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 Mount Pleasant, SC, 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 Mount Pleasant natives, we're proud to serve the Lowcountry and all of South Carolina with trusted mortgage brokerage services.
Unlike some mortgage companies in Mount Pleasant, SC, 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 Mount Pleasant, SC, 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 Mount Pleasant, SC, 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 Mount Pleasant, SC, 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 Mount Pleasant, SC, 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.
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - Resiliency is the Town of Mount Pleasant’s main focus when it comes to its long-term goals.The town has released a draft of its Five-Year Comprehensive Plan and is asking for public feedback.In 2020, the Long Range Plan was adopted, looking ahead to 2030. However, with a new requirement made by the state and the changes over the last five years, Mount Pleasant had to make some revisions.SC Code §6-29-510 (D)(10) requires that a resiliency element be added to the list of planning e...
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - Resiliency is the Town of Mount Pleasant’s main focus when it comes to its long-term goals.
The town has released a draft of its Five-Year Comprehensive Plan and is asking for public feedback.
In 2020, the Long Range Plan was adopted, looking ahead to 2030. However, with a new requirement made by the state and the changes over the last five years, Mount Pleasant had to make some revisions.
SC Code §6-29-510 (D)(10) requires that a resiliency element be added to the list of planning elements, so that’s exactly what Town of Mount Pleasant Division Chief for Neighborhood Livability Liz Boyles said was their priority.
“Maybe it’s a pandemic, maybe it’s a storm, maybe it’s changing in the economy. How can we best be prepared to weather whatever that change is? That’s what the resilience element is about,” Boyles says.
As these additional revisions impact the community, one resident, Cathy Perry Nickles, says she started coming to Charleston in 1988, which was a different sight in comparison to today.
“Driving through Mount Pleasant was like driving through a barren town. There was hardly anything here. Now, it is just bursting at the seams, and it’s a great thing, but yes, I mean the town will have to accommodate that growth,” she says.
Boyles says the language is nearly the exact same as their 2020 adopted plan, but you may see some additional information, including a Hazard Mitigation Plan, a Hazard Vulnerability Analysis and a Community Forest Master Plan.
“Basically, bring it up to speed with the things that we have done since the plan was adopted five years ago,” Boyles said.
For example, they have now collected data from their “Public Input Matters” open houses in 2022 and 2023. With the surveys and the changes they’ve observed within the last five years, they made small edits throughout.
“That’s why it’s so important to bring in the whole conversation about the business community. If you’re talking about resilience, you know, sea level rise is one thing, but you know, having a healthy economy is a whole different thing,” Boyles says.
Boyles says that because this adopted long-range plan looks ahead to 2030, it can be a challenge with how often things could change in the Lowcountry. She says that’s why it is important to have input from those in the community.
For Nickles, she loves being part of that community and knows the town has to stay up to date with the constant changes.
“As anything in life happens, the bigger you get, the more revisions you have to make to accommodate that growth,” she says.
Below are the dates for the public meetings:
Boyles says the town’s planning commission will review the drafted plan on June 18.
For more details on the drafted plan, follow this link.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Frank & Jack’s Restaurant on Ira will open at 1434 Ira Road in Mount Pleasant late this summer. The property is on just under two acres which its owners intend to utilize for a spacious outdoor area, restaurant and soft-serve ice cream shack.As the project’s partners fleshed out the identity of the restaurant, project leader Stephanie Samuels said it dawned on her that the lot off U.S. Highway 17 North in Mount Pleasant was of such a magnitude that it might be able to fill a gap in the community — a spot that can...
Frank & Jack’s Restaurant on Ira will open at 1434 Ira Road in Mount Pleasant late this summer. The property is on just under two acres which its owners intend to utilize for a spacious outdoor area, restaurant and soft-serve ice cream shack.
As the project’s partners fleshed out the identity of the restaurant, project leader Stephanie Samuels said it dawned on her that the lot off U.S. Highway 17 North in Mount Pleasant was of such a magnitude that it might be able to fill a gap in the community — a spot that can handle large groups for birthday or graduation parties.
“I feel like we are such a big market that caters towards tourists and weddings and everything else,” she said. “There’s really not a lot for those small celebrations to happen outside of your home.”
