What to Know About Working With Jaime Owens Matthews at Realty One Group Coastal

Who Jaime Owens Matthews is and what she does

Jaime Owens Matthews is a real estate agent with Realty One Group Coastal, a brokerage operating across South Carolina's coastal regions. She works with buyers and sellers navigating residential property transactions in markets where local knowledge—neighborhood character, school districts, flood zones, seasonal patterns—shapes what a property is actually worth and who wants to live there.

Real estate agents like Matthews typically handle the practical steps of a sale or purchase: listing properties, scheduling showings, negotiating offers, coordinating inspections, and managing the paperwork that moves between buyer, seller, lender, and closing attorney. In South Carolina, the closing attorney (not the agent) handles the final legal transfer and title work, but the agent is your main point of contact through most of the process.

Realty One Group Coastal is part of a national franchise, which means Matthews has access to the company's systems, training, and marketing tools, but operates as an independent contractor rather than as a salaried employee. That structure is standard across most real estate brokerages in the state.

Key Takeaways

• Jaime Owens Matthews works as an agent for Realty One Group Coastal, helping buyers and sellers with residential property transactions in South Carolina's coastal areas.
• Real estate agents in South Carolina do not handle the legal closing—that is the closing attorney's role—but they manage most other steps from listing through final walkthrough.
• You can contact Realty One Group Coastal directly to reach Matthews or to ask whether she serves the specific neighborhood or price range you are interested in.
• South Carolina law requires agents to disclose whether they represent the buyer, the seller, or both parties, so ask about representation before you begin serious conversations.

How to reach Jaime Owens Matthews

Contact Realty One Group Coastal through their main office line or website to request Matthews or to ask whether she is available in your area. When you call or email, have your general location and property type in mind—whether you are looking in a specific town, a price range, or a neighborhood type (waterfront, historic district, suburban development).

If you are working with a buyer's agent, that agent typically does not charge you a fee directly; instead, the seller's agent's commission is split between both sides. If you are selling, you and your agent will discuss commission before you sign a listing agreement. Those rates vary and are negotiable.

What to ask before you hire an agent

Before you commit to working with any agent, including Matthews, ask three things: First, how long has she been selling in your specific area, and what neighborhoods does she know well? An agent with five years in Charleston's downtown market may not be the right fit if you are buying in Beaufort or a rural county.

Second, ask about her representation. In South Carolina, an agent can represent the seller only, the buyer only, or (with written consent from both sides) both parties in the same transaction. This matters because it shapes whose interests the agent prioritizes and what information she can share. Get this in writing before you sign anything.

Third, ask what happens if you want to back out. If you are a buyer, understand what contingencies are in your offer (inspection, appraisal, financing) and what happens if one fails. If you are a seller, know the terms of the listing agreement—how long it lasts, what happens if you sell the house yourself, and whether you can fire the agent before the contract ends.

Understanding the South Carolina real estate timeline

A typical residential sale in South Carolina takes 30 to 45 days from offer acceptance to closing. That timeline includes the inspection period (usually 7 to 10 days), the appraisal (7 to 14 days), and the lender's final approval. Coastal properties sometimes take longer if they are in flood zones or have title issues related to water access or easements.

Your agent will coordinate with the inspector, the appraiser, and the closing attorney, but you are responsible for hiring and paying the inspector and for locking in your financing. The closing attorney—hired by the lender or by you—handles the title search, the deed, and the final settlement statement. Your agent does not do this legal work, though she will remind you of deadlines and explain what each step means.

What agents in South Carolina can and cannot do

Real estate agents can show you properties, explain market conditions, help you price an offer, and negotiate on your behalf. They cannot give you legal advice, tell you whether a property is a good investment, or promise what a property will be worth in the future. They also cannot pressure you into a transaction or misrepresent a property's condition.

If you have questions about property taxes, flood insurance, homeowners association rules, or the legal terms of a contract, ask your closing attorney or a tax professional—not your agent. Agents are trained in real estate practice, not in tax law or insurance, and giving advice outside their scope can get them in trouble with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.

South Carolina requires all agents to be licensed and to follow a code of ethics. If you have a complaint about an agent's conduct, you can file it with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission, which investigates violations and can suspend or revoke a license.

Coastal South Carolina real estate specifics

Coastal properties come with considerations that inland homes do not. Flood zones affect insurance costs and lender requirements; some properties in high-risk zones are harder to finance or insure. Salt air and moisture accelerate wear on roofing and exterior materials. Properties near the water may have easements or restrictions on what you can build or modify.

An agent familiar with coastal markets—like those at Realty One Group Coastal—should be able to explain these factors and help you understand what they mean for your offer price and long-term costs. If you are buying in a flood zone, ask your lender and your insurance agent about costs before you make an offer. If you are selling, disclose any known flooding, water damage, or foundation issues; South Carolina law requires it, and hiding problems can expose you to lawsuits after closing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a real estate agent cost?

In South Carolina, agent commissions are negotiable and typically range from 4 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the buyer's and seller's agents. If you are buying, you usually do not pay the agent directly; the seller's proceeds cover both commissions. If you are selling, you negotiate the rate with your agent before signing the listing agreement.

Can I work with an agent who is not in my area?

Technically yes, but it is usually not ideal. An agent unfamiliar with your neighborhood cannot advise you on comparable sales, school quality, flood risk, or what buyers in that area actually want. Ask any agent you consider whether she has recent sales in your specific neighborhood and whether she knows the local market well.

What if I find a house on my own—do I still need an agent?

You do not need one, but having a buyer's agent protects you. The agent can negotiate on your behalf, explain contract terms, and coordinate inspections and appraisals. Since the seller typically pays both commissions, using an agent costs you nothing out of pocket.

What is the difference between a real estate agent and a broker?

A broker owns or manages a brokerage and oversees agents. Jaime Owens Matthews is an agent; she works under a broker at Realty One Group Coastal. Brokers handle trust accounts, supervise compliance, and are responsible if an agent breaks the law. As a buyer or seller, you work with the agent, but the broker is ultimately accountable.

Can an agent show me properties listed by other agents?

Yes. Most properties in South Carolina are listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which all licensed agents can access. Your agent can show you any MLS listing, regardless of which brokerage listed it. The commission split is the same whether the listing agent and buyer's agent work for the same company or different ones.