Aleisha Goines and Excel Real Estate: What to Know Before You Buy or Sell in South Carolina

Who Aleisha Goines Is and What Excel Real Estate Does

Aleisha Goines is a real estate agent working with Excel Real Estate, a South Carolina-based brokerage. She helps buyers and sellers navigate property transactions across the state. If you are looking to buy a home, sell property, or understand the real estate process in South Carolina, knowing who your agent is and what their brokerage offers is a practical first step.

Excel Real Estate operates as a full-service brokerage, meaning it handles residential sales, listings, and the paperwork that comes with property transfers. Goines works within this structure to represent clients through the buying or selling process. Understanding her background and the services available through her brokerage helps you decide whether this is the right fit for your situation.

Key Takeaways

• Aleisha Goines is a licensed real estate agent with Excel Real Estate, a South Carolina brokerage serving buyers and sellers statewide.
• Excel Real Estate handles residential property sales, listings, and transaction management for clients across multiple South Carolina markets.
• Before working with any agent, you should understand their experience, the services their brokerage provides, and how they are compensated.
• Real estate agents in South Carolina must be licensed through the South Carolina Real Estate Commission and follow state and federal fair housing laws.
• Comparing agents and brokerages based on local market knowledge, client reviews, and communication style helps you find the right fit for your needs.

What Excel Real Estate Offers Buyers

If you are buying a home in South Carolina, an agent from Excel Real Estate can help you search for properties, schedule showings, and negotiate offers. Goines would work to understand your budget, location preferences, and timeline, then present options that match your criteria. She handles the logistics of scheduling viewings and coordinates with the seller's agent throughout the process.

Buyers typically do not pay the agent directly. Instead, the seller's side of the transaction covers both agents' commissions, which is split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. This means you can work with Goines without out-of-pocket agent fees, though you will still pay for inspections, appraisals, and your down payment as part of the overall purchase.

Excel Real Estate's support extends beyond finding a property. The brokerage can connect you with lenders, title companies, and inspectors—professionals you will need during the buying process. Having these connections through your agent's brokerage can streamline communication and keep the timeline on track.

What Excel Real Estate Offers Sellers

Sellers work with agents like Goines to list their property, market it to potential buyers, and negotiate sale terms. Excel Real Estate handles the listing on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is the database that buyer's agents search when looking for homes. Getting your property on the MLS quickly and with strong photography and description is critical to reaching interested buyers.

When you list with Excel Real Estate through Goines, the brokerage typically charges a commission based on the final sale price. This is usually split between the listing agent (Goines) and the buyer's agent, and it comes out of your proceeds at closing. Discussing the exact commission rate and what services are included—such as staging advice, open houses, or professional photography—is important before signing a listing agreement.

Goines would also handle showings, answer buyer questions, and negotiate offers on your behalf. She represents your interests in discussions with the buyer's agent and helps you understand each offer's terms, contingencies, and timeline before you decide whether to accept, counter, or reject.

How to Verify Licensing and Background

All real estate agents in South Carolina must hold a current license issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. You can verify Aleisha Goines's license status, any disciplinary history, and her broker affiliation by visiting the South Carolina Real Estate Commission's website or calling their office directly. This is a free public record and takes only a few minutes to check.

Beyond licensing, it is worth asking Goines directly about her experience in the specific market where you are buying or selling. How long has she been in real estate? How many transactions has she closed in your neighborhood or price range? Does she specialize in certain property types—single-family homes, investment properties, waterfront land? The answers help you gauge whether her expertise matches your needs.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring Goines or Excel Real Estate

Before committing to work with Aleisha Goines, prepare a list of practical questions. For buyers: What is your process for finding homes that match my criteria? How quickly can you schedule showings? Will you attend the inspection and appraisal? For sellers: What is your marketing strategy? How often will you report on showings and interest? What is your commission rate, and what does it include?

Also ask about communication. How often will she update you? What is the best way to reach her—phone, email, text? Does Excel Real Estate have a team approach, or will you work primarily with Goines? Understanding these logistics prevents frustration later when you need quick answers during a time-sensitive negotiation.

Ask about her track record in your specific area. Real estate markets vary significantly across South Carolina—a Lowcountry coastal market operates differently from the Upstate, and a Charleston neighborhood differs from a rural county. An agent with deep roots and recent sales in your area will have better insight into pricing, buyer demand, and local conditions.

Understanding Real Estate Commissions and Costs

Real estate commissions in South Carolina are not set by law or by the state. Instead, they are negotiated between the seller and the listing agent. Typical rates range, but you should discuss the specific percentage with Goines or Excel Real Estate before signing any agreement. The commission is usually split between the listing side and the buyer's side, with each agent receiving a portion.

Beyond commission, buying and selling involve other costs. Buyers pay for inspections, appraisals, and closing costs (which may include title insurance, attorney fees, and lender charges). Sellers pay for repairs, staging, and closing costs on their end. Neither of these is controlled by your agent, but Goines can explain what to expect and help you budget accordingly.

If you are selling, you can negotiate the commission rate before listing. If you are buying, you do not pay the agent directly, but the commission rate affects the seller's net proceeds, which can influence their willingness to negotiate on price or repairs.

How to Compare Agents and Brokerages

Choosing an agent is a personal decision based on communication style, local knowledge, and track record. Beyond Aleisha Goines, you might interview agents from other brokerages to compare their approach, experience, and fees. Ask each agent the same questions so you can compare answers fairly.

Look for online reviews on Google, Zillow, or the Better Business Bureau, but read them critically. A single bad review does not disqualify an agent, and a string of five-star reviews might be inflated. Pay attention to specific details in reviews—did the agent communicate well? Did the transaction close on time? Was the agent knowledgeable about the neighborhood?

Ask for references from past clients, particularly those who bought or sold in your area within the last year. A conversation with someone who has worked with Goines or Excel Real Estate can give you a clearer picture of what to expect than any marketing material can.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if Aleisha Goines is the right agent for me?

The right agent has experience in your specific market, communicates in a way that works for you, and has a track record of closing transactions. Interview her, ask about recent sales in your area, and check her license status. Trust your instinct about whether you feel heard and understood during the conversation.

What if I am unhappy with my agent after we start working together?

If you are a buyer, you can typically work with a different agent at any time—there is no binding contract. If you are a seller, you have signed a listing agreement with a specific term (usually 90 days or six months). Review your agreement to understand the cancellation terms, or contact Excel Real Estate to discuss your concerns before taking action.

Can I negotiate the real estate commission?

Yes. Commission rates are negotiable between you and the listing agent or brokerage. Discuss this openly before you sign a listing agreement. Some brokerages offer different rates based on the property type, price, or market conditions, so it is worth asking what flexibility exists.

What happens if the sale falls through after I have hired an agent?

If you are a buyer and the deal falls through, you owe the buyer's agent nothing—commission is only paid when a sale closes. If you are a seller and the listing expires or you cancel, you may owe a commission only if a buyer was already found through the agent's efforts, depending on your listing agreement. Read the terms carefully.

How long does a typical real estate transaction take in South Carolina?

From offer acceptance to closing typically takes 30 to 45 days, though it can be faster or slower depending on inspections, appraisals, and financing. Aleisha Goines can give you a more specific timeline based on current market conditions and your particular situation.