Skip to main content

What to Know About Betty Barbee and RE/MAX Southern Shores

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

Betty Barbee brings three decades of South Carolina real estate experience to RE/MAX Southern Shores

Betty Barbee is a real estate agent based in South Carolina who works through RE/MAX Southern Shores, a franchise of the national RE/MAX network. With more than 30 years in the real estate industry, she works with buyers and sellers across the state. Her background includes residential sales, property management, and community knowledge of South Carolina's coastal and inland markets.

RE/MAX Southern Shores operates as a full-service brokerage, meaning agents there handle the full transaction process—from listing a property to closing. The RE/MAX brand operates on an agent-owned model rather than a traditional employee structure, which shapes how agents like Barbee work and what services they can offer.

Key Takeaways

  • Betty Barbee has worked in South Carolina real estate for over 30 years and is affiliated with RE/MAX Southern Shores.
  • RE/MAX Southern Shores is a franchise brokerage that handles residential sales, listings, and transactions across South Carolina.
  • Agents at RE/MAX operate independently but under the RE/MAX brand, which affects commission structures and how they market properties.
  • When working with any real estate agent, you can ask about their specific experience in your area, their transaction history, and how they price or market homes.

How RE/MAX Southern Shores operates

RE/MAX is a national real estate franchise where individual agents and brokers own their own businesses but operate under the RE/MAX brand and systems. This means Betty Barbee and other agents at RE/MAX Southern Shores work as independent contractors rather than employees of a central company. The brokerage provides training, technology, marketing support, and access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is the database where homes for sale are listed and shared among agents.

The RE/MAX model typically means agents keep a larger share of their commissions compared to traditional brokerages, but they also pay desk fees or other costs to operate. This structure can affect pricing and how aggressively an agent markets a property, since the financial incentive is more direct.

What Betty Barbee's experience covers

With over 30 years in the industry, Barbee has worked through multiple real estate cycles—rising markets, downturns, and shifts in buyer and seller behavior. Her background includes residential sales, which means she understands how to price homes, market them to the right buyers, and navigate the negotiation process. She has also worked in property management, which gives her insight into rental properties, tenant issues, and long-term property value.

This combination of sales and management experience means she can speak to both the investment side of real estate and the owner-occupant side. If you are buying a home to live in, she understands what buyers look for. If you are considering a rental property or investment, she has seen how properties perform over time.

Finding Betty Barbee and RE/MAX Southern Shores

RE/MAX Southern Shores maintains a website and office locations across South Carolina. You can search for Betty Barbee by name through the RE/MAX website or by contacting the local RE/MAX Southern Shores office in your area. Most RE/MAX offices have multiple agents, so you can also browse available agents if you want to compare experience or specialties.

When you contact an agent, it is standard to ask about their experience in your specific neighborhood or county, how many homes they have sold in the past year or two, and how they approach pricing and marketing. These conversations help you understand whether an agent's background matches what you need.

Understanding real estate agent roles and commissions

Real estate agents in South Carolina work on commission, meaning they earn a percentage of the sale price when a home sells. The commission is typically split between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent, and then split again between the agent and their brokerage. The exact split varies by brokerage and by individual agent agreement.

When you list a home, you negotiate the commission rate with your agent and brokerage. When you buy a home, the seller typically pays both agents' commissions as part of the sale, so you do not pay your buyer's agent directly. However, the commission comes out of the sale price, which affects the net proceeds the seller receives.

Questions to ask a real estate agent

Before you hire an agent to buy or sell, it helps to understand their specific experience and approach. Ask how long they have worked in your area, how many transactions they completed in the past year, and whether they specialize in any particular type of property—waterfront homes, investment properties, first-time buyer homes, or luxury homes, for example. Ask how they price homes and what marketing methods they use. Ask whether they handle all aspects of the transaction or work with a team.

You can also ask about their availability, how often they communicate with clients, and what happens if you are unhappy with their service. These conversations are normal and expected—agents know that buyers and sellers want to work with someone they trust and understand.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if an agent is right for me?

Look for an agent with experience in your specific area and with the type of property you are buying or selling. Ask for references from past clients and check their transaction history. You should feel comfortable asking questions and confident that they understand your goals.

What is the difference between RE/MAX and other brokerages?

RE/MAX is a franchise model where agents own their own businesses under the RE/MAX brand. Other brokerages may employ agents as employees or use different commission splits. The main difference is how the business is structured and how agents are compensated, which can affect service and pricing.

Do I have to pay a real estate agent to buy a home?

No. The seller typically pays both the buyer's and seller's agents' commissions from the sale proceeds. However, you should understand that this commission is built into the home's price, and it affects the overall cost of the transaction.

Can I negotiate the commission rate?

Yes. Commission rates are negotiable, especially when you are listing a home for sale. When you are buying, the seller has already agreed to pay a commission, but you can discuss this with your buyer's agent before you start looking.

What should I bring when I meet with a real estate agent?

If you are selling, bring recent property tax records, utility bills, and any home improvement receipts. If you are buying, bring proof of funds or a pre-approval letter from a lender. An agent will tell you what specific documents they need for your situation.