Beyond the Listing: Teresa Klem Talks Luxury Real Estate
In the high-stakes world of luxury real estate, it’s easy to find agents who treat million dollar listings like simple line items on a spreadsheet. They talk in square footage and cap rates, missing the soul of the home entirely.
Then there is Teresa Klem. For Teresa, a property isn’t just a transaction; it’s the backdrop for a life well-lived in the heart of Maryland’s waterfront capital.
When she talks about Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, she talks about the water, the neighborhoods, the way people actually live here, and the details that matter once the excitement of a home tour wears off.
Where is the closest grocery store? How does the community feel? Is the neighborhood walkable? Does the house make sense for the buyer’s life today, but also the life they are trying to build over the next ten or twenty years?
That perspective did not come from a script. It came from living in Anne Arundel County herself, and with more than two decades in real estate, years of listening to buyers and sellers, and a belief that being local means more than having a license in the state of Maryland.
That philosophy has shaped the way she works, the way she advises clients, and the way she has built her career with Long & Foster.
From Sales to Real Estate
Before Real Estate, Teresa was well established in a career that involved national account sales, frequent travel, and a lot of time spent in airports.
As she began to start a family, that travel-heavy lifestyle no longer made sense. She began to think that real estate did, however.
This wasn’t a random choice. It was something she had been exposed to for years through her mother, who had worked in the industry.
Still, starting over was not easy.
She received her real estate license in 2000 and transitioned full-time into the industry shortly after, building her business from the ground up in a market where she had no built-in network.
“I didn’t grow up here, so I had to create everything from scratch,” she explained.
That meant doing the work most new agents avoid—helping other agents, hosting open houses, showing homes, and building relationships one interaction at a time.
That foundation still shows up in how she operates today.
Why Local Knowledge Still Matters
Being a good agent isn’t just about access to listings. It’s about being able to guide someone with real local context. They should be able to talk confidently about nearby amenities, community feel, water access, commute patterns, and the small quality-of-life details that rarely fit neatly into a listing description.
Teresa Klem takes that seriously. She speaks of how downtown Annapolis offers walkability, history, restaurants, the Naval Academy, St. John’s College, and a sense that something is always happening. West Annapolis has its own draw.
Water-access communities like Hillsmere, Oyster Harbor, Arundel On The Bay, and Pines On The Severn and Ulmstead Estates offer amenities that continue to appeal to buyers who want to be close to the water.
Teresa sees bay access as one of the strongest long-term value drivers in the local market, pointing to the number of boaters we have in the area.
Even for people who do not own a boat, the ability to walk near the water, kayak, enjoy waterfront restaurants, or simply be part of a community shaped by the Chesapeake Bay lifestyle is a major part of what makes Anne Arundel County special.
Above features one of Teresa’s current listings under contract. This gorgeous property is located at 2738 Gingerview Lane in Annapolis. With 2,477 SQ.FT of living space, 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, it’s listed at $709,000.
Working With Buyers in Today’s Market
Over the course of our conversation, I asked Teresa about the Buying Process.
She says her first step is a buyer consultation. That may happen in person or over Zoom, especially for relocating families or military clients who may be moving back to the area without the ability to see every home in person.
During that consultation, Teresa walks through the buyer’s criteria. She does not just ask what they want. She digs deeper.
Is a garage a must-have or a nice-to-have? Should homes without one be excluded, or would the buyer rather see the full range of possibilities? Is the buyer comfortable doing work, or are they hoping for something move-in ready? Are they prepared for the pace of the current market?
She says it’s important to get this level of detail clearly expressed in the beginning. That matters because in a competitive market, buyers often need clarity before emotions get involved.
She also doesn’t pressure clients to make decisions they are uncomfortable with. Instead, she expressed her preference to lay out the options, explaining the likely consequences, and helping them choose a path they’ll be happy with.
If a buyer asks how to avoid losing a house they love, Teresa will tell them what she believes the strongest offer strategy looks like. But she is also clear that every buyer has to stay within their own comfort level.
That is the kind of guidance Teresa tries to provide: not one-size-fits-all answers, but helping them weigh the cost/benefit of each decision.
Helping Sellers Make Smart Decisions Before They List
On the selling side, Teresa’s process is equally thoughtful.
While some agents may try to complete a listing appointment in one visit, Teresa prefers a two-step approach. First, she visits the home, walks through it with the seller, takes notes, and gathers information. Then she does her homework. After that, she comes back and presents a comprehensive consultation, serving as the foundation for further strategy should she and the seller move forward together.
To her, that second step matters. Once she has that information, Teresa helps sellers understand their options and direction.
Some sellers may not want to make improvements. Others may not have the money available upfront. In that case, Teresa can talk through what an as-is strategy might look like and how that may affect pricing.
But if a seller is willing and able to make strategic updates, Teresa can help them identify which improvements may move the needle. That could include paint, carpet, countertops, staging, or other presentation improvements that help the home compete more effectively.
When asked about staging, in particular, Teresa says she is a strong advocate.
Most buyers, she says, do not have the ability to look past elements like purple carpet, a challenging layout or dated finishes to envision a home’s full potential. Staging helps bring that vision to life.
A good presentation can be the difference in selling a home faster and for more money in many situations.
An example of one of Teresa’s current listings – Located in the heart of Annapolis at 163 Prince George Street, this historic property features 2,434 SQ.FT of living space, 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. Currently listed at $1,375,000.
A Career Built on Service
Outside of real estate, Teresa enjoys time on the water, tennis, travel, and spending time with family. Like many people in sales, she is always working on the balance between being available to clients and protecting time for life outside of work.
If she were not in real estate, she thinks she may have been drawn to something in the medical or nonprofit world. Before COVID, she volunteered at Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., holding babies and offering support in a quiet, meaningful way. She also mentioned organizations like Make-A-Wish as the kind of work that naturally draws her attention.
That answer says a lot.
Real estate may be about contracts, showings, listings, inspections, negotiations, and settlement dates. But for Teresa, the human side of the work clearly plays a leading role in her passion.
Buying or selling a home is rarely just about the house. It is about timing, family, money, lifestyle, stress, hope, and change. Teresa understands that, and she brings a steady, experienced voice to the process.
How to Connect With Teresa Klem
Teresa Klem is a Realtor with Long & Foster in Annapolis, serving Anne Arundel County and surrounding areas.
If you’d like to work with Teresa on your next real estate transaction, give her a shout. I’m certain she’d be happy you did!
Teresa Klem, Long & Foster Real Estate
Annapolis Fine Homes Office
443-223-1364 – Mobile
410-263-3400 – Office
www.GoAnnapolis.com
