Your Next Move
The realtor who tells you what you need to know
I'm Marisa Morello. Eight years in Metro Detroit, 160+ homes closed, and every price point served, from a starter home to a forever luxury home. My process is built on making sure you're never guessing about the biggest decision of your life.
160+
Homes Closed
8
Years in Business
9
Avg. Days on Market
$87K-$1M+
Client Price Range
The Difference You Deserve
No one explained it to you. That's why I'll never let you feel lost
I bought my first house when I was 20 and nobody educated me. Not the agent, not the lender, nobody. I made just about every wrong decision a person can make in a transaction, and I didn't even know they were wrong until much later. That experience is the entire reason I'm in this business the way I am. I'm obsessed with making sure the person after me doesn't go through what I went through.
Client experience matters more to me than any single transaction, and that isn't a line. It's the actual business model. Eight years in, I've helped 160 families move across Metro Detroit, with homes closed from $87,000 to $1M+ and listings that average nine days on market. I'm a Zillow Pro and Zillow Showcase agent, and I cover the cost of professional photography and video on every single listing myself. That's not an upsell and it's not conditional.
I also coach real estate agents nationally on client experience, teaching hundreds of them how to take better care of their own people. So I'm usually wearing one of two hats. Either I'm walking a family through one of the biggest decisions of their life, or I'm teaching another agent how to do that with heart.
Read my full storyHow I Can Help
Your guide through buying, selling, and everything in between
No. 01
Buying a Home
From your first conversation to your keys, my Ten Steps to Home keep you informed at every turn. Download my buyer's guide and see how buying with me works.
Start your home searchNo. 02
Selling a Home
Professional photography and video on every listing, Zillow Showcase marketing, and a process designed to get you the best price in the fewest days on market.
Learn moreNo. 03
Relocating to Metro Detroit
Moving to Oakland County from out of state? I'll help you figure out which suburb actually fits your life, your kids, and your budget. No guessing required.
Learn moreWhere You Could Live
Which Oakland County neighborhood is right for your family?
I'm a local realtor serving Oakland County, and I've helped families buy and sell across Birmingham, Royal Oak, and Troy for eight years. These are the communities I know deeply, and here's where I'd start your search.
Client Stories
What clients say about working together
These are real words from real families I've helped move, and I don't take a single one of them lightly.
"If you're looking for a realtor that will work hard for you and have your best interest in mind along the way, I'd recommend Marisa. Marisa helped my family buy our first home. Not only was she quick to do any additional research we asked for and working hard to get in touch with other vendors. On top of this, she was more than patient when it came to me being picky when looking at home after home in our search. She helped us to negotiate concessions and offer us guidance when purchasing our first home. Her communication with our broker team made our role in the process far easier than we thought it would be and went above and beyond to offer us elite client service. Her dedication to finding out information on Comps and knowledge of the area would make her a great realtor for selling a home as well. She is patient, helpful, and above all a great realtor! I cannot recommend her enough."
Alexandra A.
First-time homebuyer
"Marisa was great to work with and I would definitely recommend her. She was always available and quick to respond throughout the entire process. She was very knowledgeable of the metro Detroit market."
Brian & Katie S.
"I was a first time homebuyer and felt completely secure with Marisa and all of her knowledge of the process. She made me feel at ease throughout the entire process. I can't thank her enough for all she did. I highly recommend her for your next purchase or sell."
Paige E.
First-time homebuyer
"Marisa was VERY helpful! Was very quick to get back to me and was able to negotiate a good deal and get us in the house we wanted. I have already recommended her to some friends and will continue to recommend her to anyone I know who is looking to buy a home."
Alyssa L.
Buyer
"Marisa was so easy to work with. She was ahead of the game no matter what. We'd call with a list of houses to see and within a few hours she had up to date information and or showings scheduled. In selling our home Marisa would give us ideas to increase traffic and was very receptive to all feedback we received. Marisa was beyond wonderful. No matter how many clients she was working with at the same time she treated us like we were her only clients. Absolutely recommend Marisa for all your realtor needs"
Darcie T.
Buyer and seller
From the Blog
Real life in Oakland County
Family Life
The Booth Park Splash Pad, Honestly
When to go, where to park, and why my kid slides down the turf hill on a cardboard box.
Read moreFamily Life
A Year of Sundays at the Birmingham Farmers Market
The vendors I actually go back for, and why I always end up spending more than I planned.
Read moreNeighborhood Guides
Royal Oak versus Birmingham on a Saturday Morning
From someone who spends time in both, here is how the mornings actually compare.
Read moreGood Questions
The questions every buyer asks me first
I get asked the same things by almost every family I work with, so I wrote the answers down. Here are the ones that come up most, and the full list lives on my FAQ page.
Read all the FAQsHow does the home buying process work with you?
It starts with a conversation, not a contract. We sit down and talk about your goals, your budget, and your timeline, and I walk you through my Ten Steps to Home so you can see the whole road before we take the first step. Then we get you pre-approved, build your search, and start seeing homes. When we find the right one, I handle the offer, the negotiation, the inspection and appraisal, and the closing, and I explain every document before you sign it. You'll never wonder what comes next, because I'll have already told you.
Do I need to be pre-approved before house hunting?
Yes, and it's the single best thing you can do before you start looking. A pre-approval letter from a lender tells sellers and their agents that you're a serious buyer, which matters a lot in a competitive market. Just as important, it tells you exactly what you can afford, so you don't fall in love with a home that's out of reach. I can connect you with lenders I trust, and we can get this done in your first week.
How much do I need for a down payment and closing costs?
Down payments can be a lot lower than people assume. FHA loans allow as little as 3.5% down, and VA and USDA loans allow 0% down for buyers who qualify, not to mention down payment assistance programs. On top of the down payment, plan on closing costs of roughly 2-5% of your loan amount, which covers title work, appraisal, and lender fees. The real number depends on your price range and your loan program, so I'll run it with you before you make any commitments.
How do I make a competitive offer in a multiple-offer situation?
Price matters, but it's not the only thing. Sellers also weigh your pre-approval strength, your earnest money deposit, the contingencies you're asking for, and your flexibility on closing date. I study the comparable sales and the seller's situation, then build an offer that stands out without overpaying. Sometimes that means a stronger deposit, sometimes it means fewer contingencies, sometimes it means a different closing date, and I'll explain the trade-offs of every choice before we submit.
Let's Talk
What's the best that could happen?
Whether you're thinking about buying, selling, or just want to understand your options, I'm here. Fill out the form and I'll get back to you personally.