Roger Hawkins Jr — What to Know About This Columbia Real Estate Agent
Who Roger Hawkins Jr is and what he does
Roger Hawkins Jr is a real estate agent based in Columbia, South Carolina, working with buyers and sellers in the Midlands area. Like other agents in the market, he represents clients in residential property transactions — helping people find homes, list properties for sale, and navigate the buying or selling process.
Before working with any agent, it helps to understand what agents do, what they charge, and how to evaluate whether someone is a good fit for your situation. This guide covers what you should know about choosing a real estate agent in Columbia and what questions to ask before you commit.
Key Takeaways
- Real estate agents in South Carolina must hold an active license issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission and follow state and federal fair housing laws.
- Most agents work on commission — typically 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the buyer's and seller's agents — rather than charging hourly or flat fees.
- You can interview multiple agents before deciding who to work with, and you are not locked into an agreement unless you sign a listing contract or buyer representation agreement.
- An agent's local knowledge, track record with similar properties, and communication style matter more than their name or how long they have been in business.
- Columbia's real estate market includes neighborhoods with different price ranges, school districts, and character — knowing what you want before meeting an agent saves time.
How real estate agents work in South Carolina
In South Carolina, real estate agents must hold a license from the South Carolina Real Estate Commission and work under a licensed broker. The broker is the company or firm; the agent works for that broker and must follow the broker's policies and state law. If you have a complaint about an agent's conduct, you can file it with the Real Estate Commission, though they investigate violations of law and ethics rules, not disputes over service quality.
Agents typically earn money through commission on the sale price. When a home sells, the seller's agent and the buyer's agent each receive a percentage of the sale price — the exact split is negotiated between the agents and their brokers, but 5 to 6 percent total is common in the Columbia market. This means the agent has no cost to you upfront if you are a buyer, but the seller pays both commissions from the proceeds of the sale.
If you are selling, you will sign a listing agreement with an agent, which spells out the commission rate, the length of time the agent will market your home, and what happens if you sell it yourself or it does not sell. If you are buying, you may sign a buyer representation agreement, which commits you to working with that agent for a set period — usually 90 days to six months. Read any agreement before signing, and ask the agent to explain anything unclear.
What to look for when choosing an agent
The most useful information about an agent comes from people who have actually worked with them. Ask for references — specifically, ask for the names and phone numbers of three to five recent clients (within the last year or two) who bought or sold homes similar to what you are looking for. When you call, ask how responsive the agent was, whether they explained things clearly, and whether they would work with that agent again.
You can also look at an agent's recent sales history through public records. In Columbia, property sales are recorded with the Richland County Register of Deeds, and many real estate websites show sold listings with sale prices and dates. If an agent claims to specialize in a certain neighborhood or price range, check whether their recent sales actually match that claim.
Local knowledge matters. An agent who knows Columbia's neighborhoods — which areas are growing, which schools are in which districts, where to find specific amenities — can answer your questions faster and spot opportunities you might miss. Ask an agent about the neighborhoods you are interested in and listen to whether they give you specific, useful information or generic talking points.
Questions to ask before you commit
Before you sign any agreement or start house hunting, have a conversation with the agent about how you will work together. Here are concrete questions that reveal how the agent operates:
- How often will you contact me, and through what method? Some agents check in weekly; others wait for you to reach out. Some prefer phone calls; others use text or email. Make sure the communication style works for you.
- What is your experience with homes in my price range and neighborhood? Ask for specific examples — how many homes has the agent sold in that area in the past two years, and at what price points.
- If I am buying, how do you find homes for your clients? Do they use the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), drive neighborhoods looking for unlisted homes, or work with other agents to find off-market deals? What is their process?
- If I am selling, how do you market homes? Do they use professional photography, virtual tours, social media, open houses, or all of these? What does the marketing plan cost, and is it included in the commission or separate?
- What happens if we do not get along or I want to work with someone else? Understand the terms of any agreement you sign, including how to end it if needed.
Understanding the Columbia real estate market
Columbia's real estate market includes several distinct areas, each with different character and price ranges. Downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods like Forest Acres and Shandon attract buyers looking for walkable, established areas with older homes and mature trees. The Midlands suburbs — including areas like Irmo, Lexington, and Chapin — offer newer construction and family-oriented neighborhoods with good schools. The price range varies significantly by location and condition, so knowing what you want before you start looking saves time.
The market moves at different speeds depending on season and price range. Spring and early summer are typically busier for both buyers and sellers; winter is slower. Homes priced below the median tend to move faster than luxury homes. An agent familiar with the current market — not just the neighborhood, but the current pace of sales and inventory levels — can give you realistic expectations about how long a home will take to sell or how much competition you might face as a buyer.
Red flags and what to avoid
Be cautious of agents who pressure you to sign an agreement immediately, who may provide a specific sale price or timeline, or who discourage you from interviewing other agents. These are signs the agent is more focused on locking you in than on serving your interests.
Avoid agents who do not listen to what you actually want. If you say you are looking for a three-bedroom home in a specific neighborhood and the agent keeps showing you four-bedroom homes in a different area, that is a mismatch. You can politely end the relationship and try someone else.
If an agent makes promises about what a home will sell for or how fast it will sell, ask them to show you the data — comparable sales in that neighborhood, current market conditions, and the specific features of your home. Vague promises are not the same as informed analysis.
How to start the conversation
If you are interested in working with a specific agent, reach out directly through their brokerage website or phone number. Most agents will offer a free initial consultation to discuss your situation and answer questions. This is your chance to see whether you feel comfortable working with them and whether they seem to understand what you are looking for.
You do not have to commit to anything in that first conversation. Take time to think about it, talk to other agents if you want, and make a decision based on which agent seems like the best fit for your needs and communication style. Real estate is a significant transaction, and working with someone you trust and understand makes the process smoother.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use a real estate agent to buy or sell a home in South Carolina?
No. You can buy or sell a home without an agent, though most people use one because agents have access to the MLS, understand contracts and closing procedures, and handle negotiations. If you sell without an agent, you still typically pay the buyer's agent commission from the sale price.
Can I work with multiple agents at the same time?
As a buyer, you can look at homes with different agents until you sign a buyer representation agreement. Once you sign, you are committed to that agent for the term of the agreement — usually 90 days to six months. As a seller, you can only list with one agent at a time under a standard listing agreement.
What if I have a complaint about an agent's conduct?
You can file a complaint with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission if you believe an agent violated state law or ethics rules. The Commission investigates complaints about dishonesty, misrepresentation, or failure to disclose information — not disagreements over service quality or price. You can also pursue a civil claim through small claims court or with an attorney if you believe you were harmed financially.
How much does it cost to work with a real estate agent?
If you are a buyer, there is no direct cost — the seller pays both commissions from the sale price. If you are a seller, you pay commission on the sale price, typically 5 to 6 percent total, split between your agent and the buyer's agent. The exact rate is negotiable and should be spelled out in your listing agreement before you sign.
What should I do if an agent is not responding to my calls or emails?
Give the agent a reasonable amount of time — 24 to 48 hours — to respond. If they consistently do not respond or seem uninterested in your business, that is a sign to work with someone else. You can end a buyer representation agreement by notifying the agent in writing, and you should not feel obligated to continue working with someone who is not communicating with you.