What to Know About Working With Jane Burgdorf at RE/MAX Action Realty
Jane Burgdorf's Background and Service Area
Jane Burgdorf is a real estate agent with RE/MAX Action Realty who works throughout South Carolina. Her practice focuses on residential sales, and she brings experience in helping buyers and sellers navigate local market conditions across the state's varied neighborhoods—from coastal communities to upstate regions.
RE/MAX Action Realty is a franchise of the national RE/MAX network, which operates through independent agents rather than a traditional brokerage model. This structure means Burgdorf operates with her own business setup while maintaining access to RE/MAX's tools, training, and marketing resources. Understanding how your agent is structured matters because it affects how commissions work and what support systems are behind the transaction.
Key Takeaways
- Jane Burgdorf works as an independent agent through RE/MAX Action Realty, meaning she runs her own business while using RE/MAX's systems and brand.
- RE/MAX agents typically earn commission on sales rather than a salary, so their incentive is tied directly to closing transactions.
- Before hiring any agent, you should confirm their experience in your specific neighborhood or property type and ask for references from past clients.
- Real estate commissions in South Carolina are negotiable and not set by law, so you can discuss rates with your agent before signing a listing or buyer agreement.
- South Carolina requires all real estate agents to hold an active license issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission, which you can verify online.
How RE/MAX Agents Work and What That Means for You
RE/MAX agents operate as independent contractors, not employees of RE/MAX or a traditional brokerage. This means Burgdorf maintains her own business license and handles her own marketing, client relationships, and administrative work. In return, she pays a fee to RE/MAX for access to their brand, training, technology platform, and national referral network.
The independent model has practical implications for how you work together. Burgdorf's commission comes entirely from sales—there is no salary or base pay—so her focus is on closing deals. This can be an advantage if you want an agent who is actively working to move your transaction forward. It also means you should be clear about expectations upfront, since she is managing her own business rather than working within a corporate structure with a manager overseeing her work.
What to Ask Before Hiring a Real Estate Agent
Whether you are working with Burgdorf or any agent, there are standard questions that help you decide if the fit is right. Ask how long she has been licensed, how many transactions she closed in the past year, and what percentage of her business comes from buyer representation versus seller representation. These numbers tell you whether she has active experience and where her focus lies.
Ask specifically about her experience in the neighborhood or property type you are interested in. An agent who has sold ten homes in your specific area in the past two years knows the market, the schools, the traffic patterns, and the typical buyer pool far better than someone who works across a wide region. Request references from three to five past clients—not just names, but permission to contact them directly—and actually call them.
Discuss commission rates before you sign anything. In South Carolina, real estate commissions are negotiable and not set by law or by RE/MAX. The standard in many markets is around 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent, but this varies by transaction and by agent. If you are selling, you can negotiate the rate. If you are buying, the seller typically pays both commissions, so you should confirm what the buyer's agent commission will be.
Verifying Your Agent's License and Background
All real estate agents in South Carolina must hold an active license issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. You can verify Burgdorf's license status, disciplinary history, and current brokerage affiliation on the Commission's website at www.llr.state.sc.us. Search the public records database to confirm she is currently licensed and to see whether any complaints or violations are on file.
This verification step takes five minutes and protects you. It confirms the agent is legitimate, that their license is active (not expired or suspended), and that they are working under the brokerage they claim. If you find any disciplinary actions, read the details—some are minor administrative issues, while others reflect serious problems with how the agent handled client money or transactions.
Understanding Buyer and Seller Representation Agreements
When you work with Burgdorf, you will sign either a buyer representation agreement (if you are purchasing) or a listing agreement (if you are selling). These documents spell out what the agent will do, how long the agreement lasts, what commission you will pay, and what happens if you find a property or buyer on your own during the agreement period.
Read these agreements carefully before signing. Pay attention to the term length—some are 30 days, others 90 days or longer. Understand whether the agent has an exclusive right to represent you during that time, which means you cannot work with another agent on the same property type in the same area. Ask about any clauses that extend the agent's commission rights after the agreement ends, sometimes called a "tail" clause. These vary widely and can affect whether you owe commission if you sell a property within a certain period after the agreement expires.
What Happens During a Real Estate Transaction
If you hire Burgdorf to sell your home, she will typically list it on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is how most homes are marketed to other agents and buyers in South Carolina. She will arrange showings, market the property through RE/MAX's systems and her own channels, and negotiate offers when they come in. She will also coordinate with the buyer's agent, the title company, the inspector, and the lender to move the transaction toward closing.
If you hire her to buy a home, she will show you properties that match your criteria, help you understand the market value, assist with making an offer, and guide you through inspections, appraisals, and the lending process. She will represent your interests in negotiations and coordinate with the seller's agent and all the service providers involved in closing.
Throughout the process, you should expect regular communication about where things stand, what documents you need to provide, and what is happening next. The pace of a real estate transaction varies—some close in 30 days, others take 60 days or longer depending on financing, inspections, and appraisals. Ask Burgdorf upfront what her communication style is and how often you can expect to hear from her.
Costs and Commissions You Should Understand
If you are selling through Burgdorf, the commission typically comes out of your sale proceeds at closing. The exact amount is negotiable, but you will know it before you sign the listing agreement. In addition to commission, you will pay for a title search, title insurance, recording fees, and possibly a real estate attorney, depending on how your transaction is structured. Some of these costs are standard; others vary by transaction.
If you are buying, the seller typically pays both the seller's agent commission and the buyer's agent commission (Burgdorf's commission if she represents you). This means you do not write a separate check to your agent, but the commission is built into the sale price. You will pay for a home inspection, appraisal, loan origination fees, and title insurance. Ask Burgdorf to walk you through a sample closing statement so you understand what costs to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if Jane Burgdorf is the right agent for me?
The right agent has recent experience in your specific neighborhood or property type, can show you a track record of closed sales, and communicates in a way that matches your style. Ask for references and call them. Meet with Burgdorf in person or by phone before committing, and trust your instinct about whether you feel heard and understood.
Can I negotiate the commission rate with a real estate agent?
Yes. Commission rates in South Carolina are negotiable and not set by law or by RE/MAX. Discuss the rate before you sign a listing or buyer agreement. Rates vary based on market conditions, the property type, and the agent's experience, so what you negotiate may differ from what another seller or buyer agrees to.
What if I want to work with a different agent after I have signed an agreement?
Review your agreement to see when it expires and whether there are any early termination clauses. Some agreements allow you to end them with written notice; others lock you in for the full term. If you are unhappy, contact Burgdorf directly to discuss your concerns before deciding to end the relationship.
How long does a real estate transaction typically take in South Carolina?
Most transactions close within 30 to 60 days from the time an offer is accepted. The timeline depends on how quickly inspections and appraisals are completed, whether the buyer needs financing, and whether any issues come up during the process. Ask Burgdorf what timeline to expect for your specific situation.
What should I do if I have a complaint about my agent?
Contact the South Carolina Real Estate Commission at www.llr.state.sc.us to file a formal complaint. You can also contact RE/MAX Action Realty directly to discuss your concerns with management. Keep records of all communications and transactions related to your complaint.