What to Know About Working With Candice Roberts at LPT Realty

Candice Roberts brings local market knowledge and a focus on client communication to South Carolina real estate transactions

Candice Roberts is a real estate agent based in South Carolina who works with LPT Realty, a brokerage operating across the state. She handles residential sales and purchases, working with buyers and sellers navigating the local market. Her background includes attention to the details that matter in a transaction—timeline, pricing, property condition, and the specific needs of each client.

If you are considering buying or selling property in South Carolina, understanding what an agent does and how to evaluate whether they are the right fit for your situation helps you move forward with confidence. This guide covers what to expect when working with a real estate agent, what questions to ask, and how to assess whether an agent's approach matches your priorities.

Key Takeaways

• A real estate agent represents either the buyer or the seller in a transaction and earns commission only when a sale closes.
• Agents handle marketing, showings, negotiations, and paperwork—tasks that would otherwise fall to you or require hiring a lawyer separately.
• Before committing to work with an agent, ask about their experience in your specific neighborhood or price range and how they communicate during the process.
• You can interview multiple agents before signing a listing agreement or buyer's contract to find the one whose approach fits your situation.
• An agent's local knowledge—which neighborhoods are appreciating, what comparable homes sold for, what inspections typically reveal—directly affects the price you pay or receive.

What a real estate agent actually does in a transaction

A real estate agent's core job is to represent one party—either the buyer or the seller—through the process of buying or selling a home. They do not work for both sides at once, though both sides typically have their own agent. The agent earns a commission, usually split between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent, and that commission is paid only when the sale closes.

For sellers, an agent lists the property in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), markets it through photos and descriptions, schedules and conducts showings, negotiates offers, and coordinates inspections and appraisals. For buyers, an agent searches available listings, arranges showings, helps you understand what a property is worth, negotiates your offer, and guides you through inspections and closing. In both cases, the agent handles communication between parties and their lawyers, keeping the transaction moving and flagging problems early.

The agent does not provide legal advice—that is the role of a real estate attorney, whom you hire separately—but they know the process, the paperwork, and the local market well enough to spot when something is unusual or when you should ask a lawyer a specific question.

How to evaluate an agent's local market knowledge

An agent's value often comes down to what they know about the specific area where you are buying or selling. This includes recent sales prices, how long homes typically stay on the market, which neighborhoods are changing, what buyers in that area prioritize, and what problems inspections commonly uncover in older homes or in homes built with particular materials.

When you first speak with an agent, ask them about recent sales in your neighborhood—not just the price, but how long the homes were listed and whether they sold above or below asking price. Ask what they see changing in the area over the next few years. If you are selling, ask how they would price your home and why. If you are buying, ask what comparable homes sold for and whether the one you are interested in is priced fairly for its condition and location.

An agent who can answer these questions with specific examples and recent data is demonstrating the kind of knowledge that affects whether you pay too much, sell too low, or miss warning signs about a property. An agent who speaks in generalities or cannot name recent comparable sales may not have spent enough time in your market to be useful.

Communication style and availability during the process

Real estate transactions move in phases—offer, inspection, appraisal, final walkthrough, closing—and each phase raises questions. How quickly an agent responds and how clearly they explain what is happening next shapes your experience significantly. Some agents check in daily; others wait for you to reach out. Some send written summaries of conversations; others rely on phone calls.

Before you commit to working with an agent, ask how they prefer to communicate and how quickly they typically respond to messages. Ask what happens if you have a question on a weekend or evening. Ask whether they will walk you through each step before it happens or explain it after the fact. If you are the kind of person who wants frequent updates and detailed explanations, an agent who prefers minimal contact may frustrate you. If you prefer to be left alone until there is something to decide, an agent who checks in constantly may feel intrusive.

This is not about finding a "better" communication style—it is about finding one that matches how you work best. Mismatched expectations about communication are one of the most common sources of tension between agents and clients.

