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Terra Vista Realty is a small, locally focused real estate brokerage serving the Charlotte area and nearby parts of North and South Carolina. It markets itself as a full-service option with lower fees, offering commission savings for both buyers and sellers.
For sellers, Terra Vista advertises listing fees starting at 1%.[1] Buyers may also qualify for commission rebates at closing, depending on the commission offered on a home. The company leans into its tech-forward website, which lets users search MLS listings, track market activity, and explore neighborhoods across the Charlotte metro.
Terra Vista's small brokerage and localized approach can be a plus if you want hands-on help from an agent who knows your area well. Still, it's worth exploring alternative options, including discount brokers in North Carolina.
Our review breaks down how Terra Vista works, what it costs, and who it’s likely a good fit for, and who may want to look elsewhere.
Terra Vista Realty overview
| How it works | Small, local brokerage offering full-service buyer and seller representation in the Charlotte area. |
| Fees | Seller listing fees start at 1%; buyers may receive commission rebates depending on the deal.[2] |
| Customer rating | Positive testimonials on Terra Vista’s site; limited verified third-party review data. |
| Loctation | Charlotte metro and nearby markets in North Carolina and South Carolina. |
| Benefits | Lower listing fees, potential buyer rebates, local market expertise, full-service support. |
| Downsides | Limited geographic reach; small team |
Services
Terra Vista Realty offers full-service representation for both buyers and sellers in the Charlotte area, and at a discounted listing commission of just 1% – far lower than the national average of 2.5-3%. Here's a summary of its services:
- Sellers get help with pricing, marketing, MLS exposure, showings, negotiations, and closing, similar to what you’d expect from a traditional agent.
- Buyers work with a dedicated agent who helps with home searches, tours, offers, negotiations, and transaction management through closing.[3]
The brokerage also promotes commission rebates for buyers and reduced listing fees for sellers, depending on the transaction.
Its services are delivered by a small, local team, which can mean more direct access to your agent. However, availability and experience may vary by individual agent and market conditions.
Additional services
The company leans on technology to support the process. Its website offers advanced MLS search tools – you can search homes by city, county or zip code, by subdivision or by address or MLS number.[3] It also provides frequent listing updates, and local market data to help clients track inventory and pricing trends.
Depending on the transaction, buyers may qualify for commission rebates at closing, and sellers may pay reduced listing fees, though terms can vary by deal and agent.
Terra Vista commission rate
| Listing agent | 1% |
| Buyer's agent | 2-3% |
Terra Vista Realty advertises listing fees starting at 1% for sellers, which is lower than the average realtor commission in North Carolina, which currently averages 2.80%.
The exact rate can vary by transaction, and in some cases, the lowest advertised fee may be tied to additional conditions, such as also buying a home through the brokerage.
Buyer’s agent fees typically range from 2–3% and currently average 2.80%, but this fee isn’t set by Terra Vista.
This cost is often built into the deal through seller concessions at closing, rather than paid as a separate out-of-pocket fee. The amount can vary based on the market, the home’s price, and what the seller is willing to cover.
When Terra Vista represents a buyer, it may offer a commission rebate at closing. This is how the company explains it:
"When working with buyers, we are almost always paid through a realty commission that is offered by the seller – as opposed to a direct payment from the buyer. And more often than not, we are able to take a portion of that commission paid by the seller and give it back to our buyer clients at closing.
The rebate that we offer depends on the commission that we are paid – which often varies from one property to the next. Please feel free to contact us to learn more about what the rebate would be for a specific property you’re interested in." – Terra Vista Realty website
Rebate amounts aren't guaranteed; savings can vary by property, lender approval, and state rules, so buyers should confirm rebate eligibility and estimated savings with their agent early on.
What seller savings might look like
Because Terra Vista’s listing fee can start at 1%, sellers may keep more money in their pocket compared to working with a traditional agent who charges closer to 2.5–3%.
For example, on a $500,000 home sale, a 1% listing fee would equal $5,000, compared to about $12,500–15,000 with a traditional full-service listing agent. That’s a potential savings of $7,500–10,000 on the listing side alone.
The buyer’s agent commission, typically 2–3%, is usually factored into the deal through concessions at closing, and often covered by the seller.
