Emilie Christiansen, Long & Foster Real Estate in Baltimore: Residential Sales and Relocation Specialist

Emilie Christiansen is a residential real estate agent based in Baltimore working through Long & Foster, the Mid-Atlantic's largest independent real estate firm, operating across Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware with over 4,000 agents. Christiansen specializes in buyer representation, seller representation, and relocation services for clients moving into or within the Baltimore area. Her practice spans Baltimore neighborhoods and surrounding counties, with emphasis on first-time homebuyers and families transitioning to the region.

How agents are paid and what buyer vs. listing representation means

Long & Foster agents, including Christiansen, operate on commission, typically 5 to 6 percent of the final sale price, split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. When you work with Christiansen as a buyer's agent, Long & Foster is paid from the seller's side of the transaction, so you pay nothing out of pocket. A listing agent (the agent hired by the home seller) markets the property and handles showings; a buyer's agent represents your interests during negotiation and due diligence.

If Christiansen lists your home for sale, she charges the same commission split standard. The advantage of seller representation is market access: Long & Foster's scale in the region and MLS participation gives listings exposure to competing agents' clients. Long & Foster agents can also order inspections, coordinate appraisals, and manage the closing timeline on your behalf.

Buyer representation costs nothing upfront but obligates the agent to disclose conflicts of interest. If Christiansen represents both buyer and seller in the same transaction (called dual agency), Maryland law requires written consent from both sides, though this arrangement rarely occurs in Baltimore's competitive market.

How to evaluate Christiansen within the Baltimore real estate landscape

Long & Foster's footprint in Baltimore is significant: the firm operates multiple offices across the city and counties, meaning Christiansen has colleagues and institutional knowledge of neighborhoods, market shifts, and local lenders. Independent brokerages like Long & Foster often provide higher agent support than national franchises; agents can access in-house training, compliance resources, and administrative staff to manage contracts and scheduling.

When comparing agents in Baltimore, ask: Does the agent live or work in the neighborhoods you're buying or selling? How many transactions have they closed in the past year, and in what price range? Do they have financing expertise or connections to Baltimore lenders who understand local property conditions? Christiansen's MLS access and Long & Foster's institutional resources put her on equal footing with agents at Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams, and ReMax operating in Baltimore, but individual agent experience and neighborhood knowledge matter more than firm size.

Ask prospective agents for references from recent clients and to explain their pricing strategy if you're selling. Agents who price aggressively low to guarantee a quick sale versus those who price at market and wait for the right buyer will produce different outcomes.

Who this representation suits and who it doesn't

Christiansen's services fit first-time buyers unfamiliar with Baltimore's neighborhoods, school zones, and property inspection standards. Relocating clients from outside the region also benefit from an agent anchored locally who can explain commute times, amenities, and affordability by area.

Seller representation works well for homeowners with equity looking to move or downsize; Christiansen can list the home, manage showings, and navigate negotiations. If you're selling in a weak market or in need of rapid liquidity, agent representation increases the likelihood of closing.

This arrangement does not suit sellers looking to avoid commission entirely; FSBO (for-sale-by-owner) is an alternative, though you'll still pay a buyer's agent commission if the buyer has representation, and you lose MLS access and professional marketing. It doesn't suit buyers comfortable navigating contracts and inspections alone or with a real estate attorney; some buyers in Baltimore do hire lawyers instead of agents, though this is uncommon for residential purchases under $500,000.

What your first meeting involves

A buyer consultation typically covers your budget, financing pre-approval (essential before house hunting in Baltimore; most sellers require proof), neighborhoods of interest, timeline, and must-haves versus nice-to-haves. Christiansen will explain the Baltimore purchase process: inspection contingencies (standard 10 days), appraisal contingencies, and typical closing costs (2 to 5 percent of the purchase price in Maryland, split between buyer and seller by negotiation).

A seller consultation involves a comparative market analysis (CMA): Christiansen will research recent sales of comparable homes in your neighborhood, list price versus sale price, and time on market. She'll walk through staging advice (depersonalize, declutter, repair obvious issues) and discuss the listing price. Long & Foster will schedule a photographer and list the home on the MLS, IDX sites, and Zillow within one to two weeks.

Hours, contact, and logistics

Long & Foster's Baltimore offices operate standard business hours, typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with select Saturday hours for showings. Consultations can be scheduled by phone or through Long & Foster's website. Showings themselves happen by appointment and can be arranged flexibly.

No specific hours or parking apply to agent representation; you'll meet Christiansen at homes, in her office, or by video call. Verify current availability and scheduling directly with her through Long & Foster's Baltimore office.

Christiansen's value centers on institutional backing from one of the region's most active brokerages, local market knowledge, and access to the MLS. In Baltimore's neighborhood-dependent market, a well-networked local agent is more useful than a generalist or distant broker.