Mary Fuller at Coldwell Banker McMillan and Associates — What to Know Before You Meet
Who Mary Fuller is and what she does
Mary Fuller is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker McMillan and Associates, one of South Carolina's established real estate firms. She works with buyers and sellers in the South Carolina market, helping clients navigate property transactions from listing to closing.
Coldwell Banker McMillan and Associates operates across multiple South Carolina locations and is part of the Coldwell Banker network, a national real estate brand. As an agent within that firm, Fuller represents either buyers or sellers depending on the transaction — or sometimes both, depending on how the deal is structured.
Key Takeaways
- Mary Fuller is a licensed real estate agent at Coldwell Banker McMillan and Associates, a South Carolina-based firm with multiple office locations.
- Coldwell Banker agents typically handle residential property sales, buyer representation, seller representation, or both sides of a transaction.
- Before meeting with any agent, you should know whether you want representation as a buyer, a seller, or both, and what your timeline and budget look like.
- Real estate agents in South Carolina must hold an active license issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.
- Commission rates and contract terms are negotiable between you and the agent, not set by law or the brokerage.
What a real estate agent does in a South Carolina transaction
A real estate agent's job is to represent your interests in buying or selling property. If you hire Fuller as your buyer's agent, she would show you properties, help you understand market conditions, negotiate offers on your behalf, and guide you through inspections, appraisals, and closing. If you hire her as your seller's agent, she would list your property, market it to other agents and the public, show it to potential buyers, and negotiate offers.
In South Carolina, agents must be licensed by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. That license means the agent has passed a state exam and agreed to follow the state's real estate laws and ethical rules. You can verify an agent's license status on the Commission's website if you want to confirm they are currently active and in good standing.
Agents are paid by commission — typically a percentage of the sale price, split between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent. That percentage is not set by law or by Coldwell Banker; it is negotiated between you and the agent as part of your contract with them.
How to decide if you need agent representation
You do not have to use an agent to buy or sell property in South Carolina. Some people sell their own homes (called "for sale by owner" or FSBO), and some buyers purchase directly without representation. However, most transactions involve at least one agent, and many involve both.
If you are selling, an agent can handle marketing, scheduling showings, and fielding offers — work that takes time and knowledge of local market conditions. If you are buying, an agent can show you properties before they hit public listing sites, explain what comparable homes sold for, and negotiate on your behalf. If you are unfamiliar with South Carolina's real estate market or the closing process, representation can reduce the risk of costly mistakes.
The trade-off is that you pay commission. If you are selling, the seller typically pays both the seller's agent and the buyer's agent from the sale proceeds. If you are buying, the buyer's agent is usually paid from the seller's proceeds as well — so you do not write a separate check, but the commission does reduce what the seller nets.
What to ask an agent before you hire them
Before you meet with Mary Fuller or any agent, prepare a few questions. Ask how long they have been licensed, what areas of South Carolina they know best, and how many transactions they closed in the past year. Ask whether they represent buyers, sellers, or both. Ask what their commission rate is and whether it is negotiable. Ask how they communicate — phone, email, text — and how often you can expect to hear from them.
If you are selling, ask how they plan to market your home: will it go on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), will they hold an open house, what online platforms will they use, and will they take professional photos or video? If you are buying, ask whether they have access to properties before they are listed publicly and how they stay current on new listings.
Ask about their experience with your specific situation. If you are buying a home that needs work, ask if they have helped other buyers navigate inspection contingencies and repair negotiations. If you are selling a rental property or a commercial space, ask if they have handled that type of sale before. Experience matters because real estate rules and market conditions vary by property type and location.
Understanding the buyer's agent and seller's agent roles
In most South Carolina transactions, there are two agents: one representing the buyer and one representing the seller. They work for different brokerages (or sometimes the same brokerage, which is called a "dual agency" situation). Each agent's job is to represent their own client's interests, not to be neutral or to help both sides equally.
The buyer's agent shows properties, helps the buyer make offers, and negotiates on the buyer's behalf. The seller's agent lists the property, markets it, shows it, and negotiates on the seller's behalf. When an offer comes in, the seller's agent presents it to the seller, and the buyer's agent advises the buyer on whether to accept, counter, or reject.
If Mary Fuller is your buyer's agent, her job is to get you the best deal possible — the lowest price, the best terms, the fewest contingencies that favor the seller. If she is your seller's agent, her job is to get you the highest price and the most favorable terms. That is how the system works, and it is legal as long as each agent is clear about who they represent.
How the closing process works in South Carolina
Once an offer is accepted, the transaction moves toward closing. In South Carolina, a real estate attorney typically handles the closing — not the agent. The attorney prepares the deed, reviews the title, coordinates with the lender, and makes sure all documents are signed correctly. The agent's role during this phase is to keep the transaction on track, answer questions, and make sure both sides meet their deadlines.
Closing usually takes 30 to 45 days from the time an offer is accepted, though it can be faster or slower depending on the lender, inspections, and repairs. Your agent should give you a timeline at the start and update you as the closing date approaches. If problems come up — a title issue, an inspection problem, a lender delay — your agent should let you know and help you understand your options.
At closing, you will sign documents, transfer funds, and receive the deed (if you are the buyer) or hand over the deed (if you are the seller). A real estate attorney or closing agent will walk you through the paperwork. Your agent may or may not attend closing, depending on the brokerage's practice and your agreement with them.
Coldwell Banker's role and what it means for you
Coldwell Banker is a national real estate brand with offices in many states, including South Carolina. Coldwell Banker McMillan and Associates is a local brokerage that operates under the Coldwell Banker name. That means the firm has access to Coldwell Banker's national marketing tools, training, and brand recognition, but it is still a local business run by people who know South Carolina's market.
The brokerage provides support to its agents — office space, administrative staff, legal guidance, and access to the MLS. However, the agent you work with is the person who represents you. The brokerage is responsible for making sure its agents follow the law and ethical rules, but your relationship and your contract are with the individual agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if Mary Fuller is the right agent for me?
Meet with her and ask about her experience in your area and with your type of transaction. Check her license status on the South Carolina Real Estate Commission website. Ask for references from past clients. Trust your instinct — you will be working closely with this person, so you should feel comfortable and confident in their knowledge.
Can I negotiate the commission rate?
Yes. Commission is not set by law or by Coldwell Banker. It is negotiated between you and the agent as part of your listing agreement (if you are selling) or buyer representation agreement (if you are buying). Different agents may charge different rates, and you can ask about that before you sign.
What if I want to work with Mary Fuller but I am not sure about buying or selling yet?
You can have a conversation with her without signing anything. Many agents will meet with you to discuss your situation, answer questions, and help you think through your options. There is no obligation until you sign a representation agreement.
Does Coldwell Banker handle the closing?
No. In South Carolina, a real estate attorney handles the closing. Coldwell Banker and Mary Fuller's role is to represent you in the transaction and make sure it moves toward closing on schedule. The attorney handles the legal documents and the actual closing meeting.
What happens if there is a problem during the transaction?
Your agent should be your first point of contact. If an inspection finds problems, if the appraisal comes in low, or if the lender has questions, your agent should explain what is happening and help you understand your options. If you have a serious dispute with the other side, the real estate attorney gets involved.