Charter One Realty at Promenade — What to Know Before You Visit

Charter One Realty operates from the Promenade shopping center in South Carolina, offering residential real estate services to buyers and sellers in the area

Charter One Realty at Promenade is a real estate office located within the Promenade shopping center. The office serves people looking to buy or sell homes in South Carolina. Like other real estate agencies, Charter One works with agents who represent buyers, sellers, or both in property transactions.

Before visiting or contacting any real estate office, it helps to understand what services they typically offer, what to bring, and what questions to ask. This guide covers what you should know about working with a real estate agent and what to expect from the process.

Key Takeaways

• Real estate agents represent either buyers or sellers (or both), and their commission comes from the sale price, not from you directly as a buyer.
• You should ask an agent upfront whether they represent you exclusively or whether they also represent other clients in the same transaction.
• Bring a government-issued ID, proof of funds or pre-approval letter, and a list of neighborhoods or property types you are interested in when you first meet with an agent.
• Real estate transactions typically take 30 to 45 days from offer to closing, though this varies based on financing and inspection results.
• You can work with multiple agents at different offices, but telling each agent upfront prevents confusion and protects your interests.

How real estate agents are paid and what that means for you

Real estate agents earn commission when a property sells. The commission is a percentage of the sale price and is paid by the seller, not the buyer. The seller's agent and the buyer's agent typically split this commission. This structure means a buyer's agent has no financial incentive to push you toward a more expensive home — they earn the same percentage whether the home costs $200,000 or $300,000.

Because the seller pays the commission, you do not pay an agent directly to represent you as a buyer. However, if you are selling a home, you will negotiate the commission rate with your agent before listing. Commission rates vary but typically range from 4 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent.

What to bring and ask when you visit a real estate office

Bring a government-issued ID when you visit Charter One Realty or any real estate office. If you are a buyer, bring a pre-approval letter from a lender or proof of funds if you are paying cash. This shows agents you are serious and helps them understand what price range to focus on. If you do not have pre-approval yet, the agent can refer you to lenders or explain the pre-approval process.

Ask the agent upfront whether they represent you exclusively or whether they also work with other buyers. Ask what neighborhoods they know well and whether they have listings in areas you are interested in. If you are selling, ask how they price homes, what marketing they do, and how often they communicate with you during the listing period. Ask about their experience selling homes similar to yours in your neighborhood.

Request a written agreement before you start working together. This agreement clarifies what each person is responsible for and how long the relationship lasts. Do not feel pressured to sign anything on your first visit.

The home-buying process from first meeting to closing

Once you and an agent agree to work together, they will show you homes that match your budget and preferences. You can see homes listed by their office or by other offices — all homes in South Carolina are on the same Multiple Listing Service (MLS), so your agent can show you anything on the market. When you find a home you want to make an offer on, your agent will help you determine a fair price based on comparable sales in the area.

Your agent will submit your offer to the seller's agent. If the seller accepts, you move into the inspection and appraisal phase. You typically have 7 to 10 days to hire a home inspector and review the inspection report. The appraisal happens around the same time and is ordered by your lender to confirm the home's value supports the loan amount. After inspections and appraisal, you have a few days to request repairs or credits from the seller if problems were found.

The final step is closing, which usually happens 30 to 45 days after your offer is accepted. At closing, you sign loan documents, the seller signs the deed, and money changes hands. Your agent does not attend closing, but your lender and a closing attorney or title company representative will be there.

The home-selling process and what agents do for you

If you are selling, your agent will visit your home to assess its condition, compare it to similar homes that recently sold, and suggest a listing price. This process is called a comparative market analysis (CMA). Your agent will then create a listing with photos, a description, and key details about your home. The listing goes on the MLS and is shown to all buyer's agents in the area.

Your agent will schedule showings, communicate with buyer's agents about offers, and help you negotiate if multiple offers come in. Once you accept an offer, the buyer's lender orders an appraisal and inspection. Your agent will advise you on repair requests and help you decide what to fix, what to credit, and what to refuse. Your agent does not attend closing but will confirm that all agreed-upon items are completed before the closing date.

Throughout the process, your agent should keep you updated on showings, feedback from buyer's agents, and any changes in the market. Ask how often they will contact you and what method they prefer — phone, email, or text.

Working with multiple agents and protecting yourself

You can work with agents from different offices while you are looking for a home. However, tell each agent upfront that you are working with others. This prevents confusion and protects you legally. If you find a home and two agents both claim to have shown it to you, disputes can delay your purchase or cost you money.

When you are ready to commit to one agent, sign a buyer's representation agreement. This agreement typically lasts 60 to 90 days and says you will work exclusively with that agent during that time. If you want to end the agreement early, ask what the terms are — some agreements allow you to cancel without penalty, while others may have conditions.

Keep records of all conversations, offers, and agreements. If something goes wrong — a missed deadline, a miscommunication about price, or a dispute over commission — written records protect you. Ask your agent to confirm important details in writing, such as the listing price, the offer amount, and the closing date.

Questions to ask before you commit to working with an agent

Ask how long the agent has worked in real estate and how many homes they have sold in your neighborhood or price range. Ask whether they are a full-time agent or part-time. Ask what technology they use to market homes and whether they have a website or social media presence. Ask whether they handle all aspects of the transaction or whether they work with a team.

Ask what happens if you are not happy with their service. Ask whether you can end the agreement early and under what conditions. Ask how they handle conflicts of interest — for example, if they represent both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction (called dual agency), how do they ensure fairness to both sides?

Ask about their communication style and availability. Some agents respond within hours; others may take a day or two. Ask whether they are available on weekends and evenings, since many home showings happen outside business hours. If you prefer email over phone calls, or vice versa, make that clear upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use an agent to buy or sell a home?

No. You can buy or sell a home without an agent, though most people use one because agents know the market, handle negotiations, and manage the paperwork. If you sell without an agent, you are responsible for pricing, marketing, showing the home, and negotiating with buyers. If you buy without an agent, you still pay the seller's agent commission, so you do not save money — you just handle the process yourself.

What if I find a home I like but the agent showing it works for a different office?

You can still work with your own agent to make an offer on that home. All homes on the MLS are available to all agents. Your agent will submit your offer through the MLS system, and the listing agent will present it to the seller. You do not need to work with the listing agent or the agent who showed you the home.

Can an agent represent both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction?

Yes, this is called dual agency, and it is legal in South Carolina. However, it creates a conflict of interest because the agent cannot fully advocate for both sides. If dual agency happens, the agent must disclose it in writing and both buyer and seller must consent. Many buyers and sellers prefer to have separate agents to avoid this conflict.

What should I do if I disagree with my agent about price or strategy?

Talk to your agent directly and explain your concerns. If you are selling and disagree about the listing price, ask them to show you the comparable sales they used to reach their recommendation. If you are buying and disagree about an offer price, ask them to explain the market conditions and recent sales. If you still disagree and cannot reach a compromise, you can end the agreement and work with a different agent.

How much does it cost to work with a real estate agent?

As a buyer, it costs you nothing — the seller's commission covers both agents. As a seller, you negotiate the commission rate with your agent before listing. Commission rates vary but typically range from 4 to 6 percent of the sale price. Some agents may negotiate lower rates for higher-priced homes or in competitive markets.