We recently connected with Nadine Viljoen and have shared our conversation below.

Nadine, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, let’s jump into one of the most exciting parts of starting a new firm – how did you get your first client who was not a friend or family?

My first client came in through an office duty call on a Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. I’m usually one of the first people in the office, so I was available to take the call that morning. On the other end of the line were homeowners on James Island who needed to sell their home quickly because they were already under contract on a new home in North Carolina. They were interviewing several agents and wanted someone familiar with their neighborhood.

Since they were on a tight timeline, I scheduled a listing appointment for the very next day and spent the rest of that Monday preparing, I was nervous since this was my first potential client. I put together a full marketing plan, researched comparable properties, and created a pricing and listing strategy so I could walk into the appointment fully prepared.

When I arrived at the home the next day, I toured the property first – it was gorgeous. Afterward, we sat down and talked through my recommendations for preparing the home and bringing it to market. Because they were on a tight timeline and needed to sell quickly to secure their North Carolina purchase, I walked them through a pricing strategy, suggested a few improvements to maximize value, and outlined the marketing plan, including professional photography, listing materials, and a launch strategy with multiple open houses.

By the end of the appointment, they were excited to move forward together. They trusted my recommendations completely, made the suggested updates, and we brought the home to market over Labor Day weekend.

We hosted open houses on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and the response was incredible. When we met again on Monday, we had five offers in hand to review. The sellers ultimately accepted an all-cash offer nearly $50,000 over the list price. From there I guided them smoothly through inspections, and we closed on their preferred timeline.

It truly was a picture-perfect first deal in real estate, and I felt incredibly grateful to have sellers who trusted me to guide them through such an important moment. My heart was warmed further when I received this review after the sale:

“Working with Nadine was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. Her communication was outstanding – we always felt informed, supported, and ahead of the curve. She was consistently on top of every action item, which gave us a tremendous sense of confidence and allowed us to relax during what could have been a very stressful process. Not only is she highly professional and knowledgeable, but she also brings a warm, friendly, and refreshingly funny presence that makes the entire experience more enjoyable. She was willing to go above and beyond to get the job done, and her expert advice throughout was invaluable. We’re so grateful to have had Nadine on our team and would enthusiastically recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell.”

For my first clients and transaction in real estate, I truly couldn’t have asked for better sellers or a better experience.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I would love to tell you about myself and my journey. Hi, my name is Nadine Viljoen, and I’m a Realtor with Carolina One Real Estate in Charleston, South Carolina. My path to real estate has been shaped by multiple continental moves, and a love for people and houses.

Originally from South Africa, my family have moved across continents and states before finding our happy place in Charleston in 2022. Interestingly, my professional background was not originally in real estate. I studied Somatology, which focuses on health, skincare, and wellness, and my early career was in lecturing and education and later managing a health and wellness spa. While house hunting for our own family in New Jersey, I developed a deep interest in real estate. I became fascinated by the process, the strategy behind buying and selling homes, and the way a great agent can truly guide people through one of the biggest decisions of their lives. When we moved to Charleston, it felt like the perfect time to pursue that passion and turn it into a career.

Today, I help buyers and sellers navigate the Charleston real estate market. My role goes far beyond simply putting a for sale sign in the ground or scheduling showings. I guide sellers through preparing their homes for the market, pricing strategically, and creating a strong marketing plan to attract the right buyers. For buyers, I help them navigate the local market with confidence and assist them through the purchasing process from the first showing to the closing table.

One of the biggest problems I solve for my clients is reducing the stress that often comes with buying or selling a home. Real estate transactions involve many moving parts – timelines, negotiations, inspections, financing – and my goal is to make the process as smooth, organized, and transparent as possible. Clear communication and preparation are incredibly important to me because I want my clients to feel informed and confident every step of the way.

I believe what sets me apart is a combination of preparation, genuine care for my clients, and my international background. Having relocated multiple times myself, I deeply understand what it feels like to start fresh in a new place and how important it is to find the right home and area. I also approach every transaction with a strong sense of responsibility, my clients trust me with something very important in their lives, and I take that trust seriously.

