The neighborhoods of Chicago’s North Shore and its surrounding communities offer a lifestyle rich in history, cultural activities and recreational opportunities. Ranging from Evanston, home to the ivy-covered campus of Northwestern University, to the shoreline beauty of Highland Park, to the quiet residential neighborhoods of Deerfield, every one of these cities has a distinctive character and flavor. It’s no wonder that so many people are looking for homes in this area.
Having lived and sold real estate on the North Shore for over 25 years, I am uniquely qualified to help you find the right home. I know the ins and outs of these neighborhoods, and I understand that buying a home involves more than just selecting a floor plan and architectural style. It’s also about choosing schools, a reasonable commute, having parks, shopping and dining close at hand, and neighbors who welcome you. It’s my job, as well as my pleasure, to help find a home that exceeds your expectations.
If you’re selling your North Shore home, you can rely on my years of experience to market your home to local buyers who are looking to move up as well as people making long distance moves. I use the most technologically advanced marketing tools available to make sure your home’s listing reaches potential buyers as well as all the agents working in the vicinity.
Ready to start your North Shore home search? Start by contacting me, Janie Bress, at (847) 217-7144 or email, and let me introduce you to the communities I know so well.
Client Testimonials
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was truly a delight to work with. She was very professional and hard working with excellent follow through skills. She was easy to communicate with. She responded very quickly and was always available for concerns and questions. She also helped us relocate to a temporary residence on the North Shore. Janie has become a good friend and I would recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell a home on the North Shore. Thanks again, Janie, for your patience and help!”
- Bill Chunowitz
Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie’s talent and expertise was such a huge help to us when we were moving from the city. Throughout the process Janie was so unbelievably understanding, patient, and caring. She spent countless hours for several months with us and our infant as we searched for our first home. Janie was also extremely resourceful and reliable and thanks to her vast knowledge of the North Shore we were able to find the perfect home for our family within our price range. With all of the personal attention and guidance we received from beginning to end we felt like we were her only clients or as if Janie was part of our family. Even today 7 years after our closing Janie continues to provide support to us. We have recommended Janie to all of our friends and family and she is the only realtor we would ever use!“
- Amy & Jonathan Cohen
Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was a real pleasure to work with. She was very professional in all of our meetings, only wanted to be sure that I found exactly what I was looking for, It took longer than we would of liked to close on my house, but even then Janie was right by my side making sure that everything was being done correctly. I would highly recommend her to any one.”
- Roberta Levy
Northbrook
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie, we just wanted to say thanks for being so patient with our isms and cherish having you as our friend-realtor. You were crucial in our decision making process.”
- Caralee & Rob Levinson
Lincolnshire
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Thank you for all you did for us. You were patient, knowledgeable and a huge help in finding our home. You listened carefully to our requests and always made time to show us homes which met our needs. You treated us like we were your only clients!”
- Anika & Michael Hubbard
Lake Forest
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie Bress is a sheer pleasure to work with from a buyer standpoint. She came recommended by my friends and how right they were. I have bought homes in multiple states and the UK and she outshines everyone I have worked with hands down. Janie took the time to understand my needs, educate me on the area and likely matches – never pushed, was always supportive. She helped place me in an apartment that was like a resort while we waited (10 months) for the right home to come to market. The result: I am living in my dream home! Thanks Janie – and to anyone thinking about working with a realtor you can’t go wrong with Janie Bress.”
- Paul Cox
Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie, thank you for you kindness and patience all these years. You never gave up on us! We are deeply appreciative of all your hard work.”
- Allen & Renee Wishner
Riverwoods
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie did a superb job for us. She is a fantastic representative for your firm.”
- Bonnie & Steve Shlensky
Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was an absolute pleasure to work with. She is the epitome of professionalism and was extremely patient with us. Janie was extremely diligent in her research of properties that she felt would suit our needs, and never failed to not only meet, but exceed our expectations. We valued her experience, knowledge and opinions. We would never use any other realtor.”
- Scott & Tara Subeck
Northfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is one of the most knowledgeable, efficient and effective realtors that I have ever dealt with. Janie is the “perfect” selection for your realtor. From the time I first met Janie throught the closing of the sale, her demonstrated knowledge and professional experience were outstanding. She has exceptional knowledge of the market place and provides excellent professional advice. Janie was extradordinarily helpful throughout the entire process, from making the house market-ready, placing the house on the market and handling all the intermediary steps through closing. I would recommend Janie to anyone who needs a really great realtor and she is a pleasure to work with.”
- Dick Weiss
Skokie
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was referred to us by friends who assured us that she was the best. We had no idea how right they would be! We both work over 60 hours a week and have a 1 year old which made our time very limited. Janie was always available with short notice and she responded to our many emails very quickly. When we viewed homes, she pointed out all things, both good and bad, and she even kept an eye on our curious son who enjoyed showing her that he could climb up and down all of the stairs. Janie was not only our broker, but she also became our friend and our teacher. She took the time to teach us all the little things we didn’t know about owning a home. She genuinely cared about us. Janie really knows what she’s doing and we never second guessed her. She helped us find the perfect home for our expanding family. Thank you, Janie!”
- Megan and David Soth
Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was a professional throughout the entire sales cycle. She brought knowledge and experience to our transaction. We will recommend Janie and Coldwell Banker to others.“
- Stuart & Barbara Cornew
Winnetka
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie’s in-depth knowledge of homes and builders on the North Shore was extremely helpful in evaluating and comparing properties. She was always available for communication and was proactive with status updates. She is professional and pleasant to work with.”
