Fine Homes In Columbia, SC

Hi, my name is Brenda McMillan and I am a fulltime Real Estate Broker and a Realtor. Whether you are considering buying a home or selling a home you will feel comfortable knowing that you are working with a professional that will always be “on your side”. The Real Estate process can seen quite complex but with me on your team it can be a rewarding experience.  I am a lifelong resident of the Midlands of South Carolina and because of this I can offer you a unique perspective of the area.   Afterall, you wouldn’t go to Rome and hire a tour guide from another region would you? 

I have made a commitment to my clients to always be on the forefront of the local real estate market.  I accomplish this through education, webinars, and research.  I have obtained the National Association of Realtors’ designations of:  Accredited Buyer Representative, Certified Residential Specialist, Graduate of the Real Estate Institute, and Seniors Real Estate Specialist.  If you would like to learn more about these designations, please visit http://notes.rets.org/education/realtor_university/designation.   In addition to the designations, I have obtained the following National Association of Realtor’s certifications:  e-Pro and Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource.

Ever wondered what being a Realtor means?   According to the National Association of Realtors’ website,  “The  term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.”   Therefore,   a Realtor in the State of South Carolina is governed by the Laws of the State of South Carolina  but is also governed by a Code of Ethics adopted by the National Association of Realtors.  Make no mistake, not all Real Estate Agents/Brokers are Realtors.  Sometimes you will hear this term used to indicate a Real Estate Agent but that is not true.  You can check whether  a Real Estate Agent/Broker is a Realtor by visiting:  http://www.realtor.org/rofindrealtor.nsf/pages/FS_FREALTOR?OpenDocument.  In many markets in South Carolina being a Realtor is a requirement to join the local MLS but that is not the case in the Columbia market.

 Ever wonder how a Real Estate Agent is paid?  Most of us work as Independent Contractors for Real Estate Brokerages.   This type of arrangement means that you set your own hours and you are paid a commission when a transaction closes.  So, you are not charged for by the hour for the time your Real Estate Agent spends talking to you, sending you available listings from the MLS, showing you properties, and counseling you.  Your agent is only paid when the transaction closes and the checks are issued to the Brokerage.   Then and only then,  your agent is paid whatever his/her contractual agreement is with his Brokerage.    Real Estate is one of the few professions that you get the benefit of the Real Estate Agent’s counsel, expertise, and time without paying upfront. 

Ever wonder why your Agent wants you to sign an Agency Agreement with his/her Brokerage?  The primary reason is that in the State of South Carolina an agent has to represent a party to the transaction; meaning that the agent has to represent the buyer or the seller.   Secondary is that your agent needs some assurance that his/her time and efforts will result in closing a transaction.   Third, an agent should only show you their brokerage’s listings until you sign an Agreement.  Fourth, it indicates to Sellers that you are a serious buyer.   You shouldn’t be intimidated or concerned about signing an Agency Agreement with your agent as you can always fire them.  You really fire the Brokerage but you can do this if you are dissatisfied with the situation in which you find yourself.