Community Highlights: Meet Michelle Neely of Nelson Home Group Kellar Williams

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Neely

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
A Miracle in the Making

My story is not a fairytale, but the way it has unfolded is nothing short of a miracle. As I reflect on my past, I no longer feel ashamed. I don’t want to shut the door on those difficult years because they’ve shaped me into who I am today, and they’ve equipped me to serve others in ways I never thought possible. That brings me immense joy and peace.

Here’s a glimpse of my journey:

As a teenager, I was a popular cheerleader and the daughter of a pastor. By all appearances, my life seemed set on a good path. But everything changed at 15 when a traumatic event sent me spiraling into self-destruction. I developed an eating disorder to cope and found a boyfriend who was everything my parents didn’t want for me. Still, I believed he was the only person who truly understood me.

We moved in together, and what followed was a toxic, chaotic life. While he developed a prescription drug problem, I numbed myself with alcohol and my eating disorder. I could hold a job for about a year before something catastrophic happened, often landing me in the hospital with withdrawals or in treatment for my eating disorder. This destructive cycle lasted over a decade, leaving behind legal troubles, lost friends, and layers of trauma.

Then, miraculously, after a particularly successful stay in an alcohol treatment center, I got pregnant. That pregnancy was the happiest I had ever been because I was free from the grip of alcohol. I had thought I had destroyed my body and couldn’t have children, so this felt like a gift from God.

But addiction doesn’t give up easily. After my son was born, I slipped back into alcoholism, and my relationship with my boyfriend deteriorated. He spiraled deeper into his addiction. By God’s grace, I got pregnant again, which sobered me up, but he didn’t. We finally separated, and I moved closer to my family for support as a single mom.

With my loved ones’ help, I started building a life for my kids and I. I had a great career in the dental field, a house, a car, and from the outside, everything looked perfect. But behind closed doors, I was blacking out most nights after my kids went to bed. I tried online dating, but after it didn’t work out, I returned to an ex who had always been obsessed with me. My kids’ father was on the brink of death, and I felt compelled to fill that void, so I married this man, despite all the red flags.

But God works in mysterious ways. That marriage pushed me toward sobriety. After just five months, his violent behavior escalated, and I knew the only way I would be strong enough to get out, was by getting sober.. That’s when I found a women’s 12-step group, and it saved my life. With the help of my family and the support of those incredible women, I finally started turning my life around, and I was able to get a restraining order and divorce. I was give. The gift of desperation, and for the first time in nearly 20 years, I began to live free from addiction.

Around the same time, someone helped my kids’ father get into a year-long discipleship program for homeless men. By the grace of God, he became sober, too. I never thought reconciliation would be possible, but as I watched him transform and become the father I had always prayed for, we fell in love again. In June 2023, we married for the first time, and we’ve built a beautiful life together.

I’ve started a new career in real estate, and I truly feel it’s my calling. It hasn’t even been a year and I’ve already closed nearly $5 million in sales, with more on the horizon. I continue to attend my 12-step groups regularly, and we’re getting more involved in our church. My husband is an incredibly hard worker, and he now works for my parents’ business, installing water systems. Ironically, I think my parents might love him more than me these days—something I never would have imagined, given how they felt about him in the past.

I love sharing our story because it’s one of transformation and restoration. The outcome is beyond what I ever thought possible. My goal in life is to serve others, whether it’s through helping people in recovery, in business, or being a strong example for my children. I want them to know that no matter what challenges they face, with God’s power and the willingness to ask for help, they can overcome anything.

Today, I know that I am capable of anything, as long as I’m willing to put in the work, keep learning, and reach out for support. Life is beautiful now, and I am deeply grateful for every single day.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a residential realtor with a specialized designation as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist, focusing on clients aged 50 and above as they transition into retirement and beyond. My goal is to provide comprehensive support through every stage of this journey. To ensure the best service, I’ve partnered with elder law attorneys, professional organizers, cleaners, retirement communities, and other senior-focused experts, offering a full range of resources to meet my clients’ unique needs.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The recent changes implemented by the National Association of Realtors have caused a lot of uncertainty in the industry. However, as someone who is just starting out in this field, I believe that by continuing to specialize, staying committed to learning, and gaining the experience necessary to serve my community at the highest level, I will succeed. While this new law may lead many to leave the business, I am determined to be one of the strong ones who remain and thrive!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Michelle.kchomesearcher.com
• Instagram: michelleneely_realtor
• Facebook: Michelle Neely, Realtor Also Michelle Neely