- Laura & Mitchell Schwartzwald
Northbrook
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“It was a pleasure working with Janie. Her professionalism and industry knowledge made the buying process stress free. Thank you!“
- Ellen & Mike Razzoog
Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is a great agent. She listened to our needs, provided realistic feedback which managed our expectations and led us through the sale of our home in a difficult market. Her commitment to us and understanding of our needs was critical when we were buying our house. She was always available as we looked at a number of listings and would point out things for us to consider for our family. Janie’s biggest asset to us was her professionalism and experience. She made both the process of selling and buying property transparent, and the partnership she built with us made us feel engaged but not immersed in details.”
- Stephanie & Mike Stormoen
Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is a home buyer’s dream come true. She worked tirelessly for us in our home search, providing her truly endless knowledge, expertise and honesty every step of the way. She is the pinnacle of a professional. Janie was always a step ahead of things and made every phase of our home search go smoothly and pleasantly. She went above and beyond for us, not only getting to know us and our preferences very well, but showing that she cared personally about us. Because of Janie’s hard work and personal dedication we not only have our dream house, but we feel fortunate to have gotten to know her. We would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone!”
- Carrie Chaikin & Patrick Kang, Buffalo Grove
Buffalo Grove
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is a true professional and was a pleasure to work with. She listened to our needs and made every house hunting trip we made a productive experience until we eventually found our “dream home”. I would recommend her to any of my friends and family. Thank you Janie!“
- Mona & Aaron Erter
Glen Ellyn
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is a dedicated and knowledgeable professional. She has an in-depth understanding of all of the neighborhoods on the North Shore, which helped us in our decision making process. She was a strong advocate for us as we searched for a new home. She was always prompt in returning our calls and did a great job showing us homes that truly matched our priorities and desires and never pushed us to look outside of our means. We would definitely refer any of our friends to her when they are looking to buy or sell.”
- Dara & Rick Weil
Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is our “family realtor.” Over the past seven years she has sold a combination of three houses and two condos and purchased one condo for our four families. Her professional knowledge, persistence and attention to detail made all the transactions go smoothly. She is a delight to work with and the only realtor we consider entrusting with our homes.“
- Charles Ex and Pamela Berland Ex
Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie, Rick and I are most appreciative of your hard work and responsiveness in helping us select and purchase our new home. You provided us the guidance we needed and you were always willing to work around our busy schedules. Thanks again.“
- Susan and Rick Levy
Chicago
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was terrific from the start of our search through the closing, and even beyond. She helped us define the type of property we were looking for and then helped us refine that definition as we proceeded through our search. She was familiar with all the communities we had targeted and knowledgable of others that she thought would meet our requirements. She was aware of properties that met our requirements as soon as they came on the market and arranged to get that information to us immediately. She made her schedule fit ours so it was always convenient for us to see properties, even when we wanted to visit them multiple times, and we visited a lot of properties. She counseled us on local property values, provided comps to substantiate the values and provided moral support during the negotiation process. I can’t imagine how any real estate professional could have been more helpful and accommodating.”
- Bob Landsman
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“It truly was a pleasure to work with Janie. She really knows the market, is tireless in her work, provides outstanding advice, has keen business sense and has all the patience you could ever want. She worked with us for about a year as we worked through an estate and all the issues that accompany it. Throughout the process she maintained the same exceptional enthusiasm that she showed the day we first met her. We truly enjoyed working with her and would recommend her highly.”
- The Hammonds
Northfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie persevered. Her patience and commitment overcame an arguably difficult challenge. You want more business? Hire more Janies!“
- Richard & Joanna Harig
Northbrook
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was outstanding. She was knowledgeable, personable, and very organized. It was a pleasure working with her, and we enthusiastically and with pleasure recommend her to anyone looking for the services of a Real Estate Broker.”
Ira and Robbe
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was great to work with, she really understood our needs and was able to deliver. She helped us through the entire process and was a pleasure to work with.”
- Brian & Crissy Crane
Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie Bress made the selling of my beloved house as easy, as stress free as it could possibly be. She knows everything about real estate, is incredibly available,responsive, totally hard working, optimistic,patient, always gently, always correctly advising. She is a total professional who knows everyone, has vast resources and is a complete pleasure to work with.”
- Judy Kamin
Glencoe
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“I would recommend Janie Bress to anyone planning to buy a home. Janie was unfailingly pleasant and patient while showing me numerous homes. Once we chose our home I was amazed at how helpful and informative Janie remained, even beyond the closing. A great experience!“
- Barbara and Joe Zweig
Glencoe
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is terrific to work with. She’s incredibly thorough and responsive, and her knowledge of the North Shore is near encyclopedic — she can provide the buying/selling history of almost every house we looked at. We’ve worked with her for more than 10 years, and she’s supported us through the offer and negotiation process. Once when we submitted a contract to buy a house and then changed our mind, Janie remained patient and supportive, and immediately came back with more houses to look at. We think she’s the best, and would recommend her to anyone.”
