What to Know About Working With Dexter Lee at Coldwell Banker Realty
Who Dexter Lee Is and What He Does
Dexter Lee is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty who works with buyers and sellers in South Carolina. He represents clients in residential property transactions, meaning he helps people find homes to purchase or market homes they want to sell. Like other agents in the Coldwell Banker network, he has access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and can show properties across the market, not just those his brokerage lists.
Coldwell Banker Realty is one of the largest real estate franchises in the United States, with offices throughout South Carolina. The company operates as a brokerage, meaning it employs or contracts with individual agents like Dexter Lee who conduct transactions on behalf of clients. Agents in the Coldwell Banker system use the company's marketing tools, training, and brand recognition, but individual agents vary in their experience, specialties, and local market knowledge.
Key Takeaways
- Dexter Lee works as an agent through Coldwell Banker Realty, a national brokerage with multiple South Carolina locations.
- Real estate agents represent either buyers or sellers (or both) and earn commission based on the sale price of the property, typically split between the buyer's and seller's agents.
- Before hiring any agent, you should ask about their experience in your specific neighborhood or property type and request references from past clients.
- Coldwell Banker agents can show you any property on the MLS, not only those listed by Coldwell Banker, so the brokerage name does not limit which homes you can see.
- Real estate transactions in South Carolina involve title work, inspections, and closing costs that an agent can explain but that a lawyer or title company handles.
How Real Estate Agents Work in South Carolina
When you work with a real estate agent in South Carolina, you enter into a relationship where the agent represents your interests in a property transaction. If you are buying, the agent shows you properties, negotiates offers, and guides you through inspections and closing. If you are selling, the agent lists your property, markets it to other agents and the public, shows it to potential buyers, and negotiates on your behalf. The agent's commission comes from the sale price—typically 5 to 6 percent of the final price, split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent.
South Carolina does not require you to use an agent. You can buy or sell property on your own, though most people find an agent's knowledge of local market conditions, pricing, and legal requirements valuable. An agent's job is to know what similar homes in your area have sold for recently, how long homes typically stay on the market, and what repairs or upgrades matter most to buyers in your neighborhood.
What to Ask Before Working With Any Agent
Before you decide to work with Dexter Lee or any agent, ask specific questions about their background and approach. How long have they been selling real estate? How many transactions have they completed in the past year? Do they specialize in a particular neighborhood, price range, or property type—such as waterfront homes, investment properties, or first-time buyer homes? Have they worked in the specific area where you want to buy or sell?
Request the names and contact information of at least three past clients you can reach out to directly. Ask those clients whether the agent was responsive, whether they felt the agent understood their needs, and whether they would work with that agent again. Ask the agent about their marketing strategy if you are selling—do they use professional photography, virtual tours, social media, and open houses? Ask what communication you can expect: will they call you weekly with updates, or will you need to reach out to them?
You should also ask about their knowledge of the closing process in South Carolina. While the agent does not handle the legal work—that falls to a title company or attorney—a good agent can walk you through what to expect, what documents you will sign, and roughly what your closing costs will be.
Understanding Representation and Dual Agency
In South Carolina, an agent represents either the buyer or the seller, or in some cases both parties in the same transaction. If an agent represents both the buyer and the seller, that is called dual agency. Dual agency is legal in South Carolina, but it creates a conflict of interest: the agent cannot fully advocate for one side without potentially disadvantaging the other.
Before you work with an agent, ask whether they represent you exclusively or whether they might represent the other party in your transaction. If you are buying, ask whether the agent also lists properties—if they do, they may have a financial incentive to show you their own listings. If you are selling, ask whether the agent also represents buyers—if they do, they may encourage you to accept a lower offer from one of their buyer clients. Understanding these relationships helps you make an informed decision about who to trust with your transaction.
Coldwell Banker's Role and Your Agent's Independence
Coldwell Banker Realty provides the brokerage infrastructure, training, and brand that Dexter Lee operates under, but individual agents maintain their own client relationships and business practices. The brokerage handles compliance with real estate law, manages trust accounts for earnest money deposits, and provides support services. However, your experience working with Dexter Lee depends on his individual skills, responsiveness, and market knowledge—not solely on the Coldwell Banker name.
One advantage of working with a Coldwell Banker agent is access to the company's resources: marketing materials, technology platforms, and a network of other agents. If you are selling, Coldwell Banker's national reach can help market your property to out-of-state buyers. If you are buying, the agent can tap into the company's buyer database and marketing channels. However, these tools are only as effective as the individual agent's effort in using them.
What Happens After You Hire an Agent
If you are buying, your agent will show you properties that match your criteria, help you understand the neighborhood and local market, and prepare an offer when you find a home you want. Once your offer is accepted, the agent coordinates inspections, appraisals, and the title search. The agent does not perform these services themselves—inspectors, appraisers, and title companies do—but the agent keeps the process moving and alerts you to any issues that arise.
If you are selling, your agent will list your property on the MLS, arrange professional photography and marketing, host open houses, and show your home to other agents and their buyers. When an offer comes in, the agent presents it to you, advises you on whether to accept, counter, or reject it, and negotiates on your behalf if needed. Once an offer is accepted, the agent's role shifts to coordination: making sure inspections happen, the appraisal comes in at the right value, and the title company has everything needed for closing.
Throughout the process, your agent should keep you informed of deadlines, required documents, and next steps. In South Carolina, most home sales close within 30 to 45 days of the offer being accepted, though this varies based on financing, inspections, and title issues.
How to Find and Contact Dexter Lee
To reach Dexter Lee, contact the Coldwell Banker Realty office where he works. Coldwell Banker has multiple locations across South Carolina, including offices in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and other areas. You can search for his name and office location on the Coldwell Banker website, or call the local Coldwell Banker office in your area and ask to speak with him or request information about his services.
When you contact him, be prepared to describe what you are looking for: the type of property, the neighborhood or area, your timeline, and your budget if you are buying. If you are selling, have information about your property ready—the address, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and any recent improvements. This helps the agent determine whether he is the right fit for your needs and whether he has availability to take on your transaction.
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 property without an agent, though most people find an agent's expertise in pricing, marketing, and negotiation valuable. If you sell without an agent, you still typically pay the buyer's agent commission, so the savings are limited. If you buy without an agent, you may miss properties or negotiate less effectively.
What does a real estate agent's commission cover?
The agent's commission covers their time showing properties, marketing, negotiating, and coordinating the transaction from offer to closing. The commission is typically 5 to 6 percent of the sale price and is paid from the seller's proceeds at closing. The seller's agent and buyer's agent split this commission, though the exact split varies by transaction.
Can I work with multiple agents at the same time?
You can speak with multiple agents, but once you sign a buyer's representation agreement or listing agreement with an agent, you are typically committed to working with that agent for a set period. Read any agreement carefully before signing. If you are unhappy with an agent, ask about the terms for ending the agreement early.
What should I do if I have a problem with my agent?
First, talk directly with the agent about your concern. If the issue is not resolved, contact the broker—in this case, Coldwell Banker Realty management. If you believe the agent violated real estate law or ethics, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission, which licenses and regulates agents in the state.
How long does a real estate transaction typically take in South Carolina?
Most transactions close within 30 to 45 days of the offer being accepted. This timeline includes inspections, appraisals, title work, and financing approval. Delays can happen if inspections reveal major issues, the appraisal comes in low, or title problems arise. Your agent can give you a more specific timeline based on your situation.