Pat Loftis at Coldwell Banker Caine: What to Know Before You Meet

Who Pat Loftis is and what she does

Pat Loftis is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Caine, one of South Carolina's largest independent real estate firms. She works with buyers and sellers in the Midlands region, helping people navigate property transactions from listing to closing. Her role involves marketing properties, showing homes to potential buyers, negotiating offers, and coordinating the paperwork and inspections that come with buying or selling.

Coldwell Banker Caine operates across multiple South Carolina markets and is known for its local market knowledge and agent networks. When you work with Pat through the firm, you're connecting with both her individual expertise and the resources of an established brokerage—things like marketing tools, transaction support, and access to the broader Coldwell Banker network.

Key Takeaways

• Pat Loftis represents buyers or sellers through Coldwell Banker Caine, a major independent real estate brokerage in South Carolina.
• Real estate agents typically earn commission on the sale price, paid by the seller's side of the transaction, so there is no direct cost to the buyer.
• Before meeting with any agent, you should know your budget, timeline, and what you're looking for—whether that's a specific neighborhood, home type, or investment property.
• Coldwell Banker Caine agents can show you homes listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and help you understand local market conditions in your area.
• You can work with Pat as a buyer's agent, seller's agent, or both, depending on your situation and what you're trying to accomplish.

What to prepare before contacting Pat

Before you reach out, think through what you actually need. If you're buying, know your price range and whether you're pre-approved for a mortgage—lenders will give you a clear number, and having that in hand makes the process faster. If you're selling, have a rough idea of your home's condition and what you might want to ask for it, though Pat can help you refine that with a market analysis.

Write down the neighborhoods or areas you're interested in, any must-haves (like number of bedrooms, a garage, or proximity to schools), and your timeline. Are you buying or selling in the next month, or are you exploring options for later in the year? The more specific you are, the better Pat can focus her search and save you time looking at properties that don't fit what you need.

How the buying process works with an agent

If you're buying, Pat's job is to show you homes that match your criteria, explain the neighborhoods and local market, and help you make an offer when you find something you like. She'll walk you through what's normal in your area—how long homes typically stay on the market, what kinds of offers sellers are accepting, and what inspections and appraisals involve.

Once you make an offer and it's accepted, Pat coordinates with the seller's agent, the title company, your lender, and the home inspector. She keeps the timeline moving and alerts you to deadlines for inspections, appraisals, and final walk-throughs. You won't pay Pat directly as a buyer; her commission comes from the seller's proceeds at closing, which is standard across the industry.

How the selling process works with an agent

If you're selling, Pat will tour your home, research comparable sales in your neighborhood, and suggest a listing price based on current market conditions. She'll handle the photography, write the listing description, and post it to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)—the database that all agents use to show homes to their buyers. She'll also market the property through Coldwell Banker's channels and her own networks.

Pat will schedule and conduct showings, relay feedback from other agents and buyers, and negotiate offers when they come in. Once you accept an offer, she manages the same coordination process as the buyer's side—inspections, appraisals, title work, and the final closing. Her commission is typically a percentage of the sale price, split between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent, and is paid at closing from the sale proceeds.

Understanding the Coldwell Banker Caine advantage

Coldwell Banker Caine is an independent brokerage, meaning it's not part of a national chain like RE/MAX or Keller Williams, though it operates under the Coldwell Banker brand. The firm has been in South Carolina for decades and has deep roots in local markets. That means Pat has access to market data, training, and support systems specific to how South Carolina real estate actually works.

The brokerage also provides transaction coordination, meaning someone on staff helps manage inspections, appraisals, and closing logistics. That takes some of the administrative burden off Pat and helps keep deals on track. If you have questions about local market trends, school districts, or neighborhood history, Pat can draw on the firm's collective knowledge of the Midlands region.

What to expect at your first meeting

Your first conversation with Pat will likely be a phone call or a coffee meeting where you explain what you're looking for and she asks questions to understand your situation. She'll want to know your timeline, budget, and what matters most to you in a home or neighborhood. If you're buying, she may ask whether you've been pre-approved for a mortgage. If you're selling, she'll ask about your home's condition, when you'd like to list, and whether you have a target price in mind.

This is also when you can ask Pat about her experience in your area, how long she's been selling real estate, and what her communication style is like. Real estate is a relationship business, and you want to work with someone you trust and who responds to messages in a timely way. Don't hesitate to ask how often she'll update you, whether she prefers phone calls or texts, and what happens if you need to reach her outside business hours.

Questions to ask Pat before you commit

Ask how many homes she's sold in the past year and what neighborhoods she knows best. Ask whether she works with both buyers and sellers or specializes in one. Ask what her commission rate is—it's negotiable, and knowing the number upfront prevents surprises later. If you're selling, ask how she prices homes and whether she'll do a comparative market analysis (CMA) for free before you list.

Ask how she handles communication and how quickly you can expect responses to calls or messages. Ask whether she'll be the one showing your home or coordinating showings, or whether that falls to other agents in the office. Ask what happens if you're not happy with the service or if you want to switch agents partway through. These conversations help you decide whether Pat is the right fit for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay Pat if I'm buying a home?

No. Pat's commission comes from the seller's side of the transaction and is paid at closing from the sale proceeds. As a buyer, you don't write a check to the agent. The seller typically lists the property with a commission offer built into the listing, and that's split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent.

Can I work with Pat even if I'm not sure I'm ready to buy or sell yet?

Yes. Many people meet with agents to explore the market, understand what homes cost in their area, or get a sense of their home's value without committing to a transaction. Pat can show you homes, answer questions about neighborhoods, and help you think through timing without any obligation on your part.

What if I find a home listed by another agent—can Pat still help me buy it?

Yes. Pat can show you any home on the MLS and represent you in the offer and negotiation process, regardless of which brokerage listed it. The listing agent and Pat's brokerage will coordinate, and the commission structure remains the same.

How do I find Pat's contact information?

You can reach Coldwell Banker Caine's main office for the Midlands region and ask to be connected with Pat, or search for her name on the Coldwell Banker website or local real estate directories. Having her direct phone number or email makes it easier to start a conversation about your specific needs.

What if I want to sell my home but I'm not sure what it's worth?

Pat can prepare a comparative market analysis (CMA) that shows what similar homes in your neighborhood have sold for recently. This gives you a realistic range for your listing price and helps you understand local market conditions. Most agents offer this service for free as part of the initial consultation.