When you first meet Nilou Jones, her warm smile and down-to-earth energy make you feel like you’ve known her for years. That’s not by accident. It’s a reflection of who she is, both personally and professionally: deeply empathetic, globally experienced, and relentlessly driven. As an award-winning agent with RE/MAX Leading Edge, Nilou has carved out a reputation not only for excellence, but for truly delivering what she calls “The Experience You Deserve.”

But her journey into real estate was anything but conventional.

Born in Tehran, Iran, Nilou moved to the United States when she was just 4½ years old. Her family settled in Virginia, where she grew up as a spirited and social kid- always climbing trees, playing soccer, and gathering with neighborhood friends. The world was her playground, and adventure was in her DNA.

Nilou comes from a small, close-knit family, sharing her childhood with her younger sister—whose unexpected and sudden passing this past March has become a profound turning point in her life.

Though she once dreamed of becoming a doctor, Nilou’s life took a different turn when she met her husband, then an Army servicemember, in Denver. Married life took her around the world, eventually landing her in military roles herself, including work in an Air Force pharmacy overseas.

“It wasn’t the path I thought I’d take,” she admits, “but looking back, it gave me this global lens and adaptability I never would’ve had otherwise.”

After moving back stateside and settling in Maryland, she dipped her toe into real estate as an assistant for a few months. The spark was instant. What started as a part-time role quickly grew into a full-fledged calling. She became licensed in the summer of 2012, and she never looked back.

Today, Nilou is an individual agent supported by an assistant, preferring the one-on-one relationships that come from offering a highly personal client experience. 

“My clients don’t get passed around a team. They work directly with me, because I believe that connection and trust are what truly count. I know the ins and outs of their entire transaction, start to finish.”

At home, she and her husband (now retired from the military and working in government) are parents to two grown sons—Cyrus (23), an electrical engineering student, and Arman (21), who’s studying forensic science. And when the real estate day gets hectic, their Cavachon pups, Penny (12) and Lilly (5), are always ready with unconditional love and comfort. 

Together, the family shares a deep passion for travel and golf. Living on a golf course means tee times are part of the regular routine, and their passports tell the story of a life well-traveled with England, Brazil, Italy, Croatia, and Costa Rica to name a few.  Most recently, she completed a nearly two-week, 2,100-mile road trip around Iceland. Next on their bucket list? Japan, Peru, and New Zealand.

“We travel not just to see the world,” Nilou explains, “but to reconnect as a family. That’s everything to us.”

While Nilou has earned her fair share of accolades, RE/MAX Elite status for the past four years, RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award, and #8 individual agent in Maryland. What sets her apart isn’t just the stats. It’s her lived experience as a military spouse, someone who understands deeply what it’s like to relocate, start over, and adapt quickly. 

“Many agents don’t know what it’s like to move across the country or world at short notice. I do. I’ve lived it. That makes a huge difference in the client experience.”

Nilou’s goals this year are centered on elevating the client experience while honoring the lessons life has taught her. After her sister, Yasie’s, passed, she redefined what success means. “That loss changed everything,” she shares. “I now take more breaks. I say 'no' more. I honor family over hustle. And I work with people who value what I bring. I still want to achieve and work hard, but not at the cost of neglecting myself or my family. Balance matters now more than ever. I’ve learned that caring for myself isn’t a luxury. It’s what allows me to deliver the very best to my clients”

Her 2025 goal? Maintaining RE/MAX Elite status by taking the best care of her clients, while also staying true to her personal values: authenticity, mental well-being, and quality time. 

Nilou’s RE/MAX brand and brokerage are proud supporters of the Children’s Miracle Network, a cause that aligns with her lifelong love of helping others.  She’s also fiercely committed to mentoring others in the industry. “My phone is always on. My door is open. I love helping newer agents find their footing because this job isn’t easy. People aren’t always kind or understanding. But if you can stick it out, it’s worth it.”  Whether through charity or mentorship, giving back is a non-negotiable part of her business philosophy.

Her advice for rising agents?

“Don’t give up. This isn’t an easy career. People can be unkind, and the work can be relentless. But it’s also incredibly fulfilling if you protect your peace and stay true to yourself.”

If she could enact one law for everyone to follow?

“You have to greet everyone with a smile.” Simple. Powerful. And very Nilou.