- Jon & Diane Powell
Wilmette
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is, by far, the best realtor I have worked with. She is very knowledgeable about the real estate market and how to set up a home to sell. She is also very honest and willing to tell you the good and the bad too. This is important! Our house sold in one day at full asking price. I believe Janie’s expertise helped make that happen! Also, Janie helped me buy this house 11 years ago. She was great then and she continues to be excellent as a real estate professional.“
- Peter Anderson
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“It was a pleasure working with Janie in our relocation from Washington DC to the Chicago area. Janie was incredibly helpful in familiarizing us with various townships and neighborhoods in the Chicago North Shore area. Her professionalism, patience and kindness helped make our relocation a breeze.”
- Nelson & Sylvia Gomez
Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“We found Janie to be the perfect agent for our family. She was incredibly responsive to our needs and requests as both a buyer’s agent and a seller’s agent. She helped find us the perfect home for our needs and guided us through the negotiation process to get the best price. Several years later when we needed to sell, she brought a great deal of market experience and knowledge to bear in the marketing of our unique older home. We were very happy with her high level of involvement in our sales process and her thoughtful suggestions for garnering the best possible results. We would recommend her, without hesitation, to work on either side of a transaction.”
- Jennifer & Alex Brown
Glencoe
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie knew exactly what we were looking for and was patient with us for over a year of house hunting. She listened to our specific criteria and was quick to contact us with new listings before they were even posted online (which is how we found our house). She was not only knowledgable and resourceful but a pleasure to work with. We are so grateful for the commitment and time Janie put into finding us our dream home.”
- Bobbi Xayarath & Nathan Styles
Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie made buying a home easy! From looking at homes, to negotiating our contract, to getting our inspection and closing. She walked us through the process, explaining each step and making sure we were comfortable before moving forward. The service she provided was exceptional beyond what we expected.”
- Hillary & Jeff Cohen
Northbrook
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie, you are the best. Your knowlege of the market place and your hard work on behalf of your clients was always quite evident in every phase of the buy or sell of real estate, which we did both. You are a true professional!”
- Judy & Ed Ex
Glencoe / Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“I simply can’t recommend Janie Bress highly enough! I recently inherited a townhome in Highland Park that I needed to rent. I thought it was going to be a challenge for me as I live in California. But Janie was an extraordinary resource, hooking me up with various skilled trades people who assisted in making needed improvements, and even meeting them on-site to provide access. She really went the extra mile! Of course, she actively promoted and showed the unit and generated terrific tenants. Janie was extremely professional throughout and helped us through a challenging time. She is just the best of the best.”
- Michael Caplan
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie listened intently to our needs, which were varied and difficult to meet. She was always very responsive in arranging showings, remaining patient and professional throughout the process. She accommodated our schedule consistently. When we moved to make an offer on one property, then a second, Janie drew on her expertise to formulate competitive but distinctly different offers for the two different properties we bid on. She ensured we got the property we wanted and guided us every step of the way, even down to giving us all the info needed to set up utilities in our new home. We are extremely happy in our new home.”
- Amy Cathlina
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“We enjoyed working with Janie. She was very comforting and patient during an important time in our lives. We have and will continue to recommend her to others.“
- Robyn & Adam Berman
Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is a joy to work with. She focuses in on your requirements and finds homes that fill them. Her patience is unending. We looked forever and even changed our mind about some things but she was with us every step of the way. And now we are in the new home we always wanted.“
- Elayne and Bob Schempp
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Thank you so much for working with me again to purchase my second new home in Northbrook. I have always enjoyed our long standing business relationship and when it comes to residential real estate on the North Shore, I hold your knowledge in the highest regards. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all your hard work, being available to me at anytime, professionalism and your friendship. I would suggest anyone buying or selling a house in the area work with you. You are really great at what you do.”
- Jim Koretz
Northbrook
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Too often people complain about someone or something. This letter, however, portrays the merits of my real estate broker, Janie Bress. Janie has been my agent for over 25 years and has always made me feel confident and stress free. As a professional she gives more than 100%. Recently, she gave above and beyond the duties of a real estate agent. A few weeks ago, I needed emergency eye surgery. Janie volunteered to drive me to the doctor’s office and then to the hospital. She later picked up my medicine and called daily to see how I was doing. This shows the compassion Janie has for others. She is an outstanding human being as well as a professional. “
- Lana Pol
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“We had a great experience working with Janie. She gave us a lot of practical advice on preparing the house for sale and staging it appropriately. She also helped us make a pricing adjustment at the right time in a neighborhood with a lot of homes for sale. We would definitely work with her again.”
- David & Nicole Glenn
Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie helped us find our first home in the suburbs. She is an excellent real estate agent. She is very responsive, always able to answer questions, patient and was excellent at negotiating the purchase of our new home. She has many years of experience in the business and is extremely knowledgeable about the real estate market on the North Shore. We continue to be very impressed with her, and we would not have wanted to work with anyone else. Thank you, Janie, for all of your hard work and dedication to your clients.“
- Nicole and Bill Sugarman
Glencoe
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“We have worked with Janie Bress on two home sales and two home purchases and each time we could not have been more thrilled with her expertise, responsiveness, professionalism, and attention to detail. Janie works tirelessly on behalf of her clients and consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the highest level of service. In addition, Janie really cares. She gets to knows her clients, their children, even their extended families, and takes a genuine interest in their lives. Janie is a class act, we would never want to go through the complex home sale and purchase process without Janie by our side!“
- Amy and Glenn Simon
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is a fantastic agent; she was able to sell my property in an exceptionally short amount of time. I always felt very secure and well represented. She was an expert guide, thorough and professional and was there for me every step of the way, no matter what time of day or night. I will continue to rely on her for all of my real estate needs as well as refer her to all of my family and friends. She is truly the best.”
