What questions should I ask a real estate agent before hiring them?

<div><p>Interviewing real estate agents is the best way to find the right person for the job. Consider asking the following questions to find the best agent for you:</p><ul><li><p>How will you show my property?</p></li><li><p>Will you do open houses to market my home?</p></li><li><p>How will you handle dual agency (representing the buyer and you as the seller)?</p></li><li><p>Should I make repairs to my home before listing?</p></li><li><p>Will you get professional photos taken of my home?</p></li><li><p>What is the best price you think we can get for my property?</p></li><li><p>How long do you expect the sale to take?</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

Do I need a real estate agent as a buyer?

<div><p>You don’t legally need a real estate agent as a buyer, as you can represent yourself, but you should always hire an agent as a home buyer. A professional real estate agent will have access to local MLS services to find homes that meet your criteria and needs, can connect you with other professionals—like a mortgage broker and real estate attorney—you’ll need for the purchase, and can often negotiate a better price for your home to help save you money. Plus, as the buyer, your agent’s commission comes from the seller’s proceeds from the sale of the home.</p></div>

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Q: Do I need a real estate agent as a buyer?

<div><p>You don&rsquo;t legally need a real estate agent as a buyer, as you can represent yourself, but you should always hire an agent as a home buyer. A professional real estate agent will have access to local MLS services to find homes that meet your criteria and needs, can connect you with other professionals&mdash;like a mortgage broker and real estate attorney&mdash;you&rsquo;ll need for the purchase, and can often negotiate a better price for your home to help save you money. Plus, as the buyer, your agent&rsquo;s commission comes from the seller&rsquo;s proceeds from the sale of the home.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Real Estate Service pros in Madison, SC

*The Angi rating for Real Estate Service companies in Madison, SC is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Real Estate Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Real Estate Service companies in Madison, SC is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Real Estate Service needs.

Last update on April 02, 2025

Reviewed in December 2017
It went exceptionally well. Teri was very detail oriented in marketing my home which led to a fairly quick sell of the property. She also went beyond the call by being available to aid in anything else that I may have needed done in the home - in my absence - since I had recently re-located out...
Teri McGinn - REALTOR, Berkshire Hathaway
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Reviewed in August 2012
I first met Ron and Sandy Hohrein in 2004 because I wanted to sell my home. They sold that home within a couple of months. A few years later, in 2007, I needed to sell another home, so I called on them. They sold that home within a couple of months in a market that was heading down. There...
Realtor
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Reviewed in November 2016
Nikki is excellent, friendly and when I say she goes above and beyond I mean she does. She answered voicemails, text messages and took really good care of us. She not judgmental, is a really good person and we have become really good friends. I would use her again and have already recommended...
Nikki Sword - Realtor-EXP Realty LLC
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Reviewed in November 2016
A+++ YOU WON'T FIND ANYONE ELSE LIKE THIS!!!! I am a very type A person with high expectations of everything done to perfection. I don't give compliments very often, and if I do-they are very much deserved! I had been looking for an investment purchase that would be used to house my college...
Home Advantage Realty
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Reviewed in March 2012
Machelle is an extraordinary real estate agent. She came in to give a market analysis for a relocation for my husband and I and she didn't come in with all numbers but spoke to us about pros and cons and little things we should do to make the house more salable. Her approach is very honest and...
AgentOwned Realty - Goose Creek
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Reviewed in August 2012
We currently live in Delaware, and hope to retire in South Carolina this year. It was difficult driving ten hours (one way) back and forth looking at homes and land. Debbie took care of everything for us. We would search for homes and land online, and she would visit or call to find out if the...
Prudential MBRE
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Reviewed in December 2017
He did an awesome job. Jeff is very professional. One thing we really like about Jeff is he creates a relationship with his clients. He is professional and honest. He is able to put you at ease when you are buying and selling a home. Jeff is a go getter. He sold our house within 5 days above...
Jeff Grant Team REMAX Real Estate Agent
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Reviewed in September 2014
We worked with Jeremy Fretwell. It went well. He sold our house and helped us to buy our house in Florida, then he sold the house we left in very Florida. Just a really good company and he’s a really good agent - I think he owns his own business now. He worked really hard for us.
RE/MAX Gulf Coast Realty
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Reviewed in June 2014
Although the agent at this firm initially demonstrated competence and a very helpful willingness regarding an offer I wanted to make on a foreclosure, I received a counter from the owner/seller (a bank) that I was unable to accept, and my pursuit of the foreclosure was terminated when I refused...
ROBINSON REAL ESTATE SVC
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Reviewed in April 2020
On May 10, 2016, Mike Hill rented us a home sight unseen as my husband, and I were unable to view the home prior to our moving from another state. After working with agents from Bob Hill Realty for a few months and Mike Hill for a few weeks, we felt comfortable enough that we thought we could...
BOB HILL REALTY INC
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Real estate agents in Madison

Real estate services FAQs

Real estate agents work on commission, so the cost of hiring an agent will depend on the cost of the home you’re buying or selling. The listing contract should include information about the commission for both agents, which is usually 6 percent of the sale price in total or 3 percent per side. With an average national home value of around $440,000, the typical commission per agent is $13,200. However, you won’t pay this total out of pocket. Instead, the commission comes out of the sale price of the property.

Interviewing real estate agents is the best way to find the right person for the job. Consider asking the following questions to find the best agent for you:

How will you show my property?
Will you do open houses to market my home?
How will you handle dual agency (representing the buyer and you as the seller)?
Should I make repairs to my home before listing?
Will you get professional photos taken of my home?
What is the best price you think we can get for my property?
How long do you expect the sale to take?

Yes, hiring a real estate agent is worth it. Many homeowners make the mistake of trying to sell their homes by themselves, thinking that they’ll save money on the commission, but what they save on the commission, they very often pay for in frustration and concessions on the sale price. Hiring a real estate agent to handle the sale of your home not only makes the process far easier and takes the burden off of you, but most homeowners get more for their homes when going through an agent because of the marketing and salesmanship they bring to the table.

You don’t legally need a real estate agent as a buyer, as you can represent yourself, but you should always hire an agent as a home buyer. A professional real estate agent will have access to local MLS services to find homes that meet your criteria and needs, can connect you with other professionals—like a mortgage broker and real estate attorney—you’ll need for the purchase, and can often negotiate a better price for your home to help save you money. Plus, as the buyer, your agent’s commission comes from the seller’s proceeds from the sale of the home.

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