In April 2022, 55.1% homes in Maryland were sold above List Price, a 9.8% increase as compared to 2021.
Because Maryland has more than 40,000 real estate agents and brokers, finding the best will take some time. That is why we have done extensive research on the best real estate brokers in Maryland along with some brokerages in order to make your next real estate transaction a breeze.
At A Glance: Top Real Estate Brokers in Maryland
| Maryland Brokers | Best For | More Than 10 Years of Experience | More Than 100 sales in the last 12 months | Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glen Cornwell | 💲 Sellers looking for maximum savings 🌟 Sellers looking for Stellar Customer Reviews 📃 Sellers looking for Fast Listing Changes 🖥️ Sellers looking for Cutting-edge Technology | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(88 reviews) |
| Brian Pakulla | ✔️Customers looking for Marketing Support | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(549 reviews) |
| Daniel Demers | ✔️Customers looking for an Experienced Broker | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(19 reviews) |
What is a Real Estate Broker?
Real estate brokers and real estate agents are used interchangeably, but they vastly vary in definition. A real estate broker is a licensed real estate professional in their own right who’s also a licensed real estate agent.
The primary difference between a real estate broker and an agent is that a broker can start their own firm and hire real estate agents to work with.
For a real estate agent to become a licensed real estate broker, they have to take additional training courses and acquire an experience of a certain number of years. The exact requirements to become a real estate broker vary statewide.
While real estate agents focus on the sales aspect of the transaction, brokers specialize in the technical aspects, such as drafting purchase agreements, contracts, escrow arrangements, etc.
Average Real Estate Broker Commission in Maryland
Maryland real estate agent commission ranges between 5% to 6%.
This commission is split evenly between the listing and the buyer’s agent. Let’s look at the below example to understand how the average real estate broker commission is divided:
- 6% Real Estate Commission
- 3% Listing Agent Commission
- 1.5% Listing Agent Commission
- 1.5% Listing Broker Commission
- 3% Buyer’s Agent Commission
- 1.5% Buyer’s Agent Commission
- 1.5% Buyer’s Broker Commission
- 3% Listing Agent Commission
So, effectively, the real estate broker commission in Maryland is lesser because it is split between the buyer’s agent and the broker. It is possible that the buyer’s agent may be a licensed real estate broker. In that case, they earn the full 2.5% to 3% broker commission.
Reviews: Top Real Estate Brokers in Maryland
1. Glen Cornwell, Houzeo.com Affiliate
BEST FLAT FEE BROKER
⏳ Experience: 20 years
4.9/5 (out of 88 reviews)📌 Note: Glen Cornwell provides an unbeatable combination of best-in-class savings, cutting-edge technology through Houzeo, and 5-star customer support. Skip the hassle, and begin listing paperwork on Houzeo.com.
👨💼 About Glen Cornwell: Glen Cornwell is a resident Houzeo Partner, and has over 20+ years of experience practicing the flat-fee MLS model. Past sellers appreciate Cornwell’s politeness, effective communication, honesty, and the virtual full-service real estate agent services offered at a low commission.
Glen founded Cornwell Properties and fancies the flat fee MLS model over traditional real estate. He specializes in New Construction, Resales, Investment Property, and Luxury Property. He enjoys simplifying real estate for home sellers with Houzeo technology and helps them save unwanted hefty real estate commissions.
🏡 Annual Sales Volume: 255 sales in 2021, Cornwell closed $117M.
🏅 Accolades & Certifications:
- Distinguished Achiever for the Richmond Association of REALTORs Since 2008
- Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®)
- Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI)
- Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource (SFR)
🤝 Affiliations: Glen Cornwell is a Houzeo Partner, as a listing broker.
🏢 About Houzeo.com: A tech-centric company, Houzeo is building cutting-edge tools to simplify the home selling experience and make real estate convenient for homeowners. Founded in 2017, the company is disrupting the flat fee MLS model with world-class technology and aims to build “America’s Super Real Estate App.”
