Few purchases give you a sense of pride and accomplishment like buying a new home. From white picket fences and lush green grass to cookouts with neighbors and holidays with the family, owning a home is magical. Like most great things, though, enduring the home-buying process takes a lot of work. There are many steps to take and difficult decisions to make along the way. One of the most crucial decisions is what type of home loan and mortgage broker to choose. Whether it's your first time buying a home or you're a seasoned owner with multiple properties, you will need a trusted mortgage broker in Cumberland, NC, with your best interests at heart.
If you're like most people, you need a mortgage professional whose top priority is their customers - an expert who can provide accurate advice and guidance so you can make educated decisions. That's where Mission One Mortgage comes into the picture.
Whether you want the best interest rates or don't know where to start in the home-buying process, Mission One Mortgage can set you up in the right direction. From getting you pre-qualified to buy a home to securing a veteran's loan, Mission One Mortgage is the trusted solution you need. As Cumberland natives, we're proud to serve the Lowcountry and all of South Carolina with trusted mortgage brokerage services.
Unlike some mortgage companies in Cumberland, NC, we bring years of high-level experience and insight to the table. Having worked with hundreds of clients during our time in business, we know you're probably going through a range of emotions right now. Buying a new home can be a scary process, especially for first-time buyers. That's why we make every effort to make ourselves accessible and available for clients. Our primary goal is to help you make the right mortgage for your family and your budget.
We know that many home loan officers have horrible reputations. Some brokers only see their clients as transactions, and a means to make quick money. They come off as impatient and pushy, failing to understand that this is a very big decision for you. At Mission One Mortgage, we take the opposite approach. We encourage our clients to take as much time as needed to ask us questions and review mortgage documents. We could say that our mission is to exceed your expectations, but we'd rather just show you. From assistance finding FHA, VA, or other loans to refinancing your current mortgage, Mission One is the team you can trust.
Here are just a few reasons why home buyers choose Mission One Mortgage:
Most people simply don't have access to the hundreds of thousands of dollars needed to purchase a home with cash. Instead, they take out a mortgage loan to buy a home. Unfortunately, many homebuyers are anxious to get the ball rolling and, due to their excitement, fail to shop around for the best mortgage rates. To some degree, avoiding this step makes sense, as it requires a lot of legwork and research to get the job done. For those not wanting to spend hours researching a reasonable mortgage, there's an alternative to consider - working with a mortgage broker.
To understand the benefits of working with a mortgage broker, you must first understand their role in the home-buying process.
Your mortgage broker is a third party that works to connect you with mortgage lenders. Essentially, a mortgage broker works as an intermediary between a person who wants to buy a home and the entities offering loans to buy a home. The mortgage broker works with both the borrower and lender to get the borrower approved. They also verify and collect paperwork from the borrower that the lender needs to finish a home purchase. Typically, mortgage brokers have relationships with several home loan lenders. Mission One Mortgage, for example, has access to 50 different lenders, which gives us a wide range of home loans in Cumberland, NC, from which to choose.
In addition to finding a home loan lender, your mortgage broker will help you settle on the best loan options and interest rates for your budget. Ideally, your mortgage broker will take a great deal of stress and legwork off your plate while also potentially saving you money.
If you're ready to buy a home, getting pre-qualified is a great choice that will streamline the entire process. Your mortgage broker makes getting pre-approved easy by obtaining all the documents needed to get you pre-qualified. In taking a look at your application, they will determine if you're ready for the pre-approval process. If your application needs additional items, the mortgage company will help point you in the right direction to ensure your application is as strong as it can be. Your mortgage broker will also walk you through the different types of loans, from Conventional and FHA to VA and USDA.
In order to be pre-approved for a home in South Carolina, you must have the following:
Most people choose to use a mortgage broker because they have access to different lenders and interest rates. But a great mortgage broker brings more to the table than a choice of lenders.