- Nancy Hopma
Vernon Hills
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“From the moment Janie Bress was our agent, we experienced outstanding customer service. We knew we picked an agent that was not only qualified, but highly knowledgeable and motivated. Having experienced other agents, Janie is truly a cut above the rest and is highly recommended.“
- Louise & Pat Casey
Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Working with Janie was invaluable when I needed to find a new home in Highland Park! I truly enjoyed working with her as she is an experienced, knowledgeable professional who is always readily available.”
- Ellen Scherr
Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie Bress was introduced to us by our son and daughter-in-law when they were purchasing their first home. She was so in sync with our children and their needs, that when we sold our home, she was the first one we thought of to call. We were never sorry. Finding our condo was a laborious feat, since we had a frustrating 1½ years of waiting to sell our home. Janie honed in on exactly what we were looking for and patiently showed us just about every property available as they came up within that time frame. She was knowledgeable, honest in her opinions, stayed within our price range, organized, and responsive. We were always made to feel like we were her only clients. I hope we never have to move again, but if we do, she will, once more, be our first call.”
- Norma & Eddie Cohen
Northbrook
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is amazing! Not only does she understand the business, is efficient and has ethics beyond reproach, Janie goes an extra 10 miles. My two sisters and I engaged Janie to sell our mom’s condo. The process was as easy, stress-free and productive as any real estate transaction can be. Thanks to Janie’s advice, the condo sold within a few months at a reasonable price — in an extremely tough market. Six thumbs up! Janie is highly and enthusiastically recommended.“
- Sandy Schneider
Northbrook
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“We have worked with Janie over the past 10 years and have sold two homes and purchased two homes with her. Janie is extremely professional and knowledgeable about the market. She is hardworking and willing to drop everything to show a house that “might be the one” and provides sound advice in negotiating real estate contracts whether from a buyer or seller perspective. Over the years Janie became a trusted advisor and friend and we highly recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.”
- Seth & Trudy Jacobson
Winnetka
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie Bress is a consummate professional. Janie was always there, advocating for us and representing our interests. Her advice to us was positively bulletproof, and her guidance helped us sell our house in only a week (in a terrible market!). She also helped us figure out what we were really looking for in a new home, and we couldn’t be happier.”
- Perrin & Jake Davis
Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was extremely helpful in finding us a beautiful home with what we needed and in our budget. Although the neighborhood she was helping us look in was not an area she was accustomed to; her professionalism and efficiency made her a breeze to work with. She helped us find a beautiful home and was always available and flexible to our needs. Thank you and we will always refer people to Janie when people are in need of a new home.”
- Michael & Yocheved Boyer
Chicago
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is the consummate professional and is certainly the person I will look to ongoing for real estate services. Her knowledge of the market and in particular the North Shore area is a strength that she leverages to provide good value to her clients.”
- Jeff Singleton, PMP
Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“I have known and done business with Janie for over 20 years…I highly recommend her! She has always been so kind and helpful. She goes out of her way to help her clients meet their goals. She presents herself as very professional, forward thinking and highly motivated to help her clients sell their particular property or find their dream home…. What sets Janie apart from most Brokers is her keen sense of knowing how to listen to her client’s needs, concerns, worries and financial limitations, understand what is important to them and then find a solution and a pathway that will work for them. You feel like her only client and a good friend when you’re with her.”
Barb
Teeple – Glenview
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“I want to thank you for the professionalism, sensitivity to all parties and effort you put into the sale of my mother’s house. For me your style and class made an extraordinarily complex set of transactions relatively easy. You are very good at what you do and we are grateful for your friendship and your services.”
- Kenneth S. Robson, M.D.
Glencoe
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was a pleasure to work with! She made our first home buying experience a great one. She made sure we were aware of everything we may not have thought of when buying our first home, and was patient in answering all of our questions. She really understood what we were looking for and was very knowledgeable throughout the whole process. We would definitely recommend Janie!”
- Sara and Andrew Rolsma
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is a wonderful agent. She is very experienced, professional and extremely thorough. She was readily available, always communicated with us and answered all of our questions throughout the process. We have used Janie for three real estate transactions on the buying and selling sides. Without doubt, we would use her again and we will gladly refer her to our friends and family.”
- Julie & Greg Miller
Glencoe
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was a great resource for my wife and I as we bought our first house. Her knowledge of the area and the pluses and minuses of each home was truly remarkable. We felt very confident that we ultimately made the right decision based on Janie’s help throughout the process.”
- Brad & Lisa Buchanan
Glenview
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“When we needed an experienced real estate agent in a new town, we were lucky that you were available. Little did we realize at the time what a “find” you were! You made us feel so comfortable with our million questions. We were never surprised with our purchase, as you were very thorough throughout the process. Your expertise has guided us through 3 real estate transactions. Thank you, Janie!”
