Julie Johnson at RE/MAX Professionals: What to Know Before You Meet
Who Julie Johnson is and what she does
Julie Johnson is a real estate agent with RE/MAX Professionals, a brokerage operating across South Carolina. She works with buyers and sellers in residential real estate transactions—helping people find homes, list properties for sale, negotiate contracts, and navigate the closing process. Like all agents in South Carolina, she holds a license issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission and operates under RE/MAX Professionals' brokerage license.
Before meeting with any agent, it helps to understand what agents do and do not do. An agent represents either the buyer or the seller (or, in some cases, both, though this creates a conflict of interest). The agent's job is to market the property, show it to interested parties, help set the price, negotiate terms, and shepherd the deal through inspection, appraisal, and closing. Agents do not conduct inspections, appraisals, or title searches—those are separate professionals you hire or your lender requires.
Key Takeaways
- Julie Johnson works through RE/MAX Professionals, a brokerage with multiple offices across South Carolina, and holds a state real estate license.
- Real estate agents represent either buyers or sellers and earn commission only when a transaction closes, so their incentive is to complete the sale, not necessarily to get you the best price.
- Before meeting with any agent, you should know your budget, your timeline, and whether you want representation or are simply browsing.
- South Carolina law requires agents to disclose who they represent and to provide you with a written disclosure before you share confidential information.
- You can interview multiple agents and are not obligated to sign an exclusive agreement unless you choose to list your home for sale.
How to find Julie Johnson's contact information and office location
RE/MAX Professionals operates multiple offices throughout South Carolina. To locate Julie Johnson, start by visiting the RE/MAX Professionals website or calling their main office line—they can tell you which location she works from and provide her direct contact information. You can also search for her name and "RE/MAX Professionals" along with your city or county to find her specific office.
When you reach out, be clear about what you need: whether you are looking to buy, sell, or simply gather information. Agents often respond faster to inquiries that show you are a serious buyer or seller, so mentioning your timeline and general location helps. If you are not ready to commit to working with an agent yet, that is fine—many agents will answer preliminary questions without pressure.
What to expect in a first meeting with an agent
A first meeting with Julie Johnson or any agent typically covers your situation, your goals, and what the agent can offer. If you are a buyer, she will ask about your budget, the type of home you want, your timeline, and whether you are pre-approved for a mortgage. If you are a seller, she will ask about your home, why you are selling, your timeline, and what you hope to net from the sale. She may also ask about your experience with real estate to gauge how much explanation you will need.
During this meeting, the agent should provide you with a written disclosure of representation—a document that explains who the agent represents and what that means for you. In South Carolina, agents must give you this disclosure before you share any confidential information about your finances, motivation, or bottom line. Read it carefully. If the agent represents the seller and you are a buyer, that agent's loyalty is to the seller, not to you, even if they are friendly and helpful.
The agent may also discuss their marketing strategy (if you are selling), show you comparable sales in your area, or discuss neighborhoods and schools (if you are buying). Come prepared with questions about the local market, the timeline for your transaction, and what the agent's role will be at each stage.
Understanding agent commission and how it works
Real estate agents in South Carolina earn commission, which is a percentage of the sale price paid by the seller at closing. The commission is typically split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent, and each agent may split their portion with their brokerage. Commission rates are not set by law or by RE/MAX—they are negotiable between the seller and the agent, though rates in a given market tend to cluster around a common percentage.
This structure creates an important incentive: the agent earns money only when the sale closes. That means the agent benefits from completing the transaction, but it does not necessarily mean the agent will push for the lowest price (if you are buying) or the highest price (if you are selling). As a buyer, you should understand that the seller's agent has no obligation to you and earns the same commission whether you pay $300,000 or $320,000. As a seller, your agent earns more if the sale price is higher, so there is some alignment, but the agent also benefits from a quick sale over a drawn-out negotiation.
