How to Find a Real Estate Agent in South Carolina: What to Know Before You Buy or Sell

What Taylor Lomprez and Homes By TLC Offer

Taylor Lomprez operates Homes By TLC, a real estate team under the Keller Williams Realty network. The team handles residential sales, purchases, and property transactions across South Carolina. Like other agents in the Keller Williams system, Lomprez works on commission—typically a percentage of the final sale price split between the buyer's and seller's agents—and can represent you whether you're buying or selling.

Keller Williams is a national franchise with local offices throughout South Carolina, including Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and the Lowcountry. Agents within the network operate independently but share access to the same multiple listing service (MLS), training resources, and brand support. This structure means you're working with an individual agent, not a corporate entity, though that agent has institutional backing.

Key Takeaways

• Taylor Lomprez and Homes By TLC are part of Keller Williams Realty, a national franchise where individual agents operate their own businesses but share MLS access and resources.
• Real estate agents in South Carolina earn commission on completed sales, typically split between buyer's and seller's agents, so you should understand how that affects their incentives.
• Before choosing any agent, you should interview multiple candidates, check their transaction history and local market knowledge, and confirm they understand your specific needs.
• Your agent should explain the local market, help you price your home or find properties within your budget, and handle the legal paperwork and negotiations on your behalf.
• South Carolina has no state licensing requirement for real estate teams to operate under a specific name, so verify that your agent holds an active South Carolina real estate license.

How Real Estate Agents Work in South Carolina

A real estate agent is a licensed professional who represents either the buyer or the seller in a property transaction. In South Carolina, agents must hold a license issued by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SCDHEC). That license allows them to list properties, show homes, negotiate offers, and guide clients through closing.

Agents earn money only when a sale closes. The commission is typically 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the listing agent (who represents the seller) and the buyer's agent (who represents the buyer). This structure means an agent has no financial incentive to close a deal that doesn't happen, but it also means their income depends on sales volume. Before you hire an agent, understand that they benefit when the sale price is higher, which can create a conflict of interest if you're a seller trying to price aggressively or a buyer trying to negotiate down.

What to Look for When Choosing an Agent

Interview at least two or three agents before deciding. Ask each one how long they've worked in your specific area, how many homes they've sold in the past year, and what their average days-on-market is (how long homes typically sit before selling). An agent who has sold 50 homes in your county in the past 12 months knows the market better than one who has sold 5, even if both are licensed.

Ask about their marketing strategy. If you're selling, will they list the home on the MLS, advertise it online, hold open houses, and use social media? If you're buying, how will they search for homes that match your criteria, and how quickly can they show you new listings? Ask whether they work alone or as part of a team—Homes By TLC is a team, which means multiple agents may be involved in your transaction, and you should know who your primary contact will be.

Check their references. Ask for the names and phone numbers of three recent clients and call them. Ask whether the agent communicated clearly, met deadlines, and handled problems professionally. A good reference from a real person carries more weight than any credential.

Understanding the Buying Process

If you're buying, your agent's job is to help you find homes within your budget, arrange showings, explain the local market, and negotiate on your behalf. Before you start looking, get pre-approved for a mortgage through a lender—this tells sellers you're a serious buyer and tells you exactly how much you can afford. Your agent should not pressure you to spend more than you're comfortable with, even if it means a smaller commission.

Your agent will search the MLS for homes that match your criteria: price range, location, number of bedrooms, and any other must-haves. They'll show you homes, answer questions about neighborhoods and schools, and help you understand what similar homes have sold for recently. When you find a home you want to make an offer on, your agent will prepare the purchase agreement, suggest an offer price based on comparable sales, and submit it to the seller's agent.

Once your offer is accepted, your agent's role shifts to coordination. They'll order a home inspection, help you understand the results, negotiate repairs or credits if needed, and guide you through the appraisal and final walkthrough. They do not provide legal advice—that's the job of a real estate attorney, which South Carolina requires for all residential closings—but they do explain the process and flag issues that need attention.

Understanding the Selling Process

If you're selling, your agent lists your home on the MLS, which is the database that all buyer's agents search. The listing includes photos, a description, your asking price, and details like square footage, lot size, and property taxes. Your agent sets the asking price based on comparable sales in your area—homes that sold recently for similar prices. Pricing too high means fewer showings; pricing too low means leaving money on the table.

Your agent markets the listing through the MLS, their brokerage website, and often through social media, email, and open houses. They answer calls from buyer's agents, schedule showings, and provide feedback on offers. When an offer comes in, your agent explains the terms, advises you on whether to accept, counter, or reject, and negotiates on your behalf if needed.

Once an offer is accepted, your agent coordinates inspections, appraisals, and repairs. They stay in touch with the buyer's agent and lender to make sure the deal stays on track. At closing, you sign the deed and other documents, receive the proceeds, and the agent's commission is paid from the sale price.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire

Ask your agent how they handle communication. Will you text, call, or email? How quickly do they respond? Ask what happens if you disagree on price or strategy—do they push back, or do they defer to your judgment? Ask whether they have experience with your specific situation: if you're a first-time buyer, do they work with first-time buyers? If you're selling a rental property, have they sold rentals before?

Ask about their contract terms. How long is the listing agreement if you're selling (typically 90 days)? Can you end it early if you're unhappy? If you're buying, are you required to work exclusively with them, or can you work with other agents? Ask whether they charge any upfront fees—legitimate agents do not charge you to show homes or write offers, though some may charge for services like professional photography or staging consultations.

Verifying Your Agent's License

Before you sign anything, verify that your agent holds a current South Carolina real estate license. Go to the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation website and search the license database. Enter the agent's name and confirm they are licensed as a salesperson or broker. If the license is inactive or expired, do not work with that agent.

You can also ask your agent directly for their license number and brokerage name. They should provide this information without hesitation. Keller Williams offices throughout South Carolina are legitimate franchises, but individual agents within them must maintain their own licenses to operate legally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay my real estate agent if I find a home on my own?

No. If you find a home listed by an agent and you don't have your own agent, the seller's agent typically represents both sides and splits the commission. If you find a for-sale-by-owner home (sold directly by the owner with no agent), you can negotiate directly with the owner and pay nothing. However, hiring your own agent is still often worth it because they handle negotiations, paperwork, and inspections on your behalf.

Can I work with multiple agents at the same time?

You can show homes with multiple agents, but most buyer's agents will ask you to sign an exclusive agreement saying you'll work only with them. This protects their commission if you buy a home they showed you. If you're not ready to commit to one agent, ask whether they'll work with you on a non-exclusive basis, though many will decline.

What if I'm unhappy with my agent?

If you're selling, you can end the listing agreement early, though you may owe a commission if the home sells to someone your agent showed it to during the listing period. If you're buying, you can stop working with your agent at any time unless you've signed an exclusive buyer's agreement with specific terms. Read your contract carefully to understand your options.

How much commission do real estate agents charge?

Commission is negotiable and varies by market and agent. In South Carolina, it typically ranges from 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the listing agent and buyer's agent. Some agents charge less, especially in hot markets or for high-value homes. You can negotiate commission before you sign a listing agreement, though some agents will not budge.

Do I need a real estate attorney in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina law requires a real estate attorney to be involved in all residential closings. Your agent will not provide legal advice, but they can recommend attorneys they've worked with before. You can also hire your own attorney. The cost is typically a few hundred dollars and is usually split between buyer and seller, though this is negotiable.