- Carole & Larry White
Glencoe / Libertyville
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie Bress was my realtor during a recent purchase. She was wonderful and went out of her way to show me all of the different options of places to purchase. She was kind, patient, knowledgeable and helpful. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a realtor! “
- Alison Weiman
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“I cannot recommend Janie highly enough. We found Janie a pleasure to work with and her knowledge of the real estate market was outstanding. She was incredibly patient as a home that matched our needs (and desires) and price range was not easy to find. She continued to search, and even though it took a very long time and the viewing of many houses she never made us feel that we should compromise even a little bit. She is exceptionally thorough, attentive to detail, and helpful with the myriad of details that must be taken care of. Even after she had showed us houses for months, she helped us to see the negatives in houses we looked at. We are about to move into the perfect house for us, and we are so grateful to Janie for her help and her wise counsel. “
– Paula and Carl
House on Resnick in Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“If it wasn’t for Janie, we never would have found our home in Highland Park. Janie understood our search criteria, and kept a close eye on the market to identify properties that met our needs. Because of her resourcefulness, we were able to see our home within hours after it hit the market, and before anyone else (even other realtors). We bought our home that evening!”
- Sandy & Dan Leib
Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was truly a delight to work with. She was very professional and hard working with excellent follow through skills. She was easy to communicate with. She responded very quickly and was always available for concerns and questions. She also helped us relocate to a temporary residence on the North Shore. Janie has become a good friend and I would recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell a home on the North Shore. Thanks again, Janie, for your patience and help!”
- Bill Chunowitz Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie’s talent and expertise was such a huge help to us when we were moving from the city. Throughout the process Janie was so unbelievably understanding, patient, and caring. She spent countless hours for several months with us and our infant as we searched for our first home. Janie was also extremely resourceful and reliable and thanks to her vast knowledge of the North Shore we were able to find the perfect home for our family within our price range. With all of the personal attention and guidance we received from beginning to end we felt like we were her only clients or as if Janie was part of our family. Even today 7 years after our closing Janie continues to provide support to us. We have recommended Janie to all of our friends and family and she is the only realtor we would ever use!“
- Amy & Jonathan Cohen Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was a real pleasure to work with. She was very professional in all of our meetings, only wanted to be sure that I found exactly what I was looking for, It took longer than we would of liked to close on my house, but even then Janie was right by my side making sure that everything was being done correctly. I would highly recommend her to any one.”
- Roberta Levy Northbrook
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie, we just wanted to say thanks for being so patient with our isms and cherish having you as our friend-realtor. You were crucial in our decision making process.”
- Caralee & Rob Levinson Lincolnshire
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Thank you for all you did for us. You were patient, knowledgeable and a huge help in finding our home. You listened carefully to our requests and always made time to show us homes which met our needs. You treated us like we were your only clients!”
- Anika & Michael Hubbard Lake Forest
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie Bress is a sheer pleasure to work with from a buyer standpoint. She came recommended by my friends and how right they were. I have bought homes in multiple states and the UK and she outshines everyone I have worked with hands down. Janie took the time to understand my needs, educate me on the area and likely matches – never pushed, was always supportive. She helped place me in an apartment that was like a resort while we waited (10 months) for the right home to come to market. The result: I am living in my dream home! Thanks Janie – and to anyone thinking about working with a realtor you can’t go wrong with Janie Bress.”
- Paul Cox Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie, thank you for you kindness and patience all these years. You never gave up on us! We are deeply appreciative of all your hard work.”
- Allen & Renee Wishner Riverwoods
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie did a superb job for us. She is a fantastic representative for your firm.”
- Bonnie & Steve Shlensky Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was an absolute pleasure to work with. She is the epitome of professionalism and was extremely patient with us. Janie was extremely diligent in her research of properties that she felt would suit our needs, and never failed to not only meet, but exceed our expectations. We valued her experience, knowledge and opinions. We would never use any other realtor.”
- Scott & Tara Subeck Northfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is one of the most knowledgeable, efficient and effective realtors that I have ever dealt with. Janie is the “perfect” selection for your realtor. From the time I first met Janie throught the closing of the sale, her demonstrated knowledge and professional experience were outstanding. She has exceptional knowledge of the market place and provides excellent professional advice. Janie was extradordinarily helpful throughout the entire process, from making the house market-ready, placing the house on the market and handling all the intermediary steps through closing. I would recommend Janie to anyone who needs a really great realtor and she is a pleasure to work with.”
- Dick Weiss Skokie
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was referred to us by friends who assured us that she was the best. We had no idea how right they would be! We both work over 60 hours a week and have a 1 year old which made our time very limited. Janie was always available with short notice and she responded to our many emails very quickly. When we viewed homes, she pointed out all things, both good and bad, and she even kept an eye on our curious son who enjoyed showing her that he could climb up and down all of the stairs. Janie was not only our broker, but she also became our friend and our teacher. She took the time to teach us all the little things we didn’t know about owning a home. She genuinely cared about us. Janie really knows what she’s doing and we never second guessed her. She helped us find the perfect home for our expanding family. Thank you, Janie!”
- Megan and David Soth Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was a professional throughout the entire sales cycle. She brought knowledge and experience to our transaction. We will recommend Janie and Coldwell Banker to others.“
- Stuart & Barbara Cornew Winnetka
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie’s in-depth knowledge of homes and builders on the North Shore was extremely helpful in evaluating and comparing properties. She was always available for communication and was proactive with status updates. She is professional and pleasant to work with.”
- Laura & Mitchell Schwartzwald Northbrook
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“It was a pleasure working with Janie. Her professionalism and industry knowledge made the buying process stress free. Thank you!“
- Ellen & Mike Razzoog Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is a great agent. She listened to our needs, provided realistic feedback which managed our expectations and led us through the sale of our home in a difficult market. Her commitment to us and understanding of our needs was critical when we were buying our house. She was always available as we looked at a number of listings and would point out things for us to consider for our family. Janie’s biggest asset to us was her professionalism and experience. She made both the process of selling and buying property transparent, and the partnership she built with us made us feel engaged but not immersed in details.”
