Each phase of my life taught me something about my values, my skills, and what I found fulfilling. It wasn’t until I put all of that to work in my own business that I saw how I could use it to support others as they navigate their own phases of life.

 

For over a decade, I worked in banking, starting as a teenager and working my way up into acquisitions and mergers, eventually managing a team of more than 100 people. The work was financially stable and gave me strong leadership experience. But over time, it no longer aligned with the kind of leader I wanted to be. I couldn’t reconcile how people were treated during corporate transitions, and I didn’t feel I could lead with full honesty or integrity. 

 

That’s when I moved into environmental nonprofit work. I wanted a career with a meaningful mission and impact. But it also came with a hard truth: unless you were in top leadership, you simply couldn’t make a sustainable income. It felt like I kept landing in roles that weren’t encompassing everything I wanted out of a career. 

 

That realization hit at the same time my life was changing in big ways. I became pregnant after being told I wouldn’t be able to have children. After our first, just fourteen months later, we had twins. Suddenly, I had three kids under two, and with my husband constantly traveling, being home became essential.

 

That’s when I began managing our family’s real estate investments. We bought properties, renovated them, and either sold or rented them. It was hands-on, flexible, and aligned with where we were as a family. I got my real estate license in 2000 so I could manage our deals directly while overseeing the renovations.

 

As our kids got older, I realized the hands-on experience I’d gained could benefit others. In 2007, I started working with clients. My background in finance helped me guide smart decisions, and my nonprofit mindset kept the focus on people. I understand the weight of financial choices, the emotion behind letting go of a home, and the hope tied to starting fresh. Especially during and after the 2008 market crash, when everyone felt a sense of uncertainty around buying and selling. Those early experiences through a challenging market shaped how I work with people as they navigate pivotal moments in their lives.

 

Every part of my life contributed to the way I support people, from understanding financing and the structure of a home through rehabs to being a parent and knowing how families’ needs change. Real estate became the place where my values, skills, and experience all came together. Whether I was working with first-time buyers, downsizing families, or clients managing estates, I was helping them navigate change confidently.

 

Eventually, I built a small team centered around the idea that a business should reflect your life, not consume it. We each run our own businesses but support each other so we can take time off, stay present in our personal lives, and still grow professionally. That balance is part of what makes the work so sustainable and fulfilling.

 

Outside of real estate, I stay involved in my community through my church, neighborhood events, and an organization called the Villages, which helps older adults age in place. My mother spent her final years living in a property behind my sister’s house, so I became familiar with what that set up looks like and what needs to be considered. I’m also part of the death-positive movement, which encourages open, practical conversations around end-of-life planning. It all ties into the same core belief: people deserve support through life’s transitions, both big and small.

 

My husband and I both value having a life that feels balanced and connected, and now that our kids are grown, we’re enjoying the space to rediscover what that looks like. I love gardening and biking, and have recently started painting watercolors. Staying connected with friends and family is also a big part of my life. 

 

One of the most important parts of my work is helping people find not just a house, but a community that feels like home. I’ve come to appreciate the importance of that through my own neighborhood. We have parades, and my husband and I sell our honey at an event that started at the end of our driveway and has grown into an annual neighborhood art sale. We even host a pig roast that’s been going strong for nearly two decades. My husband loves Halloween, so he creates a huge display that draws hundreds, and we collect donations for a local food bank. People show up, connect, and take care of each other, and that’s a big part of what makes this home for us.

 

That’s what I want for the people I work with—not just a property, but a place that supports their lifestyle, values, and relationships. Whether it’s being near family, finding a sense of belonging through a church or school, or just living in a walkable neighborhood, those things truly matter.

 

As your needs and priorities evolve, I’m here to help you figure out what’s next and make a plan that fits. I’ll meet you where you are, manage the details, and be a resource you can rely on—now and in every phase to come.

 

Sincerely,

  

Marilyn Emery

REALTOR®

Direct (301) 370-9905

Office (301) 652-0643

marilynemeryhomes@gmail.com

marilynemeryhomes.com