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 Seabrook Island, 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 Seabrook Island natives, we're proud to serve the Lowcountry and all of South Carolina with trusted mortgage brokerage services.
Unlike some mortgage companies in Seabrook Island, 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 Seabrook Island, 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 Seabrook Island, 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.
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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 Seabrook Island, 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 Seabrook Island, 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.
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While there remains considerable uncertainty about the forecast for early next week, the trends over the last 24 hours or so have not been favorable for the Palmetto State. Tropical Storm Humberto formed at 5 p.m. Wednesday, as expected. We continue to monitor the progress of the tropical wave we're calling Invest Area AL94.This loop of visible satellite imagery shows the features of interest across the Atlantic Basin around midday Thursday, including Humberto, Invest Area AL94, and Hurricane Gabrielle approaching the Azores....
While there remains considerable uncertainty about the forecast for early next week, the trends over the last 24 hours or so have not been favorable for the Palmetto State. Tropical Storm Humberto formed at 5 p.m. Wednesday, as expected. We continue to monitor the progress of the tropical wave we're calling Invest Area AL94.
This loop of visible satellite imagery shows the features of interest across the Atlantic Basin around midday Thursday, including Humberto, Invest Area AL94, and Hurricane Gabrielle approaching the Azores.
Image Source: University of Wisconsin RealEarth
You can also see Hurricane Gabrielle over the eastern Atlantic marching at double time toward the Azores, but it's not a threat to South Carolina.
Humberto is also unlikely to threaten South Carolina directly. However, the National Hurricane Center's (NHC) forecast calls for Humberto to become a Category 3 Hurricane over the western Atlantic before it gradually weakens and splits the Bermuda and Hatteras uprights around the middle of next week.
Humberto won't have any direct effect on South Carolina. However, the swells it will generate will bring rough surf and rip currents to our beaches in the coming days, along with potentially hazardous marine conditions on our coastal waters. Humberto's behavior going forward is one of the several variables that bring uncertainty into the forecast for how AL94 might affect us early next week. Its track and intensity will influence AL94's future track and intensity.
AL94, the feature that could impact South Carolina early next week, remains a disorganized tropical wave that's moving through the Dominican Republic and Haiti today. A circulation is trying to form just north of Haiti this afternoon, but the thunderstorms are hanging back over the Dominican Republic. NHC's current forecast calls for a low-pressure area to form over the southern Bahamas or just north of Cuba by Saturday morning, which will quickly develop into a tropical cyclone. Their outlook from this afternoon indicates an 80 percent chance for it to be a tropical cyclone by Saturday afternoon.
Most computer model guidance has come in line with a tropical cyclone forming in this area by Saturday night, so we have at least moderate confidence in that part of the forecast. Confidence is somewhat lacking right now because AL94 remains disorganized. Models tell us to trust the process, but that will be hard for me until I see thunderstorms erupting near the developing circulation center. The longer it takes for this to happen, the greater the chances are that AL94 will slip farther west than expected and end up over Cuba or Florida.
Assuming that AL94 consolidates and becomes a tropical cyclone over Bermuda ... the next name on this year's list is Imelda when ("if?" seems less of a question now) it reaches tropical storm intensity ... there appear to be two scenarios for where it goes. Which scenario comes to pass will depend on how quickly a storm develops, the behavior of Humberto, and the behavior of a storm system moving into the Southeast this afternoon from the Mississippi Valley.
The first scenario, and the one we hope will work out, is that AL94 becomes Imelda over the Bahamas, but Humberto to its east is strong and close enough that it can pull Imelda to the east out to sea on Sunday into Monday. In this scenario, Humberto's outflow aloft cases shear over Imelda, which limits Imelda's strength.
The other scenario, the one we hope doesn't happen, is that AL94 becomes Imelda, but Humberto is too far away or too weak to have a significant influence on Imelda. That would allow Imelda to move northward toward us instead of getting pulled out to sea. It would then become caught in a developing upper-level low over the Southeast (the storm now located over the Mississippi Valley) that would pull it ashore on Monday or Monday night. Additionally, the usual effects of having an upper-level low nearby to the west would apply, as seen with Helene: the upper low would provide the storm with a more favorable environment to strengthen and maintain itself after landfall. Therefore, it could be a hurricane when it reaches us if this scenario unfolds, and the stronger winds could affect areas well inland. It might also be a slow-moving storm that causes widespread heavy rainfall. However, even in this scenario, there is uncertainty about the storm's track; it's possible that the worst impacts could occur in North Carolina instead of South Carolina.
A hybrid of the two scenarios is also possible: Imelda moves close enough to our coast that our coastal areas see damaging wind, a storm surge, and extreme rainfall. The wind and rain could persist for an extended period as the storm may move slowly for a time. Then it eventually feels the influence of Humberto and gets pulled out to sea.
The worst-case scenario at this point is for us to be dealing with a hurricane hitting us on Monday or Monday night, with impacts lingering into Tuesday. Rain impacts may even linger beyond Tuesday if the storm becomes stuck over us after landfall. It's hard to put odds on that right now; I estimate that there is a 20-30 percent chance of that happening. That's high enough that you need to prepare this weekend if you're in one of our coastal counties, unless the forecast changes and we become confident in a low-impact or no-impact forecast. If you're in one of our inland counties, you should closely monitor the situation. This is not going to be a Helene or Hugo, but the worst-case scenario includes locally damaging wind gusts over inland areas.
As always, SCEMD has the hurricane.sc website to provide you with hurricane prep advice and evacuation zone info. Plan on preparing for the worst this weekend, and let's hope and pray that a low-impact or no-impact scenario is what we face early next week.