- Stephanie & Mike Stormoen Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is a home buyer’s dream come true. She worked tirelessly for us in our home search, providing her truly endless knowledge, expertise and honesty every step of the way. She is the pinnacle of a professional. Janie was always a step ahead of things and made every phase of our home search go smoothly and pleasantly. She went above and beyond for us, not only getting to know us and our preferences very well, but showing that she cared personally about us. Because of Janie’s hard work and personal dedication we not only have our dream house, but we feel fortunate to have gotten to know her. We would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone!”
- Carrie Chaikin & Patrick Kang, Buffalo Grove Buffalo Grove
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is a true professional and was a pleasure to work with. She listened to our needs and made every house hunting trip we made a productive experience until we eventually found our “dream home”. I would recommend her to any of my friends and family. Thank you Janie!“
- Mona & Aaron Erter Glen Ellyn
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is a dedicated and knowledgeable professional. She has an in-depth understanding of all of the neighborhoods on the North Shore, which helped us in our decision making process. She was a strong advocate for us as we searched for a new home. She was always prompt in returning our calls and did a great job showing us homes that truly matched our priorities and desires and never pushed us to look outside of our means. We would definitely refer any of our friends to her when they are looking to buy or sell.”
- Dara & Rick Weil Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is our “family realtor.” Over the past seven years she has sold a combination of three houses and two condos and purchased one condo for our four families. Her professional knowledge, persistence and attention to detail made all the transactions go smoothly. She is a delight to work with and the only realtor we consider entrusting with our homes.“
- Charles Ex and Pamela Berland Ex Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie, Rick and I are most appreciative of your hard work and responsiveness in helping us select and purchase our new home. You provided us the guidance we needed and you were always willing to work around our busy schedules. Thanks again.“
- Susan and Rick Levy Chicago
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was terrific from the start of our search through the closing, and even beyond. She helped us define the type of property we were looking for and then helped us refine that definition as we proceeded through our search. She was familiar with all the communities we had targeted and knowledgable of others that she thought would meet our requirements. She was aware of properties that met our requirements as soon as they came on the market and arranged to get that information to us immediately. She made her schedule fit ours so it was always convenient for us to see properties, even when we wanted to visit them multiple times, and we visited a lot of properties. She counseled us on local property values, provided comps to substantiate the values and provided moral support during the negotiation process. I can’t imagine how any real estate professional could have been more helpful and accommodating.”
- Bob Landsman
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“It truly was a pleasure to work with Janie. She really knows the market, is tireless in her work, provides outstanding advice, has keen business sense and has all the patience you could ever want. She worked with us for about a year as we worked through an estate and all the issues that accompany it. Throughout the process she maintained the same exceptional enthusiasm that she showed the day we first met her. We truly enjoyed working with her and would recommend her highly.”
- The Hammonds Northfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie persevered. Her patience and commitment overcame an arguably difficult challenge. You want more business? Hire more Janies!“
- Richard & Joanna Harig Northbrook
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was outstanding. She was knowledgeable, personable, and very organized. It was a pleasure working with her, and we enthusiastically and with pleasure recommend her to anyone looking for the services of a Real Estate Broker.”
Ira and Robbe
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was great to work with, she really understood our needs and was able to deliver. She helped us through the entire process and was a pleasure to work with.”
- Brian & Crissy Crane Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie Bress made the selling of my beloved house as easy, as stress free as it could possibly be. She knows everything about real estate, is incredibly available,responsive, totally hard working, optimistic,patient, always gently, always correctly advising. She is a total professional who knows everyone, has vast resources and is a complete pleasure to work with.”
- Judy Kamin Glencoe
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“I would recommend Janie Bress to anyone planning to buy a home. Janie was unfailingly pleasant and patient while showing me numerous homes. Once we chose our home I was amazed at how helpful and informative Janie remained, even beyond the closing. A great experience!“
- Barbara and Joe Zweig Glencoe
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is terrific to work with. She’s incredibly thorough and responsive, and her knowledge of the North Shore is near encyclopedic — she can provide the buying/selling history of almost every house we looked at. We’ve worked with her for more than 10 years, and she’s supported us through the offer and negotiation process. Once when we submitted a contract to buy a house and then changed our mind, Janie remained patient and supportive, and immediately came back with more houses to look at. We think she’s the best, and would recommend her to anyone.”
- Jon & Diane Powell Wilmette
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is, by far, the best realtor I have worked with. She is very knowledgeable about the real estate market and how to set up a home to sell. She is also very honest and willing to tell you the good and the bad too. This is important! Our house sold in one day at full asking price. I believe Janie’s expertise helped make that happen! Also, Janie helped me buy this house 11 years ago. She was great then and she continues to be excellent as a real estate professional.“
- Peter Anderson
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“It was a pleasure working with Janie in our relocation from Washington DC to the Chicago area. Janie was incredibly helpful in familiarizing us with various townships and neighborhoods in the Chicago North Shore area. Her professionalism, patience and kindness helped make our relocation a breeze.”
- Nelson & Sylvia Gomez Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“We found Janie to be the perfect agent for our family. She was incredibly responsive to our needs and requests as both a buyer’s agent and a seller’s agent. She helped find us the perfect home for our needs and guided us through the negotiation process to get the best price. Several years later when we needed to sell, she brought a great deal of market experience and knowledge to bear in the marketing of our unique older home. We were very happy with her high level of involvement in our sales process and her thoughtful suggestions for garnering the best possible results. We would recommend her, without hesitation, to work on either side of a transaction.”
