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Susan Wisely reached 25 years in real estate in 2025, marking a career that has included more than $36 million in annual sales volume and a client base built largely through repeat business and referrals.

Wisely entered the industry on Sept. 11, 2000, after working as a teacher. She has continued to draw on that background by guiding clients through contracts, negotiations and other parts of buying or selling a home.

Frequent moves were part of her childhood as the daughter of a retired Navy admiral. That experience shaped her understanding of the practical and emotional challenges families can face when relocating.

Wisely graduated from Langley High School in McLean before earning a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and a master’s degree in education from George Mason University. She lives in Great Falls with her husband, Kip, and is also licensed to work with clients in Washington, D.C., and Delaware.

Her professional recognitions include rankings among the top 1.5% of National Association of Realtors members nationwide and among Compass’ five leading solo agents in Virginia by gross commission income. She has been named a Washingtonian Top Agent each year since 2016 and has also appeared on the America’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents list and in Northern Virginia Magazine.

Wisely holds Luxury Home Marketing Specialist and relocation certifications. More than 95% of her business comes from former clients and referrals, according to the profile.

Her approach distinguishes between preparing a home for daily life and presenting it for sale. Instead of automatically recommending extensive renovations, she advises sellers to focus on updates that could improve a property’s appeal and return.

In one transaction, a seller who followed her recommendations—including renovating the primary bathroom—received $38,100 above the asking price within days. The sale set a neighborhood price record, and renovation and staging expenses were deferred until closing through Compass Concierge.

Another family worked with Wisely to sell one home while purchasing another. Their listing attracted 12 offers in two days as she coordinated both transactions.

For buyers, Wisely uses customized listing collections, reviews contract details and develops offers for Northern Virginia’s competitive market. Clients quoted in the profile repeatedly highlighted her responsiveness, knowledge and ability to manage complex sales, including several who returned to her after working with her years earlier.

Wisely has also faced significant personal losses, including her mother’s death while she was in college and the later death of her former husband. She said those experiences strengthened the empathy she brings to clients navigating major transitions.