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!

When you see the market rising, it’s tempting to price your home even higher than nearby homes that recently sold. So you tell your listing agent that you want to "test" the market to see if you can get even more for your home.

Sometimes, it’s appropriate to choose a list price higher than recent comparable sold homes, but that strategy seldom works unless the market is climbing rapidly. If you’re looking for a quick, hassle-free sale, you need to decide which is more important – getting more for your home or moving on to your new life somewhere else.

Let’s say your neighborhood’s highest, most recent home sale was $500,000, and your agent suggests a listing price of $510,000. You want to test the market at $530,000 - which is $20,000 more than your agent recommends, and $30,000 over the latest comparable.

Your home hits the market at $530,000 and has tons of showings the first week. Your strategy is working, except that you don’t receive any offers. By the second week, there are few to no showings. Agents are reporting back to your listing agent that their buyers said your home “needs work,” or that they “found something more suited to their needs.”

After months of making two mortgage payments, your home finally sells at $518,000. Meanwhile, you paid months of overhead to get $9,000. You actually lost peace of mind and threw away a lot of money.

Overpriced homes simply take longer to sell. If you’re tempted to “test the market”, remember that the market will test you.

The MLS cooperative, or multiple listing service (MLS), allows members to provide homebuyers more choices and to give sellers more opportunities to sell their homes. Members agree to share their listings with other members within a reasonable time, typically between 24 hours to a week after the listing agreement is signed between the seller and the broker.

Marketing a home takes time and preparation for the seller and the listing broker. The seller needs time to prepare the home for sale - declutter, paint, plant fresh flowers, repair fences, stage the home and so on. The listing broker needs time to present the listing to the MLS with photos, tours, descriptions, tax roll data and showing information.

Until the listing agreement is signed, the home stays “in the pocket” of the broker, who is free to contact trusted agents and their own qualified buyers and tell them the home is coming to the market.

Why are pocket listings useful? The broker can sell the listing before competitors learn the home is available. The broker’s buyers benefit because they have the first opportunity to view the home and make an offer. Sellers can get their homes sold quickly.

So how does a buyer hear about a pocket listing? A broker will reveal a pocket listing only to a buyer who is qualified to buy that particular home, who understands the home isn’t show-ready or on the open market. The buyer must be prepared to act quickly and make an offer that is attractive enough for the seller to accept.

When you shop for a home, what do you look for in the kitchen? Granite counters? Storage? Breakfast bar? Sparkling stainless appliances?

If you’re buying an older home like most buyers, you may have to update to get the look and features you want. Here are five tips to get started.

1. Work with a kitchen design professional. They’re trained to help you solve the most challenging kitchen problems and to work within your budget. A kitchen designer can recommend contractors and oversee all installations to make sure they are done correctly. Some can serve as contractors for a turnkey job.
2. Hire qualified contractors. Cheaper isn’t necessarily better. Check references, licenses, and make sure their subcontractors are also bonded and insured.
3. Consider the age of the home for a more organic look. For example, mid-century linoleum floors are more in fashion now than ever before. New patterns and colors in tile can mimic wood or stone for easy upkeep. Try porcelain instead of wood on cabinets for a sleek minimalist look.
4. Be willing to compromise on costs or space. Cut the expense of new cabinetry by replacing some uppers with trendy open shelving. Splurge on granite for the island, but finish the other countertops with a workhorse stone-like laminate or tile.
5. Don’t try to save money by doing work you aren’t qualified to do. You may be able to install flooring or a backsplash with a friend and a tutorial, but if a job requires a license like an electrician or plumber, it’s best to hire a professional.

Negotiations don’t necessarily end when you and the seller sign the contract to purchase. You have the right to have the home you’re buying inspected for soundness, which you can include as a contingency to your offer. That way, if the inspection reveals a serious issue, you and the seller can address it through renegotiations.

During the inspection process, the inspector is required to tell you about the condition of the appliances, heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, foundation, roofing, exterior materials and so on.

Depending on where you live, you may also get separate inspections for pests and environmental issues such as radon. You’ll also learn if your future home is up to current building codes and what needs to be done to bring it up to code.

Most sellers expect to make reasonable repairs and replacements if the inspection reveals an issue that wasn’t obvious when you first agreed to terms. As long as communication remains open and civil, the seller should have as much desire to make the sales contract work as you do.

"We cannot begin to thank Sarah and JP enough for helping us find our dream home! Being first time home buyers, we were really uncertain as to the home-buying process. We had an idea as to what we were looking for and the area, but really we did not know much past that. Immediately upon meeting Sarah and JP, we knew we were in good hands! During our first meeting, we spent well over an hour just getting to know each other. And as they began to ask us questions, to get a better understanding of what we were looking for, we could tell they were really listening to us. From the beginning, Sarah and JP only brought us homes that were truly options that might work for us. They never wasted our time - and with both of us in careers that take up a lot of our time, we really appreciated that!

From our first meeting, Sarah and JP also learned that we did not have a mortgage broker, home inspector or home attorney - and immediately we were given incredible referrals! Each person we worked with, referred by Sarah and JP, were professional, understanding, patient with us being first time home buyers, attentive and quick to respond! Having that guidance was invaluable to us!

As we began to visit homes we were interested in, it was incredible to see how knowledgeable they both were when it came to the home buying market. They were quick to discuss the pros (and sometimes cons) of each home and they never said what we wanted to hear - they said that we needed to hear. They were understanding of all our questions - and they never made us feel like any of our questions were dumb.

When the perfect home for us was listed on the market Sarah and JP got us in for a showing the very next day. By that evening we had an offer submitted and negotiations started. They were partners with us through the entire negotiation process and always had our best interests in mind. Because of their hard work and follow through we are able to write this referral from our brand new home and couldn't be happier!  Thank you Sarah and JP!" -- Sarah & Jake

“Derrick and I could not be happier with our experience with the Anderson Group, more specifically, JP and Sarah. Being a first-time homebuyer, we initially found the process daunting and overwhelming. Not knowing where to begin, Derrick received JP and Sarah’s information from colleagues who also purchased homes with their help. From our first meeting, we were immediately put at-ease. JP and Sarah walked us through the process, let us know what to expect, referred us to excellent mortgage representatives, and re-assured us that our anxieties are not uncommon and they would be with us every step of the way. Searching for a house with first-time buyers, I’m sure is exhausting as we were really unsure of exactly what we wanted, but Sarah and JP’s patience paid off when they helped us find the perfect little starter home. The negation process was not easy and involved a lot of back-and-forth with the home’s sellers. Getting to the closing seemed impossible more than once. Regardless of the challenges and frustrations, JP and Sarah stuck by us every step of the way. Now, just a few weeks into homeownership, we are enjoying the renovation process and we cannot wait to truly enjoy our new home. We cannot thank Sarah and JP enough for making this process seamless and incredibly enjoyable. We will not hesitate to reach out to Sarah and JP in the future and we will certainly be referring them to friends and family in the Chicago area!” –Ellen & Derrick

"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