South Carolina

	Allows choice of brokerage services
	Allows brokers to offer rebates to consumers

Previously, South Carolina state law prohibited a real estate broker from paying a rebate to any unlicensed individual, apparently to prevent unlicensed individuals from acting as real estate brokers. In June 2006, the South Carolina Legislature changed the law, which now clarifies that real estate brokers may pay consumers rebates as long as they do not pay unlicensed persons to perform real estate services.

Learn more about:

• Brokerage services: Discount Brokers Can Make Selling a Home Less Costly
• Rebates: Rebates Make Buying a Home Less Expensive

Antitrust Division documents:

Press releases:

• Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Consolidated Multiple Listing Service of South Carolina for Restraining Competition Among Real Estate Brokers (05/02/2008)
• Justice Department Reaches Settlement with the Multiple Listing Service of Hilton Head Island Inc. (10/16/2007)

Case filings:

• U.S. v. Consolidated Multiple Listing Service, Inc.
• U.S. v. Multiple Listing Service of Hilton Head Island, Inc.

Related documents on the Internet:

• South Carolina Code § 40-57-145 allows brokers to pay rebates to consumers

Back to Real Estate Laws in Your State

Back to Competition and Real Estate main page