With Frank & Jack’s, Samuels and partner Hunter Floyd Williams say they hope to offer a place for the kids to hang out as well. The restaurant is the first for hospitality group High Tide Provisions. Other partners include Alice Lewis and chef Jonathan Rohland.
Williams, who is helping with Frank & Jack’s design, branding and creative direction, said that its size of the lot adjacent to Abide A While garden boutique, gave them the ability to develop a “chameleon space” as long as the infrastructure was in place. The interior will feature an open floor plan with nostalgic accents in a contemporary space. Along the walls, visitors may find geometric patterns with wood paneling and polished brass.
Nostalgia has also inspired the menu, crafted by Rohland, who met Samuels while working at Nordstrom. The two were part of the opening team for its Canadian restaurant market, which influenced Frank & Jack’s menu.
“The poutine came about as a throwback to Jonathan and I working together in Canada [which is] how we met. We had poutine every night. We fell in love with it,” Samuels said. “So we just took that and made our spin on it and our twist with short ribs.”
A gathering space
Samuels and the rest of the High Tide Provisions team were looking for a gathering place with enough space for kids to run around — that could also satisfy folks looking for a child-free night out.
Leaning on restaurant real estate trends showing a desire for outdoor space and need to carve out a distinct identity, the team found what they needed in the two acre property off of Highway 17.
The team wanted to make sure there was ample parking for guests. The diverse space totals 88 parking spots with the hope of partnering with nearby businesses for additional parking after 5 p.m. The partners also plan to install a restroom attached to the standalone ice cream shack.
“We had this opportunity with this lot next to Abide A While,” said Samuels. “It’s a little under two acres and that’s kind of what Mount Pleasant needed.”
Samuels and Williams explained that there was some apprehension to building a little further from the peninsula.
The team loves the lot, understanding that a location further outside of downtown would allow for the space to hone in their vision, but they also recognized Frank & Jack’s would need to be eclectic.
Overall, guests can expect an enterprise that utilizes its space to envelope the community — and meet the needs of Charleston’s ever-growing suburban population.
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - Mount Pleasant town leaders will consider a change to an ordinance that would allow owners of a former restaurant to build a hotel in its place, a move the town’s mayor is against.The town’s planning commission has recommended amending the Seaside Farms Planned Development District Ordinance to allow for a small boutique-style hotel to be built. That hotel, which would be limited to no more than 25 rooms, would be built at the site of the former Yamato Steakhouse on Riviera Drive.The ow...
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - Mount Pleasant town leaders will consider a change to an ordinance that would allow owners of a former restaurant to build a hotel in its place, a move the town’s mayor is against.
The town’s planning commission has recommended amending the Seaside Farms Planned Development District Ordinance to allow for a small boutique-style hotel to be built. That hotel, which would be limited to no more than 25 rooms, would be built at the site of the former Yamato Steakhouse on Riviera Drive.
The owners of the former restaurant hope to build the new hotel within the Neighborhood Retail and Office Tracts on a 2.4-acre parcel of land near the Isle of Palms Connector.
But Mayor Will Haynie says he does not believe many of the town council members are on board with the change based on conversations he has had with them. He says the neighborhood was initially designed to have grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, and retail all in one place to reduce driving traffic.
Adding a hotel there, he believes, would add to beach traffic.
“I just don’t see how putting something that is just for transient use is within the keeping of what the neighbors want and by far from what I’ve heard of seaside neighbors is they don’t want another hotel in there, not every single one, but by far the majority of them feel that way,” Haynie says.
One business owner who declined to speak on camera said with the Harris Teeter next to the potential development site going out of business, having a hotel may help bring in business from visitors.
Haynie said he would like to see that space turned into something people who live in that neighborhood can use.
“As Mount Pleasant has grown, one reason this was put up there was to be a place where when you get home, if you have to commute, maybe you can work from home, that you don’t have to leave and contribute to the traffic on all the major arteries,” he says. “And so I look at something like this through that intent and that was the original intent of that whole neighborhood, and I’d like to see it stay that way.”
Haynie said if the proposal gets voted down, the property owners must wait a year before they can reapply or that can be waived if they come back with a different plan.
If someone buys the property and uses the zoning as is, town council does not have to vote on everything that goes on there.
This proposal is unrelated to the Harris Teeter property. There are no plans to convert that space into housing or a hotel, and it currently has two strong leasing prospects, town leaders say.
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