What to Know About Working With Janet Brewster at Keller Williams

Janet Brewster brings residential real estate experience across South Carolina's market

Janet Brewster is a real estate agent with Keller Williams, one of the largest real estate franchises in the United States. Keller Williams operates through a network of local offices, and agents like Brewster work within their regional market to help buyers and sellers navigate property transactions. If you are considering working with a Keller Williams agent in South Carolina, understanding how the company operates and what to expect from the agent-client relationship will help you make an informed decision.

Real estate agents represent either buyers or sellers (or both, depending on the transaction structure) and earn commission based on the sale price of the property. Before you commit to working with any agent, it is worth understanding their background, their knowledge of your local market, and how they approach the buying or selling process.

Key Takeaways

• Keller Williams is a franchise system, meaning local offices operate under the Keller Williams brand but are independently owned and managed.
• Real estate agents earn commission only when a transaction closes, so their financial incentive is to complete the sale, not necessarily to get you the best price.
• Before signing any agreement with an agent, you can ask about their experience, their track record in your specific neighborhood, and how they plan to market your property or find homes for you.
• South Carolina real estate transactions typically involve a title company, a home inspection, and a closing attorney, all of whom play separate roles from your agent.

How Keller Williams operates as a franchise

Keller Williams is not a single company with one headquarters directing all agents. Instead, it is a franchise model in which individual brokers own and operate local Keller Williams offices. Each office hires and trains agents, sets some of its own policies, and manages transactions within its territory. This means the experience of working with a Keller Williams agent in Charleston may differ from working with one in Greenville, because the offices are separate businesses.

The Keller Williams brand provides training systems, technology platforms, and marketing tools that franchisees can use, but the local office makes decisions about how strictly to follow those systems and how much support to give individual agents. If you have a question about how a specific agent operates or what services they offer, the best source is the local Keller Williams office itself, not the national franchise.

What a real estate agent does in a South Carolina transaction

A real estate agent's primary role is to represent either the buyer or the seller in a property transaction. On the seller's side, the agent typically lists the property, markets it to other agents and the public, schedules showings, negotiates offers, and coordinates with the title company and closing attorney. On the buyer's side, the agent shows properties, helps you understand the local market, submits offers on your behalf, and coordinates inspections and appraisals.

In South Carolina, the closing attorney (not the real estate agent) handles the legal paperwork, reviews the title, and ensures the deed transfers correctly. The home inspector (hired separately by the buyer) examines the property's condition. The title company (also separate) searches the property's ownership history and issues title insurance. Your agent coordinates with these professionals but does not perform their work.

Agents earn commission only when the sale closes. The commission is typically split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent, and each agent's share is further split with their brokerage (in this case, the local Keller Williams office). This means an agent's financial incentive is to close the transaction, not necessarily to negotiate the best price for you or to protect you from a bad deal.

Questions to ask before working with any agent

If you are considering working with Janet Brewster or any real estate agent, you can ask about their experience, their knowledge of your area, and their approach to your specific situation. Some useful questions include: How long have you been selling real estate? How many transactions have you closed in the past year? How many of those were in the neighborhood where I want to buy or sell? What is your marketing strategy? How often will you communicate with me, and through what channels?

You can also ask about their experience with specific situations—for example, if you are selling a property that needs repairs, ask whether they have sold similar properties and what the typical timeline was. If you are a first-time buyer, ask whether they work frequently with first-time buyers and what they recommend you know before making an offer.

For sellers, you can request a comparative market analysis (CMA), which shows what similar properties in your area have sold for recently. This gives you a baseline for understanding the agent's suggested listing price. You are not obligated to list with the first agent you speak with, and comparing approaches from multiple agents is a normal part of the process.

Understanding the buyer's agent and seller's agent split

In most South Carolina transactions, the seller pays a commission that is split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent. This means the buyer does not pay the agent directly—the commission comes from the sale proceeds. However, this structure creates a potential conflict of interest: the buyer's agent benefits financially from a higher sale price (because their commission is a percentage of the sale), even though a higher price costs the buyer more money.

It is legal and common for a buyer to work with an agent under this arrangement. Just be aware that your agent's financial incentive is not perfectly aligned with yours. Some buyers choose to negotiate a buyer's agent agreement that specifies the agent's duties and compensation structure more clearly, though this is not required.

What happens after you sign an agreement with an agent

If you decide to work with an agent, you will typically sign a listing agreement (if you are selling) or a buyer representation agreement (if you are buying). These agreements specify how long the agent represents you, what services they provide, and how commission is handled. Read the agreement carefully before signing, and ask the agent to explain any terms you do not understand.

Once you are under agreement, the agent will begin showing your property (if selling) or showing you properties (if buying). Communication frequency and methods should be clear from the start. If you are unhappy with the agent's performance or approach, you can discuss it with them directly or contact the local Keller Williams office to discuss your concerns.

Resources for understanding South Carolina real estate

The South Carolina Real Estate Commission oversees licensed agents and brokers in the state. If you have a complaint about an agent's conduct, you can file a complaint with the commission. The commission's website provides information about licensing requirements and disciplinary actions.

The South Carolina Association of Realtors (if the agent is a member) provides additional resources and a code of ethics that members agree to follow. Not all real estate agents are Realtors—that designation requires membership in the National Association of Realtors—but many are.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have 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 you will still need a closing attorney (required by South Carolina law) and likely a title company. Many people find an agent helpful because they have market knowledge and connections to other agents, but it is not legally required.

What if I want to work with an agent but I am not sure about the commission structure?

You can negotiate the commission rate or structure before signing an agreement. Commission is not set by law—it is negotiable between you and the agent. Discuss this directly with the agent or the local office manager if you have concerns.

Can I switch agents if I am unhappy with the one I signed an agreement with?

It depends on the terms of your agreement. Some agreements allow you to end the relationship with notice; others have specific conditions. Review your agreement or contact the local Keller Williams office to understand your options.

How do I know if an agent has the right experience for my situation?

Ask for their transaction history in your specific neighborhood or price range, and ask for references from recent clients. You can also ask how they stay current with market conditions and what tools or systems they use to serve clients.

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

A real estate agent markets and negotiates property transactions. A real estate attorney (like the closing attorney required in South Carolina) handles the legal documents and ensures the title transfers correctly. They have different roles and different training.