If you’re looking for an experienced real estate team in Chicago, The O’Connor Group’s story starts in an unexpected place: Barbara O’Connor needed a new kitchen.
What began as a practical way to earn additional income became a lifelong career in Chicago real estate, and eventually, a family business built around helping others find their place in the city Barb has always called home.
How Did Barbara O’Connor Get Started in Chicago Real Estate?
Barb’s entry into real estate wasn’t part of a grand career plan. She had a family, wanted a new kitchen and saw real estate as an opportunity to make it happen.
She quickly discovered she had a talent for the business. Her ability to understand people, neighborhoods and the emotions behind buying and selling a home helped turn that initial necessity into a career spanning decades.
Today, Barb has helped thousands of homeowners and investors navigate Chicago real estate and has consistently ranked among the top brokers in the Chicago market.
Is The O’Connor Group a Family Real Estate Team?
Yes, and family is at the heart of the business.
Barb’s daughters, Hilary and Claire, have built careers in real estate alongside their mother, bringing their own professional backgrounds and perspectives to the team. But the family atmosphere extends beyond relatives. The O’Connor Group has built a team culture centered on relationships, trust and treating clients like people rather than transactions.
What Chicago Neighborhood Does Barbara O’Connor Call Home?
Barb resides in Budlong Woods, keeping her close to her children and family as well as The O’Connor Group’s office in Lincoln Square.
That proximity reflects what has always made her approach to Chicago real estate personal: these aren’t simply neighborhoods where The O’Connor Group sells homes. They’re communities where the team lives, works and has built relationships over generations.
From needing a new kitchen to helping Chicago families find kitchens of their own, Barb’s story has come full circle.
And decades later, The O’Connor Group is still helping Chicago feel like home.
