Tiffany Harris

41, Vice President, Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors

Low housing inventory, high mortgage rates and a U.S. Supreme Court decision that changes how commissions for real estate sales are set and paid. Tiffany Harris picked quite the tumultuous time to help lead the group that represents just under 5,000 area Realtors.

The Walbrook Junction native, who will become the board’s president-elect in November, became interested in the industry when she herself entered the market and wanted to better understand the contract she would be signing. Ten years and six properties later, she now wants to give back and be “the voice for my colleagues” during this challenging time.

“They need to be able to articulate the value that they want to be compensated for,” Harris said. And consumers, now more than ever, need an agent that they can trust. “Do your research. Interview a few agents. Interview a few lenders,” Harris advised. And above all, try to tune out all the dire reports of affordability and high interest rates, and find a way to become a homeowner.

“Real estate is fluid,” she said. “The best time to buy a house is when you are ready to buy a house.”

— Jean Marbella