What to Expect When Working with Lori Scrantom at Coldwell Banker Chicora
Who Lori Scrantom is and what she does
Lori Scrantom is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Chicora Real Estate, one of South Carolina's largest and longest-established brokerages. She works with buyers and sellers in the South Carolina market, helping clients navigate property transactions from listing to closing. Coldwell Banker Chicora operates across multiple offices throughout the state and is part of the Coldwell Banker global network, which means Scrantom has access to regional and national resources when a client needs them.
Real estate agents like Scrantom typically handle the day-to-day work of marketing properties, scheduling showings, negotiating offers, and coordinating inspections and appraisals. They represent either the buyer or the seller (or sometimes both, depending on the transaction structure) and earn commission when a sale closes. Understanding what an agent does—and what they don't—helps you decide whether working with someone like Scrantom makes sense for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Lori Scrantom works through Coldwell Banker Chicora, a major South Carolina brokerage with multiple offices and access to statewide and national listing networks.
- Real estate agents earn commission only when a sale closes, so their financial incentive is to help you complete a transaction, not to rush you into one.
- Coldwell Banker's brand and infrastructure give agents like Scrantom tools for marketing, market research, and transaction management that independent agents may not have.
- You can contact Scrantom directly through Coldwell Banker Chicora's website or local office to discuss your specific buying or selling needs.
How Coldwell Banker Chicora operates in South Carolina
Coldwell Banker Chicora has been operating in South Carolina for decades and maintains offices in major markets across the state. The brokerage is known for its training programs, technology platforms, and market data resources—tools that agents like Scrantom use to serve clients. Being part of a large, established firm means Scrantom can tap into regional market trends, comparable sales data, and a wider network of other agents if a client needs to relocate or find a property outside her immediate area.
The Coldwell Banker brand itself carries weight in real estate. Buyers and sellers often recognize the name, which can help when marketing a property or building trust with a new client. The brokerage also handles the legal and financial infrastructure of transactions—earnest money deposits, title work coordination, and closing logistics—so agents can focus on the client relationship and negotiation side of the business.
What to expect in a buyer representation
If you hire Lori Scrantom to represent you as a buyer, she will typically help you understand your budget, search for properties that match your criteria, schedule and attend showings, and negotiate an offer on your behalf. She will explain the local market—what homes in a given neighborhood are selling for, how long they stay on the market, and what condition and features buyers in that area expect. This market knowledge is one of the main reasons people work with agents rather than searching on their own.
Scrantom will also coordinate the inspection, appraisal, and title search once an offer is accepted. She acts as a go-between with the seller's agent, the lender, the inspector, and the title company, keeping the timeline on track and flagging issues before they become problems. Buyer representation is typically free to you—the seller's agent's commission is split with the buyer's agent, so you do not pay Scrantom directly out of pocket.
What to expect in a seller representation
If you are selling a home, Scrantom's role is to market the property, show it to potential buyers, negotiate offers, and guide you through inspection requests and closing. She will help you set a listing price based on comparable sales in your area, arrange professional photography and staging advice if needed, and list the property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)—the database that all agents use to find homes for their buyers.
As your listing agent, Scrantom earns a commission (typically split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent) when the home sells. This means she has a financial incentive to market the property well and close the sale, but not to pressure you into accepting an offer below what the market will bear. She will present all offers to you and explain the terms, but the decision to accept, counter, or reject is yours alone.
How to find and contact Lori Scrantom
To reach Lori Scrantom, start with the Coldwell Banker Chicora website or call the local office nearest to where you want to buy or sell. You can ask specifically for Scrantom by name, or describe your situation and ask to be connected with an agent who specializes in your area or transaction type. Coldwell Banker offices are located throughout South Carolina, so you should be able to find one in or near your county.
When you first contact an agent, be prepared to discuss your timeline, budget (if buying), or property details (if selling). This conversation helps the agent understand whether they are a good fit for your needs and what the next steps would be. There is no cost to have an initial conversation with a real estate agent.
Questions to ask before you commit
Before signing a listing agreement or formally hiring Scrantom as your buyer's agent, ask about her experience in your specific neighborhood or property type. How long has she been selling real estate? How many transactions has she closed in the past year? What is her communication style—will she call, text, or email, and how often? Does she have references from past clients you can contact?
Also ask about the terms of representation. If you are selling, what is the commission rate, and what services does it include? If you are buying, is she willing to represent you exclusively, or does she work with multiple buyers at once? Understanding these details upfront prevents misunderstandings later and helps you decide whether working with her is the right choice for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay Lori Scrantom if I hire her as my buyer's agent?
No. Buyer's agents are paid from the seller's agent's commission, which comes out of the sale proceeds. You do not write a check to your buyer's agent. However, if you sign a buyer representation agreement, you may be obligated to work exclusively with that agent for a set period, even if you find a property on your own.
What if I want to work with Scrantom but she is not available?
Coldwell Banker Chicora has many agents across its offices. If Scrantom is not available or does not specialize in your area, the office can connect you with another agent who does. You can also call a different Coldwell Banker office if one is closer to where you want to transact.
Can Scrantom represent both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction?
In South Carolina, an agent can represent both sides of a transaction, but this must be disclosed to both parties in writing. This arrangement, called dual agency, can create a conflict of interest because the agent cannot fully advocate for both sides. Many buyers and sellers prefer to have separate agents for this reason.
How long does a typical transaction take with a real estate agent?
A typical home sale takes 30 to 45 days from offer acceptance to closing, though it can be faster or slower depending on financing, inspections, and appraisal issues. Your agent will give you a more specific timeline once an offer is accepted and all parties have signed the contract.
What happens if the sale falls through?
If a deal falls apart—because of a failed inspection, appraisal issue, or financing problem—your agent will help you understand why and what your options are. If you are the seller, the property goes back on the market. If you are the buyer, you can continue looking for other homes. Your agent does not earn commission if the sale does not close, so she has an incentive to help solve problems rather than walk away.