Home Away From Home
Club Lucky has long been a special place for Busby Group. Located in Bucktown, where many of our clients live and where our office and several of our team members are based, it truly feels like a home away from home.
Club Lucky is a beloved Chicago staple known for its classic Italian food, welcoming atmosphere, and legendary martini list. From the moment you walk through the doors, the team makes you feel like family.
Over the years, Club Lucky has played an important role in many Busby Group moments. We have hosted community presentations, client appreciation events, holiday celebrations, and team gatherings there. Whether we are celebrating a milestone, hosting clients, or simply meeting for a casual happy hour, Club Lucky always provides exceptional hospitality.
Because of its location in the heart of Bucktown, it has become a natural gathering place for our team and many of our clients. It’s one of those rare places where business conversations easily turn into meaningful friendships.
For Busby Group, Club Lucky isn’t just a restaurant — it’s truly a home away from home.
Places like Club Lucky remind us that the relationships behind the business are what truly make Busby Group special.
Partners in Impact
Busby Group is incredibly proud to partner with Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, widely recognized as the world’s leading rehabilitation hospital and a truly world-class institution.
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is at the forefront of medical innovation, combining groundbreaking research with patient-centered care to help individuals recover, regain independence, and return to the lives they love. Their team of physicians, researchers, and therapists is among the best in the world, and the outcomes they achieve are nothing short of extraordinary.
Through this partnership, Busby Group is honored to support its community in meaningful ways, including:
• Complimentary real estate seminars and webinars
• Concierge-level relocation assistance for employees
• Personalized real estate guidance and consultation
• Sponsored educational and community events
Beyond our professional collaboration, we have also had the opportunity to volunteer alongside their incredible team. Witnessing the strength, resilience, and progress of their patients is deeply inspiring and a powerful reminder of the impact this organization has every day.
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab represents the very best of Chicago and the very best in healthcare worldwide. We are grateful to support their mission and honored to be part of their extended community.
“I am always impressed with Busby Group and the services they provide. I have never seen a real estate group offer such robust support and resources for its clients. We are proud to have this partnership.”
— Katie Hartoin
A Lasting Glow
Buying or selling a home can be emotional and, at times, overwhelming. We believe it is the small, thoughtful touches that can make the experience feel more personal and memorable.
One of those touches has become a Busby Group signature candle.
Our signature candles are handcrafted locally by Gabe Nunez of Gabriel John Candles, who also happens to be a past Busby Group client. What started as a simple idea has grown into a meaningful part of how we stay connected with our clients long after the transaction is complete.
The inspiration behind the candles was simple. We wanted to create something that helps turn any house into a home while offering a small moment of everyday indulgence. Each candle is made in small batches using premium ingredients and is thoughtfully crafted with care.
They are also assembled locally in Chicago, supporting hardworking moms in our community, which makes each candle even more meaningful.
Over time, this small gesture has become something our clients truly look forward to. Each year, we send a new candle with a unique scent and message, and we love hearing how much they are enjoyed in our clients’ homes.
It is a simple reminder that our relationship does not end at closing. It continues in the homes our clients create and the lives they build there.
“I always loved working with Julie, and it means a lot to now be her partner and be part of their concierge-level services. Our candles are made with love, which reflects Busby Group’s genuine care for their clients.”
— Gabe Nunez
The Power of Paint
Sometimes, the simplest updates create the biggest impact.
Paint is one of the first things buyers notice when evaluating a home, and it can often become a perceived obstacle. Our goal is to remove that hesitation before it ever becomes a concern.
Chuck Welch and Jeff of Northside Painting have been trusted partners in that process. Their ability to provide quick, cost-effective solutions has helped many of our clients prepare their homes for the market and, just as importantly, helped buyers move forward with confidence.
Chuck is known for providing fast, accurate quotes that give buyers clarity on cost, often helping them get comfortable enough to move forward with an offer. On the seller side, his team can often repaint an entire home in just one to two days, allowing us to quickly transform a space before it hits the market.
We have also seen firsthand how impactful the right updates can be. In many cases, painting kitchen cabinets alone has helped our clients achieve up to three times the return on investment when selling their home.
There have been countless moments where Chuck has helped us “save the day,” whether by stepping in to paint a home prior to listing or by providing a clear, reasonable quote that helps a buyer move past uncertainty. He has also supported many of our buyers by completing work immediately after closing, helping make their transition into a new home seamless.
It is a simple service, executed at a high level, that consistently delivers meaningful results.
“Communication with Busby Group is top-notch. I work with many top brokers, and there is no doubt that Busby Group’s communication and attention to detail is the best.”
— Chuck Welch
Picture Perfect
In real estate, photography is the first showing.
Nick (Atanas) Kan of Positive Image has been a trusted partner of Busby Group for more than 15 years, helping us present homes at their absolute best. His experience, attention to detail, and technical precision have played a meaningful role in the successful sale of many of our listings.
Nick uses multiple exposures and carefully balanced lighting to ensure both interiors and views are captured accurately and beautifully. The goal is not just to photograph a space, but to create an image that draws buyers in and tells the right story.
One example stands out. We were preparing a downtown condo that faced a neighboring building, limiting the natural view. Rather than forcing the shot, we worked together to strategically lower the shades and highlight the lake view in a way that felt clean and intentional.
The result made an impact.
An out-of-town buyer from New York purchased the home for $30,000 more than a comparable, remodeled unit fifteen floors higher, largely driven by the strength of how the home was presented online.
That is the power of thoughtful preparation and the right partnerships.
“I always love working with Busby Group as I know we will get incredible images, due to their partnership in helping capture the perfect shot. I always plan to have extra time for a Busby Group photoshoot as I know they’ll be perfectionists.” 😊
— Nick
Protection When Needed
Owning a home in Chicago comes with its share of unexpected challenges. From frozen gutters and roof leaks to sump pump failures and water intrusion, these moments can be stressful and disruptive.
