Maria Etling
Maria Etling, MBA, GRI, ASP is a top-performing Broker Associate and Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago, recognized among the top 2% of agents globally. With 23 years of experience in real estate, Maria has earned numerous accolades, including the 5 Star Service Legend Award for 15 consecutive years (2011–2025), Chairman’s Circle, President’s Circle, and Chairman’s Circle Gold Awards, as well as recognition as a Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Residential Real Estate Broker. She is Luxury Home and Relocation Certified and has built a career centered on integrity, trust, and personalized, hands-on service. Maria’s expertise spans residential real estate sales, client relationship management, marketing strategy, personal branding, community-based networking, and property market analysis, supported by a strong foundation in marketing and finance from her corporate background.
Maria’s professional focus is on relationship-driven sales, strategic property marketing, and community-based business development. She is dedicated to client advocacy, maintaining long-term partnerships, and ensuring each client experience is seamless and rewarding. Over her career, she has successfully transitioned from corporate America into a highly competitive real estate market, building a reputation based on referrals, loyalty, and trust. Maria has overseen over $195 million in transactions, consistently providing top-quality service to clients in Libertyville, Illinois, and the surrounding areas.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Maria is deeply committed to her community. She actively participates in company-sponsored fundraisers, outreach events, organizing dinners for individuals experiencing homelessness, backpack drives, and children’s support initiatives. Outside of real estate, she enjoys yoga, pickleball, traveling with close friends, and volunteering, maintaining a balanced and purpose-driven life. Her dedication to integrity, client satisfaction, and community impact continues to distinguish her as a respected leader in the real estate industry.
• Accredited Staging Professional
• Saint Mary's College - BBA
• Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago - MBA
• NAR
• IAR
• Caring Women’s Connections
• The Haven
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to building authentic, long-term relationships and staying consistently top-of-mind with my clients. Strong community involvement, personal integrity, and follow-through are central to how I approach every transaction. I also leverage social media strategically to connect and engage, always treating real estate as a relationship-driven business rather than simply a transaction.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Her most influential mentor was Carol Freeman, who supported Maria early in her real estate career by offering guidance, encouragement, and practical advice that helped her build confidence and direction in the industry.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I advise young women entering real estate to be authentic and true to themselves, focusing on building trust before pursuing transactions. It’s important to stay consistent, reliable, and to nurture relationships for the long term. Early challenges are inevitable, but they shouldn’t be discouraging. Above all, remember that your reputation is everything in this industry.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in real estate today is staying visible in a saturated market while maintaining personal connections in an increasingly digital environment. Market volatility and shifting interest rates, along with competition from automated and low-touch platforms, also present hurdles. At the same time, there are exciting opportunities: leveraging social media and digital marketing, differentiating through relationship-driven service, engaging in community involvement to build trust, and meeting the continued demand for knowledgeable, human-centered agents.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In both my work and personal life, I place great value on authenticity, trust, and reliability. I believe in fostering personal connections and giving back through community service, while also maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Outside of work, I enjoy practicing yoga, playing pickleball, traveling with a close group of friends, staying active, and engaging in volunteer activities that support and strengthen my community.