💰 Affordability: You can work with Glen Cornwell at a flat fee, usually $349, and avoid paying the traditional 3% listing agent commission. You get access to great technology for finishing the comprehensive paperwork, while the listing broker handles the legalities.
As a Houzeo Partner listing broker, Glen has access to innovative tools designed to make home selling efficient. When home sellers list via Houzeo.com, they can leverage the Houzeo Advantage.
Let’s look at the “Houzeo Advantage”:
- IntelliList Listing Management System: Lets you manage your listing 100% online.
- Lightning Fast Listing & Changes: Houzeo is 100% online. Listing can happen in under 60 minutes and any MLS listing changes are updated quickly.
- Houzeo Showings: Manage showing appointments online.
- Houzeo Offers: All offers are summarized online. You can view and compare offers, or counter any offer. In a multiple-offer situation, you can also call for the highest and best offers.
- Buyer Search: Buyers can contact you directly on Houzeo.com instead of going through a real estate agent.
- Houzeo Settlement Agent Platform: Guides you in ensuring the successful closing.
- Digital Transaction Management
- Houzeo ID Secure
- Pro Directory
- Houzeo Buyer Lead Manager
- Houzeo Mobile App: All features are at your fingertips with Houzeo mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Glen Cornwell has a 4.9 Star rating out of 5 on Houzeo.
Glen holds a license to operate in 5 states: Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina and Virginia.
2. Brian Pakulla, RE/MAX Advantage
MARKETING SPECIALIST
23 Years of Experience
5/ 5 (out of 549 reviews)👨⚖️ About: Brian Pakulla is an associate broker and a licensed REALTOR® serving the Baltimore-Washington and Central Maryland Area. He has more than 22 years of experience in sales and marketing. He comes from a family that has over 100 years of experience in real estate. He is a lifetime resident of central Maryland. He leads an efficient team, the Pakulla Professionals, affiliated to RE/MAX Advantage Realty.
🏡 Sales: 126 Sales in the last 12 months.
🤝 Affiliations: Brian Pakulla is affiliated to RE/MAX Advantage Realty
🥇 Accolades:
- #1 RE/MAX Team in Maryland
- Highlighted in the National Association of Realtor’s (NAR) REALTOR Magazine article top “30 under 30” Realtor in the USA
- “Success Story” in Maryland Association of Realtor’s (MAR) Magazine as a Top Realtor
- Featured in RE/MAX Times national newspaper as a Top Realtor
- Recipient of RE/MAX’s lifetime achievement award
- Inducted into RE/MAX’s hall of fame at age 27
RE/MAX Advantage Realty: RE/MAX Advantage Realty provides a wide range of real estate services and utilizes the most current technology, processes and systems to assist you with all of your home buying and home selling needs. Their experienced agents will guide you throughout your home selling or buying process. They will offer you unparalleled customer service with proven results.
>>Explore: Selling A House As Is: A Step-By-Step Guide for Home Sellers
As a RE/MAX agent, Brian Pakulla uses various technology driven platforms to offer an excellent selling/buying experience for their customers. Let us look at some of these key technologies used by RE/MAX.
📌 Bing Ads are used by their agents to advertise both on Bing and Yahoo! search engines.
📌 Hootsuite, a social media marketing tool is used to track their social content across all social media profiles.
📌 Pipedrive, a CRM & pipeline management is used by their sales agents that help them focus on actions that matter.
📌 Bronto Marketing Platform is used for automated marketing and email, mobile & social campaign.
Brian Pakulla is rated 5/ 5 (out of 549 reviews) on Zillow
Brian Pakulla serves in Brookeville, Catonsville, Clarksville, Columbia, Cooksville, Dayton, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Fulton, Gaithersburg, Glenelg, Glenwood, Halethorpe, Hanover, Highland, Jessup, Laurel, Lisbon, Marriottsville, Mount Airy, Odenton, Owings Mills, Potomac, Randallstown,, Rockville, Savage, Severn, Sykesville, West Friendship Woodstock
3. Daniel Demers, Houzeo.com Affiliate
BEST OVERALL
⏳ Experience: 13 years
4.9/ 5 (out of 19 reviews)📌 Note: Dan Demers provides an unbeatable combination of best-in-class savings, cutting-edge technology through Houzeo, and 5-star customer support. Skip the hassle, and begin listing paperwork on Houzeo.com.
