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 Sumter, 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 Sumter natives, we're proud to serve the Lowcountry and all of South Carolina with trusted mortgage brokerage services.
Unlike some mortgage companies in Sumter, 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 Sumter, 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 Sumter, 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 Sumter, 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 Sumter, 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.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Three suspects in Sumter County and one in Richland County are charged with money laundering for cartels after a years-long investigation by multiple agencies.In Sumter CountyCaspin Powers Adachi, 23, Fnu Naimullah, 32, and Nasir Ullah, 27, were arrested on Jan. 23, following arrest warrants issued on January 14.On Thursday, Jan. 23, authorities from multiple agencies served search warrants for money laundering at two businesses on Broad Street and houses on Rhododendron Street and Currituck Drive. These ...
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Three suspects in Sumter County and one in Richland County are charged with money laundering for cartels after a years-long investigation by multiple agencies.
In Sumter CountyCaspin Powers Adachi, 23, Fnu Naimullah, 32, and Nasir Ullah, 27, were arrested on Jan. 23, following arrest warrants issued on January 14.
On Thursday, Jan. 23, authorities from multiple agencies served search warrants for money laundering at two businesses on Broad Street and houses on Rhododendron Street and Currituck Drive. These buildings were said to have been used by Powers Adachi, Naimullah, and Ullah.
Another suspect was arrested at the same time in Richland County for money laundering charges with assistance from the DEA, SLED, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
SLED, Sumter County Sherriff’s Office, and DEA Special Agents also charged Chinese national Puquan Huang, who was arrested in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and will be extradited to South Carolina.
The arrests come after a multi-year investigation by the DEA, with assistance from federal, state, and local authorities. Deputies say the investigation led to Sumter and concluded with the arrests of four suspects with the aid of SCSO. This investigation focused on international and domestic money laundering for Mexico’s two dominant drug cartels – the Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CING) and the Sinaloa Cartel.
Investigators believe the suspects worked directly with cartel-affiliated Chinese money launderers operating in both Georgia and South Carolina and had been doing so for multiple years.
Authorities confirm Ullah will face additional charges in Richland County after being arrested in October 2024 while smuggling about $180,000. Ullah and Naimullah’s father, Mohammad Azam Khan, remains an active fugitive and is believed to be in Dubai.
Deputies transported Adachi, Naimullah, and Ullah to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center. Following bond hearings, Adachi and Ullah posted $20,000 surety bonds, and Naimullah posted a $200,000.00 bond. All three suspects were released, according to authorities.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
Copyright 2025 WIS. All rights reserved.
Federal agents bust a multi-national drug and money-laundering network involving Mexican gangs and Chinese launderers in Sumter, uncovering $15M operation.Credit: KUSASUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — State, local and federal agencies have made multiple arrests in what they describe as a multi-national drug and money-laundering network based in Sumter County.The Sumter County Sheriff's Office said 23-year-old Caspin Powers Adachi, 32-year-old Fnu Naimullah and 27-year-old Nasir Ullah, all of Sumter, were arrested on charges ti...
Federal agents bust a multi-national drug and money-laundering network involving Mexican gangs and Chinese launderers in Sumter, uncovering $15M operation.
Credit: KUSA
SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — State, local and federal agencies have made multiple arrests in what they describe as a multi-national drug and money-laundering network based in Sumter County.
The Sumter County Sheriff's Office said 23-year-old Caspin Powers Adachi, 32-year-old Fnu Naimullah and 27-year-old Nasir Ullah, all of Sumter, were arrested on charges tied to an operation that laundered drug money tied to Mexican gangs with help from Chinese money launderers, sending items to the Middle East and China.
The sheriff's office said the multi-year investigation was headed by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from several state and local agencies and focused on money laundering for Mexico's Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CING) and the Sinaloa Cartel.
