Luxury Real Estate Resource Center

Answers to the questions we hear most from luxury buyers and sellers across Maryland. Tap a question to see the answer, and reach out any time for guidance specific to your property.

For Buyers

Buying
A luxury home in Maryland is generally a high-end property that stands out for its price, location, size, design, finishes, amenities, or privacy. There is no single price point that officially defines a luxury home, because the luxury market varies across the state — a luxury property in Annapolis, for example, may have a very different price point than one in another part of Maryland such as Bethesda or Potomac. Our team can help you understand how your property compares to other luxury homes in your local market and develop the right strategy for selling it.
Discover Your Luxury Home's Value
Yes. A Maryland property may generally be purchased and held by an LLC or by a properly authorized trustee on behalf of a trust. However, the correct deed language and ownership structure depend on the type of trust, financing, liability, tax, privacy, and estate-planning objectives. Some residential and owner-occupied mortgage programs may restrict entity or trust ownership. Before signing a contract, buyers should consult a Maryland real estate attorney, tax adviser, and lender to confirm how title should be held.
Explore Your Ownership Options
A mortgage is generally considered jumbo when its loan amount exceeds the applicable FHFA conforming limit for the property's county and number of units. For 2026, the baseline one-unit limit is $832,750, while certain high-cost areas have higher limits up to $1,249,125. Jumbo-loan credit, down-payment, debt-to-income, appraisal, and reserve requirements vary by lender and borrower. Consult a qualified lender for current county limits and personalized underwriting guidance.
Before buying waterfront property in Maryland, it is important to look beyond the home itself. Buyers should consider flood risk and insurance, shoreline condition, water access, private piers or docks, property boundaries, maintenance needs, and any rules that could affect future improvements. Waterfront properties can also have unique permitting and environmental requirements. Our real estate team can help you evaluate the property, understand important considerations, and navigate the buying process from your search through closing.
Start your waterfront search
Before buying a luxury historic property in Maryland, it is important to understand both the home's unique character and the responsibilities that may come with owning it. Buyers should consider the age and condition of major systems, previous renovations, ongoing maintenance costs, and whether the property is subject to historic preservation rules that could affect future renovations or exterior changes. Buyers should determine whether the property is subject to a recorded preservation easement, local historic-district requirements, or other restrictions before planning renovations or exterior changes. A thorough inspection can also help identify issues common in older homes. Our real estate team can help you evaluate luxury historic homes, understand important property considerations, and navigate the purchase from your search through closing.

For Sellers

Selling
Capital-gains tax is generally calculated using the sale proceeds minus the property's adjusted tax basis and eligible selling expenses. Qualifying homeowners may exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or up to $500,000 for certain married couples filing jointly, if federal ownership, use, and other requirements are satisfied. Any remaining taxable gain may be subject to federal tax, Maryland income tax, local income tax, and, for certain higher-income taxpayers, Maryland's additional 2% net-capital-gain tax. Because improvements, depreciation, ownership history, residency, and the sale price can materially change the result, sellers should obtain advice from a qualified CPA or tax attorney.
Let Us Connect You With An Expert
The value of your Maryland luxury home depends on more than square footage and the number of bedrooms. Location, recent luxury home sales, property condition, acreage, renovations, views, privacy, and unique features can all affect what buyers may be willing to pay. Luxury home values also vary significantly from one Maryland community to another, making local comparable sales especially important. Our real estate team can review your property and current market activity to help you understand what your luxury home could sell for today.
Obtain Your Luxury Valuation
Selling luxury waterfront property in Maryland requires navigating and assembling documentation concerning existing piers, shoreline structures, permits, surveys, flood history, insurance, water depth, septic or well systems, and any Critical Area restrictions to high-net-worth buyers. Key considerations for sellers include:
  • Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Compliance
  • Waterfront & Pier Permits
  • Riparian Rights & Water Depth
  • Flood Documentation

Launch Your Waterfront Sale
Before selling a Maryland historic home, determine whether it is merely inventoried, listed in the National Register, locally designated, or subject to a recorded preservation easement. Local designation or an easement may affect alterations, maintenance, development, or required approvals, while National Register listing alone generally does not restrict a private owner. Sellers should gather easement documents, renovation approvals, architectural records, permits, tax-credit documentation, and property history, while complying with Maryland's applicable residential disclosure requirements.