Adriana Bahena, Chicago Realtor - Busby Group at Compass

05/07/2026

Looking for the best margaritas in Chicago? 🍋‍🟩 You really can’t go wrong with any of these spots across the city. My go to is almost always a mezcal margarita with jalapeño or serrano - citrusy, bright, refreshing, and never too sweet. Whether you’re into frozen, spicy, skinny, classic, smoky, or even non-alcoholic, these Chicago margarita spots rarely miss. From Pilsen and West Loop to River North, Wicker Park, and Edgewater, this Chicago margarita guide includes some of my favorite places across the city for margaritas, happy hour, and Mexican food worth trying.

📍 La Vaca Margarita Bar | Pilsen
try their cucumber 🥒 or strawberry jalapeño margarita

📍 La Licor | Logan Square
a mezcal marg for me please + all their food is amazing

📍 Leña Brava | West Loop
a spicy cocktail for me + don’t go home without trying their wood oven oysters

📍 Itz•chel by Peke’s | Pilsen
must try their tuna ceviche

📍Antique Taco | Bridgeport
love their rosemary margarita and if you like sweet they have a blueberry marg

📍Clandestino | West Loop
marg with a side of mood lighting

📍La Costa Mariscos | West Town & Belmont Cragin
love their pulpo 🐙 and camarones 🍤 zarandeados 🔥

There are so many great margaritas in Chicago I couldn’t fit them all here, but I had to give a few honorable mentions their flowers too, even if I don’t have the aesthetic photo proof 😅 they are just as worthy. Save this for your next special occasion and send it to the person you’re sharing chips, guac, and drinks with.

05/04/2026

Getting top dollar isn’t just about timing the market, it’s about preparation. From lighting and paint to deep cleaning and curb appeal, strategic updates can completely change how a home is perceived by buyers.

This home is a perfect example—purchased as a short sale in 2016 for $150K and recently sold for $540K. With the right preparation and presentation, we were able to position it strongly and sell in less than 45 days in today’s market.

Many factors played a role, including buyer demand, strategic pricing, and how the home was prepared before hitting the market.

Proof that it’s not just about when you sell, but also how you prepare. Even older homes can command strong prices when positioned correctly.

Every home is different—having a plan before listing makes all the difference. If you’re curious about your home’s value and want to know what it could sell for, let’s connect!

📧 [email protected]

04/29/2026

A pet-friendly home in Chicago should be more than just “dogs allowed.” The right home should fit your lifestyle and your dog’s daily routine.

Think beyond pet fees and ask:
✔ Is it walkable?
✔ Is there green space nearby?
✔ Is there room for zoomies, sun naps, and easy routines?

🐶 Prioritize Walkability: For dog owners in Chicago, walkability matters just as much as square footage.

Look for:
✔ Wide sidewalks
✔ Easy potty routes
✔ Nearby green space
✔ Less traffic-heavy streets
✔ Safe early morning / evening walks

Bonus: walkable neighborhoods are often better for resale too.

🐶 Outdoor Space = Daily Luxury: A private balcony, terrace, yard, or nearby dog run can make daily life so much easier.

Especially in Chicago winters, pet owners should prioritize:
✔ Private outdoor space
✔ Easy first-floor access
✔ Nearby dog parks
✔ Buildings with dog wash stations or pet relief areas

🐶 Neighborhood > Building Amenities: Luxury pet amenities are great… but the neighborhood matters more.

A dog wash station is nice. Being 5 minutes from a real park, walking trail, or dog beach? Even better.

Chicago dog owners should prioritize access to:
✔ Dog parks
✔ Lakefront trails
✔ Pet-friendly patios
✔ Groomers + vets
✔ Everyday convenience

🐶 Best Chicago Features for Dog Owners: When helping pet owners find the right home in Chicago, I tell them to prioritize:

✔ Walkability
✔ Outdoor space
✔ Nearby parks
✔ Real pet-friendly policies
✔ Easy parking / quick potty access
✔ Durable flooring
✔ Storage for pet gear
✔ Access to vets, groomers & pet stores

🐶 Thinking About Moving With a Dog? If you’re buying or renting with a dog in Chicago, I can share:

🐾 dog-friendly neighborhoods
🐾 pet-friendly condos & rentals
🐾 buildings with dog runs / terraces
🐾 areas near parks, patios & lakefront trails

Ready to find the perfect home for you and your furry friend baby? Send me an email at [email protected] to discuss your home search 🏠

04/27/2026

📍Lower West Side (includes Pilsen/Tri-Taylor/University Village), Bridgeport & McKinley Park

Curious what homes are actually selling for in some of Chicago’s most popular neighborhoods?

