DeeDee Shead at Founders Real Estate: Buying and Selling Homes in South Carolina
Who DeeDee Shead is and what she does
DeeDee Shead is a real estate agent with Founders Real Estate in South Carolina. She works with buyers and sellers navigating the residential property market across the state. Her background includes helping clients understand the local market, find properties that match their needs, and manage the logistics of buying or selling a home.
Founders Real Estate is a full-service brokerage operating in South Carolina. The firm handles residential transactions, listing services, and buyer representation. Working with an agent like DeeDee means having someone who knows the local market, can explain the process at each step, and can connect you to lenders, inspectors, and other professionals you'll need.
Key Takeaways
- DeeDee Shead works as a real estate agent with Founders Real Estate, helping buyers find homes and sellers list properties across South Carolina.
- Real estate agents typically earn commission when a sale closes, which comes from the seller's proceeds, so you do not pay the buyer's agent directly.
- An agent can explain local market conditions, help you understand what homes in a neighborhood typically sell for, and guide you through inspections and closing.
- Before contacting an agent, gather information about what you're looking for—location, price range, home type—so the conversation is focused and useful.
What a real estate agent does for buyers
If you're buying a home, an agent like DeeDee can show you properties that match your budget and location preferences, explain the neighborhood and local schools, and help you understand what similar homes have sold for recently. This information—called comparable sales or "comps"—helps you make an offer that reflects the actual market, not just the asking price.
An agent also coordinates the inspection, helps you understand the inspection report, and negotiates repairs or credits with the seller if problems are found. They explain contingencies (conditions that must be met for the sale to go through), timelines, and what happens at closing. Many buyers find this guidance valuable because the process involves legal documents, deadlines, and decisions that affect a large financial commitment.
What a real estate agent does for sellers
For sellers, an agent determines a listing price based on recent sales of similar homes in the area, handles marketing and showings, and screens potential buyers. DeeDee would prepare your home for the market, which might include suggestions about staging, repairs, or photos that attract serious buyers.
An agent also manages the offer process, negotiates terms, and coordinates inspections and appraisals on the seller's side. They explain what contingencies mean for you as the seller and help you understand whether an offer is solid or risky. At closing, they make sure all documents are signed and funds are transferred correctly.
How real estate agents are paid
Real estate agents earn commission, which is a percentage of the final sale price. The commission is typically split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent. This money comes from the seller's proceeds at closing—the buyer does not pay the agent separately.
Commission rates vary and are negotiable. In South Carolina, typical rates range from 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, though this is not fixed and can be discussed when you list a home or hire an agent to represent you as a buyer. If you're buying, you generally do not pay commission out of pocket; if you're selling, the commission is deducted from what you receive.
How to contact DeeDee Shead at Founders Real Estate
To reach DeeDee Shead, contact Founders Real Estate directly through their office phone number or website. You can ask for DeeDee by name and describe what you're looking for—whether you're buying, selling, or exploring the market. Many agents offer a free initial consultation to discuss your situation and answer questions about the process.
Before you call, think about what you need: Are you looking to buy in a specific town or neighborhood? Do you have a price range in mind? Are you selling a home and need to know what it might be worth? Having these details ready makes the conversation more productive and helps the agent understand how to help you.
What to expect when working with a real estate agent
The first step is usually a conversation about your goals and timeline. If you're buying, the agent will ask about your budget, preferred location, and what features matter most to you. If you're selling, they'll discuss your timeline, any repairs or updates you've made, and your expectations for price and sale speed.
Next comes the active phase: showings and offers for buyers, or marketing and showings for sellers. This can take weeks or months depending on the market and your specific situation. Throughout, your agent keeps you informed about activity, feedback, and next steps. Once an offer is accepted, the closing process begins—typically 30 to 45 days—during which inspections, appraisals, and final paperwork happen.
Questions to ask before you hire an agent
When you speak with DeeDee or any agent, ask how long they've worked in real estate, what areas they know best, and how many homes they've sold in the past year. Ask about their communication style—how often will they update you, and what's the best way to reach them? Find out whether they work full-time in real estate or part-time, because this affects their availability.
Ask what services are included: Do they handle all the paperwork, or do you need a separate attorney? Will they coordinate the inspection and appraisal, or is that on you? Understanding these details upfront prevents confusion later and helps you decide if this agent is the right fit for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use a real estate agent to buy or sell a home?
No. You can buy or sell a home without an agent, though most people find the process smoother with one. Agents handle marketing, showings, negotiations, and paperwork coordination. If you choose to sell without an agent (called "for sale by owner"), you handle these tasks yourself and typically keep the full commission, but you also take on all the work and risk.
What if I want to work with DeeDee but she's not available?
Contact Founders Real Estate and ask about other agents in the office. Real estate brokerages typically have multiple agents, and the office can match you with someone who has availability and expertise in your area or transaction type. You can also ask for a referral to another brokerage if you prefer.
How much will my home sell for, or how much should I offer?
An agent like DeeDee can provide a market analysis based on recent sales of similar homes in your area, but the actual price depends on condition, location, market demand, and timing. For buyers, an agent helps you understand what's reasonable; for sellers, they help you price competitively. These are estimates, not guarantees.
What happens if the sale falls through?
Sales can fall through if inspections reveal major problems, the appraisal comes in low, financing is denied, or either party walks away. Your agent explains contingencies and what happens if each one fails. If you're the buyer, you may lose your earnest money deposit depending on which contingency wasn't met; if you're the seller, the home goes back on the market.
Can I negotiate the agent's commission?
Yes. Commission rates are negotiable, especially for sellers listing a home. You can discuss this when you interview agents and decide to list. For buyers, commission is typically paid by the seller, so you don't negotiate it directly, but you can ask the agent upfront how commission works in your transaction.