What to Know About Century 21 The Gresham Company in South Carolina
Century 21 The Gresham Company operates real estate offices across South Carolina, serving buyers, sellers, and renters through a network of local agents
Century 21 The Gresham Company is a franchise of the national Century 21 brand, with multiple locations throughout South Carolina. The company employs licensed real estate agents who work with residential properties—helping people buy homes, sell properties, and navigate rental transactions. Like other real estate brokerages, Gresham agents earn commission on completed sales rather than charging flat fees to clients.
The company maintains offices in several South Carolina communities, though the specific locations and agent roster change over time. If you are looking for a real estate agent in your area, you can contact a local Gresham office directly to ask which agents work in your neighborhood or property type.
Key Takeaways
- Century 21 The Gresham Company is a franchise brokerage with multiple South Carolina locations, not a single office or national hotline.
- Real estate agents at Gresham work on commission, meaning they are paid only when a sale closes—they do not charge upfront fees to buyers.
- You can contact a local Gresham office to ask about agents who specialize in your area, price range, or property type.
- Century 21 agents must hold a current South Carolina real estate license and follow state licensing rules and ethical standards.
How Century 21 Agents Work With Buyers
When you work with a Century 21 agent as a buyer, the agent typically shows you properties, answers questions about neighborhoods and market conditions, and helps you make an offer. The agent's commission comes from the seller's proceeds at closing—you do not pay the buyer's agent directly. This arrangement is standard across most real estate transactions in South Carolina.
Agents can show you homes listed by their own company or by competing brokerages. They can also help you understand financing options, though they do not lend money themselves—that is the bank's role. Before you start looking, a good agent will ask about your budget, timeline, and what features matter most to you.
How Century 21 Agents Work With Sellers
If you are selling a home, a Gresham agent will list your property in the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is how most homes reach the market in South Carolina. The agent sets the listing price (based on comparable sales), arranges showings, and negotiates offers on your behalf. The seller pays commission at closing, typically split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent.
The agent's job includes marketing your home—taking photos, writing descriptions, scheduling open houses, and fielding inquiries from other agents. They also handle the paperwork, coordinate inspections and appraisals, and guide you through closing. The timeline from listing to closing usually runs 30 to 60 days, though it varies by market conditions.
Finding a Century 21 The Gresham Company Agent in Your Area
To locate a Gresham office near you, search online for "Century 21 The Gresham Company" plus your city or county name. You can also call a local office directly and ask which agents cover your neighborhood. Many agents specialize in specific areas or property types—for example, one agent might focus on waterfront homes while another works primarily with first-time buyers.
When you contact an office, ask about the agent's experience, how long they have worked in your area, and what their recent sales look like. You are not locked into working with the first agent you speak to—you can interview multiple agents before deciding who to hire.
What to Expect From a Real Estate Agent
A licensed real estate agent in South Carolina must follow the South Carolina Real Estate Commission's rules, which cover how they handle money, disclose conflicts of interest, and treat all parties fairly. Agents cannot misrepresent properties, hide material defects, or pressure you into a transaction. If you have a complaint about an agent's conduct, you can file it with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.
Most agents will ask you to sign a buyer's or seller's agreement that outlines what they will do for you and how long the agreement lasts. Read this document carefully before signing. It typically specifies the commission rate, the length of the relationship, and what happens if you work with another agent.
Understanding Real Estate Commissions
Real estate commissions in South Carolina are negotiable—there is no set rate. Commissions typically range from 4 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent, though this varies by transaction. The seller usually pays the full commission from the sale proceeds at closing.
As a buyer, you do not pay commission directly to your agent. However, the commission comes out of the sale price, which can affect the final cost of the home. As a seller, you can negotiate the commission rate with your agent before listing. Some agents offer lower rates for high-value homes or in competitive markets.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Agent
Before you commit to working with a Century 21 agent, ask about their experience in your specific market—how many homes they have sold in your area in the past year, what the average sale price was, and how long homes typically stay on the market. Ask whether they work full-time or part-time, and how quickly they usually respond to calls and emails.
If you are selling, ask what marketing strategy they use and whether they charge for photography, staging advice, or other services. If you are buying, ask whether they represent only buyers or also list properties (this matters because an agent who lists properties may have a conflict of interest). Get answers in writing when possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use a real estate agent to buy or sell a home in South Carolina?
No. You can buy or sell without an agent, though you will handle all negotiations, paperwork, and legal details yourself. Many people hire an agent because the agent knows the market, handles the MLS listing, and manages the closing process. If you sell without an agent, you still pay for a title search, appraisal, and closing attorney—the main savings is the commission.
Can I work with multiple real estate agents at the same time?
As a buyer, you can look at homes with different agents, but most agents will ask you to sign an agreement that commits you to working with them for a set period. If you sign with one agent and then work with another, the first agent may still claim a commission if you buy a home they showed you. As a seller, you typically list with one agent at a time, though you can switch agents if the listing agreement expires.
What if I have a problem with my agent?
Start by talking to the agent directly about your concern. If that does not resolve it, contact the broker (the office manager) and file a formal complaint. If the issue involves a violation of South Carolina real estate law, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission, which investigates and can take disciplinary action.
How much does it cost to work with a real estate agent?
As a buyer, there is no upfront cost—the seller pays the commission at closing. As a seller, you pay commission only when the home sells; if it does not sell, you owe nothing. Commission rates are negotiable and typically range from 4 to 6 percent of the sale price.