Actual commission rates and potential savings may vary. Confirm your total expected costs with your agent upfront to understand what you'll pay and what you might save.
Terra Vista Realty agents
| Quality indicators | Agent-owners (Tom and Lyn Palmer) have represented hundreds of buyers and focus on a small, locally focused service model. |
| # of agents | N/A |
| Locations | Focused on the greater Charlotte, NC area, plus nearby markets like Lake Norman and Fort Mill, SC |
Terra Vista Realty keeps things intentionally small, focusing on a tight-knit team rather than a large roster of agents. The company says this helps it stay hands-on and deliver more consistent service, especially for buyers and sellers who want to work closely with the same agent from start to finish.[4]
It’s hard to pin down an exact agent count at the brokerage. Public information varies by source, and Terra Vista doesn’t clearly list a full team roster on its site.
For clients, that means you’re likely working with a very small group of experienced local agents, which can be a plus for personal attention.
Terra Vista Realty reviews
The only reviews we could find appear on agent-owner Tom Palmer and Lyn Palmer’s profiles on Homes.com and Realtor.com, along with testimonials published on Terra Vista’s own website.
On-site testimonials are curated by the company, rather than pulled from third-party review platforms, and tend to skew positive. For clarity, testimonial quotes below have been shortened.
Positive themes in customer feedback
High-touch, personal service. Many reviewers mention feeling supported throughout the process, especially buyers relocating from out of state. Agents are described as responsive, available, and hands-on, often helping manage details beyond showings and offers.
Being from out-of-state, we relied heavily upon them and they delivered! We felt like they had our backs the entire time
Strong communication. Clear, timely communication comes up repeatedly. Clients highlight quick responses, regular updates, and agents taking time to explain next steps and answer questions.
She was professional, courteous, smart, organized and very timely with communication… She made herself available anytime and handled the multitude of questions.
Smooth buying and selling experience. Several testimonials reference stress-free transactions, organized processes, and smooth closings. Sellers mention homes going under contract quickly, while buyers emphasize guidance through negotiations and closing.
Lyn made the process of finding a home fun and no stress. She was always on time and helped make sure that closing ran smooth on both homes.
Perceived value for the cost. Clients frequently point out the combination of lower fees and full-service support. Phrases like “twice the service for half the price” suggest that savings were a key reason for choosing Terra Vista, but service quality exceeded expectations.
We received twice the service for half the price… We chose Terra Vista for the discounted commission and were pleasantly surprised with the exceptional service.
Terra Vista Realty statistics
| Agent | Closed sales | Total value | Average price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyn Palmer | 163 | $107.8 million | $661,400 |
| Tom Palmer | 94 | $56.9 million | $605,100 |
Total home sale statistics for the prior five years. Source: Homes.com
These numbers reflect each agent’s activity over the past five years. Since Terra Vista Realty is a small, owner-led brokerage, most of the available performance data is tied directly to Tom and Lyn Palmer rather than a large team of agents.
What that means for you is fairly straightforward. If you’re buying or selling in the Charlotte area, you’re likely working with agents who have closed a steady number of local deals across a wide range of price points, from mid-range homes to higher-end properties.
For sellers, that experience can help with pricing your home realistically and understanding what actually drives buyer interest in specific Charlotte-area neighborhoods.
For buyers, it means working with agents who regularly handle negotiations, inspections, and closings in the local market.
Bottom line: Is Terra Vista Realty right for you?
We think that Terra Vista Realty can be a good fit if you’re buying or selling in the Charlotte area and want hands-on support from experienced local agents, paired with lower-than-average fees.
The company's small, owner-led model may appeal to clients who value direct access to their agent and strong neighborhood knowledge, especially at mid-to-higher price points.
However, it’s still smart to compare your options before committing. To see how Terra Vista stacks up against other reputable professionals in your area, compare top-rated real estate agents in North Carolina or low commission realtors in North Carolina, and choose the agent that best fits your needs and goals.
General contact info (corporate office)
| 📍 Address | 18330 Woodlands Trail Drive
Davidson, NC 28036 |
| ☎️ Phone | 704-898-3016 |
| 📱 Social media | LinkedIn page |
