The No. 1 agent at her former company in Highland Park for nearly a decade, Janet Borden left there in 2020 to launch Compass in Highland Park with her friend and colleague Allison Silver. Borden has dedicated over 30 years to the real estate industry, successfully navigating clients through the market during its many ups and downs. Borden, herself a longtime Highland Park resident, serves both luxury and first-time buyers and sellers on Chicago’s North Shore. She has expertise in new-construction and lakefront properties and a passion for midcentury and historic homes. “Real estate has been my entire career,” says Borden, adding that she takes great pride in representing her clients’ best interests.
Borden’s business is almost entirely by referral, and she often assists clients in a second, third and even fourth transaction, skillfully acting as educator and negotiator. “I teach them about the current market and let them know what to expect so they can make informed decisions,” she explains. Borden’s clients love her innovative marketing, which boosts sales using everything from paid, targeted social media posts to wine bottle labels featuring property photos. Clients say she lives up to her tagline, “Jan Can.”
Borden is a Real Estate Negotiation Expert and an e-Marketing Specialist. Her numerous accolades include the Wall Street Journal Real Trends “America’s Best” list, Crain’s Chicago “Notable Brokers” and Chicago magazine’s Five Star Professional award. In 2019 and 2020, she ranked as the No. 1 agent in Highland Park by number of homes sold. “I work from a place of ‘yes’ and always try to achieve what my clients desire,” she says of her strategy for success.
Borden supports the Southern Poverty Law Center and does hands-on work for Habitat for Humanity and the Ronald McDonald House. She loves a challenge and has hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and rafted the Grand Canyon. Her family is her driving force, and she finds a work-life balance to be the key to success.
