What to Know About Working With Donna Arvay at Keller Williams Realty

Donna Arvay brings two decades of South Carolina real estate experience to Keller Williams Realty

Donna Arvay is a real estate agent based in South Carolina who works through the Keller Williams Realty franchise. She specializes in residential property sales and has built her practice around helping buyers and sellers navigate transactions in the state's competitive housing market. Her background spans more than twenty years in real estate, giving her deep familiarity with South Carolina neighborhoods, market trends, and the mechanics of closing a deal.

Keller Williams Realty is a national franchise with local offices across South Carolina. The company operates as a brokerage—meaning agents like Donna work under a broker's license and follow the company's systems and training. Understanding how an individual agent fits into that larger structure helps you know what to expect when you contact her about buying or selling property.

Key Takeaways

• Donna Arvay is a licensed real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty who works with both buyers and sellers in South Carolina residential markets.
• Keller Williams Realty is a franchise brokerage, meaning Donna operates under a broker's license and follows the company's established processes and training standards.
• Real estate agents typically earn commission on completed sales rather than hourly wages, so their incentive is to close transactions successfully.
• You can contact Donna directly to discuss your specific property needs, timeline, and budget before deciding whether to work together.

How real estate agents work in South Carolina

When you hire a real estate agent, you enter into a contractual relationship. For sellers, this usually means signing a listing agreement that gives the agent the right to market your property for a set period—typically three to six months. For buyers, you may sign a buyer's representation agreement, though this is less common in South Carolina and often informal. The agent's commission comes from the sale price and is split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent, with each agent's brokerage taking a cut as well.

South Carolina requires all real estate agents to hold an active license issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. This license means the agent has passed a state exam, completed required coursework, and agreed to follow the state's real estate laws and ethical rules. Keller Williams Realty maintains its own training and compliance standards on top of state requirements, and agents must follow both.

The agent's job is to represent your interests in the transaction—either as your seller's agent (listing your property and marketing it to buyers) or your buyer's agent (finding properties that match your needs and negotiating on your behalf). The agent handles paperwork, coordinates inspections and appraisals, manages timelines, and communicates between you and the other party's agent.

What Donna Arvay's experience covers

With more than twenty years in South Carolina real estate, Donna has worked through multiple market cycles—periods when homes sold quickly and periods when inventory sat longer. This history means she has seen how neighborhoods appreciate, which areas attract different buyer types, and how to price and market properties competitively. Long tenure in a local market also builds relationships with other agents, lenders, inspectors, and title companies, which can smooth the closing process.

Her focus on residential property means she works with single-family homes, townhouses, and condominiums rather than commercial or investment properties. Within that scope, she works with both buyers looking for their next home and sellers preparing to list. This dual experience gives her insight into what buyers typically want in a property and how to position a home to attract serious offers.

How to contact Donna and what to discuss first

You can reach Donna through the Keller Williams Realty office in her area or through her direct contact information if you have it. When you first reach out, be ready to discuss your situation: Are you buying or selling? What is your timeline? What is your budget or price range? Do you have a specific neighborhood or type of property in mind? These details help her understand whether she is the right fit for your needs and what the next steps would look like.

If you are selling, Donna will likely want to visit your property to assess its condition, compare it to recent sales in the area, and discuss your goals and timeline. If you are buying, she will ask about your budget, financing status, and what features matter most to you. This initial conversation is also your chance to ask about her process, how she communicates, what she charges, and how she handles problems that come up during a transaction.

Understanding commission and costs

Real estate agents in South Carolina earn commission on completed sales. The commission rate is negotiable and is typically a percentage of the final sale price—commonly between 4 and 6 percent, though this varies. The commission is paid from the seller's proceeds at closing and is split between the listing agent's brokerage and the buyer's agent's brokerage. Each brokerage then splits its portion with the individual agent according to the agent's agreement with the brokerage.

As a buyer, you do not pay the agent directly; the seller's proceeds cover both agents' commissions. As a seller, you negotiate the commission rate with your agent as part of the listing agreement. This is a conversation to have upfront so there are no surprises at closing. Other costs—such as title insurance, appraisal fees, inspection fees, and closing costs—are separate from agent commission and vary depending on the transaction.

Questions to ask before hiring Donna

Before you commit to working with Donna, it is worth asking a few clarifying questions. How does she typically market listings—online, open houses, direct outreach to other agents? What is her average time on market for properties she lists? What is her communication style—does she call, text, email? How often will she update you on showings or offers? If you are buying, how does she find properties that match your criteria, and how quickly can she show you new listings?

You should also ask about her experience in the specific neighborhood or price range you are interested in. If you are selling a waterfront property and she specializes in suburban homes, that mismatch might matter. If you are a first-time buyer and she works primarily with investors, her approach may not align with your needs. There is no single "best" agent for everyone—the right fit depends on your situation and what you value in the working relationship.

What happens after you sign an agreement

If you decide to work with Donna, you will sign either a listing agreement (if selling) or a buyer's representation agreement (if buying). For sellers, Donna will then schedule a time to photograph your property, create a listing on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)—the database that all licensed agents use—and begin marketing. She will hold open houses, show the property to other agents' buyers, and negotiate offers as they come in.

For buyers, Donna will search the MLS for properties that match your criteria, schedule showings, and present offers when you find a property you want to purchase. Once an offer is accepted, she will coordinate with the seller's agent, the lender, the title company, and the inspector to keep the transaction on track toward closing. Throughout the process, she is your point of contact for questions and updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work with Donna if I am buying and selling at the same time?

Yes. Many agents work with clients who are both selling their current home and buying a new one. Donna can list your current property while also helping you search for your next home. This arrangement can be helpful because she understands your timeline and budget constraints, though you should discuss how she will prioritize her efforts if both transactions are active at once.

What if I want to buy a home that another Keller Williams agent listed?

You can still work with Donna. Even though both agents work for Keller Williams, they represent different parties in the transaction—Donna represents you as the buyer, and the other agent represents the seller. This is standard practice and does not create a conflict as long as both agents are clear about whom they represent.

How do I know if Donna is a good fit for my situation?

Ask her directly about her experience with properties like yours, her recent sales in your target area, and her process for handling your type of transaction. Request references from past clients if you want to hear about their experience. Trust your instinct about communication style and responsiveness—you will be working closely with this person, so the relationship matters as much as the credentials.

What if something goes wrong during the transaction?

Donna's first responsibility is to work through the issue with you and the other party's agent. If a serious problem arises, you can contact the broker at the Keller Williams office, who oversees all agents and can intervene. South Carolina's Real Estate Commission also handles complaints about agent conduct if you believe an agent has violated state law or ethics rules.

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

No. You can buy or sell property without an agent, though most transactions involve at least one. Selling without an agent means you handle marketing, showings, and negotiations yourself. Buying without an agent means you negotiate directly with the seller or their agent. Many people find an agent's experience and market knowledge worth the commission cost, but it is your choice.