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 Onslow, 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 Onslow natives, we're proud to serve the Lowcountry and all of South Carolina with trusted mortgage brokerage services.
Unlike some mortgage companies in Onslow, 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 Onslow, 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 Onslow, 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.
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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 Onslow, 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 Onslow, 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.
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ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - Onslow County says it fired its county manager last night for cause, so David Smitherman won’t be eligible for any of his lucrative severance package.This, as Smitherman says, he was told the county would allow him to resign and pay out what he was due.In a unanimous vote last night, Onslow County commissioners voted to fire the county manager.Smitherman has been manager for just over two years, and before that was interim manager for four months.In a statement sent to WITN late ...
ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - Onslow County says it fired its county manager last night for cause, so David Smitherman won’t be eligible for any of his lucrative severance package.
This, as Smitherman says, he was told the county would allow him to resign and pay out what he was due.
In a unanimous vote last night, Onslow County commissioners voted to fire the county manager.
Smitherman has been manager for just over two years, and before that was interim manager for four months.
In a statement sent to WITN late this morning, Smitherman said it was an honor to serve as county manager, and the employees were among the most professional and competent public servants he’s worked with.
But the former county manager said commissioners were unwilling to find a solution to a recent impasse.
Smitherman said the International City/County Management Association’s code of ethics would have been violated “if I had performed as a group of Commissioners insisted.”
He said he wasn’t able to speak to the full board about the request, and it wasn’t the first time he was challenged to breach ethical practice.
In the statement, Smitherman did not provide any details about the nature of the impasse.
Smitherman went on to say that for the overwhelming majority of his tenure, he had an excellent working relationship with the commissioners.
“The organization is capable of achieving great things for its citizens but must be provided the opportunity to perform,” Smitherman said. “Citizens should demand better from elected officials at every level of American government.”
His four-year contract gave Smitherman an annual salary of $310,280.44. It said if he got forced out, the county would have to pay him until the end of 2028. That amounts to more than $900,000.
This afternoon, the county said Smitherman wouldn’t be eligible for any severance because he wasn’t willing to perform his duties.
In reaction to that, the former manager sent a WITN reporter this text: “The board didn’t tell me they were planning to terminate my contract. They told me they were going to allow me to resign. And pay me out. What was due.”
Late in the day, Chairman Tim Foster said he knows of no occasion where a county commissioner asked Smitherman to do something unethical.
“It is obvious that Mr. Smitherman is upset that a unanimous Board decided to terminate his Employment Agreement, and that Mr. Smitherman intends to lash out, by making unfounded and unspecified allegations, against those of us who were elected to do what is in the best interest of Onslow County,” Foster said in the statement.
In the evening, Smitherman sent another text to WITN, which reads, “Everything will be exposed in due course. Truth always prevails.”
Before coming to Onslow County, Smitherman served as county administrator in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He was fired from that job in 2022.
Deputy County Manager Steve Eaton is now the interim county manager, according to a news release. He began working in Onslow County last month, and before that was assistant county manager in Gaston County.
David Smitherman statement
It has been my honor to serve as Onslow County Manager. The employees are among the most professional and competent public servants with whom I have worked. I will miss these fine people - they are resilient, exceptional, accountable, customer focused and honest.
I regret the Board was unwilling to find an amicable solution to a recent impasse. The International City/County Management Association’s Code of Ethics, to which I subscribe, would be violated if I had performed as a group of Commissioners insisted. Unfortunately, I was not afforded an opportunity to address the full Board regarding the request. This was not the first time I was challenged to breach ethical practice.
For the overwhelming majority of my tenure, I enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the Board of Commissioners. My performance evaluations were exceptional. The Board and County are achieving great things. External relationships and internal culture are better than at any time in past 30 years. I would love to continue to be part of the great accomplishments underway.
Onslow County is on the precipice of dramatic population and demographic change that will define future generations. The organization is capable of achieving great things for its citizens but must be provided the opportunity to perform. Citizens should demand better from elected officials at every level of American government.
I wish every one of the 1500 employees of Onslow County good luck and hope they continue to strive to be better public servants every day. They are truly the best group I have ever had the opportunity to lead. I will miss them all greatly.