What Scarborough & Associates Does and How to Work With Them

Scarborough & Associates is a South Carolina real estate firm serving residential and commercial clients

Scarborough & Associates operates as a real estate brokerage in South Carolina, handling property sales, purchases, and related transactions for individuals and businesses. The firm works with both residential properties—single-family homes, condos, and investment properties—and commercial real estate. Like other brokerages in the state, they are licensed by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission and operate under state real estate law.

If you are buying or selling property in South Carolina, understanding how a brokerage like Scarborough & Associates works can help you decide whether to work with them. Real estate transactions involve legal documents, title searches, inspections, and financing coordination, and a broker's role is to guide you through those steps and connect you with the right professionals along the way.

Key Takeaways

• Scarborough & Associates is licensed by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission and must follow state laws governing property transactions, disclosure, and client representation.
• The firm typically earns commission from the sale price when a transaction closes, not from you upfront, though you should always confirm fee arrangements in writing.
• Real estate agents at the firm can list your property for sale, represent you as a buyer, or both, depending on the type of agreement you sign.
• South Carolina law requires brokers to disclose whether they represent the buyer, the seller, or both parties in a transaction, and you have the right to ask for this information in writing.

How a real estate brokerage operates in South Carolina

A brokerage like Scarborough & Associates holds a license from the South Carolina Real Estate Commission, which oversees all licensed brokers and agents in the state. The brokerage employs or contracts with individual agents who also hold licenses. When you work with an agent from the firm, you are technically working with the brokerage itself, which is responsible for the agent's conduct and compliance with state law.

The brokerage's main role is to facilitate the sale or purchase of property. This includes listing properties in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), marketing properties to potential buyers, showing properties, negotiating offers, coordinating inspections and appraisals, and managing paperwork through closing. The brokerage also ensures that all required disclosures are made—for example, property condition disclosures, lead-based paint disclosures for homes built before 1978, and HOA disclosures if applicable.

Commission is the standard way brokerages are paid. When a property sells, the seller's agent and buyer's agent typically split a percentage of the sale price, which comes from the seller's proceeds. This arrangement means the brokerage has no upfront cost to you, but you should always confirm the exact commission rate and any other fees in writing before signing a listing agreement or buyer representation agreement.

What to expect when listing a property with the firm

If you decide to list a home or commercial property with Scarborough & Associates, you will sign a listing agreement that specifies the price, the length of the listing period (usually 90 days to six months), the commission rate, and any additional services the brokerage provides. The agreement also gives the brokerage the right to list your property in the MLS, which makes it visible to other agents and their buyers across the region.

Once listed, the brokerage will market the property through its website, social media, open houses, and direct outreach to other agents. The listing agent will coordinate showings, answer buyer questions, and present offers to you. South Carolina law requires the brokerage to disclose all material facts about the property—defects, previous damage, title issues—so buyers can make an informed decision. You are responsible for providing accurate information about the property's condition, and the brokerage must pass that information along.

If an offer comes in, the listing agent will present it to you with a recommendation. You are not obligated to accept any offer, but the brokerage's job is to help you understand the terms and negotiate if you wish. Once you accept an offer, the brokerage coordinates with the buyer's agent, the title company, the appraiser, and the lender to move toward closing.

What to expect when buying property through the firm

If you are buying and work with an agent from Scarborough & Associates, you may sign a buyer representation agreement. This agreement says the agent will represent your interests as a buyer and will show you properties that match your criteria. The agent will help you search the MLS, schedule showings, explain neighborhoods and market conditions, and guide you through making an offer.

When you make an offer on a property, the buyer's agent submits it to the seller's agent and negotiates on your behalf. Once an offer is accepted, the agent will coordinate the inspection, appraisal, and financing steps. They will also explain contingencies—conditions that must be met for the sale to go through, such as a satisfactory home inspection or a successful appraisal. South Carolina law allows you to walk away from a purchase if the inspection reveals major problems or if the appraisal comes in lower than the offer price, but the exact terms depend on what you negotiated.

