Mary Illes

Mary Illes is here to help you. “I want my clients to be overjoyed, not overwhelmed, when buying or selling a home,” she says. “And I’m dedicated to making that happen.” Known for her authentic and cheerful nature, as well as her kindness and discretion, Mary is also a skilled communicator, a loyal and compassionate client advocate and a fierce, high-stakes negotiator. “I love getting out there, being with people, and helping them get the home they want,” she says. “I have a fire in my belly every morning when I wake up, and I am ready to go!” She developed and honed that fire during two decades in the tech industry, followed by more than ten years in real estate. Both experiences provided her with an expertise in getting things done in the most challenging of environments and delicate of circumstances. For Mary, the smallest of details matter, as does matching her approach to the comfort level of each client. “Everyone prefers different methods of communication,” she says. “Some are fast and furious, and others like to get things in small doses. I am happy to accommodate.” But her true specialty—and passion—is helping people transition from one phase of life to the next. Whether that means assisting first-time homeowners find their starter house, locating a vacation home for new empty nesters, or aiding seniors by navigating and facilitating their downsizing. Mary quickly becomes a trusted advisor to her clients while using her depth of knowledge and experience to ease anxiety and decrease emotional distress. In addition, Mary is in the process of obtaining a certification as a Certified Senior Housing Specialist (CSHP), so she can guide seniors along the often-difficult path of downsizing their homes and their lives. “Many people become overwhelmed when even thinking about downsizing,” says Mary. “There are a lot of moving parts, and I can help organize, streamline and get things done. I can also just help get the process started. Sometimes that’s all someone needs.” Collaborating with her fully vetted team of service providers (including: plumbers, painters, contractors, organizers, move managers, estate attorneys, etc.), Mary works overtime to find the best, and most comfortable, process for each client, and walks them through every step. Her goal, she says, is simple: “I want to make people’s lives easier and better.” When she’s not working, Mary loves to travel, cook, go on long walks with her dog, Finn, and spend time with her two grandchildren. She also loves being on the water and recently joined a women’s crew team and took up rowing. She currently lives and works in Annapolis, MD, but spends half her time in DC where she maintains a thriving and robust business in the DMV – sometimes finding properties for clients in both locales.