Skip to main content

What to Know About Working With Mary Phillips at Carolina Pines Realty

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

Mary Phillips brings two decades of South Carolina real estate experience to Carolina Pines Realty

Mary Phillips has spent her career helping buyers and sellers navigate South Carolina's real estate market, with particular expertise in residential properties across the Midlands and Lowcountry regions. At Carolina Pines Realty, she works with clients on purchase transactions, sales, and property management questions. Her background includes work in both urban and rural markets, which means she understands the differences between buying a home in Columbia's neighborhoods and purchasing land or a cottage in smaller communities.

If you are looking for a real estate agent in South Carolina, knowing what an agent does and how to work with one can help you make a more informed decision about representation. Mary Phillips's role is to guide you through the buying or selling process, explain local market conditions, and help you understand the steps involved in a transaction.

Key Takeaways

  • Mary Phillips works with buyers, sellers, and property owners across South Carolina's residential real estate market.
  • Real estate agents represent either the buyer or the seller in a transaction and are bound by state licensing rules and ethical standards.
  • Working with an agent typically involves discussing your goals, viewing properties or listing your home, negotiating terms, and coordinating inspections and closing.
  • South Carolina real estate transactions include specific steps and timelines that vary depending on whether you are buying or selling.
  • Understanding how agents are paid and what services they provide helps you decide whether representation is right for your situation.

What a real estate agent does in South Carolina

A real estate agent is a licensed professional who represents either a buyer or a seller in a property transaction. In South Carolina, agents must hold a license issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission and follow the state's real estate laws and a code of ethics. Mary Phillips, as an agent at Carolina Pines Realty, works within these requirements.

For sellers, an agent typically lists the property, markets it to other agents and the public, schedules showings, negotiates offers, and coordinates the closing process. For buyers, an agent searches for properties that match your needs, arranges viewings, helps you understand market value, negotiates on your behalf, and guides you through inspections and financing steps. An agent can also answer questions about neighborhoods, school districts, property taxes, and local market trends.

Agents are paid through commission, which is a percentage of the sale price. This commission is typically split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent, and the seller usually pays the total commission from the sale proceeds. The exact percentage varies by transaction and is negotiable.

How to start working with a real estate agent

If you decide you want representation, the first step is usually a conversation about your situation. Tell the agent whether you are buying or selling, what your timeline looks like, what your budget or price range is, and what matters most to you in a property or a sale. This helps the agent understand whether they can help you and what the process will look like.

For sellers, this conversation leads to a listing agreement, which is a contract between you and the agent's brokerage. The agreement spells out the commission rate, how long the listing will be active, what marketing the agent will do, and what happens if the property sells. For buyers, you may sign a buyer representation agreement, though this is not always required in South Carolina.

Once representation is in place, the agent begins showing you properties (if you are buying) or marketing your home (if you are selling). Throughout the process, the agent keeps you informed about offers, inspections, appraisals, and any issues that come up.

Understanding South Carolina's real estate timeline and steps

A typical South Carolina real estate transaction follows a sequence of steps, though the exact timeline depends on financing, inspections, and other factors. For a buyer, the process usually begins with an offer, which includes the purchase price, earnest money deposit, and proposed closing date. The seller can accept, reject, or counter the offer.

Once an offer is accepted, you enter the due diligence period, which in South Carolina is typically 10 to 14 days. During this time, you can have the property inspected, order a survey if needed, and review documents. After due diligence, you move toward closing, which involves a final walkthrough, title review, and signing documents at a closing attorney's office. Closing usually happens 30 to 45 days after the offer is accepted, though this can vary.

For sellers, the timeline is similar but from the other direction. Once you list the property, you wait for offers. When an offer is accepted, you enter the due diligence period during which the buyer inspects and reviews the property. Then you move toward closing. Throughout this time, your agent keeps you informed and handles communication with the buyer's agent.

Questions to ask before choosing an agent

Before you commit to working with an agent, it is worth asking a few questions to make sure the fit is right. Ask how long they have been licensed, what areas they know well, and how many transactions they have handled in the past year. Ask what marketing they will do if you are selling, or what search tools and resources they use if you are buying.

You can also ask about their communication style—how often will they check in, and what is the best way to reach them? Ask whether they work alone or as part of a team, and who you will be working with day-to-day. If you are selling, ask about their pricing strategy and how they arrive at a listing price. If you are buying, ask how they approach negotiations and what they see in the current market.

These conversations help you understand whether an agent's experience, approach, and personality match what you are looking for. Real estate is a significant financial decision, and working with someone you trust and communicate well with matters.

How real estate agents are regulated in South Carolina

Real estate agents in South Carolina are regulated by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission, which oversees licensing, enforces ethical standards, and handles complaints. All agents must pass a licensing exam, complete continuing education, and follow the South Carolina Real Estate Commission's rules and the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics if they are members.

These regulations exist to protect the public and ensure that agents act in good faith, disclose conflicts of interest, and handle client money properly. If you have a complaint about an agent's conduct, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission, which will investigate.

When you might not need an agent

Real estate agents are not necessary for every transaction. Some people buy or sell without representation, which is called a "for sale by owner" sale on the selling side or an unrepresented purchase on the buying side. This approach can save commission but requires you to handle negotiations, paperwork, and coordination yourself.

If you choose not to use an agent, you will still need a closing attorney, which is required in South Carolina. You will also need to understand local market values, property disclosure requirements, and contract terms. Some people use agents for part of the process—for example, hiring an agent to help price a home but not to list it, or working with an agent to find properties but not to negotiate the offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to work with a real estate agent?

Agents are paid through commission, which is a percentage of the sale price and is typically paid by the seller from the sale proceeds. The commission rate is negotiable and varies by transaction. As a buyer, you do not pay commission directly—the seller's proceeds cover both the seller's agent and the buyer's agent.

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

You can view properties with multiple agents, but if you sign a buyer representation agreement with one agent, you are typically committed to working with that agent for a set period. If you are selling, you list with one brokerage at a time. It is important to read any agreement you sign to understand the terms.

What happens if I want to stop working with an agent?

If you have signed a representation agreement, you may be able to terminate it, but the terms depend on what the agreement says. Some agreements have cancellation clauses or allow termination with notice. If you are unhappy with representation, it is worth discussing your concerns with the agent or their broker first.

Do I need an agent if I am buying a new construction home?

You can buy new construction with or without an agent. If you work with an agent, they can help you understand the builder's terms, negotiate upgrades or pricing, and guide you through the process. Some builders offer incentives to agents, which can benefit you as the buyer.

What should I do if I think an agent has acted unethically?

You can file a complaint with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission, which investigates violations of state law and ethical standards. You can also discuss your concerns with the agent's broker, who may address the issue internally. Keep documentation of any communications or agreements related to your concern.