Save You from Unneeded Stress:One of the biggest advantages of hiring a mortgage broker is that they can find and vet loans while managing the mortgage process on your behalf. The best mortgage companies, like Mission One Mortgage, hire brokers who are experts at keeping underwriting on track, coordinating with relevant parties, and handling all paperwork involved. At the end of the day, mortgage brokers save you stress and time and often expedite the closing process.
More Access: We touched on this earlier, but it bears repeating: A mortgage broker provides access to a range of loans, rates, and lenders. In fact, many mortgage brokers can get rates lower than what the average person could get from a lender.
Save You Money: There's a chance that your mortgage broker can get your mortgage fees reduced or waived by the lender, which could save you a good deal of money.
Help with Unfavorable Financial Situations: Expert mortgage brokers can often assist in challenging financial situations, like when a buyer has inconsistent income or less-than-perfect credit. Experienced brokers, like those at Mission One Mortgage, are often aware of lenders willing to will work with nontraditional borrowers.
Provide Key Insights: Mortgage brokers share important insights, such as your chances for a home loan approval and exactly how much house you can afford. They can also save you from making costly mistakes based on their years of expertise in the mortgage industry.
While settling on the best type of home loan isn't as exciting as searching for the home of your dreams, it's equally important. Yes, your Mission One Mortgage loan officer in Cumberland, NC, will be happy to help explain the differences between home loans. But understanding the basics ahead of time will save you stress and time in the long run.
Conventional loans can be used to purchase a new home or refinance your current one. Conventional loans include fixed-rate mortgages and adjustable-rate mortgages. Generally, borrowers must put down a 3% down payment for owner-occupants, 10% for a vacation property, and 20% for an investment home. If you are able to pay 20% of the total cost of the home, you can avoid private mortgage insurance, which is otherwise required. Conventional mortgages are often preferred by buyers with good credit or people needing a non-owner-occupied mortgage.
FHA mortgages are issued by the U.S. government and backed by the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). This loan is often preferred by first-time homebuyers because it only requires a 3.5% down payment and offers more flexibility with credit requirements and underwriting standards. FHA loans have several requirements you must meet to qualify. Contact Mission One Mortgage today to learn more about FHA loans and whether or not they're best for your financial situation.
Also backed by the government, these loans are insured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and don't require money down. These loans have lower insurance requirements when compared to FHA loans, offer 100% financing if you qualify, and allow for closing costs to be covered by the seller. In order to qualify for a USDA loan, you must live in a rural area, and your household income must meet certain standards. These loans are often preferred by low-income citizens who live in rural parts of South Carolina.
Also known as VA or Veteran's Affairs loans, these mortgages are reserved for the brave men and women who served in the military. VA loans help provide our military members, veterans, and their families with favorable loan terms and an easy home ownership experience. Often, those who qualify are not required to make a down payment on their home. Additionally, these loans often include less expensive closing costs.
If you are a veteran or the family member of a veteran, contact Mission One Mortgage today to speak with our Vetted VA Professional, Debbie Haberny. Debbie helps our military members, veterans, and their family members obtain home loans utilizing veteran benefits and would be happy to help as you search for a home.
Do you have questions about the complexities of mortgages and home loans? As your advocate, Mission One Mortgage is here to answer any questions you have about mortgages and the home-buying process. We encourage you to call our office to speak directly with one of our mortgage experts or continue reading below for answers to some frequently asked questions.
Q. I was talking to my spouse about mortgage brokers, and they mentioned the phrase home loan originator. What's the difference between a broker and a loan originator?
A. The mortgage industry is full of confusing jobs and titles, making it easy to confuse roles and responsibilities. Such is the case with mortgage brokers and home loan originators. Though their roles share similarities, a home loan originator in Cumberland, NC, works for a bank or credit union, while a mortgage broker works for a brokerage company. Home loan originators and mortgage brokers are both licensed by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS).
