Hill Slowinski in Baltimore: Residential Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster

Hill Slowinski is a residential real estate agent at Long & Foster, one of the largest regional brokerages operating in the Mid-Atlantic, serving buyers and sellers across Baltimore and surrounding neighborhoods.

What a real estate agent does

A real estate agent represents either the buyer or the seller (or both, though this creates a conflict of interest) in a property transaction. The agent's job includes listing the property or finding suitable homes, negotiating price and terms, managing inspections and appraisals, and shepherding paperwork through closing. Sellers pay agent commissions, typically split between the listing agent (who represents the seller) and the buyer's agent. That commission is usually 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, divided equally. In Baltimore's 2024 market, where median home prices in neighborhoods like Canton and Fells Point range from $400,000 to $550,000, that translates to $10,000 to $16,500 per agent on a typical transaction. Agents who work for brokerages like Long & Foster (rather than as independent operators) typically split their commission with the firm, keeping 40 to 60 percent depending on seniority and deal volume.

How to evaluate a Baltimore agent

Before choosing an agent, verify their license through the Maryland Department of Labor's Real Estate section and check their sales history. Public record databases like the Maryland Judicial Case Search or MLS (Multiple Listing Service) records reveal how many homes an agent has actually sold, in which neighborhoods, at what price points, and how long listings typically stayed on the market. An agent who lists homes in Hampden, Federal Hill, and Canton but has no sales in Sandtown-Winchester tells you their market knowledge is concentrated. Look for an agent with 10 or more closed sales in the past two years in your target neighborhood and a track record of selling at or near list price within 30 to 60 days. Ask directly: How many homes have you personally sold in this neighborhood? How long was the average days on market? Did most close above, at, or below asking? Generic national brokerages sometimes advertise locally but lack neighborhood depth; regional firms like Long & Foster and independent Baltimore-based brokers like Sotheby's International Realty or Patterson Park Realty often have deeper ties to specific communities.

Buyer agent versus listing agent

A buyer's agent shows you homes, advises on offers, and shepherds the transaction to closing. A listing agent markets the home, sets the asking price, and manages showings and negotiations with the buyer's agent. Sellers always pay the commission (it comes out of the sale price), but it's split between both agents. A buyer pays nothing out of pocket. If you're buying, using a buyer's agent is free and gives you professional negotiation support; if you're selling, your listing agent's quality directly affects your net proceeds. Long & Foster's size means consistent marketing resources and MLS reach but less personalized attention than a smaller firm or solo agent.

Who Hill Slowinski suits

A Long & Foster agent works well if you prioritize a large brokerage's resources: comprehensive MLS access, administrative support, and consistent training. Long & Foster operates hundreds of offices regionally, offering geographic flexibility and coordination if you're relocating. Long & Foster does not suit buyers or sellers seeking highly specialized knowledge of a single Baltimore neighborhood. If you are selling in Guilford or buying a historic row house in Canton, a small independent firm or an agent with 20+ prior sales in that exact neighborhood may negotiate better terms and price your home more accurately. Long & Foster also may not be the best choice if you need rapid, hands-on attention; larger brokerages spread agents across many clients.

Getting started

When you contact an agent, you are not obligated to sign anything immediately. Interview two or three agents (from different firms if possible) and ask each the same questions: How many homes have you sold in my neighborhood in the past 24 months? How does your pricing strategy work? How do you market listings? What contingencies do you typically see accepted in this market? A consultation should take 20 to 30 minutes and cost you nothing. Only sign a buyer's agent agreement or listing agreement after you feel confident in the agent's local knowledge and responsiveness.

Hill Slowinski's Long & Foster affiliation provides access to a regional sales network and support infrastructure, but your choice to work with any agent should depend on their track record in your specific Baltimore neighborhood, not the brokerage name alone.