Maria Devins lives by a powerful philosophy: “I never give up no matter what. Never.” This mantra doesn’t just fuel her successful real estate career, it defines her entire life. For Maria, the strength behind these words didn’t come from a book or a mentor. Rather, it was earned through deeply personal, life-altering experiences. Maria’s journey through loss and perseverance has shaped who she is today: a REALTOR® who is fiercely dedicated to her clients, her family, and her mission to make every real estate transaction a positive one.

Maria’s unshakable mindset stems from one of the hardest moments and times of her life. Her daughter’s passing left an indelible mark on her heart, forever reminding her of life’s fragility. Soon after, Maria faced another overwhelming challenge when one of her sons was diagnosed with a brain seizure disorder. This battle, however, resulted in a miraculous recovery, and today, her son is thriving. “Those experiences taught me patience and resilience. I learned that no matter what life throws at you, you keep going, you keep pushing,” Maria explains.

It’s this same tenacity that Maria brings to her real estate business. After twenty-eight years as a makeup artist in film and TV, she transitioned to real estate in 2007. The catalyst? A nightmare experience that she and her husband endured when buying their own home. “We were young, naive, and completely let down by our agent,” Maria recalls. “The inspection wasn’t done properly, the furnace caught fire, and there were major issues with the property that we didn’t know about until after closing. I realized I never wanted any homeowner to go through what we went through.”

Since then, Maria has dedicated herself to protecting her clients and ensuring their home-buying experiences are as smooth as possible. “I’m their ‘broker for life,’” Maria says. Her commitment to her clients goes beyond transactions—she builds relationships, provides ongoing support, and ensures her clients know that they can trust her implicitly.

That devotion is deeply rooted in the values Maria learned while growing up in Park Ridge, Illinois, a place where family connections and personal integrity were central to the community. Her father, who immigrated to the US from Italy in 1936 and served in World War II, played a pivotal role in shaping her approach to life and business. 

“He was a self-made man. He worked his way from being a tool and die maker to becoming a successful insurance man and then a stockbroker,” Maria says proudly. “He taught me that clients should be treated like family—like you’re sitting down to dinner with them—that that kind of respect is everything.” This lesson has stayed with Maria throughout her life and has become the cornerstone of how she treats her clients today.

For Maria, success isn’t about the number of deals she closes. It’s about the people she helps along the way. “Success is about being with my family, and being happy, healthy, and at peace,” she explains. “And it’s about earning my clients’ trust, making sure they know they can always rely on me.”

Maria’s passion for real estate doesn’t stop with being a top REALTOR® with Baird & Warner. She’s also a host on American Dream TV, a nationally syndicated lifestyle and real estate show; and she’s worked with HGTV’s House Hunters, showcasing her skills and passion to a wider audience. “I love the opportunity to highlight real people, real businesses, and the amazing properties I work with,” Maria shares. “It’s just another way to serve my clients and elevate their experiences.”

When Maria isn’t working, she enjoys gardening, traveling, and creating cherished memories at home, but family is everything to her. She loves spending time with her husband, Tim, to whom she’s been married for thirty-five years, and their three adult children: Jennifer, Matthew, and Bradley. Her three dogs—HRH Princess Shellie Belle, Sir Chewbacca, and Sir Dunkin Bear—are just as much a part of the family as anyone else. “Everything I do is for my family,” Maria says.

As Maria continues to build her real estate career and deepen the relationships she’s fostered over the years, she carries forward the values that have always guided her: dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to her clients. Whether she's working with first-time homebuyers, navigating a challenging market, or overcoming personal obstacles, one thing is certain: she will never give up.