How to Choose a Listing Agent in Towson
Interview two or three agents and ask each one the same questions. You’re not looking for the highest price quote. You’re looking for the agent whose plan, pricing logic and contract terms you understand and trust.
Seven questions to ask
- How would you price my home, and which sales are you using? Ask to see the recent nearby sales behind the number. A price with no comparable sales behind it is a guess.
- What would you fix, and what would you leave alone? Good advice here saves you money. Not every repair pays back.
- What’s your marketing plan? Photos, floor plan, the online listing, showings, open houses, and how you’ll hear feedback.
- What’s your fee, and what does it cover? Commissions are fully negotiable and aren’t set by law. Ask about the listing agent’s fee and any buyer’s agent pay as separate lines.
- How long is the listing agreement, and can I cancel? Know the term and what happens if you’re unhappy.
- How will we communicate? Who you’ll hear from, how often and how fast.
- What are your results, and over what time frame? Any percentage should come with its dates.
Red flags
- A price far above everyone else’s, with no recent sales to back it up.
- Pressure to sign a long agreement today.
- Results with no dates, or claims nobody can check.
Before any interview, it helps to know your own numbers. See what it costs to sell a house in Baltimore County and who pays the transfer taxes.
What I’d tell you if you interviewed me
Since 2023, my listings have sold for a median 103.6% of the original asking price, in a median of 6 days on the market. I’ve managed rentals since 2014, so I know what repairs cost and which ones buyers pay for. I price from real recent sales and compare offers by what you actually keep.
Here’s how I sell homes, step by step.
Questions people ask
Should I pick the agent with the highest price?
No. Pick the one whose price is backed by recent sales. An overpriced listing usually sits, then sells for less.
Are real estate commissions negotiable in Maryland?
Yes. They’re fully negotiable and aren’t set by law. The listing agent’s fee and any buyer’s agent pay are separate decisions.
How many agents should I interview?
Two or three is usually enough. Ask each the same questions so you can compare their pricing logic, plans and terms side by side.
Can I cancel a listing agreement?
It depends on the agreement. Read the term and the cancellation clause before you sign, and ask the agent to walk you through both.
About Mike Fielder
Mike Fielder is a Baltimore Realtor and Sales Director of The Key Home Team at Cummings & Co. Realtors. Licensed since June 2016, he focuses on North Baltimore (Lake Evesham, Lake Walker, Cedarcroft, Hampden and Remington) and the Towson area. He works with buyers and sellers throughout Maryland and in parts of Pennsylvania, where he’s also licensed. He also serves as Vice President of the Lake Evesham Community Association.
Over his career, Mike has sold 190 homes worth more than $56 million. He’s backed by The Key Home Team, which has sold more than $375 million in real estate and closes about $30 million a year.
Mike founded Property Management of Baltimore in 2014, two years before getting his license, and still runs it. Managing rentals taught him what repairs really cost, which updates buyers pay for, and how to keep a deal moving when something breaks. Sellers get that judgment when deciding what to fix before listing. Buyers get it when they’re reading an inspection report.
A Towson University graduate, Mike keeps his approach simple: price from real recent sales, spend money only where it pays back, and compare offers by what the client actually keeps.
More from Mike: Towson on mikesellsbaltimore.com · Selling with Mike · Full bio
Want to interview me?
Call or text me at 410-905-6678, or get your home value first and we’ll start from real numbers.
The Key Home Team of Cummings & Co. Realtors
Cell: 410-905-6678
Email: [email protected]
Office: 410-823-0033
222 W Cold Spring Ln, Suite C, Baltimore, MD 21210
Website: mikesellsbaltimore.com