Upstate SC Real Estate FAQs | Buying & Selling Questions Answered

FAQ

Your Upstate real estate questions, answered

About My Upstate Home

What makes My Upstate Home different?

My Upstate Home is an independent boutique brokerage built on three pillars:
Humanity. Transparency. Kindness.
You’ll never feel rushed, pressured, or left in the dark. We provide highly personalized
service, direct communication, and honest guidance—always built around what is best for
you.

Why boutique brokerage?

To create the experience people deserve but don’t always get: real transparency, expert
strategy, and genuine care. My goal was to build a place where clients are treated like
family, and where agents are supported in an ethical, transparent, and empowering
environment.

What is the TREE Initiative?

TREE (Truth in Real Estate for Everyone) is a transparency framework I created to give buyers and sellers a clearer
understanding of where their money goes in a transaction—beyond the total commission
number. TREE is about honesty, clarity, and empowering consumers with information that
helps them make the best decisions for themselves.

What does “Where Humanity Comes First, Transparency is Best Practice, and Kindness is
Corporate” mean?

It means we prioritize people over profit, clarity over confusion, and compassion over
pressure. You will always know exactly what’s happening, why it’s happening, and where
your money is going.

Buying in the Upstate

Communities overview

Each area offers its own lifestyle: The Upstate of South Carolina has many mini markets.
A few examples are below.

Greenville City: Vibrant, walkable, artsy, upscale dining, strong job market.

Seneca: Close to Lake Keowee, slower pace, medical hub, charming downtown.

Clemson: College-town energy, investment appeal, strong rental demand.

Anderson: Spacious, suburban, excellent strength and value.

Lake Region: Lake living, boating lifestyle, outdoor enthusiasm

How to choose the right community?

We start with your lifestyle preferences—waterfront, walkability, schools, acreage, golf, medical proximity, commute needs—and match it to the neighborhood that best fits your goals.

How quickly do homes sell in the Upstate?

It depends on price, location, and condition. Quality, price position, and market timing
matter. Schedule a meeting to get an individualized, full market analysis or your home
and/or the mini market you are considering buying in.

What costs should I expect when buying?

Inspections, appraisal, attorney closing fees (SC is an attorney-close state), earnest
money, and certain HOA or membership fees depending on the community.

Do you work with out-of-state buyers?

Yes. We provide virtual tours, local guidance, community comparisons, and full-service
support from anywhere.

Selling in the Upstate

Pricing strategy

We evaluate comparable sales, current competition, condition, upgrades, unique features,
and market momentum. Pricing is a strategy—not a guess.

Days on market

We can provide you with the average days on market for any target neighborhood and
community. Days on market vary based on location, waterfront, seasonality, buyer demand
and much more.

What should I fix before listing?

You don’t need a full remodel. Focus on:
fresh paint
curb appeal
decluttering
small repairs
professional cleaning

These changes create emotional appeal and maximize value.

How important are photos, video, and staging?

Critical. In the luxury market, you are not just selling the home—you’re selling the lifestyle.
High-end marketing is key.

How do you market luxury listings differently?

Cinematic videos, lifestyle videos, targeted digital ads, high-end photography, agent-toagent networking, curated copywriting, and lifestyle positioning designed to attract top-tier buyers.

What if my home doesn’t sell?

We analyze feedback, adjust strategy, refresh the marketing, reposition if needed, and
address anything blocking the sale. Our communication is proactive and honest at every step.

Lake Keowee / Waterfront

Do I need permission from Duke Energy for a dock?

Yes. Duke Energy regulates Lake Keowee docks. Permits require review, and certain lots are
pre-approved or restricted. We help you assess your lot’s dock status.

How does lot grade affect waterfront value?

Level lots bring a premium—often hundreds of thousands—because they offer easy
access to the water. Steeper lots typically cost less but can offer beautiful views.

Differences in communities

Crescent: Non-gated, neighborhood amenities, excellent value.
The Reserve/The Cliffs: Gated, luxury amenities, membership requirements, upscale
lifestyle.

What affects waterfront value most?

Water depth, views, lot slope, cove vs. main channel, dock type, privacy, and neighborhood
lifestyle.

Transparency & Commissions

How commissions work

Commissions are 100% negotiable and typically divided between the listing brokerage and buyer’s
brokerage. In most cases, what sellers see as one number is split multiple ways.

Who pays buyer’s agent?

Structures vary depending on the agreement and the market. We explain every option
clearly.

Why do commissions seem high?

Because typically and historically, customers and clients only see the total fee, not how much goes to the
agent vs. brokerage vs. corporate/franchise/affiliate fees, marketing, insurance, overhead,
taxes, etc.

What steps do you take to ensure transparency?

We outline every fee, split, cost, and marketing expense up front. No surprises. No hidden
corporation, franchise or affiliate fees. No NDAs.

Your Upstate real estate questions, answered

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