Jason Carbaugh at RE/MAX Results in Baltimore: Buyer and Seller Agent for In-City and County Residential

Jason Carbaugh is a real estate agent at RE/MAX Results, a regional brokerage with multiple Maryland locations, serving residential buyers and sellers across Baltimore City and Baltimore County. He specializes in representing both sides of transactions, meaning clients hire him either to buy a home or to list one for sale, not to manage property after purchase.

How buyer and listing agents work

Real estate agents in Maryland earn commission only when a sale closes. On a typical residential sale, the seller's agent and buyer's agent each receive a portion of the total commission, usually split evenly. The listing agent sets the commission offer upfront; most Baltimore sales follow a 2.5 to 3 percent split per side, though this is negotiable. A buyer does not pay the agent directly. Instead, the seller's proceeds fund both commissions at closing. This structure means a buyer's agent costs you nothing out of pocket, but your agent's commission comes from the total sale price, creating an incentive to push price higher rather than lower.

When you work with a listing agent like Carbaugh, he markets your home, holds showings, negotiates offers, and guides you through inspection, appraisal, and closing. When you work with a buyer's agent, he shows you properties, helps you understand neighborhood conditions and comparable sales, and represents your interests in negotiations and contingencies. Many agents do both types of work; some specialize in one.

How to evaluate a Baltimore-area agent

Experience matters more than affiliation. Look for an agent who has closed at least 20 to 30 sales in the past year, ideally in your specific neighborhood or price range. In Baltimore, the difference between an agent who knows Federal Hill, Canton, and Fells Point intimately and one who covers the entire city is significant. Ask for references from past clients, not the agent's friends. Request a list of homes he has listed in your neighborhood in the past 12 months, the list price, the sale price, and the time on market. If his listings sit for 90+ days or sell below market, that signals either poor pricing, weak marketing, or limited buyer reach.

For buyers, an agent should know the local inspection issues common to your target era and neighborhood (1920s rowhouse water issues, 1950s suburban foundation concerns, and so on) and have lender contacts who can pre-qualify you before you make an offer. For sellers, the agent should present a realistic comparative market analysis and explain his marketing plan beyond just listing on the MLS.

Compare Carbaugh's track record to other Baltimore-based agents. The MLS data for closed sales is public; you can cross-reference names against the Maryland Real Estate Commission database to verify active license status and complaint history. Large national brokerages like Keller Williams and Century 21 have Baltimore offices, as do smaller independents. The main trade-off is that national franchises often offer more training and systems but may assign newer agents; smaller firms or individual agents with long local roots may have deeper neighborhood knowledge but fewer resources.

What the first meeting involves

A buyer typically meets an agent to discuss needs, budget, pre-qualification, and desired neighborhoods, then receives a tour of 5 to 15 homes over several visits. The agent should know local tax assessments, school boundaries, and whether a property is in a flood zone or affected by the city's increasing stormwater fees. A seller meets the agent for a home inspection walkthrough, a competitive market analysis of recent sales, a pricing recommendation, and a marketing plan. Some agents suggest staging advice or minor repairs; others do not. Carbaugh, like most RE/MAX agents, uses the MLS (RRDC, the Regional Real Estate Data Cooperative, in Maryland) and Zillow, Redfin, and Trulia for broader exposure.

Logistics and availability

RE/MAX Results operates during standard business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Saturday availability by appointment. Contact the office or Carbaugh directly to confirm his schedule. Showings by appointment only; buyers and sellers do not walk in. Most communication happens by phone, email, or video call; you do not need to visit an office if you are working with a specific agent.

Why Carbaugh and RE/MAX fit the Baltimore market

Carbaugh's experience in both buyer and listing representation in Baltimore City and County makes him a practical choice for someone already rooted here or relocating to the region. RE/MAX's franchise structure gives him access to a broad agent network and shared systems, useful in a fragmented market where some neighborhoods favor local knowledge and others benefit from larger brokerage reach. His value depends on the depth of his transaction history and references in your target area, not on the brokerage name.