South Carolina Real Estate Agency Relationships

Part One: The Customer

This is the first of three articles discussing South Carolina Real Estate Agency Law. We will be discussing what a customer is.


The SC Real Estate License Law in Section 57-139 (A) (1) and (2), requires a real estate licensee to provide you this brochure and a meaningful explanation of agency relationships offered by the licensee’s Company. This must be done at the first practical opportunity when you and the licensee have substantive contact.


Before you begin to work with a real estate licensee, it is important for you to know the difference between a broker-in-charge and associated licensees. The broker-in-charge is the person in charge of a real estate Company. Associated licensees may work only through a broker-in-charge. In other words, when you choose to work with any real estate licensee, your business relationship is legally with the Company and not with the associated licensee. A real estate Company and its associated licensees can provide buyers and sellers valuable real estate services, whether in the form of basic customer services, or through client-level agency representation. The services you can expect will depend upon the legal relationship you establish with the Company. It is important for you to discuss the following information with the real estate licensee and agree on whether in your business relationship you will be a customer or a client.


South Carolina license law defines customers as buyers or sellers who choose NOT to establish an agency elationship. The law requires real estate licensees to perform the basic duties when dealing with any real estate buyer or seller as customers.


Unless, or until you enter into a written agreement with the Company for agency representation, you are considered a “Customer” of the Company, and the Company will not act your agent. As a Customer, you should not expect the Company or its licensees to promote your best interest, or to keep your bargaining information confidential. Customer service does not require a written agreement; therefore, you are not committed to the Company in any way.


As always, your thoughts, questions, or comments are greatly appreciated. Let me know if I can help with any of your Charleston SC real estate needs or questions. To look for homes anywhere in the tri-county area go to my website at http://www.carolinajoe.com/mls/


Sincerely,


"Carolina Joe" Idleman

http://www.carolinajoe.com/