower’s equity position to reach 20 percent.

Building equity, which is like a homeownership savings account, takes time. You can build equity by paying down your mortgage, by improving your home, and by allowing home appreciation to work in your favor. But you have to be invested to get this major benefit of home ownership.

"We had a great experience working with the Anderson Group to sell and buy our home. With busy lives where time is a premium, it was great to work with a team that was hyper responsive and experienced to navigate us through the process. Their unique and comprehensive knowledge of the area and market was an invaluable resource for us. They made us feel like we were more than just “clients”. For anyone looking to make a move, we highly recommend the Anderson Group!"  -- Andrew & Juli


“We sold our house –YEAH! ! ! Selling the house you have lived in for the last 25 years is a psychological journey and there are so many items for consideration. This is where JP and Sarah Anderson successfully guided and directed our journey. They injected the necessary energy, knowledge and experience to present the house for sale and did the work to get the job done. Open houses were held almost weekly and as JP said the ‘more potential buyers we get through the door, the more likely we will make a sale.’ And then there is the emotional vs. practical consideration on the price and they held our best interest in check during the process while getting the sale done. I would highly recommend their talent to anyone in need of real estate services." -- Carol & Larry

“JP and Sarah Anderson did a great job representing us for both selling our home and buying a new one. Great communication, hard work and very knowledgeable on the local market. Would highly recommend both of them!"  -- Jason & Katie

“My husband’s job moves us about every two years. This time we were coming from Texas. I was lucky enough to meet Sarah at an open house. She was so pleasant and knowledgeable that I immediately called our relocation people and had them reach out to her. She contacted me and the house hunting began. Sarah was so attentive and observant of our needs and wants; any requests we had, she came through for us. Once we started narrowing down a few houses, JP became involved. His experience, honesty and expertise was a bonus. Through out the entire process, both of them, went out of their way to provide guidance and feedback to help us make the most informed decision. I particularly liked the fact that they stayed involved all the way through closing. I called and texted Sarah almost daily with one question or another. And if I didn’t contact her, she was checking in with me to make sure all was on track. Out of our many moves, this by far was the best experience we’ve had.
Thanks, again, Sarah and JP. You guys are the best.” -- Jill and Michael

“J.P. and Sarah Anderson handled both the sale of our Aurora family house and the purchase of our downtown Wheaton home. Our experience with them was nothing but pleasant. Their extraordinary expertise, experience and professionalism is unmatched in the Chicagoland area. They are easy to deal with, calm under pressure, dependable, and all around great to work with. If you are buying or selling a home in the western suburbs you could never ask for more than what you will get from Sarah and J.P. We are clients of the Anderson's, but I also consider them our newest friends." -- Salina & Joshua

“Sarah and JP really helped my husband Kevin and I out in a pinch. When our tenant moved out of our rental condo suddenly, they worked nonstop and were total professionals finding us new renters. Their suggestions and advice were spot on. We will not hesitate to recommend Sarah and JP to all of our friends." -- Shannon & Kevin

“As a first time buyer, I had my doubts. Sarah and JP answered every single question I had since day one. I had a very tight time line to find a house and close and sure enough they were up for the challenge. I'm very pleased I met Sarah and JP as they made the process of buying a house very smooth. Doesn't matter what day or time it was, they were always there. Sarah learnt exactly what I was looking for, and personally went through every listing. I could not be happier with the experience and my new home. Thank you Sarah and JP."  -- Faras

“I don't often go out of my way to write reviews - but after working with JP, I don't think my words can do him justice. JP, is by far the best Realtor we have worked with. Glad we ran into him at one of his open houses. From the beginning, after meeting JP, we knew we wanted to work with him. Sure enough JP came through. Everything was punctual, professional and warm. We turned to JP for advice on all fronts and he delivered time and again.  JP, wishing you and Sarah the best. You have us hooked and we won't hesitate to recommend you to all our friends! " -- Hisham & Maleeha 
 

“JP was amazing!  We are first time homeowners who had gone through two different real estate agents before meeting JP at an open house.  First impressions, he seemed like a “go getter” with extensive knowledge of the market and houses in our targeted areas and after a few house tours he was our broker.  We set clear expectations on what we wanted and JP took the time combing through the MLS picking out each house that fit our needs instead of sending 100 listings that didn’t match our requirements.  He even scheduled a tour sick as a dog just to show us a house we were really excited to see.  After a few months of hunting we found the perfect home that matches all of our wants/ needs and couldn’t be happier with our experience.  If you are looking for someone who is patient, has attention to detail and is a strong negotiator, you found him.”--Joel & Ashley


“We weren't sure what to expect when contacting J.P. Anderson about being our broker to assist us in the purchase of our first home. We knew we had a lot of work ahead of us and had no idea where to really begin.

This all changed upon meeting with J.P. He was friendly and professional from our very first interaction, providing more than we had hoped for in terms of information, answers, and guidance on the entire process. We knew right away we wanted him on our side until the day we had the key to our new home in hand.

He was diligent in finding for us newly available houses to visit and review as we learned more and more about what we wanted out of our new home. Here again, we had answers to all of our questions, and he was ever faithful in his charge to assist us, making sure we understood every step along the way.

From the beginning all the way to closing, and beyond, J.P. Anderson exceeded our expectations for the responsibilities and services of a broker, performing every task with integrity and patience. We would recommend him without hesitation to those we know, and, in fact, we already have."--Jeff & Kathleen


“Sarah was incalculably helpful during our house-hunting process. She contacted elusive property managers, warned us of potential dangers, and made sure our applications were considered before others whenever possible. She also did her best to keep our spirits up when we were competing for properties in popular locations! I will be sure to reach out to Sarah again when I am looking to rent or buy in the future."- Jonathan, Jaime & Bradley

“We have been homeowners in Glen Ellyn since 1962, we know many people and many realtors in Glen Ellyn, Wheaton and Lombard.  When we recently decided to downsize and purchase our 5th home in the area, knowing so many realtors made our decision of which realtor to use somewhat difficult.  We were looking for a person with integrity, personality, approachability, enthusiasm, energy and motivation.  Not only did you fill these requirements, you never disappointed us.

Our house was sold and a new one selected within a month.  When the house we wanted turned out to have unforeseen problems on closing day, you worked many hours all week-end to find us just the right place in our time frame.  We were so impressed with your diligence on our behalf.

We just wanted you to know how much we appreciate your efforts on our behalf and wish you the very best as you continue with this career.  We will be recommending your services to anyone we know.”--Dianne & Jim


“We truly appreciated all your work and effort in selling our Glen Ellyn home.  We had total confidence in you throughout the whole process.  You gave us guidance on preparing our home for sale, were always available for questions and concerns, and went over and above to make sure our home was always presented in a positive manner through advertising, open houses and scheduled showings.  Even during the negotiations and inspections, alwsys the most nerve wracking part of the process, you kept the process moving along and calmed our nerves.  We would not hesitate to recommend you to anyone interested in buying or selling their home.”--Gary & Lisa


“We wanted to thank you for the dedication, guidance and professionalism you provided us while looking for our new home.  You were always available and ready to assist at a moments notice.

We had some very specific requirements that were nonnegotiable and you didn’t try to persuade us otherwise.  You were respectful of our needs and motivated to fulfill them.

You went above and beyond to ensure we found the right fit for our family.  Your recommendations were honest and in our best interest.  We truly appreciate all your efforts and wish you only great success moving forward.” --Paul & Tina