Don't Let Buyer Agent Commission Get in the Way of Your Perfect Home in Columbia, SC
If you are buying a home in Columbia, South Carolina right now — whether it's in Pontiac, Elgin, Blythewood, Northeast Columbia, or Lake Carolina — you've probably heard a lot about buyer agent commissions.
I get this question every week: "What happens if we find my dream home, but the seller isn't offering a lot for the buyer agent?"
Here is my answer as a local Columbia, SC buyer's agent:
We don't work for free, but we never let the commission conversation get in the way of getting you into a great home. Our job is to take care of our client first.
That has always been my philosophy, and with the new NAR rules from the August 17, 2024 settlement, the process is clearer than ever for South Carolina home buyers.
How Buyer Agent Commissions Actually Work in South Carolina Now
Before we tour one home in Richland County, you and I sign a Written Buyer Agency Agreement. South Carolina law now requires this, and NAR requires it nationwide.
In that agreement, you and I agree — in writing — what my compensation is. It is clearly disclosed. It is not set by the seller, not set by the listing agent, and not set by the MLS. It is between you and me.
You Will See EVERY Home That Fits Your Criteria in the Columbia Market
This is where you need a true fiduciary.
NAR's Code of Ethics, Standard 3, strictly prohibits steering buyers based on compensation. As a REALTOR® in Columbia, SC, I am ethically and legally required to show you every home that meets your search criteria, regardless of what the seller is offering.
If that perfect brick ranch in Pontiac, that new build in Blythewood, or that Lake Carolina home with the big yard fits your needs, you are going to see it. I will not filter your Columbia, SC home search by commission. Ever.
My duty under Article 1 of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics is to protect and promote YOUR best interests. Walking you past your perfect home because of a compensation line item would violate that duty.
So How Do We Make the Deal Work in Today's Columbia Market?
Finding the home is half the job. Making sure my buyer can actually get it — that's the other half.
When we find "the one" here in the Midlands, we have professional, compliant ways to handle it:
1. We Negotiate Seller-Paid Compensation. In Columbia, SC, it is still very common for sellers to offer compensation to the buyer's brokerage as a way to market their home. We can include that request directly in our offer.
2. We Can Negotiate Seller Concessions. Even if compensation isn't offered in the listing, we can negotiate concessions that help cover your costs.
3. We Focus on the Total Picture. Because we already set my compensation in our Buyer Agency Agreement, there are no last-minute surprises. We know what we need to make work, and we build a strategy around getting you the house — not around abandoning it over a negotiable fee.
The bottom line: The right home in Columbia, SC is too important to lose over something we can negotiate. I will always be 100% transparent with you about who is paying what and how much, but I will not let that conversation stop you from becoming a homeowner.
If you're looking to buy in Pontiac, Elgin, Blythewood, or anywhere around Columbia and want an agent who puts your dream home first, let's talk. Let's find the house first — I'll do the work to make the numbers make sense.
Ready to start your home search in Columbia, SC? Contact me today for a no-pressure buyer consultation.
Christopher Webster | South Carolina Broker | Serving Columbia, Pontiac, Elgin, Blythewood & The Midlands
Disclaimer: Real estate commissions are negotiable and not set by law, the National Association of Realtors®, or any MLS. All brokerages set their own fees. Compensation is governed by your signed Buyer Agency Agreement. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult your brokerage agreement for your specific terms.
Comments(0)