What to Know About Working With Kevin Todd at Coldwell Banker Realty

Who Kevin Todd Is and What He Does

Kevin Todd is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty serving South Carolina buyers and sellers. Like other agents in the Coldwell Banker network, he helps clients navigate property transactions—listing homes for sale, showing properties to buyers, negotiating offers, and managing the paperwork that closes a deal.

Coldwell Banker is one of the largest real estate franchises in the United States, with offices across South Carolina. Agents within the network operate under the Coldwell Banker brand but may work from different local offices depending on their market area. Before working with any agent, it helps to understand what agents do, what questions to ask, and how to evaluate whether someone is the right fit for your situation.

Key Takeaways

• Kevin Todd works as a Coldwell Banker agent and can help with buying, selling, or listing property in South Carolina.
• Real estate agents earn commission on completed sales, typically split between the buyer's agent and seller's agent, so understanding how they are paid helps you negotiate terms.
• You can interview multiple agents before choosing one, and asking about their local market knowledge, recent sales, and how they communicate is standard practice.
• Coldwell Banker agents have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in their region, which shows most homes for sale in that area.
• Your agent should explain the timeline, costs, and next steps clearly before you sign any agreement or make an offer.

How Real Estate Agents Work in South Carolina

Real estate agents in South Carolina must hold a license issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. This license means the agent has passed an exam covering state and federal real estate law, fair housing rules, and ethical standards. However, a license does not may provide experience, local knowledge, or a good match for your needs.

Agents earn money through commission, which is a percentage of the final sale price. On a typical home sale, the seller pays a commission that is then split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent. This structure means your agent's income depends on closing the sale, so it is worth understanding their incentives and asking direct questions about how they are paid and what services are included.

When you work with an agent to buy a home, you are usually not paying them directly—the seller's proceeds cover the commission. When you list a home for sale, you negotiate the commission rate with your agent before listing. Rates vary, so it is reasonable to discuss this upfront.

What to Ask Before Working With an Agent

Before you commit to working with Kevin Todd or any agent, ask about their experience in your specific market. If you are buying or selling in Charleston, the Midlands, the Upstate, or the Lowcountry, an agent who knows that area well can explain local pricing trends, neighborhood character, school districts, and what homes typically sell for. Ask how long they have worked in real estate, how many homes they have sold in the past year, and whether they have recent sales in the neighborhood you are interested in.

Ask how they communicate—whether by phone, email, text, or a client portal—and how often you can expect updates. Ask what services are included: do they handle the paperwork, coordinate inspections, negotiate on your behalf, or connect you with lenders and inspectors? Ask whether they represent buyers, sellers, or both, and if they ever represent both sides of a transaction, how they handle conflicts of interest.

Ask about their marketing strategy if you are selling. How will they list the home? Will it appear on the MLS, Zillow, Realtor.com, and the Coldwell Banker website? Will they hold an open house, take professional photos, or create a video tour? These details matter because they affect how many buyers see your home.

Understanding the Buying Process

If you are buying a home, your agent's job is to show you properties that match your budget and preferences, explain the neighborhoods, help you make an offer, and negotiate on your behalf. In South Carolina, the buyer typically pays for a home inspection, appraisal, and title search, though these costs and who pays for them can be negotiated as part of the offer.

Your agent should explain the timeline: how long the inspection period lasts, when the appraisal happens, when you need to secure financing, and when closing occurs. They should also explain contingencies—conditions that allow you to back out of the offer if, for example, the inspection reveals major problems or the appraisal comes in lower than the sale price.

Before you make an offer, ask your agent about comparable sales in the area—homes similar to the one you want to buy that have sold recently. This information helps you understand whether the asking price is reasonable and what you should offer. Your agent has access to the MLS, which shows this data for their region.

Understanding the Selling Process

If you are selling a home, your agent lists it on the MLS and markets it to other agents and the public. They schedule showings, provide feedback from buyers and their agents, and advise you on offers. Once you accept an offer, your agent coordinates inspections, appraisals, and the closing process.

Before listing, ask your agent for a comparative market analysis—a report showing what similar homes in your area have sold for recently. This helps you price your home competitively. Homes priced too high sit on the market longer; homes priced too low may sell quickly but for less money than they could have brought.

Ask about the listing agreement you will sign. It specifies the commission rate, how long the listing lasts, and what happens if you decide to sell to someone your agent brought to the home versus someone who found it another way. Read this carefully and ask questions before signing.

What Coldwell Banker Offers

Coldwell Banker agents have access to the company's national network, marketing resources, and training. The Coldwell Banker brand appears on listings, websites, and advertising, which can increase visibility for homes for sale. Agents can also tap into the company's resources for relocation, corporate sales, and luxury properties if those apply to your situation.

However, the Coldwell Banker name does not may provide better service than an independent agent or an agent with another large franchise. What matters is the individual agent's knowledge, responsiveness, and track record. The brand is one factor to consider, but your experience with Kevin Todd personally—his communication, his knowledge of your market, and his willingness to answer your questions—matters more.

How to Evaluate Whether an Agent Is Right for You

After you interview an agent, ask yourself: Did they listen to what I want, or did they push me toward what they wanted to sell? Did they answer my questions clearly, or did they use jargon and avoid specifics? Did they seem knowledgeable about my neighborhood or market, or did they speak in generalities? Did they explain their fees and services upfront, or did surprises come later?

You are not obligated to work with the first agent you meet. It is standard to interview two or three agents, compare their market analyses and marketing plans, and choose the one you trust most. If you sign an agreement with an agent and it is not working out, ask about the terms for ending it—some agreements allow you to cancel with notice, while others lock you in for a set period.

Trust your instincts. Real estate is a significant financial transaction, and you will be working closely with your agent for weeks or months. Choose someone you feel comfortable with, who respects your timeline and budget, and who communicates in a way that works for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use a real estate agent to buy or sell a home in South Carolina?

No. You can buy or sell without an agent, though most people work with one because agents have access to the MLS, know the local market, and handle the legal paperwork. If you sell without an agent, you pay no commission, but you also handle marketing, showings, and negotiations yourself. If you buy without an agent, you may miss homes listed on the MLS that only agents can show you.

Can I work with Kevin Todd if I live in a different part of South Carolina than where he is based?

That depends on where Kevin Todd's office is located and whether he holds a license to practice in your area. Real estate licenses are state-wide in South Carolina, so any licensed agent can work anywhere in the state. However, most agents focus on specific regions where they have local knowledge. Ask whether he has recent sales and market expertise in your area before committing.

What if I want to buy a home that is listed by the same agent I am working with?

This is called a dual agency or transaction broker situation. In South Carolina, an agent can represent both the buyer and seller in the same transaction if both parties agree in writing. However, this creates a conflict of interest because the agent benefits from a higher sale price (which helps the seller) and a lower sale price (which helps the buyer). Ask your agent how they handle this and whether they will represent you fully or step into a neutral role.

How much commission do real estate agents charge in South Carolina?

Commission rates vary and are negotiable. There is no standard rate set by law. Typical rates range from 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the buyer's agent and seller's agent, but rates can be higher or lower depending on the market, the property, and what you negotiate. Ask about the rate before you sign an agreement.

What should I do if I am unhappy with my agent?

Talk to your agent first and explain what is not working. If the issue is not resolved, review your listing or buyer agreement to see what it says about ending the relationship. Some agreements allow you to cancel with written notice; others require you to wait out the term. If you believe your agent has violated ethical rules or state law, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.