Jonathan Swart at RE/MAX Results in Baltimore: Buyer's Agent for Federal Hill and Canton

Jonathan Swart is a buyer's agent at RE/MAX Results, a single-office brokerage operating in Baltimore's Inner Harbor area, who specializes in representing purchasers in Federal Hill, Canton, and surrounding neighborhoods where most transactions occur between $250,000 and $500,000.

What Jonathan Swart actually is

Swart works as a buyer's agent, meaning he represents the purchaser rather than the seller or the property itself. He is compensated by commission split between buyer's and listing agents, typically 2.5 to 3 percent of the final sale price paid by the seller (though this is negotiable). At RE/MAX Results, which operates as a traditional brokerage rather than a discount or tech-forward firm, Swart has access to the full Baltimore Metropolitan Council multiple listing service and operates under the standard buyer's agent playbook: property search, showing coordination, offer preparation, inspection negotiation, and lender communication through closing.

Services and how buyer's agents are compensated

A buyer's agent in Baltimore earns commission only when a purchase closes. The buyer pays nothing directly; the seller's proceeds fund both the listing agent (usually 3 percent) and the buyer's agent (usually 2.5 to 3 percent), split at closing. Swart's role includes identifying properties that meet your criteria, scheduling showings, preparing and submitting offers, managing contingencies (inspection, appraisal, financing), and coordinating with your lender and the settlement company.

Because commission is tied to sale price, buyer's agents have an incentive to close higher rather than lower, though Maryland real estate law requires agents to act in their client's best interest. If you use a buyer's agent, you are not charged for that representation; the seller's agent commission covers both sides. If you do not use one, the listing agent typically keeps the full buyer's commission, further incentivizing sellers to cooperate with buyer's agents.

How to evaluate a buyer's agent in Baltimore

The Baltimore real estate market operates on speed and local knowledge. Federal Hill and Canton, where Swart focuses, have high turnover and properties often receive multiple offers within 48 hours of listing. A useful buyer's agent in these neighborhoods understands the school catchments (Hampstead Hill Academy, Roland Park, and Calvert Hall matter to many buyers), the flood risk zones (Canton's lower blocks near the water; Federal Hill's proximity to the Inner Harbor), and the difference between a $350,000 townhouse with original hardwood and knob-and-tube wiring versus a gut-renovated unit at the same price.

Compare Swart's approach to discount brokerages like eXp Realty or Redfin, which charge flat fees ($500 to $1,500 at closing) or reduced percentages (1 to 1.5 percent) in exchange for fewer personal touchpoints and self-directed service through apps. For a first-time buyer or someone unfamiliar with Baltimore neighborhoods, a traditional agent like Swart provides hands-on guidance and relationship leverage with listing agents that can matter during negotiations. For a repeat buyer who knows the market and wants to minimize cost, a flat-fee or discount model is more efficient.

Who Swart suits and who he does not

Swart is most useful if you are relocating to Baltimore, buying in Federal Hill or Canton for the first time, or purchasing a property that requires renovation inspection and lender negotiation. He can explain why a Federal Hill rowhouse listed at $325,000 is overpriced compared to equivalent inventory in Canton, or why a waterfront property commands a 10 to 15 percent premium over the same square footage three blocks inland.

Swart is less essential if you are a cash buyer with extensive real estate experience, or if you are buying a new-construction property in a suburban development where the builder provides representation and negotiation leverage is minimal.

First visit and process

Your initial conversation with Swart involves reviewing your budget, down payment, financing timeline, and preferred neighborhoods. He will run a pre-approval verification with your lender and set up a showing schedule, typically 5 to 15 properties over one to three weeks depending on market pace and your selectivity. Once you identify a target, Swart prepares the offer (purchase price, earnest money, contingencies, closing timeline) and handles all communication with the listing agent until acceptance.

Hours and contact

RE/MAX Results operates during standard business hours. Confirm current hours and Swart's direct contact number by calling the brokerage or checking the RE/MAX website under Baltimore agents. Weekend and evening showings are accommodated by appointment.

Jonathan Swart's strength lies in his focus on two interconnected neighborhoods where repeat transactions allow him to recognize value shifts and pricing leverage that a generalist cannot.