What to Know About Working With Tara Smith at Coldwell Banker Realty
Who Tara Smith is and what she does
Tara Smith is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty in South Carolina. She works with buyers and sellers in residential real estate transactions, helping clients navigate property searches, negotiations, and the closing process. Like other agents in the Coldwell Banker network, she has access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and can show properties across the market in her service area.
Coldwell Banker is one of the largest real estate franchises in the United States, with a long history in South Carolina. Agents operating under the Coldwell Banker name follow the company's standards and ethics code, though each agent maintains their own client relationships and transaction history.
Key Takeaways
- Tara Smith works as a residential real estate agent through Coldwell Banker Realty and can represent you as a buyer or seller in South Carolina.
- Real estate agents earn commission only when a transaction closes, so their financial incentive is to complete the sale, not necessarily to get you the best price.
- You can interview multiple agents before choosing one, and you are not obligated to sign an exclusive agreement with any agent until you decide to list your home.
- Coldwell Banker agents can access the MLS and show you properties on the market, but they cannot show you homes that are for sale by owner or listed with other brokerages unless those listings are also in the MLS.
How to find Tara Smith's contact information
You can reach Tara Smith through Coldwell Banker Realty's main office or website. Search for her name on Coldwell Banker's South Carolina site, or call the local Coldwell Banker office in your area to ask for her directly. Her profile will typically show her phone number, email, and the neighborhoods or counties where she works most often.
Many agents also maintain their own websites or social media pages where you can see their listings, read client reviews, and send messages. If you found her name through a referral or a listing you saw online, that source may also have her direct contact details.
What to expect when you first contact an agent
When you reach out to Tara Smith, she will likely ask you whether you are buying or selling, what area you are interested in, and what your timeline looks like. This conversation helps her understand whether she is a good fit for your needs and whether she has current listings or buyer clients in your price range or neighborhood.
If you are a buyer, she may invite you to meet in person or over the phone to discuss what you are looking for, your budget, and any questions you have about the buying process. If you are a seller, she will probably ask to schedule a home visit so she can see your property, assess its condition, and give you an estimate of what it might sell for in the current market.
There is no cost to you for this initial conversation. Real estate agents are paid by commission only when a sale closes, and that commission is typically paid by the seller's side of the transaction.
Understanding how real estate agents are paid
Real estate agents earn money through commission, which is a percentage of the final sale price. The commission is paid at closing and is typically split between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent. The seller usually pays the total commission, which is then divided according to the listing agreement and the buyer's agent agreement.
Commission rates vary and are negotiable, but they commonly range from 4 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between both sides. This means an agent's income depends entirely on closing transactions. An agent who does not close a sale makes nothing on that transaction, which is why agents are motivated to move deals forward.
This commission structure is important to understand because it means your agent's financial incentive is to close the sale, not necessarily to hold out for a higher price or to protect you from overpaying. You should always do your own research on comparable properties and market conditions, and you can negotiate directly with the other party if you disagree with your agent's advice.
What to ask an agent before you decide to work with them
Before you commit to working with Tara Smith or any agent, it is reasonable to ask about her experience, her knowledge of your target neighborhood, and how she typically works with clients. You might ask how long she has been in real estate, how many transactions she closed in the past year, and whether she has experience with the type of property or transaction you are considering.
You can also ask about her communication style — how often she will update you, what hours she is available, and how she prefers to stay in touch. Some agents are very hands-on and call frequently; others prefer email or text. Knowing this upfront helps you decide whether your working styles match.
It is also fair to ask about her marketing strategy if you are selling, or her search process if you are buying. A seller's agent should be able to explain how she will show your home, what advertising she will use, and what price range she thinks is realistic. A buyer's agent should explain how she finds properties, whether she uses alerts or other tools, and how she negotiates on your behalf.
Buyer's agent versus seller's agent
Tara Smith can represent you as either a buyer or a seller, but not both in the same transaction. If you are buying a home, a buyer's agent works on your behalf to find properties, negotiate the price, and protect your interests during the inspection and closing process. If you are selling, a seller's agent lists your home, markets it, shows it to potential buyers, and negotiates offers on your behalf.
A buyer's agent is paid from the commission that the seller agrees to pay, so there is no direct cost to you as the buyer. A seller's agent is also paid from the seller's proceeds at closing. In both cases, the agent's job is to represent your interests, not the other party's, and they are bound by real estate law and their brokerage's code of ethics to do so.
If you are working with Tara Smith as a buyer, you may sign a buyer's agent agreement that says you will work exclusively with her for a set period. This protects her time and effort. If you are selling, you will sign a listing agreement that gives her the right to market and sell your home for a set commission rate and time period.
How to verify an agent's license and background
South Carolina real estate agents must hold an active license issued by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SCDHEC). You can verify that Tara Smith holds a valid license by searching the SCDHEC website or by asking her directly for her license number.
You can also search for any complaints or disciplinary actions against her through the SCDHEC database. This is public information and is worth checking before you sign an agreement with any agent. A clean record does not may provide good service, but a history of complaints is a red flag.
Coldwell Banker also maintains its own standards and may have additional information about agents in their network. You can ask the local Coldwell Banker office about Tara Smith's background, how long she has been with the company, and whether there are any public reviews or testimonials from past clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work with Tara Smith if I am buying and selling at the same time?
Yes, but she would need to represent you in separate transactions. If she represents you as a buyer in one deal and a seller in another, those are two different client relationships. However, she cannot represent both you and the other party in the same transaction — that would be a conflict of interest.
What happens if I am unhappy with Tara Smith's service?
If you have signed a buyer's agent agreement or listing agreement, you can ask to terminate it early, though the agent may push back or ask for compensation. If you have not signed anything, you can simply stop working with her and contact another agent. If you believe she has violated real estate law or her brokerage's ethics code, you can file a complaint with SCDHEC or with Coldwell Banker's management.
Do I have to pay Tara Smith if the sale does not close?
No. Real estate agents are paid only when a transaction closes. If a deal falls through, the agent receives no commission. This is true whether the failure is due to the buyer backing out, the seller changing their mind, or an inspection revealing major problems.
Can Tara Smith show me homes that are for sale by owner?
She can show you any home you ask to see, but she may not have the same access to for-sale-by-owner properties as she does to MLS listings. If a home is not listed in the MLS, she would need to contact the owner directly to arrange a showing. Some for-sale-by-owner sellers are willing to work with agents; others are not.
How do I know if Tara Smith's commission rate is fair?
Commission rates are negotiable and vary by market, property type, and agent. There is no "standard" rate, though 4 to 6 percent is common. You can ask multiple agents what they charge, and you can negotiate the rate before you sign a listing agreement. As a buyer, you do not negotiate the commission directly — that is between the seller and their agent — but you can ask your agent what the buyer's side commission is before you make an offer.