What to Know About Working With Ashley Smith at Century 21 The Gresham Company

Ashley Smith's background and service area

Ashley Smith is a real estate agent with Century 21 The Gresham Company, a brokerage operating across South Carolina. Smith works with buyers and sellers in residential real estate transactions, helping clients navigate property searches, negotiations, and the closing process. Her office is based in South Carolina, and she serves clients looking to buy or sell homes in the state.

Century 21 The Gresham Company is a franchise of the national Century 21 network, meaning agents operate under that brand's standards and systems while working with local market knowledge. The brokerage maintains multiple offices across South Carolina and handles both single-family homes and investment properties.

Key Takeaways

• Ashley Smith is a residential real estate agent affiliated with Century 21 The Gresham Company, a South Carolina-based brokerage.
• Century 21 agents typically list properties on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which means homes are visible to other agents and their clients across the market.
• Real estate agents earn commission when a sale closes, paid by the seller, so there is no direct cost to the buyer for agent representation.
• Before hiring any agent, you can ask about their experience in your specific neighborhood, their marketing approach, and how they handle communication during the buying or selling process.

How to contact Ashley Smith

To reach Ashley Smith, contact Century 21 The Gresham Company directly through their main office phone line or website. You can ask to speak with Smith by name, or request information about agents in your area if you are unsure whether she handles your specific neighborhood or property type.

When you call, have your basic information ready: the address of the property you are interested in (if buying), or details about the home you want to sell (square footage, lot size, condition). This helps the agent determine whether they can assist you and schedule a time to discuss your needs.

What agents typically do in a home sale

If you are selling, an agent lists your property on the MLS, which makes it visible to other agents and their clients. The agent photographs the home, writes the listing description, schedules showings, and presents offers to you. They also handle negotiations, coordinate inspections and appraisals, and guide you through closing documents.

If you are buying, an agent shows you available properties, helps you understand market conditions and pricing, writes and submits offers on your behalf, and represents your interests during negotiations. They also coordinate the inspection, review the appraisal, and walk you through the closing process. Buyers do not pay the agent directly—commission comes from the seller's proceeds at closing.

Questions to ask before working with an agent

Before committing to work with Ashley Smith or any agent, ask how long they have been selling real estate and how many transactions they completed in the past year. Ask whether they specialize in your neighborhood or property type—an agent who knows a specific area well can price your home more accurately and market it more effectively.

Ask how they will market your home (or show you properties), how often they communicate with clients, and what happens if you are unhappy with the service. Ask whether they handle all aspects of the transaction or work with a team. Ask what their commission rate is and whether it is negotiable. These conversations help you decide whether an agent is a good fit for your situation.

Understanding the MLS and how homes are sold

The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a database that real estate agents use to share property listings with each other. When an agent lists a home, it appears on the MLS within hours, and other agents can show it to their clients. This system is how most homes are sold in South Carolina—the MLS gives your property exposure to the widest possible pool of buyers.

When a buyer's agent shows a home listed by another agent, both agents typically split the commission at closing. This is why buyers do not need to pay an agent out of pocket—the seller's proceeds cover both sides. The exact split can vary, but it is negotiated between the agents and brokerages before the sale closes.

What to bring when meeting with an agent

If you are selling, bring your deed, mortgage statement, property tax bill, and any recent home improvements or repairs you have made. Bring photos of the home's best features and any documentation of upgrades (new roof, HVAC system, windows, etc.). If you have a home inspection report from when you bought the property, bring that too—it helps the agent understand the home's condition and price it fairly.

If you are buying, bring proof of funds or a pre-approval letter from a lender, a list of neighborhoods you are interested in, and a sense of your budget and timeline. Bring any questions about the buying process—agents expect these conversations and can walk you through what to expect at each stage.

How commission works and what it covers

Real estate commission is a percentage of the sale price, typically ranging from 4 to 6 percent, though this varies by market and can be negotiated. The seller pays the total commission at closing, and it is split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent. If you are buying, you do not pay commission directly—it comes from the seller's proceeds.

Commission covers the agent's time marketing the property, showing homes, negotiating offers, coordinating inspections and appraisals, and managing paperwork through closing. It does not cover title insurance, appraisals, inspections, or attorney fees—those are separate costs that vary by transaction and are typically paid by the buyer or seller depending on local custom and the purchase agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if Ashley Smith is the right agent for me?

Ask her about her experience in your specific neighborhood and how many homes she has sold there in the past year. Ask for references from past clients and check online reviews. Meet with her in person or by phone to see if her communication style and approach match what you need. You should feel comfortable asking questions and confident she understands your goals.

Can I negotiate the commission rate?

Yes, commission rates are negotiable. Before you sign a listing agreement or buyer's agent agreement, discuss the rate with the agent. Different brokerages and agents may offer different rates depending on the market, the property, and the services included. Get the rate in writing before you commit.

What happens if I want to switch agents?

If you have signed a listing agreement with a seller's agent, you are typically locked in for a set period (often 90 days). If you want to end the agreement early, you may owe commission on any offers that came in while you were listed, depending on the contract terms. For buyers, you are usually not locked into an exclusive agreement, but check any paperwork you signed to be sure.

How long does it take to sell a home?

The time varies by market, season, and property condition. In South Carolina, homes typically sell within 30 to 90 days from listing to closing, though this depends on price, location, and how many buyers are actively looking in your area. Your agent can give you a more specific timeline based on recent sales in your neighborhood.

What if my home does not sell?

If your home does not sell within the listing period, you and your agent can discuss options: lowering the price, making repairs or improvements, changing the marketing approach, or ending the listing and trying again later. Some agents offer to relist at no additional cost if the first listing expires. Discuss these scenarios before you sign the listing agreement.