Frances Estes Patti in Baltimore: An EXp Realty Agent for Northeast Baltimore Sellers and Buyers

Frances Estes Patti is a real estate agent in Baltimore working under EXp Realty, a cloud-based brokerage that operates differently from the traditional brick-and-mortar model most local agents use, which affects how she conducts transactions and what that means for buyers and sellers in the city's market.

What EXp Realty actually is

EXp Realty is a virtual brokerage founded in 2009 that operates without physical offices. Agents use a 3D platform to collaborate, attend training, and manage transactions entirely online. The company went public in 2017 and has grown to over 80,000 agents across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. For Baltimore-area clients, this structure means Patti can work from anywhere, which can mean faster response times and flexibility around scheduling, but no in-person office to walk into during a transaction.

EXp Realty agents operate as independent contractors; the brokerage handles the back-end compliance, trust account management, and licensing oversight. Patti's compensation model is the same as agents at traditional brokerages: she earns a commission split when she represents a buyer or seller, typically between 5 and 6 percent of the sale price (split between listing and buyer's agent). The actual percentage is negotiable on every transaction.

Services and commission structure

Patti offers both buyer representation and listing services for residential real estate in Baltimore and surrounding areas. As a buyer's agent, she helps identify properties, conduct comparables research, negotiate offers, and shepherd the transaction through inspection and appraisal. As a listing agent, she prices the property, coordinates marketing and showings, negotiates counteroffers, and guides the seller through closing.

Commission is the only direct cost to the client. For a sale price of $300,000 in Baltimore (a realistic mid-range figure for many neighborhoods), a 5.5 percent total commission would be $16,500, split between the listing agent and buyer's agent. The seller typically pays the entire commission out of proceeds at closing; buyers pay nothing directly to the agent. If you are a buyer, commission is built into the sale price regardless of whether you use an agent or negotiate independently.

EXp Realty charges agents a monthly technology fee (typically $85 to $165 depending on production level) and takes a modest transaction-based fee, but these do not pass through to clients. The agent absorbs these costs as part of their operating model.

How Patti and EXp Realty compare to Baltimore alternatives

Baltimore's real estate market includes traditional full-service brokerages like Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams, and Re/Max, as well as smaller independent firms and discount brokerages like Redfin and Zillow Home Loans (which offer reduced-commission listing services, typically 1 to 2 percent instead of 2.5 percent).

The advantage of working with Patti at EXp Realty versus a large traditional firm is flexibility and lower overhead. EXp agents often respond faster because there is no office politics or hierarchy; Patti keeps 100 percent of her commission (after EXp's fees), which theoretically incentivizes faster closings and better service. She also has access to EXp's cloud-based tools and training, which tend to emphasize digital marketing and tech adoption.

The disadvantage compared to a Keller Williams or Coldwell Banker agent in Baltimore is brand recognition and local team resources. Those firms have multiple agents in one office who can cover showings, handle overflow, and provide informal market intelligence across a local network. Patti, as an independent contractor at a virtual brokerage, operates solo and relies on her own network and research.

Against discount brokerages: Redfin's listing service charges 1 to 1.5 percent commission in Maryland, significantly lower than the traditional 2.5 percent. This makes sense only if you do not need buyer representation or extensive marketing support. Patti's 2.5 percent (or negotiated rate) is standard and covers full service; you get what you pay for.

Who Patti suits and who it does not

Patti works well for Baltimore buyers and sellers who are comfortable with digital communication and do not require hand-holding at every step. If you want a single point of contact who is always reachable by email or video call and who will handle the complex logistics of a Baltimore transaction (title searches, appraisals, inspection coordination) without a physical office, the EXp model serves that need.

She is less ideal if you are a first-time buyer who needs in-person guidance or an older seller who prefers face-to-face meetings throughout the process. Similarly, if you are selling a complex property (a multi-unit building, a property with title issues, or a short sale), the resources of a larger local firm may be more reassuring.

What the first engagement involves

Initial contact is typically a phone call or email. Patti will discuss your situation (buying, selling, timeline) and may conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) if you are selling, using public records to estimate your home's value in your Baltimore neighborhood. If you are buying, she will ask about your budget, financing status, and target neighborhoods.

Once you sign a buyer's agency agreement or listing agreement, she will formally represent you. All documents are signed electronically through EXp's platform. As a buyer, you then attend showings (either in person with her or virtually via FaceTime) and make offers. As a seller, she will list the property in the MLS, coordinate photography and virtual tours, and schedule showings.

Hours, contact, and logistics

EXp Realty does not maintain a physical Baltimore office, so meetings happen on video, by phone, or by meeting Patti at a property showing. She works by appointment. To reach her, you would contact her through EXp Realty's website or by phone number listed there (verify current contact details directly with EXp).

The entire transaction is paperwork-based and digital. Closing happens at a title company (Baltimore has many, and the seller typically selects one); Patti coordinates but does not attend closing unless requested. This is faster than some traditional models but requires you to be comfortable signing documents electronically.

Frances Estes Patti and the EXp Realty structure make sense for Baltimore clients who value speed, lower overhead, and digital-first service over the reassurance of a large local brand.