👨💼 About Daniel Demers: Daniel (Dan) Demers is Houzeo’s partner listing broker, and has 13+ years of experience practicing the flat-fee MLS model. Past sellers appreciate Demer’s responsiveness, politeness, honesty, and the virtual full-service real estate agent services offered at a low commission.
Demers spent several years with Keller Williams before leaving the traditional real estate practice in favor of the “flat fee MLS” model. He founded Sell Your Home Services to offer MLS listing packages for a one-time, flat rate.
Demers uses Houzeo technology to help home sellers save their hard-earned equity at a fraction of the cost they’d incur traditionally.
🏡 Annual Sales Volume: 314 sales in 2021, Demers closed $153M.
🤝 Affiliations: Daniel Demers is a Houzeo Partner, as a listing broker.
🏢 About Houzeo.com: A tech-centric company, Houzeo is building cutting-edge tools to simplify the home selling experience and make real estate convenient for homeowners. Founded in 2017, the company is disrupting the flat fee MLS model with world-class technology and aims to build “America’s Super Real Estate App.”
💰 Affordability: You can work with Daniel Demers at a flat fee, usually $349, and avoid paying the traditional 3% listing agent commission. You get access to great technology for finishing the comprehensive paperwork, while the listing broker handles the legalities.
» SAVE 20%: Use coupon code “SAVE20” to save 20% more while listing with Dan on Houzeo.com
As a Houzeo.com Affiliate, Demers has access to innovative tools designed to make home selling efficient. When home sellers list via Houzeo.com, they can leverage the Houzeo Advantage.
Let’s look at the “Houzeo Advantage”:
- IntelliList Listing Management System: Lets you manage your listing 100% online.
- Lightning Fast Listing & Changes: Houzeo is 100% online. Listing can happen in under 60 minutes and any MLS listing changes are updated quickly.
- Houzeo Showings: Manage showing appointments online.
- Houzeo Offers: All offers are summarized online. You can view and compare offers, or counter any offer. In a multiple-offer situation, you can also call for the highest and best offers.
- Buyer Search: Buyers can contact you directly on Houzeo.com instead of going through a real estate agent.
- Houzeo Settlement Agent Platform: Guides you in ensuring the successful closing.
- Digital Transaction Management
- Houzeo ID Secure
- Pro Directory
- Houzeo Buyer Lead Manager
- Houzeo Mobile App: All features are at your fingertips with Houzeo mobile apps for iOS and Android.
📲 Interested to list with Houzeo? Houzeo is 100% online so you can finish the paperwork in <60 mins with a few clicks. Start NOW!
Home sellers love working with Daniel and he has a 5 Star rating on Houzeo.
Daniel holds a license to operate in 11 states: Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennesse.
Difference between a Broker, REALTOR®, and Real Estate Agent
A real estate broker is a licensed real estate agent with additional training and licenses to employ other real estate agents in their brokerage firms. In contrast, a real estate agent is only licensed to assist a real estate transaction, and cannot hire other agents or open a brokerage firm.
Realtors are real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS®(NAR), the largest trade association in the U.S. Bound by the NAR’s Code of Ethics, Realtors promise to be transparent, honest and uphold their clients’ best interests in all transactions.
There are thousands of licensed real estate agents and brokers across the nation, with varying levels of service quality, so it is ideal to hire a local real estate broker to simplify the process of selling a house in Maryland for the first time.
Selling a house by owner may seem like a daunting process but technology tools like Houzeo.com have digitized the contingencies like listing paperwork and made the process seamless.
The best part – you don’t pay the traditional 6% real estate commission! You can use the 100% online platform to list your house, manage home showings, and counteroffers for a flat fee.
» Staging a Home to Sell: Check out what is home staging and how is it useful for you
How to Find a Real Estate Broker?
By being methodical about it.
Consider the basics of real estate transactions and evaluate costs, time, and efforts.
