Sisters Kimber Galvin and Drew Westergreen, the owners of KD Homes, were born into the real estate profession: they are the daughters of two successful Chicago REALTORSⓇ. 

Beginning on Armitage Avenue, their parents sold, invested in, and developed properties in Chicago (and later Wisconsin too), and helped transform their Lincoln Park neighborhood throughout the ’80s and ’90s. In the process, their daughters morphed from careful observers to helpful participants in their family’s business.

“Our weekends included everything from helping to maintain a family rental property to helping stage one of our parents’ new listings; we learned early on that presentation was paramount,” says Kimber. As the two sisters grew older, attending and assisting with open houses became routine. “We gained a deep appreciation and, dare I say, passion for the business, as well as invaluable skills, knowledge, and industry connections that became the foundation of our careers today.”

“Our shared work ethic leads to [our] greater success, too, and it's a joy to celebrate our achievements together,” adds Kimber. “Drew is not only my sister, but she’s also my best friend and perfect business partner. We complement each other's strengths, and we can seamlessly take over tasks from one another when needed.” 

That the two sisters attended schools throughout Chicago—the University of Chicago Lab School, LaSalle Language Academy, St. Clement, Whitney Young, and St. Ignatius College Prep—only enriched their understanding and appreciation of different peoples and cultures, Chicago’s colorful tapestry of neighborhoods, and the city’s unique history. 

Kimber went on to earn her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Loyola of New Orleans and DePaul University, respectively. She briefly taught high school English before returning to the industry she knew so well.

“In 2010, I was presented with the opportunity to work as an assistant to one of Chicago’s top-producing agents at Koenig and Strey,” she explains. “While working in that highly competitive environment, I realized this was what I wanted for my life.”

Drew, a talented violinist, majored in performance at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She also toured Europe and the US in various orchestras and bands, which allowed her to indulge her interest in architecture and urban design. After rehabbing and launching her first investment property in Jefferson Park in 2013, Drew decided to join Kimber at Koenig and Strey. She also worked as an assistant to a top producer there. 

In 2019, Drew and Kimber joined forces and founded KD Homes. “Becoming REALTORSⓇ was like going home for both of us,” explains Kimber. 

“A career in real estate requires a professional to wear many hats, deal with diverse clients, and successfully overcome different challenges with every transaction. We already had the talent for the many demands of the trade,” she adds. “We each find the freedom and challenges our work entails both stimulating and rewarding.”

Along with wearing those many hats, Kimber and Drew have since filled out their team with several other talented pros: Broker Associate Aneta Balliet has a keen eye for detail and an intuitive sense of style, and she often contributes these skills to the team’s staging assistance service; Broker Associate Marion Kennedy brings her background in commercial banking and corporate real estate underwriting to her transaction negotiations; and Licensed Transaction Coordinator Meli Tabares utilizes her experience in design-build services, development, and marketing and operations in her management of the firm’s transactions.

Today, KD Homes is expanding in other ways. “We are currently in the process of opening our own private office with a small group of other top-producing brokers,” says Kimber. “This office promises to provide a dynamic and stimulating atmosphere where shared experiences and perspectives lead to a deeper, and more comprehensive approach to our work. [We did this because] Collaborating with other like-minded professionals has proven to be immensely rewarding: we exchange ideas, explore market trends, and gain insights from our varied approaches, which has been very insightful and fun!”

Looking forward, Kimber and Drew aim to grow their business while maintaining the same high attention to detail and superb customer service for which they are known. They prioritize continued learning, constant adaptation to an ever-changing market, and an energetic focus on building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and partners. Ultimately, Kimber and Drew hope to make homeownership available to as many people as possible throughout Chicago’s diverse and historically significant neighborhoods. 

“Chicago is a wonderful city with a delightful collection of neighborhoods, cultures, and architectural styles,” says Kimber. “We have a stake in our community. We have skin in the game. And thanks to our upbringing, we enjoy an intimate and rather unique perspective on our city’s potential for transformation and change.”