Q. I've heard from everyone that you must have mortgage insurance to buy a home. What is mortgage insurance?
A. Essentially, mortgage insurance helps protect lenders if a borrower forecloses on the home they bought. One advantage of mortgage insurance is that when borrowers pay it, lenders can often grant loans to buyers when they might not have otherwise. Though not always required to buy a home, mortgage insurance is often needed for down payments of less than 20%.
Q. I have just been pre-approved to buy a beautiful home in South Carolina. Is there anything I shouldn't do now that I'm pre-qualified?
A. Mortgage companies like Mission One Mortgage, make getting pre-qualified for a home easy. However, as your loan process continues, your lender is required to run a new credit report before closing on a home. For that reason, it's to avoid any activity that might affect your credit score, such as:
Q. My brother-in-law recently refinanced his home in South Carolina. What is refinancing, and should I consider refinancing my home too?
A. Refinancing your home basically means you're swapping your current mortgage for a new one, most often with a lower interest rate. If you would like to reduce the term of your loan, lower your monthly mortgage payments, or consolidate debt, refinancing may be a smart option. Many homeowners also choose to refinance if they want to switch from adjustable-rate mortgages to fixed-rate mortgages or to get cash back for home renovations. To learn whether refinancing is a viable option for your situation, contact Mission One Mortgage ASAP, as loan rates change frequently.
Here at Mission One Mortgage, we believe that the best communities begin with the dream of home ownership. Our mission is to make those dreams come true, with personalized service, expert guidance, and good old-fashioned hard work. As one of the most trusted mortgage companies in Cumberland, NC, we have years of experience working with a diverse range of clients, from first-time buyers and investors to self-employed borrowers and non-native English speakers.
Though every mortgage situation is different, one thing never changes: our commitment to clients. Contact our office today to get started on an exceptional home-buying experience.
The Board of Commissioners uses budget workshops to review and discuss various components of the proposed budget, ask questions, and consider impacts to residents and services before final adoption.It means the tax rate is adjusted to generate the same amount of revenue as the previous year, even if property values have changed due to revaluation.Public safety costs are proposed to increase by 7.3%, including salary increases for entry-level and lateral hires in the Sheriff’s Office. New officers through the lieutenant ra...
The Board of Commissioners uses budget workshops to review and discuss various components of the proposed budget, ask questions, and consider impacts to residents and services before final adoption.
It means the tax rate is adjusted to generate the same amount of revenue as the previous year, even if property values have changed due to revaluation.
Public safety costs are proposed to increase by 7.3%, including salary increases for entry-level and lateral hires in the Sheriff’s Office. New officers through the lieutenant rank could see a base pay increase of $3,000, from $50,750 to $53,750. The adjustment would also apply to existing staff in those ranks. The budget also supports School Resource Officers, Fire Departments and Emergency Services.
Yes. The Board discussed increased funding needs for recreation and fire services in unincorporated areas. Capital improvements for these services will see increased allocations.
The Board has requested future conversations on E.E. Smith High School. They’ve also asked to review attrition in the Sheriff’s Office, and a five-year look at vacancy and hiring rates in that department.
FAYETTEVILLE, N. C. – County Manager Clarence Grier presented the Fiscal Year 2026 Recommended Annual Budget to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners tonight.
The proposed balanced budget includes $608,853,794 in expenditures across all County funds, with $404,639,839 appropriated to the General Fund, reflecting a 3 percent increase or $11.8 million over the current General Fund budget.
Grier is recommending a property tax rate of 55.93 cents per $100 assessed value, which is the revenue-neutral rate following the 2025 Revaluation and a reduction of almost 24 cents from the current tax rate of 79.9 cents. The revenue-neutral tax rate is the rate estimated to produce the revenue equal to the amount collected in the previous fiscal year, plus natural growth, if no reappraisal had occurred. One penny on the tax rate equals $3,780,438.
“This budget addresses the Board’s strategic initiatives while providing flexibility to handle any future shifts in Federal and State policy, as well as the economic landscape of the county,” Grier said.
General Fund revenues from tax collections are budgeted at $191.3 million from ad valorem taxes (47% of the total budget); $81.2 million from sales taxes (20% of the budget) and $19.8 million from motor vehicles (5% of the budget).