On Jan. 23, local law enforcement assisted state and federal agents in serving warrants for money laundering at two Borad Street businesses and at homes on Rhododendron Street and Currituck Drive that authorities allege Adachi, Naimullah and Ullah used. Another unnamed associate was also arrested in Richland County on money laundering charges.
The sheriff's office said investigators believe the suspects worked for years with cartel-affiliated Chinese money launderers operating in Georgia and South Carolina. The Sumter operation is accused of receiving more than $15 million in drug cash and using that money to buy a large amount of electronics for export, primarily to China and countries in the Middle East. Authorities said the money was mainly from the sale of fentanyl by Mexican gang drug dealers operating in the United States.
Drug raids uncovered an estimated $230,000 in cash, three vehicles, 11 firearms and jewelry "totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars." Another suspect, Chinese national Puquan Huang, was arrested in Gwinnett County, Georgia and will be brought back to South Carolina.
In Sumter County, Adachi, Naimullah and Ullah face charges of knowingly attempting or conducting a financial transaction with proceeds of unlawful activity to promote or conceal for transactions that total or exceed $100,000 in a 12-month period. This is a felony charge. The Sumter County Sheriff's Office said all three were taken to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. Adachi and Ullah posted $20,000 surety bonds, and Naimullah posted a $200,000 bond.
Investigators said Ullah faces more charges in Richland County after an October 2024 arrest for allegedly smuggling about $180,000. Ullah and Naimullah's father, Mohammad Azam Khan, is considered a fugitive and is possibly in Dubai, authorities said.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health revoked the facility's license due to a reported 'history of non-compliance.'SUMTER, S.C. — Families of residents at Carriage House of Sumter, also known as Patriot Living, are scrambling to find new homes for their loved ones following the facility’s sudden closure.Angela Riles-Irby, whose relative resides at the facility, said she was shocked to learn about the closure through word of mouth rather than official communication.“We never got anything in writ...
The South Carolina Department of Public Health revoked the facility's license due to a reported 'history of non-compliance.'
SUMTER, S.C. — Families of residents at Carriage House of Sumter, also known as Patriot Living, are scrambling to find new homes for their loved ones following the facility’s sudden closure.
Angela Riles-Irby, whose relative resides at the facility, said she was shocked to learn about the closure through word of mouth rather than official communication.
“We never got anything in writing, we never got a letter, no type of paperwork—everything was verbally,” Riles-Irby said.
News19 made multiple attempts to contact the management team but could not reach them.
According to a Healthcare Quality Enforcement Report from the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), state officials visited the facility six times between April and September and documented numerous violations.
These included:
The state health department revoked the facility's license due to what it described as a “history of non-compliance." The full report is available online.
“That’s really concerning, and that saddens me,” Riles-Irby said. “He’s been there all that time, a whole year now and all of this was going on and we never knew.”
"My god, it just breaks my heart; I'm speechless; I just don't know what else to say," she added.
The DPH said the facility’s license will remain in effect until the last resident is relocated or until March 19—whichever comes first.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) said it was working with other organizations and state agencies to help relocate residents from all four locations impacted by the closures, including the one in Sumter. Additional information about adult protective services provided by DSS is available at dss.sc.gov.
Details related to the release and transfer of residents from Community Residential Care Facilities, including the notification of family members or sponsors, are available in the South Carolina Department of Public Health's Standards for Community Residential Care Facilities under section 906. It states that:
South Carolina's Bill of Rights for residents of long-term care facilities can also be found here.
Residents and families can lodge complaints against licensed care facilities by visiting this DPH website.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A Sumter County mother is speaking out in defense of her child, following her arrest. Thirty-year-old Evelyn Jefferson of Rembert was charged with assault and battery in the 3rd degree, and interfering, disrupting, and disturbing, schools. According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson threatened bodily harm towards a school administrator.Jefferson is currently out of jail on bond and says she has no regrets. She says her altercation with the school’s principal was the tipping point for h...