National brands offer nationwide coverage but service quality may not be guaranteed in each office. You will be yet another lead in the marketing funnel while a Flat Fee Realtor is assigned for your listing.
In contrast, if you choose a local real estate broker, you could save on the time and effort substantially. Real estate commissions, however, still remain questionable and depend on the work done by the real estate broker.
If you are radical enough to adventure selling your home fast, then flat fee MLS listing services like Houzeo are a great way to save time, and the 100% online platform makes the comprehensive listing paperwork seamless.
🏡 FSBO SOUNDS INTERESTING? Check out our guide to selling your house as an owner.
At A Glance: Top Real Estate Brokerages + Companies in Maryland
| Companies | Key Highlights | Customer Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| The Maryland and Delaware Group of Long & Foster Real Estate | 🛒 Customers looking for Unique Marketing Strategies | ⭐⭐⭐⭐(239 reviews) |
| Pakulla Professionals of RE/MAX Advantage Realty | 📞 Customers looking for a brokerage with Excellent Customer Service | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐( 109 reviews) |
In Maryland, there are a variety of brokerages to choose from. We’ve handpicked a few to help you with your real estate transactions.
Reviews: Top Brokerages + Companies in Maryland
1. The Maryland and Delaware Group of Long & Foster Real Estate
UNIQUE MARKETING STRATEGIES
Advanced Technology
4.8/ 5 (out of 293 reviews)🏠 About: The Maryland and Delaware Group of Long & Foster has been a standout real estate agency since it started. Under Brandon Brittingham’s leadership, 2017 was a record-setting year for the team of over 30 agents. They achieved more than $106 million in 460 real estate transactions, a 23% increase over its previous year’s sales. The Maryland and Delaware Group of Long & Foster was built to offer real estate customers everything they need in one place, from a wide variety of properties and personalized financing services, to moving and repair services.
👉 Selling with The Maryland and Delaware Group
Their 7 step marketing program utilizes strategic marketing techniques to help you get the maximum price for your home in Maryland or Delaware on your time line. They also have this provision that if your house doesn’t sell, their investment division will buy it.
Buying with The Maryland and Delaware Group
If you are a home buyer, they will help you determine your personalized budget for buying your home. They will assist you in making an offer, prepare home inspection, help you negotiate and finally close the deal.
>>Explore: 7 Best Flat Fee MLS Companies in Maryland
Being a part of Long & Foster Real Estate, their agents have access to the most innovative tools and technologies to offer their best services to their customers. These include
- Moxi Engage, Revolutionary Productivity Tool and CRM
- Moxi Present, Customizable Presentation Platform with Interactive CMAs
- RealScout, Agent-Branded Collaborative Search Platform and Listing Alert System
- Comprehensive Suite of Marketing Programs
- Xpressdocs, Online Marketing Store
- State-of-the-Art Company Web Presence
- Complimentary Personalized Agent Websites and Property Sites
- Interactive Mobile App
- RREINAgent, Newsletter and Content Delivery Platform
The Maryland and Delaware Group of Long and Foster is rated 4.8/ 5 (out of 293 reviews) on Google.
The services of the Maryland and Delaware Group are available across Maryland.
2. Pakulla Professionals, RE/MAX Advantage Realty
EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE
#1 RE/MAX Team in Central Maryland
5/ 5 (out of 109 reviews)🏠 About: Pakulla Professionals offer you unparalleled customer service and proven results. They have been assisting home buyers and sellers in Central Maryland since 1972. The team has been ranked the top RE/MAX Team in Central Maryland.
👉Selling with The Pakulla Professionals
They perform a free market analysis of your home before listing. This market analysis helps you price your home accurately and prepare yourself for the selling process. Your home is listed on popular websites like Zillow, Trulia, realtor.com, MSN, RE/MAX.com, and more. They assist you with Professional virtual photo tours, professional hard stock color brochures, Contract negotiation and finally with the closing.