What I’m most proud of so far is the relationships I’ve built in such a short time in the industry. In my short time in the industry, I have been fortunate to close over $1.6 million in sales, take on multiple listings and buyer clients, and most importantly, build meaningful relationships with clients who often become friends. For me, real estate is not just about transactions – it’s about helping people through important life moments and being someone they can rely on during the process.

Above all, I want people to know that my brand is built on trust, communication, and genuine care. I truly love what I do, and there’s nothing more rewarding than helping someone find a home they love or successfully move on to the next chapter of their life.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

One of my favorite sales stories is my listing in North Charleston. It’s a great example of how preparation and strategy can make all the difference, even when you don’t feel super confident.

The home was vacant and in need of updates, situated in a neighborhood known for longer market times and properties often selling below list price. My sellers were living in different parts of the world, which added the challenge of coordinating across multiple time zones. I’ll admit, I was nervous – this neighborhood was new to me, and full list price wasn’t guaranteed. I took on the role of both listing agent and on-site caretaker, attending every repair estimate and appointment, ensuring the property was maintained. During an unusually cold Charleston winter, I visited the house frequently to drip taps and prevent any weather-related damage, keeping the home in top condition for potential buyers.

As for the house, we focused on what would make the home truly stand out to buyers:
• Landscaping clean-up and a full exterior power wash.
• A complete refresh with fresh paint and brand-new carpet.
• Thoughtful staging to highlight the home’s full potential.
• Professional photography and a video walkthrough.
• Weekend open houses and Zillow Showcase to reach the right buyers.

Every detail was about creating a strong first impression and giving buyers a clear sense of the home’s value. And after just 15 days on the market – in a neighborhood averaging 72 days – we received a full-price offer.

What made this sale particularly rewarding was witnessing the relief and excitement of my sellers as they navigated everything from afar. Their heartfelt feedback made every extra effort and late-night coordination completely worthwhile:

“Nadine was great to work with. We just sold a house long distance. Nadine’s presence in the Charleston area was essential. When we were deciding on price points for the house, Nadine explained what we could expect if we sold it ‘as is’ and what we could expect if we painted and put new flooring in. She got multiple quotes for freshening up the house, explained the pros and cons of each, and ensured the timing worked for getting the house on the market quickly. Following the buyers’ home inspection, Nadine provided guidance as to which repairs needed to be done, and which items were unessential. Nadine facilitated the necessary repairs and kept us informed about the progress. The long-distance coordination went very well. Nadine was willing to have phone and Zoom meetings with us outside of regular business hours and was able to accommodate our different time zones. Throughout the process, Nadine was professional, caring, and willing to answer all of our questions.”

This transaction reminded me that real estate isn’t just about properties – it’s about people, communication, and planning. Every day and every transaction in real estate is different, and the right strategy and preparation can turn challenges or uncertainty into successes.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe my reputation in the Charleston market has been built not only through my work with clients but also through how I interact with my fellow agents.

With clients, I focus on being hands-on, detail-oriented, and genuinely invested in each transaction – preparing homes thoroughly, showing them beautifully, and guiding buyers and sellers with clear, thoughtful advice. Even when challenges arise, like long-distance sellers or tight timelines, I make sure nothing is overlooked, from repairs to marketing to negotiation.

Equally important is the reputation I’ve built among other agents. I’m known for being a strong communicator and negotiator, completing contracts thoroughly, and always maintaining high ethical standards. Many agents choose me to host open houses because they know I’ll treat guests with professionalism, represent their listing in the best light, and provide thoughtful feedback afterward.

In my experience, your reputation in the industry, and among your peers, is just as important as your reputation with clients. It creates trust, fosters collaboration, and ultimately helps everyone achieve the best outcomes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.homeswithnadine.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadineviljoenrealtor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574432155928
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadine-viljoen-2bb96235b