Finding a Real Estate Agent in Greenville: What to Know Before You Choose

Who Sherry Pelletier is and what she does

Sherry Pelletier is a real estate agent based in Greenville, South Carolina, working with buyers and sellers in the Upstate region. Like other agents in the area, she represents clients in residential property transactions—helping people buy homes, sell properties, and navigate the local market. Before working with any agent, you should understand what agents do, how they're paid, and what questions to ask when you're deciding whether to work with someone.

Real estate agents in South Carolina are licensed by the state and typically work under a brokerage firm. They earn commission on completed sales, usually split between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent. This means their financial incentive is tied to closing a deal, which is important context as you evaluate whether an agent's advice serves your interests or theirs.

Key Takeaways

• Real estate agents earn commission only when a sale closes, so their financial incentive is to move a transaction forward rather than to slow down or walk away.
• South Carolina agents must be licensed by the state, and you can verify an agent's license status and disciplinary history through the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.
• Before committing to work with an agent, ask about their experience in your specific neighborhood, their marketing strategy, and how they handle price negotiations.
• Buyer's agents and seller's agents have different roles; understanding which one you're working with and what they're paid helps you make informed decisions.
• Getting multiple perspectives—talking to two or three agents before deciding—is a normal part of the process and costs you nothing.

How to verify an agent's license and background

South Carolina requires all real estate agents to hold an active license issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. You can check whether an agent is currently licensed and whether any complaints or disciplinary actions are on file by visiting the Commission's website and using their license lookup tool. This takes five minutes and gives you concrete information about whether someone is authorized to represent you.

The lookup also shows you the agent's brokerage firm—the company they work under. Brokerage firms are responsible for supervising their agents and handling trust accounts (the money that moves between buyer, seller, and closing attorney). If you have a complaint about an agent's conduct, you can file it with the Real Estate Commission, which investigates violations of state law and the profession's code of ethics.

Questions to ask before you hire an agent

When you're considering working with an agent, ask about their specific experience in the neighborhoods where you want to buy or sell. An agent who has closed ten sales in your target area in the past year knows the market, the schools, the traffic patterns, and the typical buyer pool better than someone who works across five counties. Ask how many homes they've sold in the past twelve months and what the average days-on-market was for their listings.

If you're selling, ask how they market homes—do they use professional photography, video tours, online advertising, and open houses, or do they rely mainly on the MLS listing? If you're buying, ask how they search for homes that haven't hit the market yet and how they handle negotiations. Ask what happens if you disagree on price or terms; a good agent will explain their reasoning but should ultimately defer to your decision.

Also ask about their commission structure upfront. Seller's agents typically charge a percentage of the sale price (often split with the buyer's agent), while buyer's agents are usually paid from the seller's side of that commission. Knowing this prevents surprises and helps you understand where potential conflicts of interest might arise.

Understanding buyer's agents versus seller's agents

If you're buying a home, you work with a buyer's agent. That agent represents your interests, shows you homes, helps you make offers, and negotiates on your behalf. The buyer's agent is typically paid from the commission the seller's agent receives—so the seller pays both commissions. This means a buyer's agent costs you nothing directly, but it also means the agent's commission comes from the sale price, which can create a subtle incentive to close faster rather than negotiate harder on your behalf.

If you're selling, you work with a seller's agent (also called a listing agent). That agent lists your home on the MLS, markets it, shows it to other agents' clients, and negotiates offers on your behalf. You pay the seller's agent's commission from your proceeds at closing. The seller's agent has an incentive to get the highest price possible, since their commission is a percentage of the sale price.

In both cases, the agent's legal duty is to their client—the person who hired them. A buyer's agent does not represent the seller, and a seller's agent does not represent the buyer, even though they may be friendly or cooperative during negotiations. Understanding this distinction helps you know whose side the agent is on.

What to expect during the buying or selling process

If you're buying, your agent will help you search for homes, schedule showings, research neighborhoods and comparable sales, and prepare an offer when you find something you want. They'll explain contingencies (like the home inspection and appraisal), help you understand closing costs, and walk you through the timeline from offer to closing. The process typically takes 30 to 45 days from offer acceptance to closing, though it can be faster or slower depending on financing and inspections.

If you're selling, your agent will help you price the home based on recent comparable sales, prepare it for showing, list it on the MLS and other platforms, hold open houses or private showings, and present offers to you. You decide whether to accept, counter, or reject each offer. Once you accept an offer, the buyer's agent and your agent coordinate inspections, appraisals, and the closing process. Selling typically takes 60 to 90 days from listing to closing, though the market and your home's condition affect the timeline.

Red flags and what to watch for

Be cautious of an agent who pressures you to list at a certain price without showing you comparable sales data, or who dismisses your concerns about a neighborhood or property condition. An agent who won't explain their marketing strategy or who seems more interested in closing quickly than in getting you the best outcome may not be the right fit.

If an agent asks you to sign a contract without reading it, or if they discourage you from having a real estate attorney review documents, that's a warning sign. South Carolina law does not require you to use an attorney, but many buyers and sellers do, and a good agent will support that choice rather than resist it. Also watch for an agent who makes promises about what a home will sell for or what price you'll get—real estate markets change, and no one can may provide an outcome.

How to decide whether to work with a particular agent

Talk to at least two or three agents before you decide. Most agents will meet with you for free to discuss your situation, answer questions, and explain how they work. These conversations cost you nothing and give you a sense of who communicates clearly, listens to your priorities, and seems trustworthy. Pay attention to whether the agent asks questions about what you want or mainly talks about themselves and their track record.

If you're selling, you may want to get a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) from each agent—a report showing recent sales of similar homes in your area. This helps you understand what your home might be worth and gives you a basis for comparing agents' pricing strategies. If you're buying, notice whether the agent seems to know the neighborhoods you're interested in and whether they ask good questions about your needs, timeline, and budget.

Once you've chosen an agent, you'll typically sign a contract (a buyer's agent agreement or a listing agreement). Read it carefully. Most agreements are not exclusive—meaning you can work with multiple agents if you want—but some are. Understand what you're signing before you commit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work with more than one agent at the same time?

Yes, unless you've signed an exclusive agreement with one agent. If you're buying, you can show homes with different agents to see who you work best with. If you're selling, most listing agreements are exclusive, meaning you commit to one agent for a set period. Read any contract before signing to understand whether it's exclusive.

What should I do if I'm unhappy with my agent?

If you haven't signed a contract, you can simply stop working with them. If you have signed an exclusive agreement, review the contract to see the terms for ending it—some allow you to cancel with notice, while others lock you in for a set period. If you believe an agent has violated state law or ethics rules, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.

How much does a real estate agent cost?

Buyer's agents cost you nothing directly—they're paid from the seller's commission. Seller's agents typically charge a percentage of the sale price, often around 5 to 6 percent total (split between the seller's agent and buyer's agent), though this varies and is negotiable. Ask about commission upfront so there are no surprises at closing.

Do I need a real estate attorney if I'm buying or selling?

South Carolina law does not require it, but many buyers and sellers use one, especially for complex transactions. An attorney reviews contracts, explains your rights and obligations, and represents you at closing. Your agent can recommend attorneys they've worked with, but the choice is yours.

How do I know if an agent's price estimate is realistic?

Ask the agent to show you a Comparative Market Analysis—recent sales of similar homes in your neighborhood. Look at homes that sold in the past three to six months, in similar condition, and in the same area. This gives you a realistic range. Be skeptical of an agent who prices significantly higher than comparable sales just to win your business; they may struggle to sell at that price.