👉Buying With The Pakulla Professionals
Their agents are experts in the market and can help you determine which criteria is realistic and important to target in your preferred home. They are well versed in the financial requirements of buying a home and can be your check and balance when dealing with a bank. They have access to every listing that hits the market and even hundreds of listings every year before they hit the market. Their strategy is broken down into 4 stages-Searching for your home, making an offer, coordinating pre-settlement activities and finally settling on your home.
>> Explore: Everything You NEED to Know About Real Estate Commissions in the US
As a part of RE/MAX Real Estate, the Pakulla Professionals use innovative technologies to carry out real estate transactions.
- Photofy, a mobile app tailored specifically for RE/MAX affiliates, supports marketing efforts and features new assets like digital stickers.
- LeadStreet manages leads, listings and clients, while also offering a highly customizable IDX website.
- The RE/MAX Design Center offers thousands of customizable templates for print, online, video and more.
- RE/MAX Mainstreet is the portal to the RE/MAX Design Center, LeadStreet, RE/MAX University and social media outlets.
- RE/MAX Mobile App
Pakulla Professionals is rated 5/ 5 (out of 109 reviews) on Google
The Pakulla Professionals serves in Clarksville and nearby areas.
How to Choose the Right Real Estate Brokerage in Maryland
For Home Sellers
Approximately 89 percent of homeowners use the services of a real estate agent or broker when buying or selling a home, making the selection of the most qualified agent critical to a successful real estate transaction.
| Parameters | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Inquire | When choosing a real estate broker or agent, inquire about their knowledge of the local market and your property type. |
| 2. Marketing strategy | Question the marketing strategy, methods of communication, references, and connections a broker has with other real estate professionals before making a decision. |
| 3. Full-time Professional | Make certain to hire a professional who is available on a full-time basis. |
| 4. Guidance | Ideally, a realtor will be able to guide you through the process of searching for and purchasing a house. |
| 5. Local Realtor | Local realtors who work for themselves should not be dismissed. They may have more intimate knowledge of a community, than a large real estate company |
In addition to the questions listed above, there are several other factors to consider when hiring a real estate agent or brokerage.
Availability of Real Estate Agents or Brokerages: While there are competent part-time agents who sell properties, you must hire someone who can show your home at a time that is convenient for you.
Offer Suggestions: Other desirable features attract buyers in an area like pools, screened-in porches, etc. Pools, screened-in porches, and other desirable features are known to attract buyers to the area. They will advise on which rooms or features to emphasize or de-emphasize.
Similarly, ask the agent if there are any improvements you could make to the house to make it more desirable. The best agents will often make these suggestions without your input.
Local Real Estate Brokerages: Hire or retain a local expert. These agents will also be aware of the typical selling and listing prices in the area.
Other than that, ask a local brokerage or your friends and family if they know anyone who has sold many homes or businesses there. Also, other ideas include looking through local real estate publications to see which agents have the most listings.
For Home Buyers
In contrast, an inexperienced agent may make things more difficult for you (and your wallet) than they need to be during the home buying process.
There is a specific set of abilities that distinguishes the best real estate agents from the rest when it comes time to buy a house. Is there a list of these abilities? Let’s find out.
| Point to Remember | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Good Communication | Look for an agent who is a good communicator and can answer all of your questions about the home-buying process. |
| 2. Reliable Experience | When interviewing real estate agents, be sure to not only inquire about the length of time they have been in the business of buying and selling homes, but also inquire about their specific experience. |
| 3. Strong Local Market Knowledge | Each market is unique. In order to navigate the nuances of your local market, you'll need a real estate agent who is familiar with local market trends and patterns. Choose a real estate agent who has a track record of quickly placing buyers in homes (and getting them a great deal, too). |
| 4. Positive Reviews | Online reviews are a great resource when choosing a realtor. Read as many reviews as you can before choosing a real estate agent, and look for past clients who have only positive things to say about their experiences. |
| 5. Personal Rapport | Ultimately, you want a realtor you like. You'll be spending a lot of time together, so choose someone you enjoy being around and who truly understands your needs. |
Find Top Real Estate Brokers In Maryland
Working with the largest or the biggest real estate company has its own disadvantage. Often people have these 2 two questions: Real estate brokerages near me and how to find a good real estate broker? Understand, that it may be one of the biggest real estate companies near you, but the realtor’s experience might not be enough. As we have already read about the companies where the agent- experience may not be the same everywhere. Also, the agents may show interest deal only if the deal is extremely profitable.
