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What to Know About Working With Joi Perkins at RE/MAX Professionals

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

Joi Perkins brings local market knowledge and RE/MAX resources to South Carolina real estate transactions

Joi Perkins is a real estate agent with RE/MAX Professionals, part of the RE/MAX network that operates across South Carolina and nationwide. When you work with a real estate agent, you're hiring someone to represent your interests in buying, selling, or leasing property—handling negotiations, paperwork, market research, and connections to lenders, inspectors, and other professionals you'll need. Joi's background and approach matter when deciding whether to work together on a transaction.

RE/MAX agents operate as independent contractors within the RE/MAX system, which means Joi maintains her own business while accessing RE/MAX's training, technology, and brand. This structure affects how commissions work, what tools she can offer you, and how disputes are handled if something goes wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • Joi Perkins works as an independent contractor through RE/MAX Professionals, so she operates her own business while using RE/MAX's systems and support.
  • Real estate agents in South Carolina must hold an active license from the South Carolina Real Estate Commission and follow state and federal fair housing laws.
  • Commission rates and what services are included vary by agent and transaction, so discussing fees upfront prevents misunderstandings later.
  • You can research an agent's background, sales history, and any complaints through the South Carolina Real Estate Commission's public records.

How RE/MAX Professionals operates in South Carolina

RE/MAX Professionals is a brokerage firm—the company that holds the broker's license and oversees agents working under that license. Joi operates as an agent within this structure. The broker handles compliance with South Carolina real estate law, trust account management for client funds, and oversight of agent conduct. RE/MAX itself is a national franchise system; individual brokerages like RE/MAX Professionals pay to use the RE/MAX brand, training programs, and technology platform.

This means Joi has access to RE/MAX's multiple listing service (MLS) data, marketing tools, and national referral network, but she is not employed by RE/MAX or by RE/MAX Professionals as a salaried employee. She pays fees to operate under the brokerage and keeps a portion of commissions she earns. Understanding this structure helps you know who to contact if you have a problem: Joi for service issues, RE/MAX Professionals for broker-level concerns, and the South Carolina Real Estate Commission for licensing or ethics violations.

What Joi Perkins can do for you as your agent

A real estate agent's core job is to represent your interests in a property transaction. On the buy side, this means searching listings, scheduling showings, researching neighborhoods and comparable sales, negotiating offers, and coordinating inspections and appraisals. On the sell side, an agent prices your home, markets it, shows it to buyers, negotiates offers, and manages the closing process. Joi can also help you understand local market conditions, connect you with lenders or inspectors, and explain contracts and timelines.

What an agent cannot do: provide legal advice (you need a real estate attorney for that), may provide a sale price or timeline, or represent both buyer and seller in the same transaction without full disclosure and written consent from both parties. If Joi represents you as a buyer, she owes you loyalty and confidentiality. If she represents the seller, her duty is to the seller, though she must still treat you fairly under fair housing law.

Commission, fees, and what to discuss before you start

Real estate commissions in South Carolina are not set by law or by RE/MAX—they are negotiated between the agent and the client. Typical commissions range, but the exact percentage depends on the market, the property, and what you agree to. Commissions are usually split between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent, and then split again between the agent and the brokerage. Ask Joi upfront what her commission rate is, what services that covers, and whether there are additional fees for things like photography, staging advice, or market analysis.

Some agents charge flat fees, hourly rates, or tiered commissions based on sale price. Some offer discounts for certain situations. There is no standard, so comparing what different agents offer helps you understand the market. Get any agreement about fees in writing before you sign a listing agreement or buyer representation contract.

Verifying Joi Perkins's license and background

South Carolina requires all real estate agents to hold an active license issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission (SCREC). You can verify Joi's license status, check her disciplinary history, and see any complaints filed against her through the SCREC's public records search on their website. This is a free resource and takes a few minutes.

The SCREC also maintains records of continuing education requirements, which agents must complete annually to keep their license active. If Joi's license is inactive, expired, or has disciplinary notes, that information is public. You can also ask Joi directly for her license number and how long she has been active in real estate. Many agents provide this information on their website or business card.

Understanding buyer representation and seller representation

When you work with Joi, clarify whether she represents you as a buyer, the seller, or both parties. In South Carolina, an agent can represent both buyer and seller in the same transaction, but only with written consent from both parties and full disclosure of the conflict. This is called dual agency. Some agents and brokerages avoid dual agency; others use it routinely. Know which situation you're in before you share confidential information like your maximum offer price or your motivation for selling.

If Joi represents you as a buyer, she owes you loyalty, confidentiality, and obedience to your lawful instructions. If she represents the seller, those duties go to the seller. If she represents both, her duty is to both parties fairly, but she cannot favor one over the other. Ask her to explain her representation before you begin.

What happens if you have a problem

If you have a service complaint about Joi—for example, she failed to show your home, misrepresented a property, or violated fair housing law—you have several options. First, try to resolve it directly with Joi or with the broker at RE/MAX Professionals. Many issues can be worked out with a conversation.

If that does not work, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. The SCREC investigates complaints about license violations, fraud, and unethical conduct. Filing a complaint is free and does not require a lawyer. The SCREC's website has a complaint form and instructions. You can also consult a real estate attorney if you believe you have been harmed financially and want to pursue a civil claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if Joi Perkins is the right agent for me?

Interview multiple agents before deciding. Ask about their experience in your neighborhood, their marketing strategy, their commission rate, and how they communicate. Request references from past clients. Check the SCREC records for any complaints. The right agent is someone you trust, who understands your goals, and whose fees and approach align with what you need.

Can I negotiate Joi's commission rate?

Yes. Commission rates are negotiable in South Carolina. Discuss this upfront and get any agreement in writing. Some agents may offer lower rates for certain situations, such as a high-value property or a quick sale. Do not assume the rate is fixed.

What if Joi shows me a property listed by another RE/MAX agent?

This is common and legal. Both agents represent their respective clients (buyer and seller). The commission is typically split between the two agents and their brokerages. There is no conflict of interest as long as Joi's loyalty is to you as the buyer and she negotiates on your behalf.

Does RE/MAX Professionals may provide Joi's work?

RE/MAX Professionals oversees Joi's compliance with South Carolina law and the brokerage's policies, but the brokerage does not may provide her performance or results. If you have a complaint, the broker may take action against Joi's license or terminate her affiliation, but that does not automatically compensate you. Legal remedies depend on whether Joi breached a contract or violated a law.

How long does a typical real estate transaction take with an agent?

A purchase or sale typically takes 30 to 45 days from offer acceptance to closing, though this varies. The timeline depends on inspection results, appraisal, lender approval, and title issues. Joi should give you a realistic timeline based on current market conditions and the specific property.