In Maura Neill’s words, “A real estate agent’s true value lies in his or her negotiation skills so that clients feel like it’s a win for them by the time they reach the closing table.” This is why she attended Harvard Law School’s Negotiation Institute, which she describes as providing “a unique perspective on the most important skill that someone in my industry can have.” The abilities that Neill strengthened through that program and over her 11-year career have helped her earn numerous awards, including membership in the RE/MAX Platinum Club, receipt of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award, the prestigious President’s Award from the Atlanta Board of Realtors and ranking among RE/MAX of Georgia’s Top 25 Individual Agents in 2013 and Top 25 Teams in 2014. Maura Neill & Associates ranked No. 1 at RE/MAX Around Atlanta in 2013 and No. 2 in 2014.

Neill credits her parents for both her real estate know-how and commitment to lifelong learning. Her father was a Realtor, loan originator, underwriter and appraiser who introduced her to the industry at a young age. Her mother, a teacher, sparked her curiosity about the world and encouraged her to learn as much she could. That quest for knowledge first led Neill to a teaching career and later, a position in advertising. Her next career step was to work with a top-producing real estate agent, and it was then that she realized she had found her calling. “I fell in love with the business!” she says. “I’d never planned on a career in real estate, but it truly provides an opportunity to educate people about buying and selling homes while delivering customer service that is second to none. That’s what inspires me to do what I do every day.”

Neill and her team work hard to simplify the often-complex processes of buying and selling homes for their clients. The industry is subject to laws and regulations that are constantly changing, which can be confusing for clients. “Our initial consultations with buyers and sellers set us apart from other agents,” she says. “We make sure that they’re educated about the process and informed about what’s happening every step of the way, from the time they sign a brokerage engagement contract to the closing table.” Neill explains that this approach reduces anxiety and avoids unnecessary stress, making transactions as smooth as possible.

A member of the National and Georgia Association of Realtors, as well as the Atlanta Board of Realtors, Neill is actively involved in these professional organizations as an officer and committee member. “Volunteering within my industry not only allows me to better my profession, but to also help protect homeownership and private property rights,” she says. “Giving back to both my industry and my community is a major part of how I define success.” But Neill also shares that success through team donations to causes like Angels Among Us Pet Rescue and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. In fact, Neill allows every client to select which organizations those contributions should be made to and help them file the necessary paperwork if their employer will match those gifts. “Success of any kind comes with responsibility,” Neill points out, “and we take that responsibility very seriously.”