Darissa Thompson and The Litchfield Company: What to Know Before You Buy or Sell in South Carolina

Who Darissa Thompson is and what The Litchfield Company does

Darissa Thompson is a real estate agent with The Litchfield Company, a South Carolina brokerage that focuses on residential properties in the Lowcountry and coastal regions. The Litchfield Company operates across multiple South Carolina markets, with agents handling sales, purchases, and property management for buyers and sellers in areas including Georgetown County, the Charleston area, and surrounding communities. Thompson works within this framework to represent clients in transactions.

The Litchfield Company itself has been operating in South Carolina's real estate market for decades, building a presence in communities where waterfront property, historic homes, and land sales are common. The firm maintains offices in several locations and employs agents who work with both local buyers and those relocating to the state. Like any brokerage, The Litchfield Company earns commission on completed sales—typically split between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent, with the brokerage taking a percentage of each agent's earnings.

Key Takeaways

• Darissa Thompson is a licensed real estate agent representing buyers and sellers through The Litchfield Company, a South Carolina brokerage with a focus on Lowcountry and coastal properties.
• The Litchfield Company operates multiple offices across South Carolina and handles residential sales, purchases, and property management services.
• Real estate agents earn commission only when a sale closes, so their financial incentive is to complete the transaction, not necessarily to get you the best price or terms.
• Before working with any agent, you should interview multiple agents, check their track record in your specific neighborhood, and understand what services they will and will not provide.
• Your agent's role is to represent your interests in negotiation, but you should still have an attorney review contracts and a home inspector examine any property before you commit.

What a real estate agent actually does in a South Carolina transaction

A real estate agent's job is to list properties for sale (if representing the seller) or to show properties and help negotiate offers (if representing the buyer). In South Carolina, agents must be licensed by the state and work under a brokerage like The Litchfield Company. The agent handles marketing, scheduling showings, preparing contracts, and communicating between buyer and seller through the closing process.

An agent does not conduct home inspections, order appraisals, arrange financing, or provide legal advice—those are handled by inspectors, lenders, and attorneys. An agent also does not determine fair market value on their own; they research comparable sales in the area and present that data to help you decide on a price. The agent's commission comes only when the sale closes, which means they have an incentive to complete the deal but not necessarily to protect your financial interests if those conflict with closing quickly.

How to evaluate whether Thompson and The Litchfield Company are right for you

Start by asking Thompson or another Litchfield agent how long they have worked in your specific neighborhood or the type of property you are buying or selling. An agent with five years of experience in downtown Charleston may not be the best choice if you are selling a rural property in Horry County. Ask for references from recent clients—people who bought or sold in the last six months—and contact them directly to ask whether the agent was responsive, whether they felt represented fairly, and whether the process moved smoothly.

Interview at least two or three agents before deciding. Ask each one how they price homes, what marketing they do for sellers, how they negotiate on behalf of buyers, and what happens if a deal falls through. Ask about their commission rate; this is negotiable, especially for sellers. Ask whether they will represent you exclusively or whether they also show properties from other brokerages. In South Carolina, agents can represent either the buyer or the seller in a transaction, but not both—if you are a buyer, your agent should be working for you, not for the seller.

Check The Litchfield Company's reputation through the South Carolina Real Estate Commission (SCREC), which maintains records of complaints and disciplinary actions against licensed agents and brokerages. You can search by agent name or brokerage name on the SCREC website. This does not tell you whether an agent is good at their job, but it does flag serious problems.

What happens during the buying or selling process

If you are selling, your agent will list the property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a shared database that all licensed agents can access. The agent will schedule showings, present offers as they come in, and help you negotiate terms. Once you accept an offer, the agent coordinates with the buyer's agent and an attorney to move toward closing. The agent does not handle the closing itself—a title company or attorney does—but stays involved to make sure deadlines are met.

If you are buying, your agent will show you properties, help you make an offer, and negotiate on your behalf if the seller counters. After your offer is accepted, your agent will coordinate inspections, appraisals, and the final walkthrough. Your agent will also help you understand the contract, though you should have an attorney review it before you sign. South Carolina law does not require you to use an attorney in a real estate transaction, but most buyers and sellers do, and it is worth the cost.

