Q & A: Columbia Real Estate Remains Good for Agents, Sellers and Buyers

In today’s formidable real estate market, you have to wonder how those working in it are faring. Across the country? Not so good. In Columbia? Just fine, according to a top local real estate agent.

Ronda Randolph, who’s been selling property for in Howard County for more than 20 years, said this market bucks the norm because it has quality-of-life- amenities that few other parts of the country can claim.

Columbia is the 20th most affordable housing market in Maryland—or the 13th most expensive—with an average price of $395,180. It is the 1,866th most affordable market in the country, according to a recent

Patch sat down with Randolph to talk about Columbia's real estate specifics; tips for successful home selling and buying; the forecast; and careers in the industry.

Patch: Has the real estate industry suffered a mutiny by agents?

Randolph: Oh yes. But I think it shows who the fly-by-night agents are, those who were in it for the quick buck, and those who just wanted to have moving trucks and signage on every corner…many of them are pretty much gone.

You say Columbia has stood tall in light of the tight real estate market. Why is this?

We are in a great place because we lean on so many different industries, all of which are prosperous. We have medical, like Johns Hopkins, government and government contractors. And don’t forget, Columbia and Ellicott City keep getting those great write ups about being one of the best places to live and great schools. People want to come and live here.

How did you get started?

My father was a builder in Arizona. There were four of us and we’d go to the job site and clean up after construction. We’d also help paint…just small jobs. But it was there, watching my father, that we learned to do things right and treat people fairly, no matter what.

What’s the best tip you can offer home sellers today for a successful sale?

It’s an old rule but it works: If it’s priced right and the colors are kept neutral, the house will sell in about 30 days.

What are the top selling features of a home. What do people look for?

The kitchen and the bathroom. You don’t have to have granite but that will make it sell quicker. The thing people have to realize is that buyers have so many choices these days, so you have to keep it neutral and make it move-in quality.

Do you take the customer through an initial screening process when you’re handling their sale?

It’s important to find out what they qualify for. I want to make sure that they have a strong comfort level with the home price. Sometimes they qualify but aren’t comfortable with the numbers. We go over all of that before we leave my office. ... Home buying is one of the largest transactions people will ever make. I love being a part of that.

Overall, sounds like the prospect is good, at least for Columbia residents.

Columbia has one of the fewest foreclosure and short sale percentages in the country.