What should you look for when choosing the best real estate agent for buyers in the Charleston area—and what questions should you ask before hiring one?

Short answer: look for proven local expertise, strong communication habits, ethical negotiation skills, and experience with buyers in situations similar to yours.

Charleston is a neighborhood-driven market that can be fast moving. The right buyer’s agent can be the difference between feeling overwhelmed and settling—or feeling confident and truly excited about the home you buy.  Here's what you should be asking your agent when you are buying a home in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, West Ashley and beyond.

Look for deep local and neighborhood expertise

Charleston is not a single market—it’s a collection of micro-markets. A strong buyer’s agent understands neighborhood nuances, price behavior street by street, commute patterns, and where opportunities appear before they go fully public. This is especially important if you’re relocating or set on a specific “dream neighborhood.”

You want your experience with your agent to sound similar to this:

“Under contract within a week in our target neighborhood in Mount Pleasant.”
“Overview of Charleston and research helped us pick the perfect place.”

Questions to ask an agent

• Which Charleston neighborhoods do you work in most often with buyers?

• How do you help clients compare similar areas they may not know well?

• What insights can you share that don’t always show up in online listings?

• How do you help relocation buyers narrow down neighborhoods efficiently?

Prioritize clear communication and responsiveness

When buying a home, timing matters. You want an agent who responds quickly, explains each step clearly, and adapts their communication style to how you prefer to work—text, phone, email, or a mix.

Buyers who worked with agents who were responsive, clear communicators describe their experience as:

“Process felt effortless.”
“Very responsive; instantly knew she was the one.”

Questions to ask an agent

• How quickly do you typically respond to calls, texts, or emails?

• How do you keep buyers informed during fast-moving situations?

• How do you explain complex parts of the process for first-time buyers?

• Will I work directly with you throughout the transaction?

Choose someone who can guide you confidently in a balanced Charleston market

Today’s Charleston market is more balanced than it has been in recent years. Buyers often have more time to evaluate options, negotiate thoughtfully, and make decisions without the same urgency as before—but that doesn’t mean every home is a good opportunity.

The right buyer’s agent helps you understand where the balance truly is. Some homes are priced realistically and move quickly. Others linger due to condition, pricing, or location. Strong guidance means helping you recognize the difference, understand when you have leverage, and avoid overcommitting simply because a property is available.

When satisfied buyers were asked about their agent's guidance, they shared:

“Honest guidance and really understood what we wanted.”
“Guided us through the market and advocated through issues we wouldn’t have caught on our own.”

Questions to ask an agent

• How would you describe the current buyer market in Charleston?

• Where do you see buyers having leverage right now?

• How do you help clients evaluate homes that have been on the market longer?

• How do you advise buyers when a property is priced aggressively but still appealing?

• How do you help buyers stay patient without missing the right opportunity?

Look for strong negotiation skills that are ethical and effective

Negotiation is more than price. It includes terms, repairs, timelines, and navigating personalities on the other side of the deal. The right agent advocates for you firmly while keeping transactions intact.

Buyers should look for an agent who helps provide outcomes like:

“Helped us win a competing offer on our dream home.”
“Highly ethical and honest; made two townhome deals simple.”

Questions to ask an agent

• How do you approach negotiations in multiple-offer situations?

• How do you balance advocacy with keeping deals together?

• Can you share examples of how you’ve negotiated terms beyond price?

• How do you handle challenges with the other side of a transaction?

Moving from Out of the Area? Make sure they truly support relocations and out-of-state buyers

Relocation buyers need more support—virtual tours, long-distance coordination, local context, and patience over longer timelines. This should be a core competency, not a learning curve.

When you finally have the keys to your new Charleston area home, you'll want to feel the way these buyers did:

“Relocation from Colorado; felt supported every step.”
“Watched the market for a year and bought sight-unseen.”

Questions to ask an agent

• How do you support buyers who can’t be in town regularly?

• Do you offer virtual showings and detailed walkthroughs?

• How do you help clients buying sight-unseen feel confident?

• What experience do you have with new builds and long-distance timelines?

For first-time buyers, look for education and patience

First-time buyers benefit most from agents who teach. You should feel more informed and confident after every conversation—not more confused.

As a first-time buyer, you'll want to feel:

“Educated through each step; above and beyond.”
“Felt confident after she explained the market and trends.”

Questions to ask an agent

• How do you guide first-time buyers through the process?

• How do you explain contracts, timelines, and market conditions?

• What resources do you provide to help buyers feel prepared?

• How do you adjust your approach for someone buying for the first time?

Choose someone who listens and matches you with the right home

The best buyer’s agents don’t just send listings—they filter, prioritize, and match homes to your real goals so you don’t waste time or settle.

Questions to ask an agent

• How do you learn what matters most to your buyers?

• How do you narrow options so we’re not overwhelmed?

• How do you help buyers decide between similar homes?

• How do you make sure we don’t settle for the wrong fit?

When all is said and done, you want to feel like these buyers:

“Found the perfect house.”
“Right purchase to meet our needs.”

Your next step as a Charleston area buyer

Finding the best real estate agent for buyers in the Charleston area comes down to alignment—local knowledge, communication style, negotiation approach, and experience with buyers like you.

If you’re considering a move, your next step could be scheduling a buyer consultation or learning how to narrow down your ideal neighborhoods, so you can start the buying process with clarity and confidence.  Lauren Zurilla & Associates is here to guide you every step of the way.

Warmly,

Lauren, Tina and Gigi | Lauren Zurilla & Associates