- Jennifer & Alex Brown Glencoe
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie knew exactly what we were looking for and was patient with us for over a year of house hunting. She listened to our specific criteria and was quick to contact us with new listings before they were even posted online (which is how we found our house). She was not only knowledgable and resourceful but a pleasure to work with. We are so grateful for the commitment and time Janie put into finding us our dream home.”
- Bobbi Xayarath & Nathan Styles Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie made buying a home easy! From looking at homes, to negotiating our contract, to getting our inspection and closing. She walked us through the process, explaining each step and making sure we were comfortable before moving forward. The service she provided was exceptional beyond what we expected.”
- Hillary & Jeff Cohen Northbrook
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie, you are the best. Your knowlege of the market place and your hard work on behalf of your clients was always quite evident in every phase of the buy or sell of real estate, which we did both. You are a true professional!”
- Judy & Ed Ex Glencoe / Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“I simply can’t recommend Janie Bress highly enough! I recently inherited a townhome in Highland Park that I needed to rent. I thought it was going to be a challenge for me as I live in California. But Janie was an extraordinary resource, hooking me up with various skilled trades people who assisted in making needed improvements, and even meeting them on-site to provide access. She really went the extra mile! Of course, she actively promoted and showed the unit and generated terrific tenants. Janie was extremely professional throughout and helped us through a challenging time. She is just the best of the best.”
- Michael Caplan
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie listened intently to our needs, which were varied and difficult to meet. She was always very responsive in arranging showings, remaining patient and professional throughout the process. She accommodated our schedule consistently. When we moved to make an offer on one property, then a second, Janie drew on her expertise to formulate competitive but distinctly different offers for the two different properties we bid on. She ensured we got the property we wanted and guided us every step of the way, even down to giving us all the info needed to set up utilities in our new home. We are extremely happy in our new home.”
- Amy Cathlina
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“We enjoyed working with Janie. She was very comforting and patient during an important time in our lives. We have and will continue to recommend her to others.“
- Robyn & Adam Berman Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is a joy to work with. She focuses in on your requirements and finds homes that fill them. Her patience is unending. We looked forever and even changed our mind about some things but she was with us every step of the way. And now we are in the new home we always wanted.“
- Elayne and Bob Schempp
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Thank you so much for working with me again to purchase my second new home in Northbrook. I have always enjoyed our long standing business relationship and when it comes to residential real estate on the North Shore, I hold your knowledge in the highest regards. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all your hard work, being available to me at anytime, professionalism and your friendship. I would suggest anyone buying or selling a house in the area work with you. You are really great at what you do.”
- Jim Koretz Northbrook
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Too often people complain about someone or something. This letter, however, portrays the merits of my real estate broker, Janie Bress. Janie has been my agent for over 25 years and has always made me feel confident and stress free. As a professional she gives more than 100%. Recently, she gave above and beyond the duties of a real estate agent. A few weeks ago, I needed emergency eye surgery. Janie volunteered to drive me to the doctor’s office and then to the hospital. She later picked up my medicine and called daily to see how I was doing. This shows the compassion Janie has for others. She is an outstanding human being as well as a professional. “
- Lana Pol
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“We had a great experience working with Janie. She gave us a lot of practical advice on preparing the house for sale and staging it appropriately. She also helped us make a pricing adjustment at the right time in a neighborhood with a lot of homes for sale. We would definitely work with her again.”
- David & Nicole Glenn Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie helped us find our first home in the suburbs. She is an excellent real estate agent. She is very responsive, always able to answer questions, patient and was excellent at negotiating the purchase of our new home. She has many years of experience in the business and is extremely knowledgeable about the real estate market on the North Shore. We continue to be very impressed with her, and we would not have wanted to work with anyone else. Thank you, Janie, for all of your hard work and dedication to your clients.“
- Nicole and Bill Sugarman Glencoe
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“We have worked with Janie Bress on two home sales and two home purchases and each time we could not have been more thrilled with her expertise, responsiveness, professionalism, and attention to detail. Janie works tirelessly on behalf of her clients and consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the highest level of service. In addition, Janie really cares. She gets to knows her clients, their children, even their extended families, and takes a genuine interest in their lives. Janie is a class act, we would never want to go through the complex home sale and purchase process without Janie by our side!“
- Amy and Glenn Simon
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is a fantastic agent; she was able to sell my property in an exceptionally short amount of time. I always felt very secure and well represented. She was an expert guide, thorough and professional and was there for me every step of the way, no matter what time of day or night. I will continue to rely on her for all of my real estate needs as well as refer her to all of my family and friends. She is truly the best.”
- Nancy Hopma Vernon Hills
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“From the moment Janie Bress was our agent, we experienced outstanding customer service. We knew we picked an agent that was not only qualified, but highly knowledgeable and motivated. Having experienced other agents, Janie is truly a cut above the rest and is highly recommended.“
- Louise & Pat Casey Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Working with Janie was invaluable when I needed to find a new home in Highland Park! I truly enjoyed working with her as she is an experienced, knowledgeable professional who is always readily available.”
