Buy a home
Buy a home in Lexington or around Lake Murray
Welcome! You're in the right spot. Fill out the questionnaire to get started. I can help you narrow your search based on interests, importance, etc, then we will find you the home. First-time buyers and people moving to Lexington, Lake Murray, and the Midlands are a big part of my work.
Buying
How buying with me is different
Most agents only show homes already listed on the MLS. A lot of homes in the Midlands never hit the open market.
I look off-market through relationships with homeowners, past listings, direct mail, and people I work with in this market.
For homes that are listed, I search with licensed MLS tools. Fill out the questionnaire and I'll search with you from there. Call or text (803) 569-7595.
Outreach
Direct mail and outreach
If nothing on the market is meeting your needs, direct mail can help. I use it to reach homeowners when the live inventory is not a fit.
I send targeted mail. I also use a newsletter and social ads to find homes that are not listed yet.
Start with the questionnaire and I'll do the work.
Start the questionnaireNext steps
Steps to work with me
Hi. Here is how we start.
The first step is to complete the buyer questionnaire. It really helps me get an understanding of exactly what you're looking for, so I can prepare to answer any questions you may have during our initial phone call.
Complete the questionnaireSecond step is to connect with a local lender. Using a local lender can build credibility with listing agents and sellers. You're welcome to use any lender that you'd like, but here is who I recommend.
Jason Burns - Guild Mortgage(803) 210-7999Third step is to set up an initial phone call to go through your questionnaire and answer any questions you have. Before we start looking at homes, we sign a buyer agency agreement. That's the required paperwork so we can work together.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Relationships
Local relationships matter
I have great relationships with local real estate agents. We have text threads that are constantly pinging with what's new coming to the market, and asking if anyone knows of anything for specific buyer needs. I cannot promise that an opportunity will arise this way, but it has happened before, and I am sure it will happen again.
Last year, 82% of real estate agents sold not a single home. A small portion of agents sell the majority of homes: about 20% of agents sell 80% of the homes. I have great relationships with those people, which helps me stay in the know and hear what's coming on the market before it even hits the market.
A few things to keep in mind
A lot of people hire me because I negotiate the terms that actually matter on an offer. Price, closing costs, concessions, contingencies, repairs, commission, what stays with the house, and the closing date.
I have a strong record of negotiating the full 3% to be paid by the seller. Out of the 150 homes sold, only 1 buyer paid a portion of my commission.
It may be possible to cover any balance between what the seller is offering and the fee in your mortgage. Ask Jason, or your lender, if that is possible.
Good representation is not free. Weak representation can cost you a fortune. I work full time, full service, full fee.
Fees
How I get paid
There are three common ways this works.
1. Most common
Negotiated fee
On an offer, we ask the seller to pay 3% to Coldwell Banker at closing, based on the purchase price. If the seller agrees and it matches the Buyer Agency Agreement, you do not owe extra commission at closing.
2. Seller counters
A lower number
Sometimes the seller counters lower. Example: 2.5%. We try to get the full 3%. If they will not cover all of it, you are responsible for the difference at closing.
3. Unlikely
No seller-paid fee
Sometimes a seller offers no buyer-broker commission. If we cannot negotiate the fee and you still want that house, the 3% is due from you at closing.
About
I grew up in Lexington
I help people buy a home here, around Lake Murray, and across the Midlands. First-time buyers and people moving to town are a big part of my work. I was voted Lexington's Best Real Estate Agent by the Lexington Chronicle, 2026.
Lauren Lux, REALTOR® | Coldwell Banker Realty
5.0 from 76 Google reviews as of August 30, 2026. Read them on the reviews page or on Google.
Guides
Buyer, relocation, and Lake Murray
Read these if you want the longer version before we talk. I can also walk them with you. First-time buyers can start with first-time homebuyers in Lexington. The free Home Buyer's Guide is on the buying guide page. Enter your email to download it.
Questionnaire
Start with the questionnaire
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Questions
How is buying with you different?
Most agents only show homes already on the MLS. A lot of Midlands homes never hit the open market. I search listed homes, and I also look off-market through homeowners I know, past listings, direct mail, and people I work with here.
What do I need before you look off-market?
Finish the questionnaire, complete a buyer profile, and sign a buyer agency agreement. The agreement is required by law. The profile is how I show you as a real, ready buyer when I reach out.
How do you get paid?
Most often we ask the seller to pay 3% to Coldwell Banker at closing, based on the purchase price. If that matches the Buyer Agency Agreement, you do not owe extra commission at closing. If the seller pays less, you cover the difference. If they pay none and you still want the house, the 3% is due from you at closing.
Who is the preferred local lender?
Jason Burns at Guild Mortgage, (803) 210-7999. A local lender can help with sellers and listing agents. I can explain why local can put you ahead.
Do you work with first-time buyers?
Yes. First-time buyers and people moving to Lexington or around Lake Murray are a big part of my work.
How do I start looking at homes?
Fill out the questionnaire on this page. I'll search with you from there.
Start with the questionnaire
Fill it out on this page. I'll search with you from there.