When you should and should not sign an exclusive agreement
If you are buying a home, you do not need to sign an exclusive buyer's agreement to work with Julie Johnson or any agent. You can shop around, visit open houses, and ask different agents to show you homes. However, many agents will ask you to sign an exclusive agreement that says you will work only with them and will not use another agent. Before signing, understand what you are agreeing to: the length of the agreement, what happens if you find a home on your own, and whether you can end it early if you are unhappy.
If you are selling your home, you will almost certainly need to sign an exclusive listing agreement with the agent. This agreement gives the agent the right to list and market your home for a set period (often 90 days or six months) and specifies the commission rate. Read this agreement carefully, especially the cancellation terms and what happens if you sell the home yourself during the listing period. South Carolina law does not require you to use an agent to sell your home, but most buyers search through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is accessible mainly through agents, so listing with an agent typically reaches more buyers.
Questions to ask Julie Johnson before you commit
Before you decide to work with any agent, ask about their experience in your specific market or neighborhood. How long have they been selling real estate? How many homes have they sold in the past year? What is their average time on market, and how does that compare to the neighborhood average? If you are selling, ask how they plan to market your home—will they use professional photography, virtual tours, social media, and open houses, or a more limited approach?
Ask about their availability and communication style. Will you hear from them regularly, or only when there is news? What is their preferred method of contact—phone, email, text? Ask what happens if you disagree on price or strategy. Ask whether they work full-time in real estate or have other commitments. Ask for references from past clients, and actually call them. A good agent will have no problem providing names of people they have worked with recently.
Finally, ask about the local market itself. What is the average time homes spend on the market in your area? Are homes selling above or below list price? What neighborhoods are hot, and which are slower? An agent who knows the market deeply will give you specific, recent data rather than vague generalizations.
How South Carolina real estate law affects your transaction
South Carolina requires all real estate agents to be licensed by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. This means Julie Johnson has passed an exam, completed required education, and is subject to the Commission's rules and disciplinary process. If you have a complaint about an agent's conduct, you can file it with the Commission, though the Commission handles violations of law and ethics, not disputes over price or marketing strategy.
South Carolina also requires certain disclosures in every real estate transaction. The seller must disclose known defects in the property, and the buyer has a right to inspect the home and hire a professional inspector. Contracts must be in writing, and both parties must sign. If a dispute arises, South Carolina courts will enforce the written contract, so do not rely on verbal promises. Ask your agent to put any agreement or commitment in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work with Julie Johnson if I am not sure whether I want to buy or sell yet?
Yes. Many agents will meet with you to discuss your situation and answer questions without requiring any commitment. If you are simply exploring your options, say so upfront. The agent may not invest as much time in you as they would in an active buyer or seller, but most will provide basic information and guidance.
What if I find a home on my own and want to buy it without an agent?
You can buy a home without an agent, but you will be negotiating directly with the seller's agent, who represents the seller, not you. You will also need to handle all the paperwork, inspections, and closing logistics yourself or hire a real estate attorney. Many buyers find it worthwhile to hire their own agent even for a single home, because the agent's commission is typically paid by the seller and the agent handles much of the work.
How long does a typical home sale take in South Carolina?
The time varies widely depending on the market, the price, and whether the buyer needs financing. A typical timeline from offer to closing is 30 to 45 days, but it can be faster or slower. Ask Julie Johnson what the average is in your specific neighborhood, as some areas move faster than others.
What should I do if I disagree with my agent's advice on price?
You are not obligated to follow your agent's recommendation. If you are selling and your agent suggests a list price you think is too low, you can list at a higher price—but understand that overpricing can lead to fewer showings and a longer time on market. If you are buying and your agent advises against an offer, you can make the offer anyway. Ultimately, you make the decisions; the agent advises based on their market knowledge.
Is there a way to check if Julie Johnson is licensed and in good standing?
Yes. The South Carolina Real Estate Commission maintains a public database of licensed agents. You can search by name to verify that an agent is currently licensed and to see whether there are any disciplinary actions on record. This is a good step to take before working with any agent.