In 2001, Maryam Amiri immigrated to the United States from Iran. Twenty-five years later, she became the first Redfin agent to hit $1 billion in career sales volume.
“At a certain point, it became less about the number and more about what it represented: consistency, trust and the ability to serve a large number of clients at a high level. It was a milestone that reflected years of dedication and not just ambition,” said Maryam, who leads Redfin’s TEAMIRI helping people buy and sell homes in Orange County, California. “When I got the call about hitting that milestone, I was already thinking about the next billion.”
After almost 20 years as a real estate agent, including 14 years at Redfin, she still loves helping people achieve their own dreams.
“Helping people is one of the main reasons I love real estate. When I help someone move, it’s my privilege to become part of their lives and watch them grow,” she said. “I have so much passion for it. I want to continue to handle everything, from entry-level homes to first-time home-buyers to luxury coastal properties. What I’m most proud of is that the majority of my business comes from repeat clients right now. It tells me I’m delivering the kind of service and results that people remember and trust.”
Maryam started working on her own version of the American dream after a bad experience buying her first home
When Maryam arrived in the U.S., she said it was a life-changing moment.
“I stepped into a world that felt both exciting and uncertain, filled with opportunities but also challenges I had never faced before. I left everything I knew behind in Iran,” she said.
Her first job was in television, serving the Iranian community, helping to educate viewers about different loan programs, financing options, and homeownership opportunities.
In 2004, she bought her first home.
“When I bought my house, the process felt very stressful and confusing. I didn’t feel like my agent was there to support me, guide me, or represent my interests.That experience has always stuck with me. I want to do things differently and provide better communication, stronger guidance and a more supportive experience to my clients,” she said.
It was at her closing that Maryam decided she was going to get her real estate license because she wanted to help other people have a better homebuying experience than the one she had.
Maryam wanted her business to be about relationships. She always tells her clients that buying a home from her is forever because she sees them as instant family.
“From the moment I meet them, we’re together until the finish line,” she said. “Communication is key. I make sure my clients always know what’s going on and what to expect, so they feel comfortable throughout the process. Most importantly, I care about the outcome. I’m not just trying to close a deal. I want my clients to feel supported and truly happy with their decision at the end.”
At the time Maryam first got into real estate, she was trying to do it on her own and even started a company but admits that she was always watching Redfin from the sidelines.
“The technology that Redfin had to offer me as an agent made me realize I couldn’t compete with them, so it was better to join them. It allowed me to scale my business while still maintaining a very hands-on level of service, which has been a huge part of my growth in real estate,” she said.
Maryam also credits the mentors she has had at Redfin with helping her continue to grow as an agent.
“A few individuals had a lasting impact on how I think and operate. Glenn Kelman, Redfin’s former CEO, showed me how passion can fuel ideas and drive meaningful results. Scott Nagel, who was Redfin’s President of Real Estate Operations, reinforced the importance of professional presence and consistency, while Erin Lowery, who hired me, emphasized the value of being proactive and always having a clear strategy,” she said.
Maryam says mentorship has become a big part of her job too.
“I’ve worked closely with many newer agents—helping them navigate transactions, build confidence, and understand what it takes to succeed long-term. I believe in raising the standard collectively, not just individually,” she said.
Helping people realize their dreams doesn’t feel like work
“People tell me I should have a work-life balance but there is no balance for me because I don’t see my job as work. Real estate is my passion,” she said.
She adds that working 80 to 85 hours a week is a big part of her success.
A typical day often starts with a pilates class. By 8 a.m., Maryam says she’s either meeting clients in-person or connecting with them by phone, text or email.
“I enjoy being a real estate agent because it’s what I want to do, not what I have to do. When my client calls me at 10 p.m., I get so excited to talk to them about real estate. That’s just who I am, and that’s never going to change,” she said.
Even if working that many hours sounds daunting to some, Maryam says the fact that she brought in over $1 billion in career sales volume is proof of all her and TEAMIRI’s hard work. Her next goal for TEAMIRI is to focus on expanding further into the luxury and ultra-luxury markets while continuing to elevate their level of service.
Her biggest piece of advice she has for others looking to follow in her footsteps: “Focus on relationships, not just transactions. The clients that you take care of today become your business tomorrow.”
After being in real estate for so long, Maryam says she has learned that it’s a long-term business, and success only comes if you show up every day and do the right things for your clients.
“Keep learning as the market changes because the best agents can adapt and survive in any environment,” she said.
Throughout her career, Maryam has seen the housing market go through many different cycles, from the Great Recession to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now the AI boom in Northern California. She says despite what people might think, she likes to think of it like they are all rooted in the same fundamentals: supply, demand and consumer confidence.
“At its core, real estate is personal. Technology enhances what agents can do, but trust, relationships and expertise will always be the foundation,” she said.
