Dave Kelly at RE/MAX Solutions in Baltimore: An Agent Focused on Owner-Occupied Investment Properties

Dave Kelly works as a real estate agent at RE/MAX Solutions in Baltimore, specializing in helping owner-occupants purchase multi-unit residential properties, particularly in neighborhoods undergoing transition. His practice centers on a specific and less common niche: connecting Baltimore buyers who plan to live in their investment property with acquisition opportunities in areas where value appreciation is realistic but not yet priced in.

What Dave Kelly and RE/MAX Solutions actually do

RE/MAX Solutions operates as an independent franchise within the national RE/MAX network, which means Kelly maintains access to the nationwide MLS database and RE/MAX's transaction support systems while working under local management. Kelly's stated focus is owner-occupied investment properties, primarily duplexes, triplexes, and small multifamily buildings where a buyer occupies one unit and rents the others. This specialization differs from general residential agents who handle single-family homes, investment specialists who work with seasoned portfolio investors, and corporate relocation firms serving transferred employees. In Baltimore's market, where many neighborhoods contain older multifamily stock and where the buy-versus-rent calculus often favors purchase, this niche sits between the typical first-time homebuyer and the commercial real estate investor.

Services and how agent compensation works

Kelly earns commission on closed transactions, split between buyer's and seller's sides; the typical Baltimore residential transaction yields 2.5 percent to 3 percent per side, though the specific rate negotiates case by case. The buyer's agent (Kelly, in transactions where he represents a purchaser) is typically paid by the seller's agent from the seller's proceeds, meaning a buyer working with Kelly pays no separate fee. His role involves identifying available properties matching buyer criteria, conducting comparative market analysis to guide offer strategy, facilitating inspections and appraisals, and coordinating with lenders. For owner-occupant investors specifically, Kelly coordinates understanding of how the property's income potential affects financing: FHA loans and conventional mortgages calculate debt-to-income differently when rental income from non-owner-occupied units offsets mortgage payment, a distinction that shapes how much property a buyer can actually afford. This support differs from a general agent's standard buyer representation, where no income calculation applies.

How Kelly compares to other Baltimore agents and approaches

Baltimore's real estate agent landscape includes large brokerage operations like Coldwell Banker and Keller Williams, independent boutique agents, and specialist teams focused on specific neighborhoods or property types. A general residential agent at a large brokerage offers broad market knowledge and high transaction volume but typically handles dozens of concurrent clients and may not deeply understand multifamily owner-occupant financing. A neighborhood specialist brings hyper-local knowledge but often lacks the systems and network to handle properties outside their focus area. Kelly's dual positioning, as part of a national network (RE/MAX) while working in Baltimore specifically on a niche (owner-occupied multifamily), offers breadth without sacrificing focus. Choose Kelly if you are a first-time buyer looking to occupy one unit while building equity through tenant income; choose a general agent if you want single-family-home-focused guidance; choose a commercial broker if you are a seasoned investor buying five or more units as a portfolio play.

Who this works for and who it does not

Kelly's model suits Baltimore buyers aged 25 to 45 with stable employment or business income, modest down payment savings (15 to 25 percent), and willingness to actively manage tenant relationships or hire a property manager. It suits people willing to live in neighborhoods changing trajectories, where purchase price is lower but appreciation potential exists. It does not suit passive investors seeking turnkey rental properties managed entirely by a third party, buyers seeking properties in already-hot neighborhoods where prices reflect future growth, or first-time buyers seeking simplicity (renting remains simpler). It also does not suit buyers who cannot tolerate tenant proximity or interference with their own use of the property.

What the first conversation involves

An initial consultation focuses on financial readiness: down payment amount, employment income verification, any existing debt, and credit score ballpark. Kelly walks through how lender calculations treat owner-occupied multifamily differently from single-family mortgages, clarifying how much buying power the buyer actually has. He gathers criteria: unit count preference (duplex versus triplex), desired neighborhood, timeline, and tenant management philosophy. If the buyer is ready to move forward, Kelly accesses MLS listings matching those criteria and may conduct a formal market analysis showing recent sales, average price per unit, and cap rate patterns by neighborhood. The relationship continues through listing review, offer strategy, inspection coordination, and loan approval tracking.

Hours, contact, and logistics

RE/MAX Solutions operates during standard business hours; verification of exact hours and Kelly's direct contact information should come from RE/MAX Solutions' Baltimore-area office or Kelly's individual brokerage profile. Kelly operates throughout Baltimore and immediate suburbs, with particular knowledge of neighborhoods where multifamily owner-occupant investment makes financial sense.

Dave Kelly fills a genuine gap between the general residential agent and the commercial real estate broker, making him relevant for a specific Baltimore buyer profile willing to combine homeownership with tenant income in neighborhoods with realistic appreciation prospects.