VA loans were established prior to the end of World War II and have since assisted numerous veterans, service members, and military families in fulfilling their dream of owning their a home. In recent times, the program has become increasingly significant, with VA loan volume skyrocketing and offering substantial financial advantages that enable countless veterans to purchase homes, thereby making homeownership a possibility for those who may not have qualified otherwise.
If you sacrificed comfort and security to help protect our great nation, Mission One Mortgage thanks you for your service. We believe that there's no greater honor than to serve those who have served our country. We're not afraid to go above and beyond for our veterans because that's exactly what they did for us.
A VA loan is a mortgage option that is backed by the government and available to Veterans, service members, and surviving spouses. It is offered by private lenders such as banks and mortgage companies and not directly by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
VA home loans come with competitive interest rates and terms and can be used to purchase a variety of properties, including:
One of the great benefits of VA loans is that eligible Veterans can buy a home with no down payment, no mortgage insurance, lenient credit requirements, and the lowest average fixed rates in the market.
At Mission One Mortgage, we work with many Veterans who know that VA loans exist but don't quite understand the full range of benefits they provide. If that sounds familiar, keep reading. This section was written especially for you.
01
One of the standout benefits of the VA Loan program is that qualified borrowers can purchase a home without having to make a down payment up to the conforming loan limit of their county. This is a significant advantage over conventional and FHA loans, which typically require minimum down payments of 5 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively.
For example, on a $400,000 mortgage, a conventional loan would require a $20,000 down payment, while an FHA loan would require $14,000. Saving up that kind of cash can take service members and veterans years, but with the VA Loan, they can pursue homeownership without having to scrape and stockpile for years on end.
03
It's important for military buyers to stay informed about credit score requirements when considering home financing options. Although credit score requirements have eased up a bit, it's still necessary to meet certain benchmarks set by conventional and FHA lenders. However, even meeting these benchmarks can be a challenge for many buyers.
Most VA lenders require a credit score of at least 620, which falls in FICO's "Fair" credit score range. Borrowers will typically need to meet a higher threshold for conventional mortgages, particularly if they want to secure a low-interest rate. It's worth checking out VA Loan rates to learn more about financing options.
Despite common misconceptions, military buyers don't need a perfect credit score to obtain financing. While a higher credit score can certainly help, it's important to remember that VA loans in Park Circle, SC are designed to help military members and veterans access affordable housing.
05
Closing costs are an inevitable part of the home-buying process, no matter what type of mortgage product you choose. However, if you're a veteran, you may be pleased to know that the VA places limits on the fees and costs you're required to pay at the time of closing. Additionally, homebuyers have the option to ask sellers to cover all loan-related closing costs, as well as up to 4 percent of the purchase price for other expenses like prepaid taxes, insurance, and collections.
02
Coming up with a down payment can be challenging for both conventional and FHA homebuyers. In addition, they are required to pay for mortgage insurance unless they can make a sizable down payment, usually 20% of the purchase price. For instance, on a $400,000 mortgage, this would be a staggering $80,000 in cash.
FHA loans carry an upfront mortgage insurance premium and annual mortgage insurance. The latter now lasts for the life of the loan. On the other hand, conventional homebuyers will pay this monthly cost until they have built up enough equity, which can take several years.
Fortunately, VA loans do not require any mortgage insurance. However, there is a mandatory funding fee that goes directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Borrowers with a service-connected disability are exempt from paying this fee, which helps keep the program going for future generations.
04
If you've experienced a financial setback such as a foreclosure, short sale, or bankruptcy, you may be worried about your chances of securing a VA home loan. However, don't lose hope just yet. With VA loans, it's still possible to be eligible for a home loan just two years after a foreclosure, short sale, or bankruptcy. In some cases, veterans who file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection can be eligible for a VA loan just a year after the filing date.
It's worth noting that the waiting periods for conventional or FHA financing can be significantly longer than those for VA loans. Additionally, even if you've lost a VA-backed mortgage to foreclosure, you may still be eligible for another VA loan.
So, if you're a veteran who's experienced a financial setback but still dreams of owning a home, don't give up hope. Explore your options and see if a VA loan with Mission One Mortgage could be the solution you need.
06
It's important to keep in mind that VA lenders typically prefer borrowers to spend no more than 41 percent of their gross monthly income on major debts, such as mortgage payments or student loans. However, it's possible to get a VA home loan even if you have a higher DTI ratio. Some lenders may offer up to 55 percent or more depending on your credit score and ability to meet additional income requirements. This can give homebuyers more flexibility and greater purchasing power when it comes to finding their dream home.
Remember - if you have any questions about the benefits you just read about - like what credit score Mission One Mortgage requires for a VA loan - contact our office today. It would be our pleasure to help you navigate the VA loan process, one step at a time.
One of the most common questions we get at Mission One Mortgage revolves around VA loan eligibility. Who is actually eligible for this type of loan? What are the requirements for getting a VA loan? If you meet the following requirements, chances are you'll be eligible for a VA loan.
Curious what the general steps are for purchasing a home with a VA loan? You're not alone. Keep reading to get a feel for what you have to do to enjoy the wonderful benefits of homeownership.
