Jon Prettyman at Century 21 Redwood in Baltimore: Neighborhood-Focused Residential Sales

Jon Prettyman is a residential real estate agent at Century 21 Redwood, a locally operated franchise serving the Baltimore area with a focus on sales rather than property management or commercial leasing.

What a residential real estate agent does

When you buy or sell a home in Baltimore, you work with an agent who represents either the buyer or the seller (or both, though this creates a conflict of interest). The agent's job is to list the property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), arrange showings, negotiate terms, and shepherd the deal through inspection, appraisal, and closing. Agents are paid commission, typically 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the buyer's agent and the listing agent. If you're buying, you pay nothing upfront; the seller's proceeds fund both commissions. If you're selling, commission comes out of your net proceeds at closing.

Prettyman operates within Baltimore's fragmented residential market, where neighborhoods like Canton, Federal Hill, and Fells Point command different buyer profiles and marketing strategies than suburbs like Towson or Pikesville. Century 21 Redwood maintains a presence across multiple Baltimore neighborhoods, which shapes which agent you're likely paired with and what local inventory they know.

How to evaluate a residential agent

There is no credential that guarantees competence. Real estate licenses in Maryland require a 60-hour pre-licensing course, a passing score on a state exam, and sponsorship by a brokerage like Century 21 Redwood. No ongoing education mandate exists beyond the initial license. Agents vary widely in knowledge of local comps, contract negotiation skill, and follow-through.

When considering an agent, ask how long they've worked in your target neighborhood, what the average days-on-market were for their listings in the past year, and whether they use a buyer's agent retainer agreement (which binds you to them) or allow you to shop agents. Request a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for a specific property you're considering; a thoughtful CMA names comparable sales by address, shows price per square foot, and explains why each comp is relevant. An agent who offers a vague range without reasoning is selling optimism, not insight.

For Baltimore specifically, ask whether the agent has negotiated contingencies on major systems (roof, foundation, HVAC) in your neighborhood, since Baltimore's age and density mean inspection surprises are common. A Canton agent should be familiar with steep property taxes and converted rowhouse layouts. A Towson agent should know suburban school district value and the difference between Baltimore County and city jurisdiction.

Prettyman and Century 21 Redwood in the Baltimore landscape

Century 21 Redwood is one franchise among many in Baltimore; other large national brokerages (RE/MAX, Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams) and independent firms like Sotheby's International Realty operate here alongside smaller, neighborhood-specific agencies. The choice between Prettyman and another agent ultimately rests on local market knowledge and communication style, not franchise affiliation.

Century 21's structure is a potential asset and liability. The franchise brand offers access to a national network and MLS tools, which can matter if you're relocating to Baltimore and need to coordinate with your prior city's agent. The local Redwood office determines whether you receive attentive service or get passed to whoever has time. Ask whether Century 21 Redwood assigns you an agent based on your neighborhood preference or availability, and whether there's a dedicated team handling your transaction.

Buyer's agent versus listing agent

If you're buying, you should use an agent (they cost you nothing). That agent's incentive is to close the sale; they earn commission only when you buy. They should pull comparable sales for your target price range, alert you to new listings before public syndication, and push back on unreasonable seller demands.

If you're selling, you must list with an agent or sell yourself (FSBO). A listing agent markets your home, hosts open houses, and typically earns 2.5 to 3 percent of the sale price (the other 2.5 to 3 percent goes to the buyer's agent). Selling without an agent means no MLS listing and no buyer's agent incentive to show your home; fewer than 2 percent of Maryland home sales are FSBO.

What to expect in your first conversation

A reputable agent listens more than they talk. They ask about your timeline, budget, and must-haves (neighborhood, school district, lot size). They should answer when you ask about recent comparable sales, property tax rates, and whether they represent both sides (which you should avoid). If they rush into showing you homes or pressure you to sign a buyer's agent agreement on the first call, they're prioritizing speed over fit.

Request references: the names of two or three recent buyers or sellers they've represented. Call them. Ask whether the agent stayed in touch through closing, caught problems, and answered late-night questions. That's your real interview.

Logistics and next steps

Century 21 Redwood's Baltimore office operates standard business hours; confirm location and phone number before contacting. If you're interviewing multiple agents, do so before you sign any agreement. In Maryland, a buyer's agent agreement is not required, though some agents request it; you can work with an agent on a handshake in most cases. If you use a buyer's agent retainer, you're legally obligated to work only with that agent for a set period, so read the terms carefully.

Jon Prettyman and Century 21 Redwood earn their place in Baltimore's real estate landscape because the city's market is neighborhood-dependent and transaction-heavy; a local agent who understands Federal Hill's price trajectory or Hampden's renovation risks is more valuable than a national brand name.