Are You Relocating To South Carolina?

Are You Relocating Within South Carolina

How do you find a qualified real estate agent in South Carolina?

Get online and search the local city, county and websites associated with your destination, click here to find a destination. These websites should be full of information regarding local licensed real estate agents and desirable areas in which to live. In the larger South Carolina cities like Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Greenville, and Hilton Head, the local chambers of commerce have websites which can be very useful tools for buyers interested in properties in those areas. The chambers of commerce are intended to help connect citizens and prospective members of the local community with the businesses they need. Any South Carolina licensed real estate agent associated with the chambers of commerce should be reputable and professional.

Have you begun selecting a local South Carolina licensed real estate agent?

Ask questions of each agent you interview. Ask to see a copy of the buyer's broker agreement that you as the buyer will be asked to sign. Buyer's broker agreements can change from one real estate brokerage to the next and as a buyer, it is important to protect yourself from entering an agreement which does not suit your needs. Be certain to ask how the real estate agent is getting paid. If a licensed South Carolina real estate agent finds a house which you ultimately purchase, that agent is entitled to a commission. Usually the seller will pay that commission, so find out ahead of time how your real estate agent expects to be compensated for their time and effort.

Are you a buyer moving to South Carolina from another state, or a first time homebuyer?

Be sure to understand what is required of sellers in South Carolina and how those requirements are designed to protect you as the buyer. In South Carolina, most sellers are required to complete a property disclosure form which must detail any defects in the property to the best of the seller's knowledge. If a property disclosure is not offered for your review, ask your agent how to locate and view the form. Many South Carolina mortgage companies and local banks will not lend money on a property without a clear termite inspection report called a CL-100. If there are active termites or termite damage present, the seller is responsible for resolving those issues before the sale of the property can close. If a CL-100 is not offered to you as a buyer for review, ask your real estate agent for a copy. Any inspection by a licensed professional regarding the physical condition of the property aside from termites is usually considered to be at the discretion and expense of the buyer after an offer to purchase has been ratified and has become a contract. If your real estate agent does not recommend a licensed property inspector, ask your agent who the reputable local inspectors are and how they can be contacted. Click Here to find a local real estate company.