- Ellen Scherr Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie Bress was introduced to us by our son and daughter-in-law when they were purchasing their first home. She was so in sync with our children and their needs, that when we sold our home, she was the first one we thought of to call. We were never sorry. Finding our condo was a laborious feat, since we had a frustrating 1½ years of waiting to sell our home. Janie honed in on exactly what we were looking for and patiently showed us just about every property available as they came up within that time frame. She was knowledgeable, honest in her opinions, stayed within our price range, organized, and responsive. We were always made to feel like we were her only clients. I hope we never have to move again, but if we do, she will, once more, be our first call.”
- Norma & Eddie Cohen Northbrook
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is amazing! Not only does she understand the business, is efficient and has ethics beyond reproach, Janie goes an extra 10 miles. My two sisters and I engaged Janie to sell our mom’s condo. The process was as easy, stress-free and productive as any real estate transaction can be. Thanks to Janie’s advice, the condo sold within a few months at a reasonable price — in an extremely tough market. Six thumbs up! Janie is highly and enthusiastically recommended.“
- Sandy Schneider Northbrook
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“We have worked with Janie over the past 10 years and have sold two homes and purchased two homes with her. Janie is extremely professional and knowledgeable about the market. She is hardworking and willing to drop everything to show a house that “might be the one” and provides sound advice in negotiating real estate contracts whether from a buyer or seller perspective. Over the years Janie became a trusted advisor and friend and we highly recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.”
- Seth & Trudy Jacobson Winnetka
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie Bress is a consummate professional. Janie was always there, advocating for us and representing our interests. Her advice to us was positively bulletproof, and her guidance helped us sell our house in only a week (in a terrible market!). She also helped us figure out what we were really looking for in a new home, and we couldn’t be happier.”
- Perrin & Jake Davis Deerfield
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was extremely helpful in finding us a beautiful home with what we needed and in our budget. Although the neighborhood she was helping us look in was not an area she was accustomed to; her professionalism and efficiency made her a breeze to work with. She helped us find a beautiful home and was always available and flexible to our needs. Thank you and we will always refer people to Janie when people are in need of a new home.”
- Michael & Yocheved Boyer Chicago
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is the consummate professional and is certainly the person I will look to ongoing for real estate services. Her knowledge of the market and in particular the North Shore area is a strength that she leverages to provide good value to her clients.”
- Jeff Singleton, PMP Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“I have known and done business with Janie for over 20 years…I highly recommend her! She has always been so kind and helpful. She goes out of her way to help her clients meet their goals. She presents herself as very professional, forward thinking and highly motivated to help her clients sell their particular property or find their dream home…. What sets Janie apart from most Brokers is her keen sense of knowing how to listen to her client’s needs, concerns, worries and financial limitations, understand what is important to them and then find a solution and a pathway that will work for them. You feel like her only client and a good friend when you’re with her.”
Barb Teeple – Glenview
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“I want to thank you for the professionalism, sensitivity to all parties and effort you put into the sale of my mother’s house. For me your style and class made an extraordinarily complex set of transactions relatively easy. You are very good at what you do and we are grateful for your friendship and your services.”
- Kenneth S. Robson, M.D. Glencoe
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was a pleasure to work with! She made our first home buying experience a great one. She made sure we were aware of everything we may not have thought of when buying our first home, and was patient in answering all of our questions. She really understood what we were looking for and was very knowledgeable throughout the whole process. We would definitely recommend Janie!”
- Sara and Andrew Rolsma
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie is a wonderful agent. She is very experienced, professional and extremely thorough. She was readily available, always communicated with us and answered all of our questions throughout the process. We have used Janie for three real estate transactions on the buying and selling sides. Without doubt, we would use her again and we will gladly refer her to our friends and family.”
- Julie & Greg Miller Glencoe
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie was a great resource for my wife and I as we bought our first house. Her knowledge of the area and the pluses and minuses of each home was truly remarkable. We felt very confident that we ultimately made the right decision based on Janie’s help throughout the process.”
- Brad & Lisa Buchanan Glenview
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“When we needed an experienced real estate agent in a new town, we were lucky that you were available. Little did we realize at the time what a “find” you were! You made us feel so comfortable with our million questions. We were never surprised with our purchase, as you were very thorough throughout the process. Your expertise has guided us through 3 real estate transactions. Thank you, Janie!”
- Carole & Larry White Glencoe / Libertyville
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“Janie Bress was my realtor during a recent purchase. She was wonderful and went out of her way to show me all of the different options of places to purchase. She was kind, patient, knowledgeable and helpful. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a realtor! “
- Alison Weiman
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“I cannot recommend Janie highly enough. We found Janie a pleasure to work with and her knowledge of the real estate market was outstanding. She was incredibly patient as a home that matched our needs (and desires) and price range was not easy to find. She continued to search, and even though it took a very long time and the viewing of many houses she never made us feel that we should compromise even a little bit. She is exceptionally thorough, attentive to detail, and helpful with the myriad of details that must be taken care of. Even after she had showed us houses for months, she helped us to see the negatives in houses we looked at. We are about to move into the perfect house for us, and we are so grateful to Janie for her help and her wise counsel. “
– Paula and Carl House on Resnick in Highland Park
5 Stars/5 Stars.
“If it wasn’t for Janie, we never would have found our home in Highland Park. Janie understood our search criteria, and kept a close eye on the market to identify properties that met our needs. Because of her resourcefulness, we were able to see our home within hours after it hit the market, and before anyone else (even other realtors). We bought our home that evening!”
- Sandy & Dan Leib Highland Park
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