Questions to ask before signing an agreement

If you are selling, you will sign a listing agreement that gives the agent the right to market your home and represent you for a set period, usually three to six months. If you are buying, you may sign a buyer's agent agreement that commits you to working with that agent for a certain time. Before you sign, ask these questions:

• How long have you worked in this specific neighborhood or area? An agent new to South Carolina or new to your county may not have the local knowledge that matters.
• What is your experience with homes like mine? If you own a historic home, a waterfront property, or a commercial building, you want an agent who has sold similar properties recently.
• How do you price homes? Ask them to walk you through their process—do they use a formal comparative market analysis, do they order an appraisal, do they adjust for condition and recent upgrades.
• What happens if I am not satisfied with the marketing or the offers I am receiving? Know what recourse you have before the agreement ends.
• Are there any circumstances under which I can end this agreement early? Understand the terms before you sign.

These questions help you understand whether the agent has the specific experience your situation needs and what your options are if the relationship is not working. An agent who answers directly and without defensiveness is usually a good sign.

How agent commission works and what it covers

Real estate agent commission is typically a percentage of the sale price, often around 5 to 6 percent total, though this varies and is negotiable. That total commission is split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent. The seller usually pays both commissions out of the sale proceeds, which means the buyer does not write a separate check to their agent.

Commission is paid only when the sale closes. If the deal falls through, the agent receives nothing. This aligns the agent's incentive with yours—they want the sale to close as much as you do. However, it also means an agent may push to close quickly rather than waiting for a better offer or taking time to address inspection issues thoroughly.

Commission covers the agent's time on marketing, showings, negotiations, and coordination, but it does not cover everything you might need. You will still hire a real estate attorney to review contracts and handle closing documents. You will still order a home inspection. You will still arrange your own financing or cash offer. The agent's job is to navigate the market and the transaction process, not to provide legal or financial advice.

Working with an agent in different market conditions

The real estate market in South Carolina shifts—sometimes homes sell quickly with multiple offers, sometimes they sit for months. An agent's strategy changes with the market. In a fast market, an agent helps you price competitively and move quickly. In a slow market, an agent helps you understand why your home is not selling and what changes might help—price reduction, repairs, better photos, or different marketing.

Before you hire an agent, ask how they adapt their approach to current conditions. Ask what they would do differently if the market shifted while your home was listed. An agent who has a single strategy regardless of conditions is less useful than one who adjusts based on what is actually happening in the market right now. This flexibility often makes the difference between a home that sells and one that lingers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work with multiple agents at the same time?

As a buyer, you can show homes with different agents until you sign a buyer's agent agreement, which typically commits you to one agent for a set period. As a seller, you sign an exclusive listing agreement with one agent, and that agent has the right to market your home during that time. Read any agreement carefully to understand what you are committing to.

What if I am unhappy with my agent?

If you have signed a listing or buyer's agreement, review the terms to see whether you can end it early and under what circumstances. Some agreements allow you to terminate with notice; others require cause. If you are in the middle of a transaction, ending the relationship may delay closing. Talk to your agent first about what is not working—sometimes the issue is a misunderstanding that can be resolved.

Do I need a real estate agent to buy or sell a home?

No. You can sell your own home (called a for-sale-by-owner or FSBO sale) or buy directly from a seller. However, you will handle marketing, showings, and negotiations yourself, and you will still need a real estate attorney to handle contracts and closing. Many people find that an agent's market knowledge and negotiating experience save them more than the commission costs.

How do I know if an agent is licensed and in good standing?

South Carolina real estate agents are licensed by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SCDHEC). You can verify an agent's license and check for complaints on their website. Ask an agent for their license number and verify it before you sign any agreement.

What should I do if I think my agent is not representing my interests fairly?

Real estate agents are required to act in their client's best interest and to disclose conflicts of interest. If you believe your agent is not doing this, document the issue and discuss it with the agent's broker—the person who supervises the agent. If the issue is not resolved, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.