Having the right partner in place makes all the difference.
Kevin Grady of Allstate Insurance has been an invaluable resource to our clients when these situations arise. What sets Kevin apart is his hands-on, local approach. Rather than navigating a claim through a distant call center, our clients have a trusted advocate who works closely with them to ensure the process is handled properly and efficiently.
Kevin helps guide homeowners through claims with clarity and care, making sure they feel supported and protected every step of the way.
This is not just a professional relationship. Julie personally relies on Kevin for her own insurance needs and has experienced firsthand the level of service he provides. During a challenging situation involving water intrusion, Kevin brought both solutions and a sense of calm to what could have been an overwhelming process.
That level of care is exactly why we confidently connect our clients with him.
Having trusted partners like Kevin is an important part of how we support our clients beyond the transaction. It is not just about buying or selling a home. It is about protecting it long after the closing.
“I love working with Busby Group. They are the most prepared real estate team I have ever encountered, whether it’s city or suburban homes. They are incredibly organized, friendly, and honest with their clients.”
— Kevin Grady
Over a Decade Together
Felix and Delia are some of our favorite long-term clients, and our relationship with them spans more than a decade.
When we first met, they were understandably skeptical about working with a Realtor. After navigating a few challenges on their own, they decided to partner with Busby Group and take a more strategic approach.
Early on, Julie identified a property with strong upside potential. Despite being in a multiple-offer situation, we successfully secured the home and worked closely with them on a vision for the renovation. From design guidance to connecting them with trusted vendors, the goal was to create both a home they loved and a strong, long-term investment.
The outcome exceeded expectations, resulting in a significant profit and setting a strong foundation for what would become a long-standing partnership.
From there, our relationship continued to grow. We have since worked together across a range of opportunities, including renovations and resales, new construction, lot acquisitions, multi-unit investments, and custom home development.
What started as a single transaction evolved into a trusted partnership built on consistency, communication, and shared goals.
“For us, it comes down to three things: availability, responsiveness, and incredible depth of knowledge and connections. We've worked together on everything from lots and new construction to multifamily properties, buying and selling, and Julie and her team have always come through.”
Delia & Felix
The Michael Jordan Penthouse Sale
One of our favorite sales along the way was a truly iconic Gold Coast penthouse once owned by Michael and Juanita Jordan.
Our client, Amit Dadhwal, purchased the home and later partnered with Busby Group to bring it back to market. From the beginning, we knew this property required a highly intentional and strategic approach that matched its significance.
Rather than launching traditionally, we designed a thoughtful off-market strategy focused on creating demand and reaching the right audience:
A dedicated property website
Hand-delivered and mailed invitations to a private event
Staging in collaboration with our preferred designer
Architecturally driven photography and cinematic video
Targeted, off-market broker and buyer outreach
We culminated the strategy with a curated event held on February 23, 2023, a subtle nod to Michael Jordan’s iconic number. Approximately 75 guests attended.
The result was immediate.
The penthouse sold that same day, entirely off-market, setting a record price for the Gold Coast.
This sale is a great example of how preparation, creativity, and relationships can come together to produce an exceptional outcome.
“I interviewed many top brokers in Chicago and selected Busby Group because of their vision, expertise on pricing, hands-on service, and robust marketing. I could not be happier with the outcome of the sale.”
— Amit Dadhwal
Busby Group Gives Back
One of the accomplishments we are most proud of is our ongoing partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Giving back has always been a core value for Busby Group. After every closing, we make a donation to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, helping provide meals to individuals and families across Chicago. In addition, we host two annual pantry pick-up drives where we personally collect and deliver non-perishable items from our clients’ homes.
We also recognize that moving can be overwhelming. If coordinating a pantry donation feels like one more thing on the list, our team will step in to pick up and deliver those items directly. It is a small way we can make the process easier while ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Through these efforts, we have helped provide more than 125,000 meals to families across Chicago and have had the opportunity to volunteer directly with the organization.
This partnership reflects something we believe deeply. Real estate is about more than homes. It is about supporting the communities we are fortunate to be part of.
Busby Group Named to Compass Legend Society
Busby Group is honored to be recognized as a Compass Legend Society honoree, an annual distinction awarded to top-producing agents across Compass Chicagoland based on performance in the previous year.
This recognition reflects not just results, but the consistency, care, and collaboration that define how we serve our clients every day.
What the Compass Legend Society Represents
The Compass Legend Society is an exclusive, annual recognition program that highlights top-performing brokers within the Chicagoland market.
Agents are selected based on their production, professionalism, and overall contribution to the Compass community. Being included in this group places Busby Group among a select network of brokers who are consistently delivering results in a competitive and evolving market.
A Team Effort
While this recognition is based on performance, it is truly the result of a collective effort.
Our team works behind the scenes to ensure every detail is thoughtfully managed, from initial strategy and marketing to negotiation and closing. That level of coordination allows us to create a seamless experience for our clients.
We are incredibly proud of our team and the standards they uphold every day.
Gratitude to Our Clients and Partners
We are especially grateful to our clients and partners who trust us to guide them through important real estate decisions.
Our clients who continue to refer friends, family, and colleagues
Our broker partners who collaborate with professionalism and integrity
Our attorneys, lenders, and vendors who help support each transaction
These relationships are the foundation of our business and a major reason we are able to achieve results like this.
Looking Ahead
As we move forward, our focus remains the same:
Thoughtful, data-driven strategy
Strong communication and advocacy
A seamless, concierge-level experience
Recognition like this is meaningful, but what matters most is continuing to deliver for our clients and community.
If you are considering buying or selling in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs, we are always happy to connect and share insight tailored to your goals.