Samuel B. Cofer, III at EXIT Right Realty in Baltimore: A Commission-Based Agent Model for Residential Sales

Samuel B. Cofer, III operates as a residential real estate agent with EXIT Right Realty, a commission-based brokerage serving the Baltimore area, and specializes in helping clients navigate one side of the transaction as either a buyer's agent or listing agent depending on the engagement.

How commission-based agents work in Baltimore

Real estate agents in Baltimore earn income through commission, typically 5 to 6 percent of the final sale price split between the listing agent's brokerage and the buyer's agent's brokerage. When you work with an agent like Cofer as a buyer, you pay nothing directly; the seller's proceeds cover the buyer's agent commission. As a seller, you negotiate the total commission with your listing agent, knowing that portion goes to cover both sides of the sale.

This structure means an agent's incentive aligns with closing the sale at the highest price. Cofer's role shifts depending on which party he represents: as a listing agent, he markets the property and manages showings and negotiations on the seller's behalf; as a buyer's agent, he represents your interests in viewing homes, making offers, and managing contingencies through inspection and appraisal.

What EXIT Right Realty brings to Cofer's practice

EXIT Right Realty is a franchise brokerage that provides back-office support, compliance oversight, and access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which lists nearly every property for sale in the Baltimore market. The franchise model means Cofer operates independently within a branded structure, carrying the brokerage's support system without the overhead of running an independent firm. This affects what he can offer: access to the full MLS, trust account handling for earnest money deposits, and brokerage-level liability insurance, but at the cost of a portion of his commission going to the franchise.

EXIT Right Realty franchises typically charge agents a flat monthly fee or transaction fee in addition to taking a percentage of commission. The exact fee structure varies by franchise location; you should ask Cofer directly how much of each transaction goes to the brokerage versus his pocket, since that can influence how aggressively he pursues your deal, though most agents' incentives remain tied to closing sales regardless.

Buyer's agent versus listing agent: when each makes sense

If you are buying in Baltimore, a buyer's agent like Cofer can attend showings with you across multiple neighborhoods, interpret inspection reports and appraisals, advise on competitive offers, and handle counteroffers without direct cost to you. The value lies in market knowledge, negotiation skill, and time spent; a weak buyer's agent may steer you to easier sales or push you to offer too quickly.

If you are selling, a listing agent bears the responsibility of pricing, marketing, showing, and negotiating. Cofer's job becomes persuading the market to view your home and extracting the highest offer. This is where brokerage size and individual reputation matter most; a small franchise may have fewer referral sources and less sophisticated marketing than a larger regional firm.

How to evaluate Cofer within Baltimore's agent landscape

Baltimore has agents affiliated with national brands (Keller Williams, RE/MAX, Berkshire Hathaway), independent boutique brokerages, and franchises like EXIT Right. None is inherently better; evaluation comes down to local market knowledge, negotiation track record, and communication style.

Ask any agent for recent sales comparables in your neighborhood, their average days-on-market for listings, and whether they represent buyers, sellers, or both equally. Cofer's tenure with EXIT Right, references from past clients, and his track record in your specific neighborhood matter far more than the franchise name.

Exit Right operates multiple franchise locations across several states, so individual agent quality within the brand varies widely. An agent at an EXIT Right office in Baltimore may have different expertise than one in another state.

How to start working with Cofer

A first conversation with a buyer's agent typically takes 20 to 30 minutes; you discuss budget, neighborhoods, timeline, and what you want in a home, then he checks the MLS for active listings and suggests properties to view. No paperwork is required to look at homes with a buyer's agent, though you may eventually sign a buyer representation agreement, which ties you to one agent for a set period.

For sellers, the process is a listing consultation where he tours your home, discusses condition and recent improvements, pulls comparable sales data, and suggests a list price. This usually leads to a listing agreement if you move forward, which gives him the right to list and market the property and typically locks you in for 90 days.

Contact and hours

Verify Cofer's current availability and cell phone number directly; agent contact information changes frequently as they switch brokerages or retire. EXIT Right Realty's main office lines can provide a current referral if needed.

Samuel B. Cofer, III fits Baltimore's market as an independently operating agent within a franchise structure, offering access to the full MLS and standard brokerage services without the overhead of an independent firm. Your decision to work with him should hinge on his specific track record in your neighborhood, not the franchise badge.