"What should I look for when I choose a real estate agent?" is the most important question sellers and buyers should ask when they get ready to move.

It's easy to look for the marketing and track record of successful sales for any agent -- that's what is visible. And certainly Nellie's lengthy list of sales awards as a top agent with Long & Foster through a variety of real estate market conditions, and the significant presence of each of her listings on the Internet on more than 400 websites is impressive.

But that may not be what is most important to you when it's your house that is the focus of negotations. What is important is that she is fair and honest. That she keeps your best interests in front of her at all times. That she tells clients like you what you need to know, not what you want to hear. That she understands contract language and documentation, and the qualifications for different types of mortgages. And that she will work hard to understand your needs and the issues that are important to you.

And when you need Nellie, and her expertise, Nellie is the person who will be working with you directly. Not an assistant, not a coordinator. Nellie.

This "client first" philosophy has always been her approach, requiring her to continually improve her skills and ways of doing business. In addition, she has selectively adopted the latest technologies, enabling her to market property, schedule showings, and negotiate contracts more quickly and efficiently. These tools also help her extend the range of services provided to you as a client.

So when you decide that you'd like to buy or sell a home in areas such as Columbia, Ellicott City, Clarksville, Fulton, Glenwood, Woodbine, Elkridge, and Catonsville and beyond, please contact Nellie.

Nellie Arrington, CRS, is an Associate Broker affiliated with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., since 1986. She has been a consistently successful REALTOR -- a member of Long & Foster's Gold Team, eligible for Life Membership in the Howard County Million Dollar Club, and recipient of the first Community Service Award presented by the Howard County Association of REALTORS. She holds the prestigious Certified Residential Specialist designation of the National Association of REALTORS, and is a Senior Housing Specialist. A member of Long & Foster's team of designated relocation agents, she is also an E-Business agent for the realty.

Her civic and community involvement includes member of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Ellicott City, vice president and past president of the Mount Hebron-Orchards Community Association, member of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce, vice president of the Howard County 4-H Foundation, organization leader of the Patapsco Valley 4-H Club, member of and former facilitator for Changing Focus, past president of the former Economic Forum of Howard County (a coalition of major business and civic groups), and former member of the Viking Backers of Mount Hebron High School.

A native of Howard County with deep roots in the county's history, Nellie attended Howard County schools, and is a graduate of McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College), and The Johns Hopkins University, Carey Business School. Both of her daughters attended county schools and are alumna of Mount Hebron High School. Elyse Evans Kircher is an instrumental music education graduate of University of Maryland, College Park, and is a candidate for a master's degree in conducting from the American Band College, Sam Houston University. Meredith Evans received her B.A., in interior design from Philadelphia University, and is studying for her master's degree in architecture with a concentration on interiors at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.