Rebecca Finegan-Keller Williams: What to Know Before You Work Together
Who Rebecca Finegan is and what she does
Rebecca Finegan is a real estate agent with Keller Williams, one of the largest real estate franchises in the United States. She works with buyers and sellers in South Carolina, helping them navigate property transactions—from listing homes for sale to representing buyers in purchase negotiations. Like all agents, she earns commission on completed sales rather than a flat fee.
Before choosing to work with any agent, it helps to understand what questions matter: their experience in your specific market, how they price homes, what marketing they use, and how they communicate during the process. This guide covers what to look for when evaluating an agent and how to prepare for that conversation.
Key Takeaways
- Real estate agents earn commission only when a sale closes, so their incentive is to complete the transaction, not necessarily to get you the highest price or lowest cost.
- An agent's local market knowledge—recent sales prices, neighborhood trends, days-on-market—matters more than their national brand affiliation.
- Before meeting with an agent, gather your own comparable sales data and know what you want from the relationship, whether that is aggressive marketing, frequent communication, or negotiation strategy.
- Keller Williams agents operate as independent contractors under a franchise model, so policies, fees, and service levels can vary between individual agents and offices.
What to ask a real estate agent before you hire them
Start by asking how long they have worked in your specific area and what neighborhoods they know best. An agent with five years in Charleston's downtown market will have different insights than one who just moved to the region. Ask them to walk you through their last three transactions—how long homes took to sell, what price adjustments happened, and what went wrong or right.
If you are selling, ask how they price homes. Do they use recent comparable sales, or do they rely on an automated estimate? Ask what marketing they do beyond the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)—whether that means professional photography, staging advice, social media, or open houses. If you are buying, ask how they identify off-market deals and how they approach negotiations.
Clarify communication expectations upfront. Some agents send weekly updates; others respond to emails within 24 hours. Ask what happens if you disagree on price or strategy. Understanding their style before you sign anything prevents frustration later.
How commission works and what it costs you
Real estate commission is typically split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent, and the seller usually pays both from the sale proceeds. The total commission rate varies but often ranges from 4 to 6 percent of the sale price, though this is negotiable. If you are the seller, you and your agent agree on a rate before listing. If you are the buyer, you do not pay the agent directly—the seller's proceeds cover it.
This structure creates an important dynamic: the agent's commission depends on the sale closing, not on the price you receive or pay. A seller's agent might push to lower the price to close faster and secure their commission. A buyer's agent might encourage you to offer more to win a competitive bid. Knowing this helps you evaluate their advice critically and make decisions based on your own interests.
Ask your agent upfront whether they charge any additional fees—for marketing, photography, or transaction coordination. Some agents include these in their commission; others bill separately.
Keller Williams as a franchise and what that means for you
Keller Williams operates as a franchise, meaning individual agents and local offices operate under the Keller Williams brand but are not direct employees of a central company. This structure affects how agents work and what support they receive. Each office sets its own policies, training standards, and fee structures within Keller Williams guidelines.
The franchise model means you are working with an independent contractor, not a company employee. The agent's experience, market knowledge, and professionalism depend on their individual training and track record, not on the Keller Williams name alone. Some Keller Williams offices are highly organized and well-resourced; others are smaller and more informal.
Before committing, ask the agent about their specific office's resources. Do they have a transaction coordinator? Do they use a particular CRM (customer relationship management system) to track your deal? What training have they completed? These details matter more than the franchise affiliation.
How to prepare for your first conversation
Gather information before you meet. If you are selling, research recent sales of comparable homes in your neighborhood using public records, Zillow, or Redfin. Note the sale prices, days on market, and any price reductions. If you are buying, do the same for homes you are interested in and neighborhoods you are considering.
Write down your priorities and constraints. Are you selling because you need to move quickly, or do you have time to wait for the right buyer? Are you buying with a specific timeline or budget? Do you have contingencies—a need to sell your current home first, or a required inspection period? The agent needs to know these things to give you realistic advice.
Prepare a list of questions specific to your situation. If you are selling a home that needs work, ask how that affects pricing and marketing. If you are buying in a competitive market, ask how the agent handles multiple-offer situations. Specific questions reveal how the agent thinks and whether their approach matches what you need.
Red flags and what to watch for
Be cautious if an agent promises a specific sale price or guarantees a quick sale. Real estate markets change, and no agent controls buyer demand or market conditions. Promises that sound too good are usually signs the agent is overselling.
Watch for agents who pressure you to list at a higher price than comparable sales support, or who push you to make an offer above asking price without a clear market reason. These tactics may benefit the agent's commission more than your outcome.
If an agent is difficult to reach, vague about their process, or dismissive of your questions, that is a sign to keep looking. You will be working together for weeks or months, and communication matters. Trust your instinct if something feels off.
What happens after you sign an agreement
If you are selling, you will sign a listing agreement that specifies the commission rate, the listing period (usually 90 days), and what happens if the home does not sell. The agent will list your home on the MLS, and other agents can show it to their buyers. You retain the right to sell the home yourself or work with another agent after the agreement ends, depending on the terms.
If you are buying, you may sign a buyer's representation agreement that commits you to working with that agent for a set period. This protects the agent's commission if you find a home through them. Read the terms carefully—some agreements are exclusive, while others allow you to work with multiple agents.
Once the agreement is signed, the agent's job is to market the property (if selling), show homes and negotiate (if buying), and coordinate inspections, appraisals, and closing. Stay in regular contact and ask questions if you do not understand a step in the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work with more than one real estate agent at the same time?
If you are buying, it depends on the buyer's representation agreement you sign. Some allow you to work with multiple agents; others are exclusive to one agent for a set period. Read the agreement before signing. If you are selling, you can only list with one agent at a time, though you can switch agents if the listing agreement expires or if you and the agent agree to end it early.
What if I find a home on my own—do I still owe the agent commission?
If you are working under a buyer's representation agreement, the answer depends on the agreement's terms. Some agreements cover all homes you purchase during the agreement period, even if you find them yourself. Others exclude homes you discover independently. Ask this question before you sign.
How do I know if an agent's pricing recommendation is fair?
Compare their recommendation to recent sales of similar homes in your neighborhood. Look at sale prices, days on market, and any price reductions. If the agent's price is significantly higher than comparable sales without a clear reason—like recent renovations or unique features—ask them to explain their logic. You can also get a second opinion from another agent or a professional appraiser.
What should I do if I am unhappy with my agent?
If you are in the early stages, talk to the agent directly about your concerns. If the relationship is not working, you can end a buyer's representation agreement by mutual consent or by waiting for it to expire. If you are selling and unhappy, you can ask to end the listing agreement early, though the agent may push back depending on the contract terms. Document your concerns in writing.
Does it matter that an agent works for Keller Williams instead of another brokerage?
The brokerage name matters less than the individual agent's experience, market knowledge, and communication style. Keller Williams is a large franchise with many agents, so quality varies widely. Focus on the agent's track record, local expertise, and how well you communicate with them rather than the company name.