When applying for a VA home loan benefit, the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is an important document that verifies your eligibility to your lender. If you have already used your VA loan benefit in the past, a current COE can help you determine how much remaining entitlement you have. Additionally, it can ensure that your entitlement has been restored for previous VA-backed loans that were paid in full.
After you've applied for your COE, it's a good idea to examine your finances. We're talking about items such as income, expenses, credit profile, and your monthly budget. That way, you know for sure that you're ready to purchase a home.
As a veteran, you have the choice of going through a bank, credit union, or a private VA mortgage company like Mission One Mortgage. Most lenders will have different loan interest rates and fees, so it's important to shop around. Remember - Mission One specializes in VA loans in Park Circle, SC. Other lenders, such as large corporations and banks, often can't match the expertise and attention to detail that Mission One provides to veterans.
During this phase, it's a good idea to meet with a range of real estate professionals. Try to choose an agent who has experience processing and overseeing VA loans. Once you select an agent, you can bring your lender's pre-approval letter to their office and begin shopping.
This is the best part of the VA loan process, other than getting the keys to your new home. When looking for a house, remember to look at homes within your price range and budget. Lean on your real estate agent, friends, and family for help in your search.
If you're thinking about buying a home, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of homeownership. While renting can provide flexibility and less responsibility for maintenance, it comes with the risk of rent increases, potential property sales, and uncertainty about security deposit refunds.
On the other hand, owning a home can offer relatively stable mortgage payments and an opportunity to build long-term wealth for you and your family. Before making a decision, it's crucial to determine your priorities, such as your monthly budget for mortgage payments and other expenses like transportation and childcare. Ultimately, only you can determine what's best for your housing and financial needs.
At Mission One Mortgage, we take immense pride in simplifying the mortgage process and ensuring that our clients experience minimal stress. We understand that navigating the world of mortgages can be daunting, which is why we are committed to making it as smooth as possible.
By choosing to work with us, you're not just getting a mortgage broker - you're selecting a partner who is devoted to your financial well-being and dedicated to helping you achieve your dream of homeownership. By working together, we can work through the VA loan process one step at a time.
That rings true for all of our clients, but especially the U.S. Veterans we serve. In fact, we specialize in VA mortgages and are proud to offer them to US Veterans, those on Active Duty, and their spouses. VA Loans are one of the best mortgages available, offering no down payment requirements, no PMI, and some of the most favorable rates and terms.
If you're ready to take the next big step in your life and provide stability for your family with a place to call home, contact our office today. You're closer to the dream of home ownership than you might think.
TheThe fans of Chinese American restaurant Jackrabbit Filly go hard, so when it closed up for a few weeks to move to a more prominent location at 1083 East Montague Avenue, North Charleston, owners Shuai and Corrie Wang should have expected a rousing housewarming party. The couple has been putting in 18-hour days since trying to get the new spot in motion, and the first Saturday they opened the updated address, they saw more than 500 people come through the doors....
TheThe fans of Chinese American restaurant Jackrabbit Filly go hard, so when it closed up for a few weeks to move to a more prominent location at 1083 East Montague Avenue, North Charleston, owners Shuai and Corrie Wang should have expected a rousing housewarming party. The couple has been putting in 18-hour days since trying to get the new spot in motion, and the first Saturday they opened the updated address, they saw more than 500 people come through the doors.
“We did more numbers on that Saturday lunch than we’ve done at really busy dinner services at the old space,” says Corrie, “So going into dinner service that night, I thought, ‘Oh, this is gonna be really bad,’ because you just know everybody’s just fried, and it’s Saturday night, and you know you’re gonna get hit.” The team pulled through, however.
“We just had to keep going. And you come out the other side laughing,” says Corrie, “You’re so grateful for all the bodies that just went through that with you. And so it ended on a high note.”
Corrie says the team greeted many of their regulars but also a lot of new faces from the Park Circle community. They were curious to check out the new business on the area’s main thoroughfare. The space looks like the taverns that Corrie grew up with in Buffalo, New York, with touches from Shuai’s Chinese upbringing, like red paper lanterns and ornate wooden doors and dividers shipped in from China. The couple thrifted many of the pub lamps and other quirky details in their free time. “It became really beautiful and homey, and we love it,” says Corrie.
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It’s not only in the dining room that the creativity shines — Shuai has fun new dishes to explore his Chinese American heritage in the kitchen. All the classic Jackrabbit Filly hits are still on the menu, like the karrage, dumplings, and fried rice, but with more space in the kitchen, Shuai’s also able to create some mind-blowing plates like the crab rangoon cheese ball.
“The cheese ball plate was inspired by the Midwestern relish plate,” he says, “But I wanted to do crab rangoon because it’s one of my favorites. They get ordered so much that as soon as it comes in, it immediately puts me in the weeds. I’m trying to expose this much larger menu, and then put out 12 cheese balls. And, I’m like, ‘Goddamn it, cheese ball’.” The appetizer is a quintessential ‘70s party starter with all types of cheeses and Duke’s mayo with imitation crab, crushed peanuts, and sambal hot honey. It’s served with various pickled vegetables and thick, house-made chips.
