Marybeth Lewandowski at Samson Properties in Baltimore: A Listing Agent for Federal Hill and South Baltimore

Marybeth Lewandowski is a listing agent at Samson Properties who specializes in Federal Hill, Canton, and South Baltimore neighborhoods, representing sellers in a competitive market where median home prices have climbed above $500,000 in the strongest blocks and inventory remains tight relative to demand.

What listing agents actually do

A listing agent represents the seller. Lewandowski coordinates the sale of a property from pricing strategy through closing, setting the asking price, scheduling showings, negotiating with buyer's agents, and managing the disclosure and inspection process. Compensation comes from the listing side of a transaction's commission (typically 2.5 to 3 percent of sale price, split between listing and buyer's agents), which means her incentive is to sell at the highest possible price and to close quickly. This differs from a buyer's agent, who represents the purchaser and is paid from the same commission pool once a sale completes.

Services and pricing structure

Lewandowski offers standard listing services: property marketing through the Maryland Real Estate Database (MLS), professional photography, virtual tours, open house coordination, buyer prequalification review, and negotiation on offers. Samson Properties, a small independent brokerage, does not advertise flat-fee or discount commission rates; like most Baltimore brokerages, it negotiates the listing side commission per transaction. For a $550,000 sale in Federal Hill, a typical listing-side commission would be $13,750 to $16,500 (2.5 to 3 percent), though this varies by property type, market conditions, and the broker's discretion.

The buyer's agent commission (typically 2.5 to 2.75 percent) is offered through the MLS listing, making the total transaction cost predictable. A seller should ask Lewandowski directly about her rate on your specific property rather than assuming a standard percentage.

How Lewandowski compares to other Baltimore listing agents

Baltimore's listing agents operate across a spectrum from large national franchises (Coldwell Banker, RE/MAX, Keller Williams) to independent brokerages like Samson Properties to solo agents with minimal overhead. Franchises offer broad name recognition, consistent training standards, and access to referral networks across the country; they charge the same commission percentages but may require compliance with corporate systems. Independent brokers like Samson Properties typically offer tighter oversight, neighborhood focus, and negotiating flexibility, though they lack the national advertising reach and team infrastructure of a franchise.

Lewandowski's strength is neighborhood specificity: agents who concentrate on two or three Baltimore neighborhoods know their buyer pools, comparable sales history, and local condition issues (water table concerns in Canton basements, parking competition in Federal Hill) in detail that a generalist or out-of-state franchise agent may not. This matters for pricing accuracy and marketing to the right buyers. Choose a specialist if you own in a neighborhood with distinct character and buyer type; choose a franchise if you want referral network reach and standardized service protocols.

Who benefits from working with a specialist listing agent

Lewandowski suits sellers who own in Federal Hill, Canton, or adjacent South Baltimore blocks and want an agent with recent comparable sales in those exact neighborhoods. This is critical because pricing error (listing too high or too low) directly affects sale price and time on market. An agent who has closed five sales on a single Federal Hill block in the past year has concrete data that a generalist does not.

Lewandowski is less ideal if you own a unique or luxury property requiring marketing beyond local networks, a commercial mixed-use building requiring specialized brokerage, or a property in a neighborhood outside her focus area. If you own in Fells Point, Hampden, or Roland Park, you would benefit from an agent with deep history in those specific markets.

What the first conversation involves

In a first meeting, expect Lewandowski to conduct a comparative market analysis (CMA), reviewing recent sales of similar properties in your neighborhood, current listings, and expired listings to recommend a price range. This CMA becomes the foundation of your listing agreement and should be detailed enough to justify the recommendation. Ask her to show the data behind any price recommendation and to explain why comparable properties sold at their final prices.

You will also discuss marketing strategy (online platforms, open house timing, agent-to-agent outreach), timeline, and terms of the listing agreement, typically a 90-day exclusive contract. This is the time to clarify her commission rate, ask about her recent sales in your specific block, and understand how she plans to reach buyer's agents who work with cash or investor clients.

Hours and logistics

Samson Properties operates by appointment; call or email to arrange a meeting. Most listing consultations happen at the property itself. Lewandowski manages showings through the MLS system, which coordinates buyer's agent access during agreed hours (typically weekday evenings and weekends). There are no walk-in hours or set appointment slots.

Marybeth Lewandowski represents the seller's interest in a neighborhood market where price and inventory drive outcomes, making neighborhood expertise the primary edge over larger, less specialized competitors.