Our Professional Partnership: A Guide to the Paperwork
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The Relationship Agreement
In South Carolina, before I can show you a home in-person or via video tour, state law requires us to formalize our relationship in writing using the Buyer Representation Agreement (SCR130). This is not about trapping you; it is about giving me the legal authority to fight for your best interests.
Protecting Your Interests & Commission Transparency.
How My Professional Fee is Handled
My goal is to ensure you do not pay my fee out of your own pocket. I treat my compensation as a negotiable line item in your offer.
The "Ceiling" Rule:
I cannot legally collect more than what we agree to in our contract. If we agree to 2.5% and the seller offers 3%, that extra 1% stays with the seller or goes toward your closing costs.
The Seller Credit Strategy:
We will ask the seller to pay my fee on your behalf as part of our offer. This keeps your cash focused on your down payment.
The "Zero-Out" Strategy:
I can often apply my commission as a credit toward your closing costs, effectively "zeroing out" the impact on your wallet.
What if a Seller Refuses to Pay?
If we find your dream home but the seller is difficult about the fee, we have three clear paths:
The Walk Away:
In the current 2026 market, you have the power. If a seller won't cooperate, we move on.
The Agent Haircut:
I believe in making deals happen. I am often willing to reduce my fee to bridge the gap and keep the home affordable for you.
The Appraisal Gap Protection:
I always perform a "Comps Check" before we wrap fees into a price to ensure the home will appraise, so you aren't hit with an unexpected bill.