Michelle Lafalaise in Baltimore: A Berkshire Hathaway Agent Focused on Historic Neighborhoods
Michelle Lafalaise is a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty, one of the largest residential brokerages operating in the Baltimore market, representing buyers and sellers across the city's established neighborhoods and inner suburbs.
What she actually does
Lafalaise works as a listing and buyer's agent, meaning she represents either the seller (listing side) or the buyer (buyer's side) in residential transactions. She operates under the Berkshire Hathaway franchise, which positions her within a national brokerage network while maintaining local market knowledge. Her role involves pricing properties competitively, marketing listings, managing showings and inspections, negotiating offers, and guiding clients through the closing process. Like all Maryland real estate agents, she must hold a current license through the Maryland Department of Labor and be affiliated with an active brokerage; Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty operates multiple offices across Baltimore County and the city.
Commission and payment structure
Real estate agents in Maryland earn commission on closed sales, typically split between listing and buyer's agents. Standard commission rates in Baltimore range from 5 percent to 6 percent of the sale price, divided between the two sides; however, commission is negotiable and varies by property, market conditions, and agent agreement. If Lafalaise represents the seller, her broker receives part of the total commission and shares it with her; if she represents the buyer, the seller's brokerage typically pays a buyer's agent commission from the listing side's share. The buyer does not pay the agent directly. Commission is paid only when the sale closes, so agents have no guaranteed income per transaction.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty, as a larger regional brokerage, may offer agents support services (marketing, transaction coordination, legal document templates) that smaller independent agents do not, though these are funded through commission splits, not separate client fees.
How to evaluate her relative to other Baltimore agents
Baltimore's real estate market includes independent agents, small local brokerages, national franchises (Keller Williams, RE/MAX, Coldwell Banker), and large regional firms like Towne Realty. Choosing an agent depends on several practical factors independent of which brokerage she represents.
A listing agent's strength typically shows in days-on-market (how long a property sells after listing), sale price relative to list price, and market knowledge of specific neighborhoods. Ask Lafalaise directly for statistics on recent sales she has listed in the neighborhood where you are buying or selling. Agents working under larger brokerages like Berkshire Hathaway often have access to more marketing tools and broader buyer networks, which can matter in slower market conditions. Smaller independent agents sometimes offer more personalized attention and may charge lower commissions, though they lack institutional support.
For buyers, the agent's role is advisory; a buyer's agent has no fiduciary duty to you in most states (Maryland included), though she may agree to represent your interests contractually. Compare by asking whether she works primarily in the neighborhoods you are targeting, how she structures showings, and whether she will help you understand contingencies and inspection timelines specific to Baltimore properties, many of which are older rowhouses or detached homes with known structural or mechanical issues.
Who this works for and who it does not
Lafalaise suits buyers and sellers who want the backing of an established brokerage with infrastructure for title work, disclosures, and document management. She may be a good fit for sellers in popular Baltimore neighborhoods (Fells Point, Canton, Federal Hill, Roland Park) where Berkshire Hathaway likely has active buyer traffic and marketing reach. Buyers moving to Baltimore from out of state often benefit from an agent affiliated with a large brokerage, which typically maintains relocation resources and can explain Maryland-specific closing practices.
She is less necessary if you are selling a property in a slow market where price and condition matter more than marketing reach, or if you are a cash buyer paying for a property inspection and appraisal independently. Buyers who want the lowest price should negotiate commission with the listing agent's broker, as it is not fixed; some sellers' agents may accept lower commissions on higher-priced homes.
What to expect in a first conversation
Contact Lafalaise through Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty's website or phone line to set up an initial consultation. If you are selling, expect her to tour your home, pull comparable sales (comps) from recent Baltimore listings, and propose a listing price. If you are buying, expect her to ask about your budget, neighborhoods of interest, and timeline, then set up showings. Maryland requires agents to disclose whether they represent the buyer, seller, or both; confirm this explicitly before proceeding.
Berkshire Hathaway's standard agreement will outline the terms of representation and the commission split if you hire her.
Hours and contact logistics
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty operates multiple office locations and is reachable during standard business hours; verify current office locations and direct contact information on the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices website or by phone. Real estate agents in Maryland typically show properties by appointment seven days a week and outside standard hours. Michelle Lafalaise's availability for initial consultations should be confirmed directly.
Lafalaise's place in Baltimore's real estate market reflects the city's reliance on franchised brokerages for residential sales. Choose her if you value the resources and marketing footprint of a major brokerage and believe she understands your neighborhood well enough to price or market competitively.
