The Neil Lyon Group
About Neil Lyon
Neil is one of Santa Fe’s most productive brokers, year in and year out. A licensed real estate agent since 1975 and a licensed broker since 1979, Neil was the managing broker of the Santa Fe office of Sotheby’s International Realty for over 9 years, until 2002, when he stepped down to devote 100% of his energy to serving his many clients and customers.
Neil first became associated with Sotheby’s International Realty in 1984, and has worked with the organization ever since, with the exception of a 12 month period, when he was president and CEO of a 15 office real estate brokerage in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The sale of that company reunited Neil and Sotheby’s International Realty in 1991.
Neil specializes in luxury homes and building sites in and around Santa Fe, with special knowledge and experience in Las Campanas. His serious work ethic and his ability to get transactions completed are his hallmarks, evidenced by his high level of productivity, which since January 2005 has been over $180,000,000 in closed sales. An impressive record for a market with a single family home sale price that has averaged approximately $400,000 in that time frame.
Neil was honored as Santa Fe’s 2001 Realtor of the Year. Neil also served as the President of the Real Estate Brokerage Manager’s Council in 1992 and Chairman of the Realtors National Marketing Institute in 1995. (Both the Manager’s Council and Marketing Institute are national Realtor organizations dedicated to advanced education and training of its members. ) Neil has earned professional designations that include Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and Graduate, Realtor’s Institute (GRI). He earned a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Finance from the University of Oregon.
Neil is married to Cindy, and has two children, Victoria and Jake. Victoria is currently attending college in the east and Jake is enrolled at Santa Fe Preparatory School. The family is rounded out by Monte, a Bengal cat, who completely ignores Neil except when he is hungry.
About Deborah Douglas
Deborah’s solid reputation precedes her. After twenty years of extensive experience and solo success in the real estate business, Deborah was invited to join the Neil Lyon team in 2008. She recognizes the immense value that this strong partnership can offer buyers and sellers. The alliance of Neil, Vanessa, and Deborah allows each team member to work harder, build stronger relationships, maximize resources, and provide clients with an unprecedented depth of service.
The personal interactions of real estate keep Deborah invested in her work. “My clients are what make my job so stimulating and satisfying,” she says. “Each person is unique. I can provide them with the understanding, experience, and guidance they need.”
A native Californian, Deborah began her professional life in marketing and international advertising for such renowned firms as Warner/Elektra/Atlantic Records, J. Walter Thompson Advertising, and Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine. In 1993, she relocated to Santa Fe in pursuit of a better quality of life. She lives a happy life in Tesuque Village with her dogs, Bubba the pug and Rocco the rescue. Her interests include art, architecture, wine, and travel; and her love of skiing, kayaking, and hiking allows her to enjoy the great outdoors year-round.
About Vanessa Rios y Valles
Vanessa Rios y Valles first joined Sotheby’s International Realty as Head of Marketing for the entire Santa Fe brokerage. Realizing the advantages in having such an individual on his personal team, Neil asked Vanessa to join his staff in September 2004.
In June of 2005, Vanessa obtained a New Mexico real estate brokers license. Thus, in addition to her marketing skills and over 10 years of office administration experience, she provides a full range of services and information to our many clients and customers.
Vanessa is active in the Santa Fe theater scene, holding a BFA in the theatrical arts. Before relocating to the City Different in 2000, she lived in Mexico, Texas, London, and Portland, Oregon where she jointly managed an award winning theater company for over 5 years. She is happily married and has 2 furry, long-tailed children: Boddhi and Babu.