The proposed budget maintains the County Fire Protection Service District tax rate at 15 cents per $100 valuation, which is above the revenue-neutral rate of 9.46 cents, and the County Recreation tax rate at 5 cents per $100 valuation, which is above the revenue-neutral rate of 2.93 cents.
The FY2026 Recommended Budget marks the first year of a change in the method used to distribute sales tax revenues. Effective July 1, 2025, sales tax revenues will be distributed based on an ad valorem formula and no longer on a per capita method. As a result, the General Fund will increase by an estimated $8.9 million; and for the first time, the special taxing districts will benefit from sales tax distributions. The County’s Fire Protection Service District will see an estimated increase of $3.8 million and the County Recreation District will see a $1.4 million hike.
The estimated total increase to the special tax districts based on ad valorem and sales tax revenues is projected at $10.4 million for the County’s consolidated Fire Protection Service District and $3 million for the County Recreation District.
Highlights
Employee compensation:
Positions:
Vehicles:
Education:
Community Agency Funding:
Fee increases at the Ann Street Landfill:
“I appreciate the dedicated work of the County Manager and staff in preparing the proposed budget,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere. “As a board, we look forward to our upcoming work sessions where we will review the proposal in detail. Our goal is to adopt a budget that reflects our shared priorities, maintains high-quality services for our residents, and responsibly reduces the tax burden on both families and businesses across Cumberland County.”
The recommended budget including the Manager’s Budget Message is available on the county’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov/budget.
According to North Carolina law, the Board may adopt the budget no earlier than 10 days after it is presented.
Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 7 p.m., in Room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. Citizens wishing to comment on the recommended budget during the public hearing must sign up prior to the start of the meeting. A sign-up sheet will be available in the room. Alternatively, individuals may:
All budget work sessions will be held in the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse at 117 Dick St., Fayetteville. The FY2026 budget meetings will be:
For more information about Cumberland County, visit cumberlandcountync.gov. Follow the County on social media at CCNCGov and download the County app by searching MyCCNCGov in the app store.
By May 7, Cumberland County residents who wish to board domestic commercial flights or access certain federal facilities will need to present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card — or an acceptable alternative such a...
By May 7, Cumberland County residents who wish to board domestic commercial flights or access certain federal facilities will need to present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card — or an acceptable alternative such as a valid U.S. passport.
The REAL ID, marked by a star at the top of the license or ID, is part of a federal mandate intended to strengthen security standards for state-issued identification.
North Carolina residents can apply for a REAL ID at driver's license offices across the state, including in Cumberland County.
Here are answers to common questions Cumberland County and North Carolina residents might have about the REAL ID:
Applying for a REAL ID in North Carolina requires an in-person visit to the DMV and specific documentation. The first REAL ID cannot be obtained online.
Applicants must bring the following:
Due to high demand, for the next 90 days, DMV appointments are unavailable statewide, including in Cumberland County. Visit skiptheline.ncdot.gov to check appointment availability after the 90s days.
The following DMV offices in and near Cumberland County accept walk-ins, though availability is limited and not guaranteed:
The cost of a REAL ID is the same as a standard license or ID:
Not everyone is required to have a REAL ID. A U.S. passport or other federally accepted form of ID can still be used for air travel and federal facility access.
A REAL ID is not required to drive, vote, access hospitals, receive federal benefits or visit federal buildings that do not require identification.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, residents who frequently fly domestically or visit secure federal facilities — such as military installations, like Fort Bragg, or nuclear plants — may find a REAL ID more convenient than carrying a passport.
Minors don't need a REAL ID to fly domestically.
Without a REAL ID or acceptable alternative, travelers will not be permitted through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at airports and may be denied access to federal facilities, the DHS website reads.
While additional documentation may be accepted in some cases, delays and denial of entry are possible.
Government Watchdog Reporter Claire C. Carter can be reached at ccarter@gannett.com.