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What to Know About Working With Jeffrey Dekleva at RE/MAX Southern Shores

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

Who Jeffrey Dekleva Is and What He Does

Jeffrey Dekleva is a real estate agent with RE/MAX Southern Shores, a brokerage operating across South Carolina's coastal and Lowcountry regions. He works with buyers and sellers on residential properties, bringing local market knowledge and transaction experience to clients navigating the state's real estate landscape.

RE/MAX Southern Shores operates as an independent brokerage within the RE/MAX network, meaning Dekleva has access to RE/MAX's national resources and listing databases while working within a locally-focused office structure. The brokerage maintains multiple locations across South Carolina, which affects how properties are listed, shown, and marketed.

Key Takeaways

  • Jeffrey Dekleva works through RE/MAX Southern Shores, a regional brokerage with multiple South Carolina locations and access to RE/MAX's national network.
  • RE/MAX agents typically work on commission, meaning their compensation comes from the sale price rather than an hourly fee or flat rate.
  • Before contacting any agent, you should have a clear sense of whether you are buying, selling, or exploring the market, since agents specialize differently.
  • RE/MAX brokerages use national listing systems and local market data, so agents can show you properties across a wider geographic area than smaller local firms.
  • Your first conversation with an agent should cover their experience in your specific neighborhood or price range, not just their general credentials.

How RE/MAX Southern Shores Operates

RE/MAX Southern Shores functions as a brokerage office within the larger RE/MAX franchise system. This structure means the office has its own management and local staff while also connecting to RE/MAX's national Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and training resources. Agents working under this banner can access listings across South Carolina and show properties in multiple markets.

The brokerage model affects how transactions work. When you work with Dekleva, you are working with an individual agent who is licensed through South Carolina's Real Estate Commission and affiliated with RE/MAX Southern Shores as their brokerage. The brokerage handles compliance, trust accounts for earnest money and deposits, and coordination between agents during a sale.

Understanding Commission and How Agents Are Paid

Real estate agents at RE/MAX Southern Shores, including Jeffrey Dekleva, typically work on commission rather than salary. Commission is a percentage of the final sale price, and it is split between the listing agent (who represents the seller) and the buyer's agent (who represents the buyer). The exact percentage varies by transaction and is negotiable, though typical ranges fall between 5 and 6 percent of the sale price.

This payment structure means an agent's income depends on closing sales. It also means there is no fee to you as a buyer for working with a buyer's agent—the seller's proceeds cover both commissions. If you are selling, commission comes out of your sale price before you receive your net proceeds. Understanding this structure helps you know what questions to ask about costs upfront.

What to Expect When You First Contact an Agent

When you reach out to Jeffrey Dekleva or another agent at RE/MAX Southern Shores, the first conversation typically covers your situation: whether you are buying, selling, or both; your timeline; your budget or price range; and the geographic area where you are interested. This conversation helps the agent determine whether they are the right fit for your needs and what resources they can offer.

Agents often ask about your financing situation—whether you are pre-approved for a mortgage, paying cash, or still exploring options. This is not intrusive; it helps them understand which properties are realistic for your situation and whether you need a referral to a lender. Be prepared to discuss your timeline as well, since the real estate market moves at different speeds depending on the season and the neighborhood.

Finding an Agent's Track Record and Local Knowledge

Before committing to work with any agent, you can research their background and experience. RE/MAX maintains public profiles for its agents, and you can often find information about their years in real estate, the neighborhoods they specialize in, and the types of transactions they handle most frequently. South Carolina's Real Estate Commission also maintains a public database where you can verify an agent's license status and any disciplinary history.

Local knowledge matters more than national credentials. Ask a potential agent about their experience in the specific neighborhood or price range you are interested in. Someone who has sold ten homes in a particular area in the past two years knows that market better than someone with twenty years of experience across five states. Request references from recent clients if you are making a significant decision, and do not hesitate to interview multiple agents before choosing one.

How Listings Work Through RE/MAX

When a property is listed for sale through RE/MAX Southern Shores, it enters the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is the database that real estate agents across South Carolina use to find and show properties. This means a home listed by Dekleva becomes visible to all buyer's agents in the region, not just those at RE/MAX. The listing includes photos, property details, price, and terms of sale.

As a buyer, this system works in your favor because your agent can show you any property on the MLS, regardless of which brokerage listed it. You are not limited to homes listed by RE/MAX Southern Shores. The MLS also provides historical data on comparable sales, which helps agents and appraisers determine fair market value for properties in a given area.

Questions to Ask Before Working With an Agent

Before you sign any paperwork or commit to working with Jeffrey Dekleva or another agent, ask about their experience with your specific situation. If you are a first-time buyer, ask how many first-time buyers they have worked with and what their process looks like. If you are selling a historic home or a waterfront property, ask about their experience with those property types. If you need to close quickly or have a complex financing situation, ask how they have handled similar transactions.

Also ask about communication. How often will they update you? What is their preferred method of contact? What happens if you need to reach them outside business hours? These questions matter because real estate transactions move quickly, and you want an agent who is responsive to your needs. Finally, ask whether they represent buyers, sellers, or both—some agents specialize in one side of the transaction, while others work both sides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay Jeffrey Dekleva or another agent if I am buying a home?

No. As a buyer, you do not pay the buyer's agent directly. The seller's proceeds cover both the listing agent's commission and the buyer's agent's commission. However, you should still interview agents and choose one who understands your needs, since you will be working closely together.

Can I work with an agent from RE/MAX Southern Shores if I want to buy a home listed by a different brokerage?

Yes. RE/MAX agents can show you any property on the MLS, regardless of which brokerage listed it. The MLS is a shared database, so your agent's affiliation does not limit which homes you can see or make an offer on.

What is the difference between RE/MAX Southern Shores and other real estate brokerages in South Carolina?

RE/MAX is a national franchise, so agents have access to national training, technology, and marketing resources. RE/MAX Southern Shores is the local office, which means it has its own management and staff focused on South Carolina's market. Smaller local brokerages may have deeper roots in a single community, while larger national firms may have more resources. The quality of service depends more on the individual agent than on the brokerage name.

How do I verify that an agent is licensed and in good standing?

South Carolina's Real Estate Commission maintains a public database where you can search for any licensed agent by name. The database shows their license status, any disciplinary actions, and their brokerage affiliation. You can access this through the South Carolina Real Estate Commission website.

What should I do if I have a complaint about an agent?

Complaints about real estate agents in South Carolina go to the Real Estate Commission, which investigates violations of state licensing laws and the Code of Ethics. You can file a complaint through their website or by contacting the Commission directly. The brokerage (in this case, RE/MAX Southern Shores) also has internal complaint procedures.