What to Know Before Working With Leslie Sandoval at Keller Williams Realty

Who Leslie Sandoval Is and What She Does

Leslie Sandoval is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty who works with buyers and sellers in South Carolina. She represents clients in residential real estate transactions, meaning she helps people find homes to purchase, sell properties they own, or navigate the process of buying and selling simultaneously. Like other agents in the Keller Williams network, Sandoval operates as an independent contractor licensed by the state, not as a direct employee of the brokerage.

Keller Williams Realty is a national franchise with local offices across South Carolina. The company operates on a team-based model where agents work within their local market, and the brokerage provides training, technology, and support systems. Understanding how your agent fits into this structure matters because it shapes how transactions move forward and who handles different parts of the process.

Key Takeaways

• Leslie Sandoval works as an independent contractor through Keller Williams Realty, meaning she represents either buyers or sellers but not both in the same transaction.
• Real estate agents in South Carolina must hold an active license issued by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, which you can verify through their public database.
• Commission rates and how costs are split between agents are negotiable and should be discussed before you sign any agreement.
• Working with an agent means you have someone who knows local market conditions, comparable sales, and the mechanics of closing, but the agent's primary duty is to their client, not to you if you are on the other side of the transaction.

How to Verify an Agent's License and Background

Before working with any real estate agent in South Carolina, you can confirm their license status through the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SCDHEC). Visit their website and search the license lookup tool by the agent's name. The search will show whether the license is active, what type of license they hold (salesperson or broker), and whether any disciplinary actions are on record.

This verification step takes five minutes and protects you. An active license means the agent has passed the state exam, completed required education, and maintains continuing education credits. It does not may provide competence or honesty, but it does mean the state has a record of who they are and can act if complaints are filed.

You can also ask Leslie Sandoval directly for her license number and brokerage information. A legitimate agent will provide this without hesitation. Write down the brokerage name and address—in this case, Keller Williams Realty and the specific local office—because you may need it if you have a complaint or question later.

What an Agent Does in a Real Estate Transaction

If you hire Leslie Sandoval to sell your home, she will list the property in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), market it to other agents and the public, show it to potential buyers, negotiate offers, and guide you through closing. If you hire her to buy a home, she will search listings, arrange showings, help you make an offer, negotiate terms, and coordinate inspections and appraisals. In either case, she represents your interests, not the other party's.

An agent's job includes explaining contracts, timelines, and local market conditions. It does not include providing legal advice—that is why you hire a real estate attorney, who is a separate professional. Many South Carolina transactions involve both an agent and an attorney, and they work in different lanes. The agent handles the business side; the attorney handles the legal side.

Agents are paid by commission, which is a percentage of the sale price. The seller typically pays the commission, which is then split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent. The exact percentage is negotiable and varies by market and transaction. This structure means the agent's financial incentive is to close the sale, not necessarily to get you the best price or terms.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign an Agreement

Before you commit to working with Leslie Sandoval, ask her directly about commission, timeline, and what happens if you want to end the agreement early. For sellers, ask whether the listing agreement is exclusive (meaning only she can sell your home) and for how long. For buyers, ask whether you are signing an exclusive buyer's agreement, which means you must work only with her and cannot work with other agents.

Ask what marketing or services she will provide. Will she use professional photography, virtual tours, or open houses? How often will she communicate with you? What is her process if an offer comes in? These questions help you understand what you are paying for and whether her approach matches what you need.

Ask also about her experience in your specific neighborhood or market segment. If you are selling a waterfront property, does she have recent sales in that category? If you are buying a first home, has she worked with first-time buyers? Experience in your specific situation matters because it shapes the advice she can give and the network she can tap.

Understanding Dual Agency and Conflicts of Interest

In South Carolina, an agent can represent both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction—this is called dual agency. When this happens, the agent must disclose it in writing to both parties. Dual agency creates a conflict of interest because the agent cannot fully advocate for both sides at once. Some buyers and sellers prefer to avoid it; others accept it to keep the transaction simpler.

If Leslie Sandoval represents both you and the other party, she must tell you this before you sign anything. You have the right to refuse dual agency and hire separate agents instead. Understanding this dynamic matters because it affects how aggressively she will negotiate on your behalf and what information she can share with each side.

Even when an agent represents only one side, remember that her primary duty is to her client. If you are the buyer and she represents the seller, she is not working for you, even if she is friendly and helpful. This is not a betrayal—it is how the system works—but it is important to know where the loyalty lies.

What Happens After You Close

Once a sale closes, the agent's role largely ends. The title company or attorney handles the final paperwork, the lender funds the loan, and the deed is recorded. The agent may follow up to make sure everything went smoothly, but the transaction is complete. If problems arise after closing—a roof leak, a title issue, a lender problem—those are handled by the attorney, the inspector, or the lender, not by the agent.

Some agents offer post-closing support or referrals to contractors, inspectors, or other professionals. This can be helpful, but it is not part of the standard transaction. If Leslie Sandoval offers these services, ask what they include and whether there is any cost.

How to File a Complaint if Something Goes Wrong

If you have a problem with Leslie Sandoval's conduct—if she misrepresented a property, failed to disclose information, or violated your agreement—you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. The complaint process is free and does not require a lawyer. You will need to describe what happened, provide dates and documents, and explain how you were harmed.

The department investigates complaints and can take disciplinary action, including fines, license suspension, or license revocation. This process can take several months. You can also pursue a civil lawsuit against the agent or the brokerage if you suffered financial loss, but that requires hiring an attorney and typically involves court costs.

Before filing a formal complaint, consider whether the issue can be resolved directly with the agent or the brokerage. Many problems stem from miscommunication and can be cleared up with a conversation. If that does not work, put your complaint in writing and send it to the brokerage manager. If the brokerage does not respond, then move to the state complaint process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if Leslie Sandoval is the right agent for me?

The right agent for you has recent experience in your market or neighborhood, communicates in a way that works for you, and has time to focus on your transaction. Meet with her, ask about her recent sales, and see how she answers your questions. Trust your instinct—if you do not feel comfortable, keep looking.

Can I negotiate the commission rate?

Yes. Commission is not set by law or by Keller Williams; it is negotiable between you and the agent. Rates vary by market and transaction type. Discuss this before you sign any agreement, and get the rate in writing.

What if I want to switch agents after I have signed an agreement?

This depends on the terms of your agreement. Some agreements allow you to cancel with notice; others lock you in for a set period. Read your contract carefully and ask Leslie Sandoval what the cancellation terms are before you sign. If you are unhappy, talk to her first—many agents will release you from the agreement if the relationship is not working.

Does the agent represent my interests if I am the buyer?

Only if you have signed an agreement with her. If you are working with the seller's agent and have not signed a buyer's agreement, that agent represents the seller, not you. Always clarify who represents whom before you make an offer or share sensitive information.

What should I do if I think the agent made a mistake that cost me money?

Document what happened with dates, emails, and any written communication. Contact the agent and the brokerage in writing and explain the problem. If they do not respond or refuse to help, consult a real estate attorney about whether you have a claim. You can also file a complaint with the state, though that process does not recover money—it addresses licensing violations.