Aimee Peterson

The smartest thing a buyer can do before shopping for a home is get financially prepared and properly advised. That means getting preapproved with a trusted local lender, understanding your true monthly payment, and knowing exactly what you’re comfortable investing, this is different from just what you qualify for. In today’s real estate market, preparation beats hesitation every time. Next, work with a knowledgeable local real estate agent who understands neighborhood values, contract strategy, and negotiation, not just showing you homes. A great agent will help you spot overpriced listings, uncover off market opportunities, and write clean, competitive offers that protect your money and your future resale value. Buyers also need to think beyond the house itself. Location, schools, long term growth, HOA rules, insurance costs including flood insurance, and future resale matter just as much as granite countertops. I always encourage buyers to focus on lifestyle first, investment second, emotions last. Finally, don’t try to time the market. The right time to buy is when it fits your life, your finances, and your long term goals. Real estate rewards smart moves, not rushed ones.

The biggest mistake sellers make is pricing their home based on emotion instead of real market data. The first 7 to 10 days on the market are the most powerful. This is when buyer demand is highest and online visibility peaks. If you miss that window with an inflated price, you almost always end up chasing the market down with price reductions. Before listing, sellers should focus on high impact preparation: professional pricing analysis, strategic staging or decluttering, minor cosmetic improvements, and professional photography. Homes don’t sell online, but buyers choose which home to tour online. If your home doesn’t stand out digitally, it won’t stand out in person. Marketing also matters more than ever. Your home should be promoted across the MLS, Google, social media, email campaigns, retargeting ads, and major portals like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Homes.com. Exposure creates leverage, and leverage creates stronger offers. Working with a Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Agent, your home is marketed internationally, and through private portals related to the magazine. While preparation of your home and marketing are top priorities in the selling process, knowing your NET proceeds after the sale is just as important. Many agents do not do this step with their sellers. At Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Palmetto this is a step we complete every time with our sellers. Preparation and education of costs of selling your home are all discussed through our Net Sheet prior to listing. We discussed costs such as deed stamps, HOA transfer fees, attorney closing fees, real estate commissions, repairs and warranties. As a seller you do not want to get to the closing table to find out you were ill prepared for the cost of selling your home. Finally, choose an agent who prioritizes strategy, communication, and negotiation, not just putting a sign in the yard. The right pricing plan, marketing system, and negotiation approach can mean tens of thousands more for the seller at closing.

I’ve worked with a wide range of clients across every price point and life stage, including first time home buyers, move up buyers, luxury buyers, new construction buyers, land buyers, sellers, investors, relocation clients, military and VA buyers, retirees, and 55+ active adult buyers. I also work closely with out-of-state clients relocating to the Charleston, Summerville, Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms and greater Lowcountry area. On the seller side, I represent homeowners in traditional equity sales, luxury listings, new construction resales, estate sales, divorce situations, and homeowners facing time-sensitive moves. I also work with builders and developers on both entry level and custom home projects. Many of my clients are navigating major life transitions from career moves, growing families, downsizing, inheritance, or retirement. I provide my clients clear guidance, strong negotiation, and a steady hand through the process. No matter the situation, my role is always the same: protect their best interest, maximize their financial outcome, and make the process clear and manageable.

One recent transaction that stands out involved a relocating buyer who needed to purchase a home in the Charleston area without being able to travel back and forth. They were on a tight timeline, navigating a career move, and understandably stressed about making the right decision from out of state. We started with a detailed needs assessment, narrowed the search by commute time, lifestyle, and long-term resale value, and used virtual tours and in depth neighborhood breakdowns to guide the process. When the right home came on the market, we moved quickly with a strong but well structured offer that protected the buyer while remaining competitive. The home appraised clean, inspections went smoothly, and we negotiated key repairs without disrupting the contract. The buyer closed on time, under budget, and moved into their new home with confidence without ever feeling rushed or uncertain. Transactions like this are my favorite because they remind me that great real estate service isn’t just about the sale, it’s about reducing stress, protecting people financially, and helping them land well in the next chapter of life.

I began my career in medical sales after earning my master’s degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. While I was successful in that field, everything changed when I went through the custom home building process myself. I experienced firsthand the stress, confusion, and vulnerability that comes from building without strong representation, and it opened my eyes to how critical great guidance truly is in real estate. That experience sparked a passion for the construction and luxury home space. I immersed myself in understanding the custom building process, contracts, design, timelines, and how to protect buyers financially and legally during one of the biggest investments of their lives. What started as a personal challenge quickly became a professional calling. Fast forward more than 20 years, and that passion has grown into leading alongside my husband, one of the top closing real estate teams in South Carolina and now operating one of the region’s top real estate brokerages, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Palmetto. Today, I bring that same hands on construction knowledge, negotiation expertise, and client-first mindset to every buyer, seller, and agent I serve across the Charleston and Lowcountry market.

Yes, and it’s one of the biggest advantages my clients receive. In South Carolina, an agent must hold their real estate license for a minimum of five years before even qualifying to become a broker. I meet that requirement and serve as a Broker-in-Charge and Owner of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Palmetto, meaning I am legally responsible for contracts, compliance, negotiations, and consumer protection at the highest level. In addition to my broker licensing, I hold advanced certifications in Relocation, Luxury Real Estate, Land, Commercial Real Estate, and AI Marketing. This gives my buyers and sellers an advantage whether they are relocating into Charleston, selling a luxury home, purchasing acreage, investing in commercial property, or leveraging modern digital marketing for maximum exposure. In 2024, I also led our brokerage to be recognized as the TopTechnology Brokerage across the entire Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate brand, a national achievement that reflects both production and innovation.