What to Know About Working With Aaron Corrigan at Realty One Group

Aaron Corrigan brings local market knowledge and a team-based approach to South Carolina real estate

Aaron Corrigan is a real estate agent with Realty One Group, a national brokerage with offices across South Carolina. He works with buyers and sellers in residential real estate transactions, drawing on familiarity with local neighborhoods, market conditions, and the practical steps involved in buying or selling a home. Like other agents in the Realty One Group network, Corrigan operates as an independent contractor within the brokerage framework, meaning he maintains his own client relationships while having access to the company's systems, training, and support.

If you are considering working with a real estate agent in South Carolina, understanding how agents operate—what they do, how they are compensated, and what to expect from the process—helps you make an informed choice about representation.

Key Takeaways

• Aaron Corrigan is a Realty One Group agent who works with buyers and sellers on residential real estate transactions in South Carolina.
• Real estate agents are compensated through commission, typically paid by the seller and split between the buyer's and seller's agents, so you do not pay a separate fee to your agent as a buyer.
• Realty One Group provides agents with training, technology, and support systems, but individual agents maintain their own practices and client relationships.
• Before choosing an agent, you can ask about their experience in your specific neighborhood, their communication style, and how they handle the steps from listing or offer through closing.

How real estate agents work in South Carolina

A real estate agent's primary role is to guide you through the buying or selling process. For sellers, this typically includes listing the property, marketing it to other agents and the public, showing it to potential buyers, and negotiating offers. For buyers, an agent helps you search for properties that match your needs, arranges showings, advises on market conditions and pricing, and handles the offer and negotiation process.

Agents in South Carolina must hold a current license issued by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SCDHEC). This license requires passing an exam and completing continuing education. Realty One Group, as a brokerage, employs a broker who oversees licensed agents and ensures compliance with state and federal real estate law.

Commission is how agents are paid. The seller typically pays a commission to their agent's brokerage, which is then split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent. This arrangement means that as a buyer, you do not write a separate check to your agent—the commission comes from the sale proceeds. The commission rate is negotiable and varies by transaction, but commonly ranges from 4 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between both sides.

What to expect when working with an agent

The real estate process in South Carolina involves several distinct phases. If you are selling, your agent will help you prepare the home for listing, set a price based on comparable sales in your area, create a listing that appears on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), and coordinate showings. If you are buying, your agent will help you understand your budget, search available properties, arrange tours, and prepare an offer when you find a home you want to pursue.

Once an offer is made and accepted, the transaction moves into due diligence and closing. This phase includes a home inspection (for buyers), appraisal, title search, and final walkthrough. Your agent does not perform these services directly—inspectors, appraisers, and title companies handle them—but your agent coordinates timing and keeps you informed. Closing typically occurs 30 to 45 days after an accepted offer, though this timeline can shift based on financing, inspections, or other factors.

Communication style varies by agent. Some agents prefer phone calls, others email or text. Before committing to work with an agent, it is reasonable to ask how they prefer to communicate and how quickly they typically respond. You should also ask about their experience in the neighborhoods where you are interested in buying or selling, since local knowledge—understanding school districts, commute times, recent sales, and neighborhood trends—directly affects the advice they can offer.

Realty One Group's structure and support

Realty One Group operates as a franchise brokerage, meaning individual agents work under a broker's license but maintain independent practices. The brokerage provides agents with access to MLS systems, marketing tools, transaction management software, and training programs. Agents can also tap into the company's brand recognition and national network, which can be useful if you are relocating to or from another state where Realty One Group has offices.

However, the independent contractor model means that the quality of service, responsiveness, and expertise can vary from one agent to another, even within the same brokerage. Your experience working with Aaron Corrigan will depend on his individual practices, market knowledge, and communication style—not solely on the Realty One Group brand.

Questions to ask before choosing an agent

When you are considering working with any agent, including those at Realty One Group, a few questions can help you assess fit. Ask how long they have been licensed and how many transactions they have completed in the past year. Ask about their experience in the specific neighborhoods or price ranges you are interested in. Request references from recent clients—not just names, but permission to contact them directly.

You can also ask how they handle conflict or disagreement. Real estate transactions involve multiple parties and sometimes competing interests. Understanding how an agent approaches problem-solving gives you insight into how they will advocate for you when issues arise. Finally, ask about their marketing strategy if you are selling, or their search process if you are buying. The specifics matter more than the general answer.

Understanding the South Carolina real estate timeline

South Carolina real estate transactions follow a fairly standard timeline, though individual deals can move faster or slower depending on circumstances. After an offer is accepted, you typically have 7 to 10 days for inspections, though this is negotiable. The appraisal usually takes 7 to 14 days. Title search and insurance happen in parallel and generally take 5 to 10 days. Financing approval can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on your lender and the complexity of your loan.

Your agent should walk you through this timeline at the start and keep you updated as each step completes. Delays are common—inspections might reveal issues that need negotiation, appraisals can come in lower than expected, or lenders might request additional documentation. An experienced agent anticipates these possibilities and helps you navigate them without panic.

Finding the right agent for your situation

Choosing a real estate agent is a significant decision because they influence the outcome of one of the largest financial transactions most people make. The right agent for you is someone with relevant experience in your market, clear communication, and a track record of closing transactions successfully. They should listen to your priorities rather than push you toward properties or strategies that serve their interests better than yours.

You are not obligated to work with the first agent you meet. Many people interview two or three agents before deciding. You can ask each one the same questions and compare their answers, their knowledge of your target neighborhoods, and how comfortable you feel working with them. Trust and communication matter as much as credentials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay my agent if I am a buyer?

No. The seller's proceeds pay the commission, which is split between both agents. As a buyer, you do not write a check to your agent. However, you should understand that your agent's commission comes from the sale price, which can create a subtle incentive for agents to push for higher prices. Discussing this openly with your agent helps ensure you are aligned on what price makes sense for the home.

Can I work with an agent from a different brokerage if I find a home listed by Realty One Group?

Yes. The MLS system allows any licensed agent to show any listed property, regardless of which brokerage lists it. Your agent's brokerage does not have to match the listing agent's brokerage. You can work with whichever agent you trust and feel comfortable with.

What happens if I am unhappy with my agent?

If you have signed a buyer's representation agreement, you may be bound to that agent for a set period, typically 90 days. However, most agreements include language allowing you to end the relationship if it is not working. Review your contract and discuss concerns directly with your agent first. If the relationship cannot be repaired, contact the broker to discuss your options.

How do I verify that an agent is licensed?

You can search the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation website to verify that an agent holds a current real estate license. This search is free and public. It shows the agent's license status, any disciplinary history, and the brokerage they are affiliated with.

What should I do if I am buying in a neighborhood I do not know well?

Ask your agent to spend time walking or driving you through the neighborhood at different times of day. Ask about recent sales, price trends, and what is planned for the area. Visit local coffee shops, parks, and community centers to get a feel for the place. Your agent's local knowledge is valuable, but your own observations matter too.