What to Know About Working With Carol O'Brien at Keller Williams

Carol O'Brien brings local market knowledge and Keller Williams resources to South Carolina real estate transactions

Carol O'Brien is a REALTOR with Keller Williams, one of the largest real estate franchises in the United States. As a licensed agent in South Carolina, she works with buyers and sellers on residential property transactions. Keller Williams provides agents with training, technology platforms, and market data tools that support the buying and selling process.

When you work with any REALTOR, you are working with someone licensed by the state to represent you in a real estate transaction. That representation comes with legal obligations: the agent must disclose known material facts about a property, follow fair housing laws, and act in their client's best interest. Understanding what a REALTOR does—and what they cannot do—helps you make informed decisions about whether to work with them.

Key Takeaways

• Carol O'Brien is a licensed REALTOR affiliated with Keller Williams, which means she has completed state licensing requirements and operates under a code of ethics.
• A REALTOR's primary role is to help you navigate the buying or selling process, including pricing strategy, marketing, showings, and negotiation.
• Keller Williams agents have access to multiple listing services (MLS) in their region, which shows available properties and sold comparables used to price homes.
• Real estate transactions involve legal documents, inspections, appraisals, and financing—a REALTOR guides you through these steps but does not provide legal or financial advice.
• You can interview multiple agents before deciding who to work with; there is no obligation to sign with the first person you meet.

What a REALTOR does in a home sale

If you are selling a home, a REALTOR helps you determine a listing price based on comparable sales in your neighborhood, prepares marketing materials, lists the property on the MLS, schedules showings, and negotiates offers on your behalf. They also coordinate inspections, appraisals, and the closing process. The agent typically earns a commission—usually split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent—only when the sale closes.

The listing process usually takes weeks or months depending on market conditions and the property itself. Your agent will advise you on staging, repairs, or price adjustments if the home is not attracting offers. They are also responsible for disclosing known defects or issues with the property to potential buyers, as required by South Carolina law.

What a REALTOR does in a home purchase

When buying, a REALTOR searches the MLS for properties that match your criteria, schedules showings, explains the offer process, and helps you submit a competitive bid. They also coordinate the inspection, work with your lender, and guide you through closing. A buyer's agent is typically paid from the seller's commission, so you do not pay them directly—though you should confirm this arrangement before you begin working together.

Your agent should explain contingencies (conditions that must be met for the sale to go through), help you understand closing costs, and flag potential issues with a property or neighborhood. They cannot tell you whether a house is a good financial investment or advise you on mortgage terms—those conversations belong with a financial advisor or lender—but they can explain how the local market works and what similar homes have sold for recently.

How Keller Williams supports its agents

Keller Williams operates as a franchise, meaning individual agents and teams work under the Keller Williams brand and pay fees to access the company's systems and training. The company provides agents with technology platforms for managing listings, client communication, and market analysis. Agents also have access to MLS data for their region, which is essential for pricing and finding properties.

Keller Williams is known for its agent training programs and emphasis on technology adoption. The company's model allows agents to build their own teams and manage their own businesses within the franchise structure. This means the level of service and responsiveness can vary from one agent to another, even within the same office.

Questions to ask before working with any REALTOR

Before you commit to working with Carol O'Brien or any agent, ask about their experience in your specific market or neighborhood. How long have they been licensed? How many transactions have they closed in the past year? Do they specialize in a particular type of property or price range? These answers help you gauge whether they have relevant experience.

Ask how they communicate—phone, email, text—and how quickly they typically respond. Ask what happens if you want to end the relationship. If you are selling, ask about their marketing strategy and whether they have a buyer's list. If you are buying, ask whether they represent buyers exclusively or also list properties (this matters because an agent who represents both sides has a potential conflict of interest, though it is legal if disclosed).

You should also ask about their commission structure and whether there are any additional fees. Real estate commissions are negotiable, and you have the right to discuss this before signing any agreement.

Understanding representation and disclosure in South Carolina

South Carolina law requires real estate agents to disclose their representation status—whether they represent the buyer, the seller, or both (called dual agency). This disclosure must happen before you sign any binding agreement. Dual agency is legal but creates a situation where the agent's interests may not align perfectly with yours, since they earn commission regardless of which side "wins" in a negotiation.

Agents must also disclose known material facts about a property, such as structural damage, flooding history, or neighborhood issues. However, they are not required to investigate every possible problem—that is why inspections exist. If you are buying, hiring a professional home inspector is strongly recommended, regardless of what the agent tells you about the property's condition.

What happens after you sign a listing or buyer agreement

If you list your home with an agent, you typically sign a listing agreement that specifies the commission rate, the length of the listing period (usually 90 days or six months), and what happens if you sell the home yourself or it sells after the agreement ends. Read this document carefully before signing.

If you are buying and want to work exclusively with one agent, you may sign a buyer representation agreement. This agreement usually states that you will work only with that agent and may include terms about what happens if you find a property on your own. These agreements are not always required, but they clarify expectations on both sides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use a REALTOR to buy or sell a home in South Carolina?

No. You can buy or sell a home without an agent, though you will handle marketing, showings, negotiations, and paperwork yourself. Many people use agents because they have market knowledge and handle time-consuming tasks, but it is not required by law.

What if I am not happy with my agent?

If you have signed a listing or buyer agreement, review the terms to see how to end it. Most agreements allow you to terminate with written notice, though there may be conditions. If you have not signed anything, you can simply stop working with them and contact another agent.

Can an agent show me a property they listed?

Yes, but this creates dual agency—the agent represents both you and the seller. This is legal if disclosed, but it means the agent cannot negotiate as hard on your behalf without potentially hurting their own commission. You have the right to bring your own agent to any showing.

How much does it cost to work with a REALTOR?

If you are buying, the buyer's agent is typically paid from the seller's commission, so there is no direct cost to you. If you are selling, you pay commission only when the sale closes, and the rate is negotiable. Commission typically ranges from 4 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the seller's agent and buyer's agent, but this varies.

What should I do if I think an agent has violated fair housing laws?

Fair housing laws protect you from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. If you believe an agent has violated these laws, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SCDHEC) or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).