Understanding real estate commissions and costs

Real estate commissions in South Carolina are not set by law or by any board—they are negotiable between the agent and the client. The typical rate is around 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent, but this varies. If you are selling, you negotiate the commission rate with your agent before listing. If you are buying, you do not pay commission directly; the seller's proceeds cover both agents' commissions, which means the buyer's agent has no direct cost to you.

This structure creates a potential conflict: the buyer's agent earns more money if the sale price is higher, which aligns with the buyer's interest in a low price. However, the buyer's agent also earns commission only if the sale closes, so they may push you to accept unfavorable terms to keep the deal alive. Understand this dynamic and make your own decisions about price and terms rather than deferring entirely to your agent's judgment.

What to do before you sign anything

Before you sign a purchase contract or listing agreement, read the entire document yourself. A purchase contract in South Carolina typically includes the price, the closing date, what inspections and appraisals are allowed, what happens if the inspection reveals problems, and what the buyer's and seller's responsibilities are. Do not sign based on what your agent told you the contract says; read it.

Hire a South Carolina real estate attorney to review any contract before you sign. An attorney costs between $500 and $1,500 for a residential transaction and can catch problems an agent might miss or overlook. An attorney can also represent you in negotiations if terms change or disputes arise. This is separate from the title company's role; the title company handles the closing logistics and title insurance, while the attorney protects your legal interests.

Order a home inspection if you are buying. The inspection costs $300 to $500 and is your chance to learn about the property's condition before you commit. Your agent can recommend inspectors, but you hire and pay the inspector directly, not through your agent. After the inspection, you have a window (usually 10 days) to negotiate repairs or credits with the seller or to walk away if major problems are found.

Red flags and what to watch for

Be cautious if an agent pressures you to make an offer quickly, claims a property will sell immediately, or suggests you waive inspections to be competitive. These tactics prioritize closing the deal over protecting your interests. Be cautious if an agent refuses to show you properties from other brokerages or steers you toward properties where they represent both buyer and seller (a dual agency situation that creates conflicts). Be cautious if an agent discourages you from hiring an attorney or from ordering an inspection.

If you feel your agent is not representing you fairly, you can fire them. If you signed an exclusive buyer or seller agreement, check the terms for how to end it—most allow you to terminate with written notice. If you believe an agent has violated South Carolina real estate law, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use a real estate agent to buy or sell property in South Carolina?

No. You can sell your own home (called "for sale by owner" or FSBO) and negotiate directly with buyers. You can also buy property without an agent by working directly with the seller or their agent. However, most people use agents because they have access to the MLS, understand local market conditions, and handle the logistics of showings and negotiations. If you do not use an agent, you should still hire an attorney to review contracts.

What is the difference between a buyer's agent and a seller's agent?

A seller's agent lists the property and markets it to other agents and the public. A buyer's agent shows properties to buyers and helps them make offers. In most transactions, these are two different agents from two different brokerages. Both agents work toward closing the sale, but the seller's agent's primary duty is to the seller, and the buyer's agent's primary duty is to the buyer. Dual agency (one agent representing both) is legal in South Carolina but creates conflicts and should be avoided if possible.

Can I negotiate the real estate commission?

Yes. If you are selling, the commission rate is negotiable with your agent before you sign the listing agreement. If you are buying, you cannot negotiate the commission directly because you do not pay it, but you can ask your agent upfront what rate they expect and whether it is negotiable. Some agents work on flat fees or reduced percentages for certain types of transactions.

What happens if the home inspection finds problems?

After the inspection, you have a window (usually 10 days) to request repairs, ask for a credit toward closing costs, or ask the seller to replace or fix specific items. The seller can agree, refuse, or offer a compromise. If you cannot reach agreement, you can walk away from the deal without penalty if the inspection contingency is still in effect. If you waived the inspection contingency, you cannot back out based on inspection findings.

How long does a real estate transaction take in South Carolina?

Most transactions take 30 to 45 days from offer acceptance to closing. This includes time for inspections (usually 7 to 10 days), appraisal (5 to 10 days), loan processing (10 to 15 days), and title work (5 to 10 days). If there are complications—such as appraisal issues, inspection problems, or financing delays—the timeline can extend. Your agent and attorney will keep you informed of the schedule.