For Mary Illes, helping older adults with real estate is about much more than selling a home. It’s about helping people understand their choices, make thoughtful decisions and confidently navigate what comes next.

As a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA®) and Compass Plus agent, Mary brings specialized knowledge and a deeply personal approach to the unique housing decisions that come with aging. She understands that conversations about a longtime home often begin months, or even years, before someone is ready to make a move.

Is it time to downsize? Could the current home be adapted to make aging in place easier? Would moving closer to family make life simpler? Is a 55+ community, condominium or other housing option worth exploring? And where do you even begin when a lifetime of belongings, family considerations and financial decisions are all part of the equation?

Mary helps clients and their families sort through those questions without pressure to sell. Her goal is to provide information, resources and a clear path forward, one step at a time.

With more than 15 years in real estate and two decades in the technology industry before that, Mary brings extensive experience in problem-solving, negotiation and managing complex situations. She works throughout Annapolis and the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area and has built a trusted network of professionals who can assist with the many needs that may accompany a later-in-life transition.

Mary has pursued extensive specialized education in senior housing, downsizing, aging in place and accessible home design. In addition to her Certified Senior Advisor (CSA®) credential, she holds the CSHP, CSDC, CAPS and GRI designations. Together, this training allows her to look beyond the real estate transaction and help clients consider the home, lifestyle and practical issues surrounding their decisions.

Warm, upbeat and approachable, Mary is known for making complicated situations feel manageable. She is a hands-on problem solver and strong advocate who pays attention to the details while keeping the bigger picture in focus.

Her philosophy is simple:

You don’t have to know what comes next. You just need to know where to start.

Mary lives and works in Annapolis while maintaining deep professional roots throughout Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. When she isn’t working, you’ll likely find her traveling, cooking, walking with her dog Finn, spending time with her grandchildren or enjoying the Chesapeake with her family.