What to Know Before Working With Michelle McDonnell as Your South Carolina Realtor

Who Michelle McDonnell Is and What She Does

Michelle McDonnell is a real estate agent licensed to sell property in South Carolina. She works with buyers and sellers to list homes, show properties, negotiate offers, and guide transactions from contract to closing. Like all licensed agents in the state, she earns commission on completed sales rather than a flat fee, which means her income depends on whether a deal closes.

Before choosing any realtor, you should understand what that person's background is, which markets they know best, and how they typically work with clients. This information helps you decide whether their experience matches what you need.

Key Takeaways

• A realtor's job is to represent either the buyer or the seller in a real estate transaction, not to be neutral between both sides.
• You can interview multiple agents before signing any agreement, and you should ask about their experience in your specific neighborhood or price range.
• Commission rates are negotiable and vary by agent and market, so discuss this upfront rather than assuming a standard percentage.
• Your agent should be able to explain their marketing strategy if you are selling, or their search process if you are buying.
• South Carolina real estate agents must hold an active license issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission, which you can verify online.

How to Research a Realtor Before You Meet

Start by checking whether an agent holds a current license. The South Carolina Real Estate Commission maintains a public database where you can search by name and confirm their license status, any disciplinary history, and their brokerage affiliation. This takes five minutes and answers the most basic question: whether the person is legally permitted to represent you.

Next, look at their recent sales history. Most agents list their closed transactions on their website or through the local multiple listing service (MLS). Pay attention to the neighborhoods where they have sold homes, the price ranges they typically work in, and how long homes took to sell. If you are selling a $300,000 home in Greenville and the agent's last ten sales were all $600,000 condos in Charleston, that mismatch matters.

Read reviews on Google, Zillow, and the Better Business Bureau, but remember that people who had extreme experiences—very good or very bad—are more likely to leave reviews than people who had an ordinary transaction. Look for patterns rather than single complaints. If multiple reviews mention slow communication or pressure to accept low offers, that is information worth weighing.

Questions to Ask Before Signing an Agreement

When you meet with an agent, ask how long they have been licensed and whether they work full-time in real estate or part-time alongside another job. Ask which neighborhoods they know best and whether they have sold homes similar to yours (if you are selling) or homes matching what you are looking for (if you are buying).

If you are selling, ask the agent to explain their marketing plan. Will they list the home on the MLS? Will they hold an open house? Do they use professional photography or video? Will they advertise on social media or real estate websites? A good agent can walk you through these steps and explain why each one matters for your specific home and market.

If you are buying, ask how they search for homes, how often they check for new listings, and whether they have relationships with other agents that might give you early notice of coming-soon properties. Ask whether they will attend showings with you or send you links to view on your own.

Discuss commission before you sign anything. In South Carolina, commission rates are not set by law—they are negotiated between the agent and the seller (or buyer's agent and the buyer). Standard rates vary by market and agent, but you should know what you will pay and what that covers.

Understanding Buyer's Agent vs. Seller's Agent

A realtor represents either the buyer or the seller, not both. If you are buying a home, your agent's job is to negotiate the best price and terms for you. If you are selling, your agent's job is to market your home and negotiate the best price for you. These are opposite goals, which is why one agent cannot fairly represent both sides.

When you work with a buyer's agent, that agent is paid from the commission the seller offers through the MLS. You do not pay them directly, but they are working for you, not the seller. When you work with a seller's agent, you pay them from the proceeds of your sale. Make sure you understand which side the agent represents before you start working together.

If you are buying a home where the seller has not offered buyer's agent commission, you can still hire your own agent—you would just negotiate a separate fee with them. This is less common but worth knowing about.

What Happens After You Sign a Listing or Buyer Agreement

If you are selling, you will sign a listing agreement that gives the agent the right to market and sell your home for a set period, usually 90 days to six months. During this time, the agent lists your home on the MLS, coordinates showings, and presents offers to you. You are not obligated to accept any offer, but you are obligated to pay commission if the home sells during the contract period, even if another agent brings the buyer.

If you are buying, you may sign a buyer's agent agreement that says you will work exclusively with that agent for a set period. This protects the agent's time investment in showing you homes. Read this agreement carefully—some are exclusive, some allow you to work with other agents, and some expire after a certain date or number of showings.

Throughout the transaction, your agent coordinates with the other side's agent, the title company, the lender, and the inspector. They do not make decisions for you, but they explain what is happening at each step and flag issues that need your attention.

Red Flags and What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

Be cautious if an agent pressures you to accept an offer quickly, refuses to show you homes in certain neighborhoods, or discourages you from having a home inspected. These are not standard practices and suggest the agent is prioritizing their commission over your interests.

If you believe an agent has acted unethically—misrepresenting a property, failing to disclose known problems, or breaching confidentiality—you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. The commission investigates complaints and can impose discipline ranging from a warning to license revocation.

If you signed a listing agreement and want to end it early, review the contract. Some agreements allow you to terminate with written notice; others require you to pay a fee or continue paying commission if the home sells within a certain window after the agreement ends. If you signed a buyer's agent agreement, the terms for ending it are usually more flexible, but check your contract.

How to Verify Information About Any Realtor

The South Carolina Real Estate Commission website allows you to search any licensed agent by name. You will see their license number, the brokerage they work for, their license status, and any disciplinary actions. This is the official record and is always accurate.

You can also contact the local board of realtors in the area where you are buying or selling. In the Lowcountry, that is the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors; in the Midlands, the Greater Columbia Association of Realtors; in the Upstate, the Greenville Area Association of Realtors. These organizations maintain member directories and can confirm whether an agent is a member in good standing.

If you want to know what homes an agent has sold, ask them directly or check the MLS records for your county. Public property records also show sale prices and dates, though they do not always identify which agent handled the transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work with multiple real estate agents at the same time?

If you have not signed an exclusive buyer's agent agreement, yes. However, most agents will ask you to sign an agreement before investing significant time showing you homes. If you are working with multiple agents, be transparent about it so no one wastes time on homes you have already seen with someone else.

What if I want to buy a home that is for sale by owner?

You can still hire a buyer's agent to represent you. The agent will negotiate with the owner or the owner's attorney. You and your agent will discuss whether the owner is offering buyer's agent commission; if not, you may negotiate a separate fee with your agent or proceed without one.

How long does a typical real estate transaction take in South Carolina?

From offer acceptance to closing usually takes 30 to 45 days, though it can be faster or slower depending on the lender, the title search, and whether any issues come up during inspection. Your agent should give you a timeline when you make an offer.

What should I do if I disagree with my agent's advice?

You are the client and the decision is yours. Your agent can recommend a price, a strategy, or a course of action, but you are never obligated to follow their advice. If you consistently disagree with your agent's judgment, that may be a sign you should work with someone else.

Is there a standard commission rate in South Carolina?

No. Commission is negotiable and varies by agent, brokerage, and market. Rates typically range from 4 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent, but you should discuss this directly with any agent you are considering.