Zipporah Poznyur at Olive Branch Realty — What to Know Before You Work Together
Who Zipporah Poznyur is and what she does
Zipporah Poznyur is a real estate agent with Olive Branch Realty in South Carolina. She works with buyers and sellers in residential transactions, helping clients navigate the purchase or sale of property. Before choosing to work with any agent, it helps to understand their background, how they operate, and what to expect from the relationship.
Like any real estate professional in South Carolina, Poznyur must hold a current license issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. That license means she has passed the state exam and agreed to follow the commission's code of conduct. It does not mean all agents work the same way or have the same experience level.
Key Takeaways
- Zipporah Poznyur is licensed through the South Carolina Real Estate Commission and works for Olive Branch Realty, a residential brokerage.
- You can verify her license status and any disciplinary history through the South Carolina Real Estate Commission's public records.
- Before signing any agreement with an agent, ask about their experience in your specific market, their commission structure, and how they handle disputes.
- Real estate agents represent either the buyer or the seller (or both, with disclosure), so understanding whose interests are being protected matters before you sign.
- South Carolina law requires agents to disclose material facts about a property and to act honestly, but the buyer and seller still have separate responsibilities to protect their own interests.
How to verify her license and background
The South Carolina Real Estate Commission maintains a public database where you can look up any licensed agent in the state. Visit the commission's website and search for Zipporah Poznyur by name. The database will show whether her license is current, what type of license she holds, and whether there are any disciplinary actions on record.
This step takes five minutes and is worth doing before you commit to working with anyone. If her license has been suspended, revoked, or if there are complaints listed, you will see that information. If the database shows no issues, that means she is in good standing with the state — but it does not tell you about her sales history, client reviews, or how she handles transactions day-to-day.
What to ask before you sign an agreement
Real estate agents in South Carolina typically ask you to sign a listing agreement (if you are selling) or a buyer's agent agreement (if you are buying). These documents spell out how long the agent represents you, what commission they earn, and what happens if you find a property or buyer on your own. Read these carefully before signing.
Before you do, ask Poznyur directly: How long have you worked in this market? What is your commission rate, and is it negotiable? How do you handle disputes between buyer and seller? What happens if I want to end the agreement early? How often will you communicate with me, and through what channels? These are not rude questions — they are the questions any professional agent expects and should answer clearly.
Also ask whether she represents the buyer, the seller, or both in a transaction. In South Carolina, an agent can represent both sides if both parties agree and the agent discloses the dual agency in writing. Dual agency creates a conflict of interest by design, so understand what that means for your negotiating position before you agree to it.
Understanding buyer's agent versus seller's agent
If Poznyur is your buyer's agent, she represents your interests as the person buying the property. If she is the seller's agent, she represents the seller's interests. The distinction matters because the agent's duty is to their client, not to the other party — even if they are friendly and helpful to everyone involved.
In South Carolina, the buyer typically does not pay the buyer's agent directly. Instead, the seller's agent and buyer's agent split a commission that comes out of the sale price. This means a buyer's agent is paid by the seller's side of the transaction, which can create confusion about who the agent actually works for. The answer is: the agent works for whoever signed the buyer's agent agreement with them, regardless of who pays the commission. Make sure you understand this before you start looking at properties.
What South Carolina law requires agents to do
South Carolina law requires all real estate agents to disclose material facts about a property — things that would affect a reasonable person's decision to buy or the price they would pay. Material facts include structural problems, water damage, previous fires, and other significant defects. Agents must also act honestly and in good faith, and they cannot misrepresent a property or lie about its condition.
However, the law does not require an agent to protect you from a bad deal or to tell you whether you are paying too much or too little. That is your responsibility as the buyer or seller. An agent's job is to facilitate the transaction and represent their client's interests within the bounds of the law — not to be your financial advisor or to make sure you win the negotiation.
How commissions work and what you might negotiate
Real estate commissions in South Carolina are not set by law or by any central authority. Each brokerage and each agent sets their own rate. The typical range is 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent, but this varies widely. Some agents charge less, some charge more, and some negotiate based on the sale price or the amount of work involved.
If you are selling, the commission comes out of your proceeds. If you are buying, the commission is typically paid by the seller's side, so you do not write a check to the agent — but the commission still affects the final price because it is built into the seller's costs. Before you sign a listing agreement or buyer's agent agreement, ask what the commission rate is and whether it is negotiable. Many agents will negotiate, especially on higher-priced properties or in competitive markets.
Red flags and what to do if something goes wrong
Watch for agents who pressure you to sign agreements without reading them, who refuse to answer questions about their experience or commission, or who make promises about what a property will sell for or what you will pay. These are signs to walk away and find someone else.
If you believe an agent has violated South Carolina law or the real estate commission's code of conduct, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. The commission investigates complaints and can take disciplinary action, including fines, license suspension, or license revocation. You do not need a lawyer to file a complaint, and you can do it online through the commission's website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if Zipporah Poznyur is the right agent for me?
The right agent depends on your specific situation — the market you are in, whether you are buying or selling, and what kind of support you need. Interview at least two or three agents before you decide. Ask about their experience in your neighborhood, their sales volume, and how they communicate. Trust your instinct about whether you feel comfortable working with them.
Can I work with Zipporah Poznyur if I find a property on my own?
That depends on the agreement you sign with her. Most buyer's agent agreements say that if you find a property yourself and then contact the agent about it, the agent still represents you and still earns a commission. Read the agreement carefully to see what it says about properties you find independently.
What if I want to stop working with an agent before the agreement ends?
Most real estate agreements have a term — usually 30, 60, or 90 days. If you want to end the agreement early, you may be able to do so, but it depends on what the agreement says. Some agreements allow early termination without penalty; others do not. Ask about this before you sign, and get the answer in writing.
Does the agent have to show me every property on the market?
No. An agent can choose which properties to show you based on your stated preferences, budget, and timeline. However, if you ask to see a specific property, the agent should show it to you or explain why they cannot. If an agent refuses to show you properties without a good reason, that is a sign to work with someone else.
What happens if there is a dispute between me and the agent?
First, try to resolve it directly with the agent or their broker. If that does not work, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. You can also pursue legal action, though that usually requires a lawyer and can be expensive. Before you sign an agreement, ask whether it includes any dispute resolution process, like mediation or arbitration.