Buying a Home in Upstate SC

I represent home buyers all over Upstate South Carolina. Whether you want to be in the heart of downtown Greenville, one of its beautiful suburbs, or a nearby city, I have lived here for more than 20 years and know every corner of the region. I will guide you home.

Voted Best of the Upstate 2024

61 homes closed last year

More than a decade of experience

Where do we begin?

Realtor Stephanie Burger sits in a kitchen with white cabinets. She is wearing a green dress and there is a flower arrangement on the counter.

First-time home buyers looking for a home in Greenville, SC, and surrounding areas are entering a competitive market. A real estate agent is more than just someone who opens doors. A licensed Realtor® undergoes training to understand every aspect of the home-buying process. A full-time, experienced real estate agent like me goes above and beyond. I am knowledgeable about the legal and financial processes involved, will provide you with customized and easy-to understand explanations for every step of the process, have professional contacts across the industry, can help you interpret all of the paperwork, and will provide you with resources for future home ownership. I will personally guide you from contract to close.

More experienced home buyers face different challenges entirely, from understanding how recent legal changes in South Carolina real estate law have altered the buying process to what to expect of elevated home prices. Whether you’re a South Carolina native or new to the Palmetto state, there is a lot of new information to understand about how recent rule changes and contract law will affect your transaction. You need a Greenville real estate agent who doesn’t have to “go look it up.” You need someone in the know.

Even seasoned real estate investors can use guidance to navigate the process of purchasing property in Upstate South Carolina. You need to know about HOA restrictions, pricing to sell, where to search, and more. You want an agent who is available when you need them, can ensure quick and seamless closings, and who understands your business model.

I approach all buyer clients the same way, whether they are buying a home with me for the first time or are repeat clients. First, we will schedule a buyer consultation to determine your current situation and goals. This is an opportunity for us to meet face to face and find the best path forward.

Schedule a consultation

Dream Home Questionnaire

When considering buying a home, it is vital to determine what your priorities are. Before beginning to search, it helps to decide on your must-have home features and which things are “dealbreakers.” Some buyers care about location more than architecture, some are fans of DIY home improvement, and others need specific attributes such as single-level living. The answers to these questions will vary for everyone, so please take a few minutes to consider your needs as you fill out this questionnaire.

Complete Questionnaire

All About Financing your new home

If you are securing a mortgage, you must be pre-approved before we can start searching for homes. Homes move very quickly in our market, so there is not time to wait for financing decisions when it comes time to make an offer. Offers will not be accepted without proof of funds. Pre-approval will also give you a clear understanding of what you can afford and your buying power.
Pre-qualification is not a mortgage approval, but simply an estimate of what you can afford. When you pre-qualify for a mortgage, the lender also collects basic information regarding your income, monthly debts, credit history and assets, and then uses this information to calculate an estimated mortgage amount. The lender has not yet committed to, nor have you received, an actual guarantee of funds. You must be pre-approved to start your home search.
If you do not have a lender, I can help you find a lender who specializes in different types of financing and can provide the best terms for your mortgage.
If you make any changes to your financing, you need to let me know so that I know who to contact about your contract and also so I am representing everything accurately in your transaction paperwork.
Your lender will go over all of your transaction expenses in detail before closing, and you can ask me if you have questions. You also need to consider the ongoing costs of home ownership, including taxes, insurance, maintenance costs, and repairs. Even with a thorough inspection, some costs can arise after you move in. Best to be prepared.
Cash buyers must be prepared to provide proof of funds with any offer made on a home. You'll need a proof of funds letter from your financial institution or similar evidence of your ability to pay the purchase price on the home.

less hunting. More finding.

Searching for a home has never been easier! Technology has made it possible for buyers to browse all available homes listed in the MLS. Odds are, you already have a preferred app downloaded on your device, and I’m a big fan of how useful those apps can be. You can search for homes on the app of your choice, but nothing compares to seeing a house in person. Photography and descriptions can give you an idea of what a home has to offer, and they can definitely help you decide which ones you want to see, but they can also gloss over flaws or omit important details. You can’t tell how a house smells, how much natural light it gets, or the true condition of a home until you schedule a showing.

Use the big real estate search tools, such as Zillow and Redfin, to narrow down the homes you want to see. I will also create a custom MLS search based on your criteria that will update immediately when houses list. Then we get to go shopping!

Client Testimonials

"Absolutely amazing"

“Stephanie was absolutely amazing throughout the whole home buying process! We are relocating from out of state, and she made this process seamless for us. Stephanie is quick to respond and gives her honest feedback on houses, which was so nice to have since we are not familiar with the area quite yet. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to buy a home!”
Lauren W.
"Simply the Best"

“Simply the best real estate agent in the Upstate! Stephanie has helped us sell/buy our last five homes. Look forward to working with her on our next transaction.”
Mark T
"Knows her stuff"

“We have purchased four homes in the past ten years with Stephanie. She listens and knows what we want in a home. She is honest and to the point, which is so helpful when you’re in the process of purchasing a home and time is of the essence. She knows her stuff and always had an answer when we had a question. We would recommend her for sure!”
TW
"Gave the best advice"

“During this challenging market for buyers, Stephanie gave the best advice and really got to know my family and what we needed at this chapter in our lives. She went above and beyond any Realtor® that we have had in decades of experience.”
Beth A.
"Fantastic"

“This marks our second time working with Stephanie as our realtor, and once again, the experience has been nothing short of fantastic. Despite our evolving criteria, she exhibited unwavering patience and dedication in guiding us through the process of finding our ideal home. From initiating the offer to the closing, every step proceeded seamlessly under her expert guidance.”
Keith S.
"Smart negotiator"

“Throughout the buying process, Stephanie was more than our realtor - she was our advocate. She helped us navigate a tough market successfully with smart negotiation tactics. She is knowledgeable, trustworthy, and a tremendous asset to have in your corner. We wouldn’t buy another house in the Upstate without her!”
Chelsea G.
"A true gem"

“Stephanie's dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to her clients make her an outstanding real estate professional. Throughout our many experiences with Stephanie, she consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the real estate market and an unparalleled level of professionalism. She is a true gem in the real estate industry.”
Brandon E.

Get to know Greenville and the Upstate

Greenville, SC, is a place people love to call home. With an excellent location between Charlotte and Atlanta, an award-winning downtown, a beautiful setting against the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains, a relatively affordable cost of living, major employers in manufacturing and healthcare, and gorgeous weather, it’s not surprising Greenville keeps topping the “Best Places to Live” lists. Upstate South Carolina is a wonderful place to live.

Buyers looking for a home here, especially those from out of state, should know a little about the geography of the area and the cities and towns surrounding Greenville in order to decide which area suits them best.

Click here for basic local information or see the links below for more in-depth information about Greenville and its surrounding towns.