The buyer's agent does not charge you directly; their commission comes from the seller's proceeds at closing. However, you should confirm this arrangement in writing before you begin working together, and you should ask whether the agent represents only you or also represents other parties in the transaction.

Understanding representation and disclosure in South Carolina

South Carolina real estate law requires brokers to disclose their representation clearly. An agent can represent the seller only, the buyer only, or both parties (called dual agency). Each arrangement has different legal obligations. If an agent represents only the seller, they must put the seller's interests first and cannot share confidential information about the seller with the buyer. If they represent only the buyer, they must put the buyer's interests first.

Dual agency—where one agent or brokerage represents both the buyer and seller in the same transaction—is legal in South Carolina but must be disclosed in writing and both parties must consent. In a dual agency situation, the agent cannot advocate for one party over the other and cannot share confidential information from one side to the other. Many buyers and sellers prefer to avoid dual agency to ensure their agent is fully on their side.

Before you sign any agreement with Scarborough & Associates, ask the agent in writing whether they represent you exclusively, the other party exclusively, or both. This information should be in your representation agreement or in a separate disclosure document. If you are unclear, contact the brokerage directly and request written clarification.

What happens at closing and after

Closing is the final step where ownership transfers from the seller to the buyer. A title company or attorney typically handles the closing process in South Carolina. The brokerage's role at closing is limited—the title company manages the documents, the lender funds the loan, and the buyer and seller sign the deed and other paperwork. The brokerage's commission is paid out of the seller's proceeds at closing.

After closing, the brokerage's involvement typically ends. However, if problems arise—for example, a title defect discovered after closing or a dispute over what was included in the sale—you may need to contact the brokerage or an attorney. South Carolina law gives buyers a limited time to discover and act on certain defects, so it is important to understand your rights before closing.

If you are unhappy with the service you received from Scarborough & Associates or believe the brokerage violated state law, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. The Commission investigates complaints and can take disciplinary action against licensed brokers and agents.

Questions to ask before working with the firm

Before you commit to working with Scarborough & Associates, gather information that will help you decide. Ask about the agent's experience in your neighborhood or property type, how they market listings, what technology they use, and how often they communicate with clients. Ask for references from past clients and follow up with at least two or three of them.

Confirm the commission rate in writing and ask whether there are any additional fees—for example, for photography, staging, or advertising. Ask how long the listing agreement lasts and what happens if you want to end it early. If you are buying, ask whether the agent will show you properties listed by other brokerages (they should) and whether they have any conflicts of interest.

Finally, ask about the brokerage's complaint history. You can search the South Carolina Real Estate Commission's website to see whether the brokerage or individual agents have had complaints filed against them. This information is public and can help you make an informed choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use a real estate agent to buy or sell property in South Carolina?

No. You can buy or sell property on your own, though you will still need a title company or attorney to handle closing and ensure the deed is recorded correctly. Many people choose to work with an agent because they have access to the MLS, know the market, and can negotiate on their behalf.

What if I want to work with Scarborough & Associates but also show my property myself?

This depends on your listing agreement. Some agreements allow you to sell to a buyer you find yourself without paying commission, while others require commission on all sales during the listing period. Confirm this in writing before you sign.

Can I break a listing agreement or buyer representation agreement early?

The agreement itself will say whether you can terminate early and under what conditions. Some agreements allow termination with written notice; others do not. If you want to end the agreement, contact the brokerage in writing and ask what your options are.

What if the property does not sell during the listing period?

Once the listing agreement expires, the property is no longer listed in the MLS unless you renew the agreement with the same brokerage or sign a new agreement with a different one. You can choose to relist, adjust the price, or take the property off the market.

How long does a real estate transaction typically take in South Carolina?

From offer acceptance to closing usually takes 30 to 45 days, though it can be faster or slower depending on financing, inspections, and appraisals. The brokerage can give you a timeline based on the specific transaction.