Filomena Thompson in Baltimore: A RE/MAX Agent Focused on First-Time Buyers

Filomena Thompson is a real estate agent with RE/MAX Results, a franchise operating in the Baltimore metro area, who specializes in working with first-time homebuyers navigating both the city's neighborhoods and the mechanics of purchase financing. She operates on the standard agent commission model, earning a percentage of the sale price only when a transaction closes, which aligns her financial incentive with yours.

How real estate agents in Baltimore are paid

Baltimore agents, including Thompson, typically work on commission rather than salary. When you buy a home, the seller's agent and buyer's agent each receive a split of the total commission, negotiated at the time of listing. The standard commission in the Baltimore area typically ranges from 5 to 6 percent of the final sale price, split evenly between the two sides. If you buy a $300,000 home and the total commission is 6 percent, that's $18,000; your agent receives half, or $9,000. You as the buyer pay nothing directly; the seller's proceeds cover the full commission. This structure means agents earn money only when deals close and have no guaranteed income between sales.

Thompson's role as a buyer's agent is distinct from a listing agent's role. While a listing agent markets the property and manages the seller's side, a buyer's agent represents your interests, shows you properties, negotiates on your behalf, and walks you through inspections, appraisals, and closing. Many agents do both jobs, though representing both buyer and seller on the same transaction creates a conflict of interest.

What to look for when choosing a Baltimore agent

Agents in Baltimore operate with different strengths. Some focus on specific neighborhoods, others specialize by property type or buyer profile. Thompson's stated specialization in first-time buyers suggests familiarity with FHA loans, down payment assistance programs specific to Maryland, and the educational side of the purchase process, areas where newer buyers often need clarity.

When evaluating an agent, ask for references from past clients, not just a list of recent sales. Confirm they hold a current Maryland real estate license through the Maryland Department of Labor. Request their sales history in the neighborhoods you're considering. Ask directly how they are paid and under what circumstances you might pay a fee outside the standard commission. Understand their availability and response time; some agents use a team model that can mean delayed replies.

Compare Thompson against agents at other RE/MAX franchises in Baltimore and independent agents in your target neighborhoods. A neighborhood specialist with five years in Canton or Federal Hill may offer deeper knowledge of market rhythms in those areas than a generalist. Conversely, a buyer's agent who has closed deals across multiple Baltimore communities can better help you weigh trade-offs between neighborhoods. An independent agent may take on fewer clients and offer more direct attention; a larger RE/MAX team may provide resources and systems that simplify the buying process.

The buyer's agent process

Working with Thompson or any buyer's agent in Baltimore typically begins with a consultation where you discuss your budget, timeline, and neighborhood preferences. The agent will explain pre-approval requirements (a lender's assessment of how much you can borrow, good for 60 to 90 days and required before making an offer in a competitive market). You'll likely sign a buyer's representation agreement, a contract stating that this agent represents you and for how long, typically 30 to 90 days.

From there, the agent shows you properties, provides market data on comparable sales, and prepares you for offer submission. In Baltimore's market, which varies by neighborhood, offers often include contingencies: an inspection contingency (you can back out if the home needs major repairs), an appraisal contingency (the home's value must support the loan amount), and a financing contingency (your loan must be approved). The agent handles the paperwork and coordinates with the lender, title company, and inspector.

Who this approach suits and who it does not

Choosing a buyer's agent like Thompson makes sense if you are new to the Baltimore market, unfamiliar with the purchase process, or have limited time to research neighborhoods and coordinate inspections. Agents often have access to properties before they appear widely online, a minor but real advantage in competitive blocks of Baltimore.

This approach is less necessary if you are a repeat buyer in Baltimore with existing contractor and inspector networks and strong knowledge of your target areas. Some buyers also prefer the flexibility of self-directed search or feel uncomfortable with the sales dynamic inherent in commission-based representation.

Hours and getting in touch

RE/MAX Results franchises in the Baltimore area operate during standard business hours, though individual agents often work evenings and weekends to meet clients' schedules. Contact Thompson through the RE/MAX Results website or a local Baltimore office to confirm current availability and to ask about her specific service model with first-time buyers.

Thompson's focus on first-time buyers reflects a segment of Baltimore's market underserved by generalist agents; her role is to translate that market experience into lower friction for someone buying in the city for the first time.