In this case, a top-rated real estate agent is invaluable in helping you reach your goals, whether you’re buying or selling a home for the first time or the fifth.
With Houzeo, instead of paying the average listing rate of around 3%, you’ll only pay a flat fee which will save you not only thousands of dollars but also give you a great selling experience.
| Price Comparison | Houzeo | Other Real Estate Brokerages |
| Listing Agent Commission / Fee | $329 | 5%-6% |
| Recommended Buyer Agent Commission | 2.5% | 2.5% – 3.0% |
💰 With Houzeo, you save $12,000 more on an average U.S. home >> LIST NOW <<
What does Houzeo Offer? – A Quick Glimpse
| 💻 Houzeo’s tech-centric broker partners charge just the upfront flat fee, and no commission for all DIY plans (except in minimum service states) |
| 👩🏻💻 Offers typically are routed to the brokers. Houzeo’s Offers Platform allows your broker to present the offer to you instantly |
| 💰 Houzeo Offers Platform allows sellers to Counter an Offer and Request Highest & Best Offers Online |
| 📱 Houzeo Showings is available both on Houzeo’s website and on the Houzeo mobile app (learn more) |
| 🕛 Available only on weekdays up to 1 pm, and only in select MLS’. After you’ve purchased the Gold or Platinum plans, email support@houzeo.com with the subject line “Expedited Listing Request: “. Service is free for Gold and Platinum plan customers |
Find Your New Home in Maryland With Houzeo
With thousands of property listings, Houzeo.com is one of the biggest property listing sites in the US. Find condos, townhouses, co-ops, and other types of homes for sale in Maryland on Houzeo.
» Need More Clarity? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why the platform is the best in America’s competitive housing market.
Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?
Check out the following video for all the details you need:
» NEED MORE CLARITY? Read these exclusive Houzeo.com reviews and learn why it is one of the best FSBO site in America.
Final Word: Why choose a Flat Fee Model?
Home prices in Maryland are rising quickly and steadily, as the state’s median prices go up. The Maryland market is brimming with potential. On the other side, finding the right right real estate broker in Maryland can be challenging. In addition, there are numerous brokerages in Maryland nowadays, each with its unique set of advantages.
A seller should evaluate aspects like as listing fees, listing time, services offered, customer service, coverage, marketing, and technology before selecting a brokerage.
This is where our list of the top Maryland real estate brokers and brokerages comes into play.
Remember that the typical agent commission in Maryland is roughly 6%, split 50/50 between the listing and buyer agents. So, if you sell your house quickly in Maryland for $300,000, the commission will cost you $18,000. Choosing Flat Fee agents, such as Glen Cornwell and Daniel Demers, empowered by Houzeo will help you avoid the listing agent commission.
Furthermore, Houzeo is completely online and automated, allowing it to meet the needs of a wide range of sellers and buyers. The platform is also the premier Flat-Fee MLS supplier that has revolutionized the way FSBOs function in the real estate business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a real estate broker salary in Maryland?
A real estate managing broker in Maryland earns around $61,877 to $88,279 annually.
What are Maryland divison of real estate broker requirements?
To become a real estate broker in the Maryland division, the first requirement is that a person should have at least two years of experience as a salesperson, complete eight classroom components, have a minimum of two years of college, and pass an exam.
What are the top real estate brokers in Maryland?
The Top real estate brokers in Maryland are
1. Glen Cornwell
2. Brian Pakulla
3. Daniel Demers
What is broker commission in real estate?
Broker commissions in real estate are the fees that the real estate broker charges for their services during property transactions. The average broker commission rates are 5% to 6% of the home's sale price. You can certainly negotiate the commission rates, but keep in mind that a lower buyer agent's commission rate can make them ignore your property. Typically, the buyer's agent commission is 2.5% to 3%.