Another exciting new dish is the mapo tofu vol-au-vent. “Our mapo has a good amount of chili powder and five spice, because I wanted to make it taste slightly like a coney sauce, old-school Greek with cinnamon and clove, so it has a little more depth. I thought it would be really good with puff pastry.” The resulting dish is a stew of spices, ground pork, and tofu, sits on an impossibly crispy bed of flaky crust.
“I felt very stale for very long time at the old space,” says Shuai. “After the pandemic it was hard because we were struggling like every restaurant, so we made food that people wanted to buy, and I stopped being creative and just wanted to pay bills. This new space feels like a new opportunity. I wanted to cook again for me. I wanted to cook food that was comforting, but creative — more Chinese food and more focused. I wanted to make food that was me, and that makes me happy.”
The new Jackrabbit Filly is open for lunch and dinner, Wednesday through Saturday, with brunch possibly returning next month.
4628 Spruill Avenue, , SC 29405 (843) 460-0037 Visit Website
Covering 916 square miles of land, Charleston County stretches from the sandy shores of Edisto Beach to the thick woodlands of McClellanville. At the county’s center, there are dozens of eclectic little neighborhoods. Quaint sections of the downtown peninsula offer unique bars and hidden gardens, while areas just outside the city provide funky new restaurants and breweries. Here’s our guide to the coolest neighborhoods in ...
This trendy North Charleston community has undergone extensive restoration over the past several years. The heart of Park Circle is East Montague Ave., a street lined with notable restaurants, wine bars, and even a brewery. This area is the place to go for anyone seeking out an authentic taste of the local community, making it one of the coolest neighborhoods in Charleston. Within walking distance from the main strip is a large, circular park surrounded by a traffic circle—the spot from which the area got its name. Surrounding the traffic circle is the city’s only disc course, which is free to the public.
If you’re planning to explore this neighborhood in Charleston, you should visit the Hunley submarine, a mysterious ship that disappeared in 1864 and wasn’t re-discovered until 2000. For dinner, share a salad and a pizza or two from EVO Pizzeria, and then head to Commonhouse Aleworks for some draft beers brewed on-site. If you have extra time in the afternoon, bring a frisbee along and play a few rounds of disc golf in the park.
On the westside middle section of the downtown Charleston peninsula, there are two neighborhoods so close it can be difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins. Cannonborough and Elliotborough are home to a mixture of college students, families, and young professionals. In this hip, partially residential area, you’ll find unusual restaurants, bars, and cafés, including the Vietnamese joint Bon Banh Mi and the coffee shop-slash-record store Eclectic Cafe.
Harleston Village is a coveted place to live for College of Charleston students as it’s so close to the campus. However, this swanky part of downtown is also home to many affluent residents. When visiting this neighborhood, stroll through the campus to admire the hauntingly beautiful Spanish moss dangling from live oaks planted in front of antebellum-era houses-turned-campus buildings. From the college, walk to Colonial Lake where you can rent bicycles from an app-automated service. The app automatically charges $8 per hour, and you can cruise through the surrounding neighborhoods to explore the rest of the area.
Though Wagner Terrance and Hampton Park Terrace are two separate neighborhoods on the downtown peninsula, they both possess a similar vibe. Head to the upper end of the peninsula to explore this hip part of town, which is mainly residential but boasts several cool bars, restaurants, and beautiful parks. Harold’s Cabin, occupying a former corner store from the ’20s and ’30s, is a favorite neighborhood spot to grab a coffee or cocktail. The restaurant serves up an ever-changing daily menu of small plates, sandwiches, and salads. Rutledge Cab Co. is another eatery in this cool Charleston neighborhood, owned by local celebrity Bill Murray. He’s been known on occasion to sit at the bar and mess with patrons, so keep an eye out for him if you decide to dine here. After sampling the neighborhood’s offerings, walk to nearby Hampton Park to play frisbee or wander through the trails. While this part of town is quieter than the party districts of the lower peninsula, the charming homes and eclectic establishments still make this one of the coolest neighborhoods in the city.
Situated in the West Ashley area of Charleston, which sits to the west of the downtown peninsula, Avondale is made up of popular bars and restaurants. Triangle Char and Bar is a well-loved place for Sunday brunch with mimosa specials and a mouthwatering brunch menu. If you go during the week, try one of the burgers made from 100% grass-fed beef. While this area is not part of downtown, it’s still one of the coolest neighborhoods in Charleston as it’s also home to other funky watering holes like Voodoo Tiki Bar & Lounge.
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All are invited to gather to watch Mayor Burgess light the City’s 40' Christmas Tree. Enjoy live music, free hot cocoa, and, after the lighting, take a stroll around the Circle
FULL DESCRIPTION
All are invited to gather to watch Mayor Burgess light the City’s 40' Christmas Tree. Enjoy live music, free hot cocoa, and, after the lighting, take a stroll around the Circle to enjoy the rest of the beautiful tree and light displays
Park Circle Community Building
4800 Park Circle, North Charleston, SC 29405, USA