Patricia Skarupa at RE/MAX American Dream in Baltimore: Buyer's Agent for First-Time and Repeat Homebuyers in the City Market

Patricia Skarupa works as a buyer's agent at RE/MAX American Dream, a single-office brokerage operating in Baltimore that focuses on residential transactions across the city and surrounding counties. Skarupa specializes in representing buyers rather than sellers, a distinction that shapes her role, compensation structure, and incentives throughout the purchase process.

How buyer's agents work and what Skarupa does

A buyer's agent represents your interests during a home purchase, not the seller's. Skarupa identifies properties, schedules showings, negotiates offers, manages inspections and appraisals, and coordinates with lenders and title companies on your behalf. She earns a commission split from the listing agent's side of the transaction, typically 2.5 to 3 percent of the final sale price in Baltimore's market. This structure means you do not pay her directly; her compensation comes from the seller's proceeds, creating a potential conflict of interest if left unaddressed. A written buyer's agent agreement clarifies her duties to you and prevents ambiguity about representation.

First-time buyers often benefit from an agent who understands Baltimore's neighborhood price variation, permitting requirements, and inspection red flags specific to older row houses and renovated properties. Repeat buyers moving within the city or to the suburbs may prioritize market speed and negotiation strategy in a competitive landscape.

Services and what to expect from the buying process

Skarupa guides you through five main stages. Pre-approval is your starting point: she may recommend lenders but does not originate loans. Pre-approval letters typically come back within three to five business days and state how much you can borrow. Next comes the search phase, where she shows properties matching your criteria, school zone, commute, and budget. Baltimore's median home sale price sits around $315,000 to $350,000 depending on neighborhood (verify current figures with the Greater Baltimore Association of Realtors), so knowing your actual pre-approval amount prevents wasted time on unreachable properties.

Once you make an offer, Skarupa drafts the contract and negotiates terms: purchase price, contingencies (inspection, appraisal, financing), closing date, and repair concessions. Maryland allows up to 10 days for inspections; Baltimore-area appraisals typically take 7 to 14 days. If the appraisal comes in low, she presents options to renegotiate or bring additional cash. The final stage covers closing logistics: coordinating the title company, reviewing settlement statements, scheduling your walkthrough, and ensuring funds wire correctly.

Her commission is paid at closing and comes from the seller's side, not your pocket. You may still negotiate a lower buyer's agent commission in a hot market, though this is less common in Baltimore's market than in high-velocity coastal metros.

How Skarupa compares to other buyer's agent options in Baltimore

Baltimore's residential market includes independent agents, larger franchises (Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Keller Williams), and hybrid models. RE/MAX American Dream operates as a smaller, single-office firm, which can mean more personal attention but less institutional infrastructure than a national brand. Skarupa's value hinges on her specific knowledge of Baltimore neighborhoods, local lender relationships, and closing-process familiarity, not on her brokerage size alone.

Buyer's agents across Baltimore charge the same commission structure because the listing agent sets the buyer's agent commission in the listing agreement. Your choice of agent should rest on her market expertise, responsiveness, and negotiation skill, not price. An agent unfamiliar with Baltimore's historic row-house inspection issues or its variance in school districts can cost you far more than her commission in overlooked repairs or a neighborhood mismatch.

Discount brokerages (flat-fee or reduced-commission models) exist but remain rare in Baltimore and typically suit cash buyers or highly experienced sellers, not first-time buyers navigating financing and contingencies.

Who should work with Skarupa and who should not

Skarupa suits first-time buyers in Baltimore who need hand-holding through inspections, appraisals, and closing paperwork, and repeat buyers relocating to the city from outside Maryland. She is less critical if you are paying all cash (contingencies become simpler), already know the neighborhood intimately, or have hired a real estate attorney to draft your own contract. Baltimore does not require buyer representation; you may negotiate directly with the seller's agent, but you lose the dual-agency conflict protection and expert guidance.

Investors buying multiple properties or commercial real estate should seek an agent specializing in investment or commercial deals, not residential buyer representation.

The first visit and what to bring

Your first meeting should cover your financial readiness, neighborhood priorities, and timeline. Bring a pre-approval letter or statement of liquid assets. Skarupa will discuss which neighborhoods match your schools, commute, and price range, and set expectations about market timing (Baltimore's market cycles between seller-favorable and buyer-favorable seasons). She should ask questions about your must-haves versus nice-to-haves, not assume.

Hours, logistics, and contact details

RE/MAX American Dream operates during standard business hours; verify current office hours and Skarupa's availability by phone or her brokerage website, as agent schedules often include evening and weekend showings by appointment. Parking at the office should not be an issue, but most agent contact happens by phone, text, or email once you enter the buying process. Transaction timelines typically run 30 to 45 days from offer to closing in Baltimore.

Skarupa's value as a Baltimore buyer's agent reflects her local market knowledge and negotiation skill during a purchase that will likely be the largest financial commitment you make.