Here’s a quick look at average sale prices across a few key Chicago markets — a helpful starting point whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing.

Average sales prices can give you a general feel for the market, but the real story depends on your property type, condition, block, and timing.

A condo in Pilsen will perform differently than a 2-flat in Lower West Side.
A renovated single-family in West Town will tell a different story than one needing updates.

Neighborhood averages are helpful, but personalized data is what helps you make the best decisions.

If you’re curious what your home could sell for, what your budget can realistically buy, or which neighborhood makes the most sense for your goals, message me for a personalized market analysis or custom CMA.

I’m happy to help with local pricing, neighborhood trends, and real strategy for buying, selling, or investing in Chicago real estate.

Email me at [email protected] with any real estate questions!

02/19/2026

Brick and vinyl worker’s cottage 🏠 in the heart of 📍Pilsen offering a versatile two-unit layout well suited for tenant occupancy, or potential to connect all three levels into a spacious single-family home.

🛌 7 Bedrooms
🚿 3 Bathrooms
🚘 2 Car Garage

📧 For more information email me directly at [email protected]

10/24/2025

I love looking through the Compass Curated Magazine. Take a look at this elite collection of luxury homes across the country.

Our team can connect you with brokers nationwide for your next move!

  Curated Magazine, the essence of Compass Luxury. Explore this specialized periodical featuring Compass’ most prestigious properties.   Curated Magazine - Fall / Winter 2025

10/22/2025

✨ Smart Home Security Tips for Every Homeowner

Smart doorbells, motion lights, and monitored systems are some of the easiest ways to boost safety and your home’s resale appeal. Thinking about upgrades before selling or buying? Ask me what pays off in the Chicago market.
Protecting your home isn’t just about locks and alarms — it’s about smart upgrades that bring peace of mind and add value. According to a recent article from the National Association
of Realtors, here are a few key features worth considering:

Install a smart doorbell or outdoor camera — captures activity and acts as a deterrent.

Add smart locks or access control — allow remote access, activity alerts, and better control.

Use motion-detecting lights or sensors around exterior entry points — lighting + alerting = strong prevention.

Consider window/door sensors and visible signage — simple, cost-effective layers that still matter.

Don’t forget: Monitoring system or service adds another layer of protection.

📞 Want help figuring out which upgrades make sense for your home? I’d be happy to walk you through options and market impact.

Email me at [email protected] to discuss your real estate goals!

05/06/2025

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 & 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 🏡📈

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲—as the cost of living rises, so does home value over time.

𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆 = 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 + 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵. You build it by paying down your mortgage and as your home’s value appreciates.

𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 reflects national trends, but 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹—your city or neighborhood may be up, down, or holding steady.

𝗥𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘃𝘀. 𝗕𝘂𝘆? Rents often rise with inflation, but a 𝗳𝗶𝘅𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀. Always look at county- or city-level data when evaluating your options.

𝗧𝗶𝗽: Real estate is a long game. The best time to buy is when it aligns with your long-term goals, not just the news cycle.

Use the data! Get an understanding of the market and plan your future. Whether you’re fixing your credit score, increasing savings, adjusting or creating a budget, calculating the cost of a home or looking to make changes in any part of your life — data/metrics are your friends 🤓

If you or anyone you know is looking to buy, sell, rent or need just need a helping hand, I hope to be a great resource for you ✨🏠 DMs are open

email 📧 [email protected]

04/18/2025

🌷✨🐰🐣
🥚 Egg Hunt & Easter Bunny
📍McKinley Community Play Garden
🗓️ Saturday, April 19 2025 from 11AM - 1PM

04/03/2025

Did some light spring cleaning this morning. Inspired by these awesome spring cleaning tips from The Clutter Curator (professional Chicago-based organizer) 🌷🧼 🧹🧽 love it 😍

https://www.thecluttercurator.com/blog/spring-cleaning-with-a-fresh-approach-to-decluttering-and-organizing