While I have your attention, the storm system moving our way from the west brings us some potential hazards through Friday. Thunderstorms affecting the state through this evening have a hot and juicy, summery air mass to feed upon, so there is a low-end risk for severe storms.
There is a low-end risk of damaging winds associated with the more intense storms in the level 1 of 5 risk area shown on the Storm Prediction Center's outlook map. The damaging hail and tornado risks are near zero, but 'never say never' applies.
There is also a risk for isolated minor flooding from repeated downpours. Yes, it's barely rained across South Carolina over the last 30+ days, but the rain could come hard and fast through Saturday.
Keep this in mind if you're traveling across the Upstate and vicinity through tonight or anywhere in the state Friday. If you live in a flood-prone area, you might need to move to higher ground and motorists may have to avoid a flooded road (turn around, don't drown).
Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments there is. More than a place to live, homeownership is an asset with the potential to tremendously rise in value. But with home prices reaching record heights, affordability plays a huge role for buyers.The typical home value in the United States was $363,946 in August, 0.0% lower than the year before.High mortgage rates are also making monthly payments more expensive; as of September 18, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate sits at 6.26%.Although home prices have infl...
Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments there is. More than a place to live, homeownership is an asset with the potential to tremendously rise in value. But with home prices reaching record heights, affordability plays a huge role for buyers.
The typical home value in the United States was $363,946 in August, 0.0% lower than the year before.
High mortgage rates are also making monthly payments more expensive; as of September 18, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate sits at 6.26%.
Although home prices have inflated all across the U.S., there are some cities that command a higher price tag than others. Location, size, age, and condition are all contributing factors to home value.
Stacker compiled a list of cities with the most expensive homes in South Carolina using data from Zillow. Cities are ranked by the Zillow Home Values Index for all homes as of August 2025. The charts in this story were created automatically using Matplotlib.
Metros with the most cities in the top 30 in South Carolina
#1. Charleston-North Charleston, SC: 16
#2. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC: 5
#3. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC: 3
#4. Greenville-Anderson, SC: 2
#5. Georgetown, SC: 1
#5. Columbia, SC: 1
#5. Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC: 1
#5. Seneca, SC: 1
- Typical home value: $413,384
- 1-year price change: -0.9%
- 5-year price change: +50.2%
- Metro area: Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Typical home value: $413,647
- 1-year price change: -3.6%
- 5-year price change: +53.2%
- Metro area: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC
- Typical home value: $422,691
- 1-year price change: +3.2%
- 5-year price change: +58.5%
- Metro area: Greenville-Anderson, SC
- Typical home value: $427,409
- 1-year price change: -3.6%
- 5-year price change: +59.3%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Typical home value: $435,328
- 1-year price change: +1.5%
- 5-year price change: +51.7%
- Metro area: Columbia, SC
- Typical home value: $447,626
- 1-year price change: -2.7%
- 5-year price change: +72.3%
- Metro area: Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC
- Typical home value: $465,805
- 1-year price change: +2.1%
- 5-year price change: +73.1%
- Metro area: Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC
- Typical home value: $484,626
- 1-year price change: +6.9%
- 5-year price change: +56.5%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Typical home value: $488,292
- 1-year price change: -1.0%
- 5-year price change: +43.7%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Typical home value: $491,667
- 1-year price change: -0.7%
- 5-year price change: +60.1%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Typical home value: $498,987
- 1-year price change: -1.6%
- 5-year price change: +56.0%
- Metro area: Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC
- Typical home value: $516,671
- 1-year price change: -0.2%
- 5-year price change: +55.3%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Typical home value: $530,204
- 1-year price change: -1.0%
- 5-year price change: +72.5%
- Metro area: Seneca, SC
- Typical home value: $533,587
- 1-year price change: +0.6%
- 5-year price change: +55.3%
- Metro area: Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Typical home value: $534,500
- 1-year price change: +0.7%
- 5-year price change: +61.8%
- Metro area: Georgetown, SC
- Typical home value: $580,993
- 1-year price change: +0.2%
- 5-year price change: +65.5%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Typical home value: $605,299
- 1-year price change: +1.4%
- 5-year price change: +59.1%
- Metro area: Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Typical home value: $646,229
- 1-year price change: -1.0%
- 5-year price change: +72.7%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Typical home value: $738,905
- 1-year price change: +1.4%
- 5-year price change: +70.0%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Typical home value: $744,060
- 1-year price change: +3.1%
- 5-year price change: +88.4%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Typical home value: $759,982
- 1-year price change: +0.8%
- 5-year price change: +74.9%
- Metro area: Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC
- Typical home value: $779,840
- 1-year price change: +1.6%
- 5-year price change: +64.8%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Typical home value: $858,188
- 1-year price change: +0.8%
- 5-year price change: +77.3%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Typical home value: $986,423
- 1-year price change: -1.2%
- 5-year price change: +106.4%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Typical home value: $1,052,995
- 1-year price change: -7.2%
- 5-year price change: +78.8%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Typical home value: $1,255,336
- 1-year price change: +10.1%
- 5-year price change: +109.9%
- Metro area: Greenville-Anderson, SC
- Typical home value: $1,570,747
- 1-year price change: -1.3%
- 5-year price change: +103.1%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Typical home value: $1,993,672
- 1-year price change: -0.1%
- 5-year price change: +109.9%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Typical home value: $2,146,987
- 1-year price change: +1.3%
- 5-year price change: +53.8%
- Metro area: Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC
- Typical home value: $4,115,124
- 1-year price change: +3.1%
- 5-year price change: +123.3%
- Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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