Shun Lu at RE/MAX 100 in Baltimore: A Residential Agent Focused on Northwest Neighborhoods
Shun Lu is a residential real estate agent at RE/MAX 100, the franchise's Baltimore location, with a practice concentrated in Northwest Baltimore neighborhoods including Hampden, Roland Park, and Guilford. Lu works as a buyer's and listing agent, earning commission on closed sales rather than hourly fees, and represents clients in a market where median home prices in those areas range from roughly $350,000 to $600,000 depending on neighborhood and condition.
How RE/MAX agents are paid and what that means for you
RE/MAX agents, including Lu, operate on commission paid by the seller at closing, typically split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. The standard commission in Baltimore is 5 to 6 percent of the final sale price, split evenly or negotiated differently depending on the listing agreement. As a buyer, you pay nothing directly; the seller's proceeds cover both agents' fees. As a seller, you negotiate the commission rate when you sign a listing agreement; this is not fixed and varies by agent, brokerage, and local competition. Lu, like other RE/MAX agents in Baltimore, has access to the multiple listing service (MLS), which shows active listings and sold comps in the city and surrounding counties, a necessity for accurate pricing and market knowledge.
What distinguishes Lu's practice in the Northwest Baltimore market
Lu's focus on Northwest Baltimore means familiarity with specific block-by-block price variation, school catchment areas (relevant to buyers with children), and the condition issues common to those neighborhoods' housing stock, typically built between 1900 and 1960. Roland Park and Guilford command premiums partly due to restrictive deed covenants that regulate exterior changes; Hampden has seen rapid appreciation but varies widely by block. An agent concentrated in one region can answer questions about contractor reliability, property tax trends in that area, and which blocks move faster than others, insights a generalist may not have. Lu's presence at RE/MAX 100, the franchise location in Baltimore, also means access to RE/MAX's national referral network, useful if a client relocates or needs to sell a property out of state.
Buyer agent versus listing agent and how to evaluate either role
When you hire an agent to find a home (buyer's agent), they show you listings, advise on offer strategy, and help negotiate with the seller's agent; you benefit even though you don't pay them directly, because the seller's commission covers both sides. When you hire an agent to sell your home (listing agent), they list it on the MLS, market it, hold showings, and manage the sales process. The same person can do both, but their incentive changes: as your buyer's agent, Lu wants to help you win a negotiation; as your listing agent, Lu wants to sell your home for the highest price. Evaluate an agent on familiarity with comparable sales in your specific neighborhood (ask for recent sold prices within a five-block radius), responsiveness, and transparency about what marketing or pricing advice is based on data versus opinion.
How to choose an agent and how Lu compares to broader Baltimore options
Baltimore's real estate agent market is large; agents operate under many brokerages (Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams, Compass, local independents) and specialize in different neighborhoods or price ranges. RE/MAX 100 is one franchise among many, distinguished mainly by its agent network and brand recognition rather than market dominance. When evaluating Lu against other agents, ask three things: (1) Can they show you five recent sales in your specific block or immediate area, with prices and days on market? (2) Will they give you a written estimate of your home's value with sold comps, not just a range? (3) Do they use a buyer's agent agreement in writing, clarifying how long they represent you and what happens if you find a home they didn't show you? Lu's neighborhood focus makes the first and second easier to answer than a generalist might; the third depends on Lu's personal practice, not the brokerage.
The first conversation and what to expect
Initial consultations with agents like Lu are free and usually take 30 to 45 minutes. Bring recent utility bills, tax records, or a deed if you own; if you're buying, bring a list of neighborhoods and price range you're considering. Lu will likely ask about your timeline, financing readiness, and must-haves (number of bedrooms, lot size, commute). If you're selling, expect discussion of your home's condition, recent updates, any issues that would affect value, and your timeline. Ask directly whether Lu will list your home at market value or suggest an above-market price to attract multiple offers; agents who inflate pricing to win your business sometimes delay the sale. Get a written list of services (how often Lu will show your home, what marketing will be done) before signing anything.
Hours, location, and how to contact
RE/MAX 100 operates during standard business hours; Shun Lu's availability for showings extends to evenings and weekends as needed. Confirm current contact information and office location directly with RE/MAX 100 or through the agent's brokerage portal, as agent contact details occasionally change.
Shun Lu's concentrated practice in Northwest Baltimore fills a real niche for buyers and sellers who want an agent who knows those neighborhoods' block-by-block variation and can navigate the specific challenges those areas present.