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A Sumter County mother is speaking out in defense of her child, following her arrest. Thirty-year-old Evelyn Jefferson of Rembert was charged with assault and battery in the 3rd degree, and interfering, disrupting, and disturbing, schools. According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson threatened bodily harm towards a school administrator.
Jefferson is currently out of jail on bond and says she has no regrets. She says her altercation with the school’s principal was the tipping point for her, after, she says, her son had been bullied at school for months.
“Enough is enough; I’m the one watching my child cry at night,” Jefferson said.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident took place on December 4th at Ebenezer Middle School. Jefferson claims her son has been getting bullied at school over the last four months, leading her son to fight back, and causing him to get suspended.
Jefferson met with the school’s principal the first day her son returned back to Ebenezer Middle on Wednesday, December 4th, 2024. It was from the meeting Jefferson admitted the altercation between her and the school’s principal occurred.
The Sheriff’s Office says the altercation became so heated, with Jefferson making threats of bodily harm, that it forced the principal to stay in a locked office for safety.
“My baby went through a lot mentally throughout these couple of months,” Jefferson said, “I got to the point where I’m a fed-up mama; what mama bear wouldn’t do that?”
Jefferson said she has spoken with the school’s guidance counselor multiple times in trying to resolve the issue. She hopes going forward there will be more communication with parents to help resolve the issue before it turns into something bigger.
“I did make a verbal comment, but it came out of nothing but anger,” Jefferson said, “I’ve been through a lot in the last four months; I’m going to go hard for him and anybody who’s suffering at that school.”
A Sumter School District spokesperson could not comment on the disciplinary actions of any students involved. According to the district’s middle school code of conduct - A student can receive a suspension of up to 10 days for bullying, after a second offense.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
Copyright 2024 WIS. All rights reserved.
SUMTER, S.C. (WIS) - The Sumter County Coroner’s Office confirms that remains found inside a submerged BMW off Highway 401 were positively identified as missing man Tommy Brailey.Tommy Brailey, from Lee County, was last seen in 2017 leaving a Sumter bar. His car was pulled from a swamp right off the highway on Tuesday.A recovery scuba diver found a silver BMW submerged in swamp water early Tuesday morning.Coroner Robbie Baker announced Thursday that they were able to identify Tommy Brailey’s body using dental...
SUMTER, S.C. (WIS) - The Sumter County Coroner’s Office confirms that remains found inside a submerged BMW off Highway 401 were positively identified as missing man Tommy Brailey.
Tommy Brailey, from Lee County, was last seen in 2017 leaving a Sumter bar. His car was pulled from a swamp right off the highway on Tuesday.
A recovery scuba diver found a silver BMW submerged in swamp water early Tuesday morning.
Coroner Robbie Baker announced Thursday that they were able to identify Tommy Brailey’s body using dental records. An autopsy will be performed on Monday at The Medical University in Charleston, according to a news release from the coroner’s office.
Brailey disappeared on Aug. 25, 2017. Sumter investigators said surveillance video captured Brailey leaving the bar Brewers Bar and Grill, which has since closed, around 2:30 a.m.
He was seen leaving in a silver BMW — identical to the car pulled from the swamp on Tuesday morning.
“We have sonar on our boats and a few other devices that we use to scan ponds,” said Adam Brown, the diver who discovered the car.
He said he’s been working on Brailey’s case for almost three years through a local nonprofit that specializes in finding missing people.
“I sent my under-water drone down and I could actually get a picture an image of the vehicle,” he said. “First thing I saw went I sent my drone down, it was a silver vehicle and I automatically knew it was Tommy’s car.”
The coroner’s office is also working to identify another body that was found in a burning car just hours before this body was found. Those remains were discovered behind the Park Homes apartment complex just off Boulevard Road.
Baker said it will take about two weeks to identify those remains because of how badly the body was burned. Baker said his office does not believe these two cases are connected.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
Copyright 2025 WIS. All rights reserved.