Shamika Murray and United Real Estate: What to Know Before You Buy or Sell in South Carolina
Who Shamika Murray Is and How to Reach Her
Shamika Murray is a real estate agent with United Real Estate, operating in South Carolina's residential market. She works with buyers and sellers navigating property transactions across the state. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in South Carolina, understanding how to contact her and what services she offers is the first step in deciding whether to work together.
United Real Estate is a national brokerage with local agents in South Carolina communities. Murray's role is to represent either buyers or sellers through the listing, showing, negotiation, and closing process. Before reaching out, it helps to know what questions to ask and what to expect from the agent-client relationship.
Key Takeaways
- Shamika Murray is a real estate agent with United Real Estate who works with buyers and sellers in South Carolina.
- United Real Estate is a brokerage firm, meaning Murray operates under that company's license and follows its policies and procedures.
- Real estate agents typically earn commission based on the sale price of a property, so understanding how that works protects your interests.
- Before hiring any agent, you should interview multiple candidates, check their track record in your area, and confirm what services they will provide.
What United Real Estate Does
United Real Estate is a brokerage that employs or contracts with agents like Shamika Murray to handle residential real estate transactions. The brokerage provides the legal framework, compliance oversight, and support systems that allow individual agents to operate. When you work with Murray, you are technically working with her as an agent under the United Real Estate license.
The brokerage handles things like trust account management (holding earnest money and deposits), transaction coordination, and legal compliance. Murray handles the direct client relationship—showing properties, writing offers, negotiating terms, and guiding you through the process. Understanding this split helps you know who to contact if a problem arises.
How Real Estate Agents Are Paid
Real estate agents in South Carolina earn commission, which is a percentage of the final sale price. The commission is typically split between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent, and each agent then shares their portion with their brokerage. Commission rates vary but commonly range from 2.5% to 3% per side, though this is negotiable.
If you are selling, the seller usually pays the total commission (split between both agents). If you are buying, the seller's proceeds pay both commissions, so you do not write a separate check to your agent. However, this means the agent's incentive is tied to the sale price—a higher price means higher commission. Knowing this helps you evaluate advice you receive and ask clarifying questions when recommendations seem to benefit the agent's payout.
Questions to Ask Before Working With Shamika Murray
Before hiring any agent, including Shamika Murray, gather information about her experience and approach. Ask how long she has been selling real estate, how many transactions she closed in the past year, and how many of those were in the specific neighborhood or price range you are interested in. An agent with deep local knowledge will understand market conditions, school districts, property values, and common issues in your area.
Ask what services she includes—will she help you understand inspection reports, connect you with lenders, attend the home inspection, or negotiate repairs after inspection? Ask how she communicates (phone, text, email) and how quickly she typically responds. Ask whether she represents buyers, sellers, or both, and if she ever represents both sides of a transaction (called dual agency), which creates a conflict of interest you should understand before agreeing to it.
Request references from past clients and actually contact them. Ask about their experience, whether the agent was responsive, and whether they felt the agent acted in their best interest. These conversations often reveal details that a resume or website does not.
Understanding the Buyer's Agent Role
If you are buying a home, Shamika Murray would represent you as your buyer's agent. Her job is to show you properties that match your criteria, help you understand the market, write offers on your behalf, and negotiate the best terms possible. She should explain contingencies (like inspection and appraisal contingencies that protect you), help you understand closing costs, and walk you through the entire timeline.
A good buyer's agent also knows which lenders are reliable, which inspectors are thorough, and which title companies handle closings smoothly. She should be honest about a property's condition and neighborhood, not just trying to close a sale. Remember that even though you do not pay her directly, her commission comes from the sale, so her incentive is to close the deal—not necessarily to steer you toward the best property for your situation.
Understanding the Seller's Agent Role
If you are selling a home, Shamika Murray would represent you as your listing agent. Her responsibilities include pricing your home competitively, marketing it to other agents and the public, showing it to potential buyers, and negotiating offers. She should provide a comparative market analysis (CMA)—a report showing what similar homes in your area sold for recently—to help you price correctly.
A listing agent coordinates the home inspection (if the buyer requests one), helps you understand repair requests, and guides you through negotiations. She should be accessible to show your home on short notice and should keep you informed about showings, feedback from agents, and any offers that come in. Ask how she markets listings—does she use online platforms like the MLS, social media, open houses, or direct outreach to other agents?
Red Flags and What to Avoid
Be cautious if an agent pressures you to sign a contract immediately, refuses to answer questions, or becomes defensive when you ask about their experience. If an agent suggests a price far above or below comparable sales without solid reasoning, that is a warning sign. If she discourages you from getting a home inspection or from having an attorney review your contract, that is not in your interest.
Avoid agents who do not explain dual agency clearly or who seem uncomfortable discussing how they are paid. If an agent represents both the buyer and seller in a transaction, she cannot fully advocate for either party—her loyalty is split. Some states allow this; South Carolina does, but you have the right to know about it and to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I contact Shamika Murray?
Contact United Real Estate directly and ask for Shamika Murray, or search for her name on the United Real Estate website or on real estate platforms like Zillow or Realtor.com, where agent profiles typically include phone numbers and email addresses. You can also ask for referrals from friends or family who have worked with her.
Can I work with Shamika Murray if I am buying and selling at the same time?
Yes, many agents handle both transactions for the same client. However, make sure the timing works—you may need to close on your sale before making an offer on a new home, or you may need a contingency that ties your purchase to your sale. Discuss the logistics with Murray before committing.
What if I am unhappy with Shamika Murray's service?
If you have a buyer's agent agreement or listing agreement with her, review the contract to understand your options. You may be able to terminate the agreement if it includes an out clause, or you may need to wait until the contract expires. If you believe she violated real estate law or ethics, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.
Does Shamika Murray work in all parts of South Carolina?
Real estate agents are licensed to work statewide, but most focus on specific regions or communities where they have built relationships and market knowledge. Ask Murray which areas she specializes in and whether she has recent sales in the neighborhood you are interested in.
What should I bring to a first meeting with a real estate agent?
If you are selling, bring recent utility bills, property tax information, and a list of any major repairs or upgrades you have made. If you are buying, bring a pre-approval letter from a lender and a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves in a home. Both should bring questions and a sense of what you are looking for.