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

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

Do I need a real estate agent as a buyer?

<div>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.</div>

Get matched with top real estate agents in Summerville, SC

There are 2 highly-rated local real estate agents.

Matching on Angi

Share some details about your home project.

Within moments, match with highly-rated local pros.

Compare quotes and choose the best pro for the job.

TRUSTED BY HOMEOWNERS

Average homeowner rating

Verified real estate services reviews

Verified Reviews for Real Estate Service pros in Summerville, SC

*The Angi rating for Real Estate Service companies in Summerville, 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 Summerville, 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 March 31, 2025

Reviewed in October 2018
The sale went flawlessly thanks to Meg. I had to move out of state for work, but had worked with Meg on buying a property several years back. The first experience was fantastic so I asked if Meg would help me again. She was willing to take on the challenge (the place needed some updates, I had...
Meg Ross Of Keller Williams Realty
Request a quote
Reviewed in January 2015
Billy told us exactly what we needed to do to help with the sale with our house. He provided us with contacts for contractors, painters and even a stager. The service was amazing. Billy will get your house sold!!
Pauling Homes Team- Keller Williams Premier Realty Lake Minnetonka
Request a quote
Reviewed in April 2014
Beth is a great person to work with. She is knowledgeable, straight-forward, and collaborative. She was able to help us understand the current market and how our property was likely to be perceived. She had clear and cost-effective recommendations that helped us minimize cost and maximize...
Beth Smith Shuey Team/ Keller Williams Southpark
Request a quote
Reviewed in April 2021
I can't say enough great things about Margaret! We were pulled in a lot of different directions when we began our search for a home in WNC. After patiently asking all of the right questions, Margaret used her vast knowledge of both the area and the market to guide us through the process of...
Margaret Vestal at RE/MAX Executive
Request a quote
Reviewed in October 2013
The biggest positive thing about Joanne was that she had a team of people that can get your home ready for sale. She just gave me all the contact information for everybody so that it can go pretty quickly. Her pricing was reasonable. She communicated quite well with me. Overall, it was just an...
Joanne Curtin, Keller Williams Realty
Request a quote
Reviewed in January 2012
Penny Smith helped me locate and close on my property in West LA that I initially lived in and now maintain as an investment property. She has handled all purchase and lease transactions for the property, and is also managing the home on my behalf as I currently live out-of-state. Penny has gone...
Penny Smith Realtor/Appraiser
Request a quote
Reviewed in February 2018
I can not express how lucky I was to be referred to Susan. She helped me every step of the way with the sale of my condo in Ocean Lakes. I had already moved out of state and had to find someone right away that I knew I could depend on. A friend of mine told me not to worry because she would have...
RE/MAX Alliance Susan Jubilee
Request a quote
Reviewed in December 2014
Karen was professional and a pure delight to work with. She listened to my needs, wants and found the perfect home, in the perfect location and with in my price range. She was quick to respond and answer any questions or concerns I had during the process. She kept me informed of the seller's...
Karen Abrams Realtor Keller Williams
Request a quote
Reviewed in January 2014
Brad made our move to Charleston smooth fast and fun. We had short notice to relocate and not much local knowledge. Brad paid attention to what we were after, gave us a range of options across several areas and several price points. He kept us aware of tax implications, types of...
Brad Weaver Brandname Real Estate
Request a quote

Real estate agents in Summerville

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.

The homeowners guide to real estate services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles