Susan Rozelle: Real Estate Services in South Carolina

Who Susan Rozelle is and what she offers

Susan Rozelle is a real estate professional serving South Carolina clients. She works with buyers, sellers, and investors navigating property transactions across the state. Her background includes experience with residential real estate, and she brings local market knowledge to help clients understand their options in South Carolina's varied real estate landscape.

Real estate transactions involve significant decisions—where to buy, when to sell, how to price a property, what inspections and disclosures matter. A real estate professional like Rozelle can walk you through each step, explain what documents you'll encounter, and help you understand local market conditions that affect your decision.

Key Takeaways

• Susan Rozelle works with buyers and sellers in South Carolina residential real estate, offering guidance through the transaction process.
• Real estate professionals help interpret market data, explain contracts and disclosures, and coordinate inspections and closing documents.
• South Carolina real estate transactions typically involve a purchase agreement, home inspection, title search, and closing—each with specific timelines and requirements.
• Working with a local professional means access to knowledge about neighborhood conditions, school districts, property taxes, and market trends specific to your area.

What happens in a typical South Carolina real estate transaction

A real estate transaction in South Carolina follows a standard sequence. Once you and a seller agree on price and terms, you sign a purchase agreement that outlines the sale price, closing date, and contingencies—usually inspection and financing. The agreement also specifies who pays for title insurance, survey costs, and other closing expenses; South Carolina law does not dictate this, so it varies by local custom and negotiation.

After the agreement is signed, you typically have a period (often 7 to 10 days) to order a home inspection. The inspector examines the structure, systems, and condition of the property and produces a written report. You then decide whether to request repairs, ask for a price reduction, or proceed as-is. Meanwhile, a title company searches the property's ownership history to confirm the seller has clear title and no liens or claims are attached to the property.

Your lender (if you are financing) orders an appraisal to confirm the property value supports the loan amount. A few days before closing, you receive a Closing Disclosure—a federal form that lists all loan terms, interest rate, monthly payment, and closing costs. You review this carefully to confirm it matches what you agreed to. On closing day, you sign the deed of trust, promissory note, and other documents at a title company or attorney's office, and funds transfer to the seller.

How a real estate professional guides the process

A real estate agent or broker represents either the buyer or the seller (or, in some cases, both, though this requires disclosure). The professional's role is to explain what each document means, flag potential issues, coordinate timing between inspectors and lenders, and help you understand what is typical in your local market.

For sellers, a professional helps determine listing price based on comparable sales, coordinates showings, negotiates offers, and ensures all required South Carolina disclosures are completed. For buyers, they search listings matching your criteria, arrange showings, help you understand neighborhood conditions and school districts, and advise on offer strategy.

A real estate professional also knows local closing practices. In some South Carolina counties, an attorney is required at closing; in others, a title company handles it. Costs and timelines vary. A local professional can tell you what to expect in your specific area.

Understanding South Carolina real estate disclosures

South Carolina requires sellers to provide specific written disclosures before or at the time of contract. The most important is the Property Condition Disclosure, in which the seller describes the property's condition, any known defects, and the age of major systems like the roof, HVAC, and water heater. This document protects buyers by ensuring they know about known issues before committing to purchase.

Sellers must also disclose whether the property is in a flood zone, whether it has been damaged by flooding, and whether flood insurance is required. If the property is in a homeowners association, the seller must provide the HOA documents, including bylaws, rules, and current fees. Lead-based paint disclosure is required for homes built before 1978.

A real estate professional reviews these disclosures with you and explains what they mean for your decision. If disclosures reveal issues—old roof, previous flood damage, high HOA fees—you can factor that into your inspection requests or offer price.

What to know about South Carolina property taxes and assessments

South Carolina property taxes are set by county and vary significantly across the state. The tax rate depends on your county's assessment ratio (the percentage of fair market value used to calculate taxes) and the millage rate (the tax per $1,000 of assessed value). A property worth $300,000 in one county may have a different tax bill than an identical property in another county.

When you purchase property, the county assessor's office will reassess it, which may raise your tax bill. A real estate professional can tell you what property taxes typically run in your target area and help you factor that into your budget. You can also contact the county assessor's office directly to learn the current tax rate and see recent sales of comparable properties.

Finding and working with a real estate professional

Real estate professionals in South Carolina must hold a license issued by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SCDHEC). You can verify a professional's license and check for complaints on the SCDHEC website. Most professionals work for a brokerage firm, which oversees their conduct and handles trust accounts for earnest money deposits.

When choosing a professional, ask about their experience in your specific area or property type. Someone who has sold many homes in your neighborhood knows local schools, commute times, and market trends. If you are buying an investment property, look for someone with experience in rental markets or commercial transactions.

Real estate professionals are typically paid by commission—a percentage of the sale price, split between the buyer's agent and seller's agent. This is paid from the seller's proceeds at closing, so as a buyer you do not pay the agent directly. Commissions are negotiable and vary; ask what to expect in your market.

Common steps that slow down or complicate transactions

Title issues are among the most common delays. If the title search reveals a lien, unpaid property tax, or a claim against the property, the seller must resolve it before closing. This can take weeks if the seller disputes the claim or must locate an old creditor. A real estate professional can explain what the title company found and what steps the seller must take.

Appraisal problems also cause delays. If the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price, the lender will not fund the full loan amount. You then must renegotiate price with the seller, increase your down payment, or walk away. This negotiation can extend closing by a week or more.

Inspection findings can also stall a transaction if the buyer requests major repairs and the seller refuses. If you and the seller cannot agree on who pays for repairs, the deal may fall through. A real estate professional can advise on what repairs are reasonable to request and what is typical in your market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a real estate professional to buy or sell property in South Carolina?

No, you can buy or sell without one, but most people use a professional because they understand contracts, local market conditions, and closing procedures. A professional also coordinates with inspectors, lenders, and title companies, which saves you time and reduces the risk of missed deadlines or overlooked issues.

What is earnest money and when do I pay it?

Earnest money is a deposit you make when you sign the purchase agreement to show you are serious about buying. It is typically 1 to 3 percent of the purchase price and is held in the real estate brokerage's trust account until closing. At closing, it is credited toward your down payment or closing costs. If you walk away for a reason not covered by the contract contingencies, you may lose the earnest money.

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

Most transactions close 30 to 45 days after the purchase agreement is signed. This timeline allows time for inspection, appraisal, title search, and lender approval. Delays can extend this—title issues, appraisal problems, or inspection disputes can add one to three weeks. Your real estate professional can give you a more specific timeline based on your lender and local closing practices.

What happens if the home inspection finds major problems?

You have the right to request repairs, ask for a price reduction, or ask the seller to credit you money at closing to cover repairs yourself. If the seller refuses and you do not want to proceed, you can typically walk away without losing your earnest money, provided the inspection contingency in your contract allows it. Your real estate professional can advise on what repairs are reasonable to request in your market.

Can I negotiate the real estate commission?

Yes, commission rates are negotiable. The typical split is around 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, divided between buyer's and seller's agents, but this varies by market and brokerage. As a seller, you can negotiate the commission rate with your agent. As a buyer, you do not pay commission directly, but it is worth understanding how it works so you can discuss it with your agent.