Abby Kelley is a Chicago real estate broker with @properties Christie's International Real Estate and co-founder of Dwell Wisely Group. Her approach to real estate is rooted in a simple belief: you should never feel like you're just being dragged through one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.
That philosophy started with Abby's own first home purchase at just 22 years old — in 2008, of all years. Like many first-time buyers, she remembers going through the process without fully understanding what was happening, why certain decisions mattered, or what was coming next. That experience has shaped the way she works with clients today.
Whether buying or selling, Abby's goal is to make sure her clients feel informed, prepared, and in control of their decisions. She takes the time to explain the process, talk through the why behind her recommendations, anticipate what comes next, and give clients the information they need to make decisions confidently. Her role isn't to pressure someone into a decision—it's to be the experienced guide and advocate beside them while they make it.
With a background in mortgage lending, sales and marketing, and a bachelor's degree in marketing with an emphasis in real estate from Wichita State University's Barton School of Business, Abby brings both strategy and education to her work. She closely analyzes market conditions, comparable sales, property value, and the details that can affect both a home and a transaction, translating that information into practical advice her clients can actually use.
Abby also brings the perspective of a longtime homeowner and renovator to her work. She has purchased two homes in Chicago — first a condo in Bucktown and now a single-family home in Lincoln Park — and has completed extensive renovations of both. That firsthand experience gives her a practical understanding of what goes into evaluating a property beyond the finishes: its condition, renovation potential, costs, trade-offs, and the realities of turning a home into one that truly works for you.
For buyers, Abby's work often begins well before the first showing. She helps clients understand financing, neighborhoods, market conditions, the offer process, inspections, attorney review, appraisal, and what it takes to compete—without making them feel pressured to move before they're ready.
For sellers, Abby brings the same thoughtful approach to preparing and positioning a home for the market. From pricing and preparation to staging, marketing, showings, offer strategy, and negotiations, her clients understand not only what is happening throughout the sale, but why.
The goal is never simply to get you through a transaction. It's to make sure you understand the decisions you're making, feel confident making them, and always know what happens next.
Outside of real estate, Abby loves traveling, cooking, reading, gardening, collecting an arguably unreasonable number of houseplants, and strength training. She lives in Chicago with her husband, Punit, and their rescue dog, Jax.
