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What to Know About Working With Mary Handegan at RE/MAX Foothills

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

Who Mary Handegan is and what she does

Mary Handegan is a real estate agent with RE/MAX Foothills, serving buyers and sellers in South Carolina's upstate region. She works with residential properties, helping clients navigate the buying and selling process from listing to closing. Her background and approach to real estate transactions are worth understanding before you decide whether to work with her.

RE/MAX Foothills operates as a franchise within the larger RE/MAX network, which means Handegan has access to RE/MAX's training resources, technology platforms, and multi-agent support systems. The Foothills office covers the upstate area, including communities in and around the foothills region where many South Carolinians are buying, selling, or relocating.

Key Takeaways

  • Mary Handegan works with RE/MAX Foothills, a franchise that serves residential buyers and sellers in South Carolina's upstate region.
  • RE/MAX agents typically work on commission, meaning they earn a percentage of the sale price when a transaction closes.
  • You can contact RE/MAX Foothills directly to learn about Handegan's current listings, market knowledge, and services for your specific situation.
  • Real estate agents in South Carolina must hold an active license issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.
  • Before hiring any agent, it is worth asking about their experience in your specific neighborhood or property type.

How real estate agents work in South Carolina

Real estate agents in South Carolina operate under state licensing requirements set by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. All licensed agents must complete pre-licensing education, pass an exam, and renew their license periodically. This structure exists to protect consumers and establish baseline standards across the industry.

Agents typically earn income through commission, which is a percentage of the final sale price. The commission is usually split between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent, and each agent's brokerage takes a portion. This means an agent's financial incentive is tied to closing a sale, not to the price you pay or receive. Understanding this structure helps you know what to expect when you work with any agent, including those at RE/MAX Foothills.

South Carolina does not require agents to specialize in particular neighborhoods or property types, though many build expertise in specific areas over time. An agent's knowledge of local market conditions, school districts, property values, and community character can vary significantly based on their experience and focus.

What to ask before working with an agent

If you are considering working with Mary Handegan or any agent at RE/MAX Foothills, several questions will help you decide whether she is the right fit for your situation. Ask how long she has been licensed, how many transactions she has closed in the past year, and whether she has specific experience in the neighborhood or property type you are interested in.

You can also ask which technology platforms or tools she uses to market listings, how she communicates with clients during a transaction, and what her typical timeline looks like from listing to closing. Some agents specialize in first-time buyers, others in investment properties or luxury homes, and still others in specific geographic areas. Knowing her focus helps you understand whether your needs align with her expertise.

It is reasonable to ask for references from past clients and to contact them directly. You can also search public records to see which properties an agent has listed and sold, which gives you a sense of their activity level and the types of properties they typically handle.

How to find and contact RE/MAX Foothills

RE/MAX Foothills maintains an office location and online presence where you can find contact information for Mary Handegan and other agents. The RE/MAX website allows you to search by agent name or location, and you can also call the Foothills office directly to ask for Handegan or to request information about current listings in your area of interest.

When you contact the office, have specific information ready: the neighborhood or town you are interested in, whether you are buying or selling, and your general timeline. This helps the agent understand your situation quickly and determine whether they can meet your needs.

Understanding the buying and selling process

Whether you are buying or selling, an agent's role is to guide you through a series of steps that typically includes property showings or marketing, negotiation, inspection coordination, appraisal review, and closing preparation. The process usually takes 30 to 60 days from offer to closing, though timelines vary based on financing, inspections, and other factors.

If you are selling, an agent helps you price the property, prepare it for market, market it to other agents and buyers, negotiate offers, and coordinate with the buyer's lender and inspector. If you are buying, an agent shows you properties, helps you understand market conditions and pricing, negotiates on your behalf, and coordinates inspections and financing. In both cases, the agent is responsible for knowing South Carolina real estate law, disclosure requirements, and local market conditions.

What to know about RE/MAX as a company

RE/MAX is a national real estate franchise with offices in all 50 states and many countries. The Foothills office is independently owned and operated by a franchisee, though it uses RE/MAX's brand, training systems, and technology. This means agents at RE/MAX Foothills have access to RE/MAX's resources, but the office itself is run locally.

RE/MAX agents pay their own desk fees and expenses, which means they typically work on a higher commission split than agents at some other brokerages. This structure can create incentives for agents to close transactions efficiently, though it does not change the fundamental commission-based model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if Mary Handegan is licensed?

You can verify any South Carolina real estate agent's license through the South Carolina Real Estate Commission website. Search by name to confirm the license is active and to see any disciplinary history. This is a free public record and takes just a few minutes.

What should I expect to pay in commission?

Commission rates are negotiable and vary by transaction, but the typical range in South Carolina is 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between buyer and seller agents. This is something you can discuss directly with an agent before you hire them. The seller typically pays both commissions from the sale proceeds.

Can I work with multiple agents at the same time?

You can, but most agents will ask you to sign an exclusive agreement if they are showing you properties or representing you in a purchase. This protects the agent's time investment. If you are selling, you can list with one agent. If you are buying, you can work with one buyer's agent without signing an exclusive agreement in many cases, though practices vary.

What happens if I am unhappy with my agent?

If you have signed a listing agreement or buyer representation agreement, you can typically terminate it by providing written notice, though the terms depend on what you signed. If you have not signed anything, you can simply stop working with the agent. Review any agreement you sign carefully and ask questions about termination terms before you commit.

Does RE/MAX Foothills handle rentals or commercial property?

RE/MAX Foothills primarily serves residential buyers and sellers, though some offices also handle commercial or rental properties. Contact the office directly to ask whether Mary Handegan or other agents at the office work in those areas if that is what you need.