Michael Poist at Execuhome Realty in Baltimore: A Buyer's Agent Focused on First-Time Homebuyers

Michael Poist is a buyer's agent at Execuhome Realty, a Maryland-based firm that specializes in representing purchasers rather than sellers, positioning buyers' interests separately from listing agents and brokerage commission splits that can create conflicts of interest in transaction outcomes.

What a buyer's agent actually does

A buyer's agent works exclusively for the purchaser, locating properties, negotiating offers, and managing contingencies without a dual loyalty to the seller or the listing brokerage. In Baltimore's market, this distinction matters because buyer's agents can advise on neighborhood conditions, property values, and fair offer strategy without pressure to close quickly at a higher price. Unlike listing agents, who are paid from the seller's proceeds (and therefore benefit when price rises), a buyer's agent's compensation comes from the buyer's side of the deal, removing an inherent incentive to push you toward overpaying. Poist's focus on first-time homebuyers means his guidance addresses concerns that repeat investors or move-up buyers may already understand, such as how contingencies protect you and what Baltimore property taxes will actually cost over time.

How buyer's agents are compensated and what to expect

Buyer's agents in Maryland typically earn 2.5 to 3 percent of the sale price, paid from the listing side's commission split. This structure means you do not pay Poist directly from your own funds, though the cost is embedded in the sale price. Commission is negotiable; it is not fixed by law. Some agents will work on flat fees or hourly rates instead, particularly if you are purchasing a high-value property where a percentage becomes very large. With Execuhome Realty, confirm the fee structure upfront before signing a buyer representation agreement, which typically commits you to working exclusively with that agent for a set period (often 90 days in Maryland).

Evaluating buyer's agents in Baltimore

The difference between an effective buyer's agent and a passive one shows up in negotiation strategy and market knowledge. A strong buyer's agent in Baltimore understands tax foreclosure timelines in neighborhoods like Sandtown-Winchester, can explain why a row house in Canton carries different comps than an identical one in Federal Hill, and knows which inspectors are thorough and which will miss foundation settling. Poist's specialization in first-time buyers suggests familiarity with FHA loans (which allow 3.5 percent down and are common in Baltimore) and with navigating inspection contingencies and appraisal gaps, both frequent friction points for less-experienced purchasers. Compare this to agents who treat every buyer identically or who primarily list properties themselves; listing agents often have less incentive to spend time educating a buyer they will not earn primary commission from.

Another local point: Baltimore has a significant for-sale-by-owner market and many properties sold at auction. A buyer's agent experienced in these channels can help you navigate non-traditional sales, where standard contingencies and financing timelines do not apply.

Who should work with a buyer's agent and who should not

Hire a buyer's agent if you are purchasing your first home in Baltimore, unfamiliar with the market, or buying in a neighborhood where you do not have personal knowledge of schools, flood risk, or street-level safety. First-time buyers especially benefit because the investment is large and the process involves legal concepts (title insurance, inspection rights, appraisal contingencies) that are hard to self-teach quickly.

You may not need a buyer's agent if you are an experienced investor making a cash offer on a distressed property, if you have a trusted real estate attorney managing the transaction (some buyers use legal counsel instead of agents), or if you are buying a newly constructed home where the builder's agent is already present. However, even then, having your own buyer's agent can uncover hidden costs or warranty issues that a builder's agent will not disclose.

First steps: the representation agreement and property search

Your first meeting with Poist will involve signing a buyer representation agreement, which outlines his commission, the duration of exclusivity, and what happens if you find a property without his help during the contract period. Maryland law does not require this agreement, but it clarifies expectations. Once signed, provide him with your budget, desired neighborhoods, must-have features, and financing status (prequalification or preapproval letter from a lender). Execuhome Realty will then conduct MLS searches and may alert you to new listings matching your criteria. Properties in Baltimore sell quickly in hot markets (Federal Hill, Canton, Fells Point often move in days), so an agent who can show you a property within hours of listing has real value.

Hours and contact logistics

Reach out to Execuhome Realty to confirm current contact methods and Poist's availability; real estate agents' hours are typically flexible and responsive to client schedules rather than a posted front desk model. Most agent communication happens by phone, text, or email, and property showings are arranged by appointment.

Execuhome Realty's buyer-first model and Poist's focus on first-time purchasers make this a practical choice for someone new to Baltimore real estate who wants negotiating power balanced in their favor.