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Purchase Your Home In South Carolina

Secure the mortgage you need for your South Carolina home purchase. Expert service for all buyers. Apply now at 1st Advantage Mortgage.

South Carolina Mortgage Made Easy

At 1st Advantage Mortgage, we have crafted our Advantage Mortgage services to be more straightforward, efficient, and less stressful than the home financing options offered by major banks. Our streamlined home loan process eliminates the middleman and unnecessary steps, ensuring faster approval and a quicker path to making an offer.

Types of Mortgages For Homeowners in South Carolina

Not sure what type of Mortgage you need or what you qualify for? Take a look at the types of home loans we offer, and then get in touch to meet your Mortgage Expert.

Your Mortgage Expert is your personal resource through the loan process, providing guidance to ensure you find the best loan with the right payment options.

Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)

Designed for individuals seeking a more affordable initial monthly payment.

FHA 203k (Purchase & Renovation)

A loan² providing funding of up to $75,000 beyond the purchase price to cover remodeling or home repair expenses.

Manufactured Home Loan

Secure financing for mobile or manufactured homes through private lenders, utilizing FHA or VA Loan programs.

Chenoa Fund™ Loan

Down payment assistance program⁶ offering flexible options.

Conventional Loan

The timeless and traditional loan featuring low rates and flexible down payment options.

HUD Loan

A loan authorized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, providing low down payments and closing costs for eligible properties.

USDA Loan

Financing for properties with no down payment² available to eligible buyers in rural and suburban areas.

FHA Loan

A government-backed loan ideal for first-time buyers or those with higher debt-to-income ratios.

Investment Property Loan

Short-term loans designed to finance fix-and-flip properties or investment properties for rentals.

VA Loan

VA⁶-backed loans providing zero-down payment² options for service members, veterans, and eligible spouses.

FHA 203(h) Disaster Relief Loan

Provides zero-down financing² for individuals whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster.

Overwhelmed By Mortgage ? Start Here.

Let’s walk you through the ins and outs of Mortgage, step-by-step, and in chronological order. You’ll never have to wonder what’s going to happen next in your home-buying journey.

See What Our Clients Have To Say About Our Mortgage Services

See for yourself why so many homeowners, realtors and first-time buyers in South Carolina choose 1st Advantage Mortgage for help finding the right home loan.

Which Mortgage Expert is Right For Me?

Getting a mortgage can take months, hours of back-and-forth with home lenders, and a lot of stress. But it doesn’t have to be that way. A mortgage from 1st Advantage Mortgage can make buying a home so much easier.

No matter which type of home loan you choose, our NC & SC Mortgage Coaches will help you get it without the usual frustration.

Mortgage Lender In South Carolina

As a local mortgage lender in South Carolina. Our employees live here, work here, and own their own homes here. We know what it’s like to find the perfect place, then struggle to get the loan you need.

That’s why we offer over a dozen types of home mortgage loans – so you have access to the loan that’s right for you. Whether that means a, one that works with a low credit score, or supports a we have the home loan option that fits you.

Ready to get started? Call our SC Mortgage Experts at 704-343-8681 to book a consultation at your nearest 1st Advantage Mortgage location in South Carolina.

Two Things South Carolina Buyers Should Know

South Carolina is an attorney-closing state. A licensed South Carolina attorney has to supervise the closing itself, which is not how it works across the line in North Carolina, and it changes who you are dealing with in the last two weeks. We work with closing attorneys across York and Lancaster County and will introduce you to one if you do not already have somebody.

The other one is the assessment ratio, and it is the difference people miss. A home you occupy as your legal residence is assessed at 4 percent of value. A second home or a rental is assessed at 6 percent. On the same house that gap is large enough to move the monthly payment, so we set the escrow on the ratio that will actually apply to you rather than on the seller’s current tax bill. Quoting from the seller’s bill is the usual reason a South Carolina payment estimate comes in low and then moves at closing.

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Questions

South Carolina Mortgage FAQS

How does a mortgage work when buying a house?

A mortgage is a type of loan designed to help individuals and families buy a house. To get a mortgage, you apply for a loan from a mortgage lender, who determines how much money they're willing to give you based on your income, credit score, and other factors. Once approved for a mortgage, you can purchase a home. You'll repay the loan over a period of 10-30 years through monthly mortgage payments, which include interest.

How do you qualify to buy a home?

To qualify to buy a home, most people need proof of income, assets, and a decent credit history. You'll give this information to a mortgage lender, typically a bank or home loan company, which will determine what you qualify. The mortgage lender will evaluate your income, credit score, financial assets, bill payment history, and more to determine what you qualify for.

How much of a mortgage can I get approved for?

The mortgage amount you can get approved for will depend on your financial situation, as well as the type of home loan you're applying for. In most cases, you'll be approved for a higher mortgage amount if you have higher income and a good credit score.

What kind of credit score do you need to buy a house?

The credit score you need to buy a house depends on the type of home loan you are applying for. FHA loans can go as low as 500 with a larger down payment, and 580 with 3.5% down. Conventional loans generally start at 620, and pricing improves as the score rises.

Which parts of South Carolina do you lend in?

The whole state. Most of our South Carolina volume is York and Lancaster counties, which sit inside the Charlotte metro: Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Tega Cay and Indian Land.

Is South Carolina an attorney closing state?

Yes. South Carolina requires a licensed attorney to supervise the closing, so we line the attorney up at contract rather than in the final week.

Why do buyers live in South Carolina and work in Charlotte?

Owner-occupied homes are assessed at 4 percent of value against 6 percent for non-owner-occupied, and the York County towns sit inside the Charlotte commute. That combination is the reason most of our cross-border buyers give.

Are there down payment assistance programs in South Carolina?

Yes. SC Housing runs the main statewide programs and they can be stacked on FHA or conventional financing. We check which one your income and purchase price qualify for before you write an offer.

Legal information

¹ No-Down Payment Disclaimer: Closing costs and fees may still apply.

² Representative example (conventional, fixed rate): Purchase price $300,000 with a 5% down payment of $15,000 and a loan amount of $285,000. 30-year fixed rate at 6.000% (6.390% APR). 360 monthly principal-and-interest payments of $1,708.72, plus estimated private mortgage insurance of $95.00 per month until the loan balance reaches 78% of the original value (approximately 129 months). APR reflects $1,995 in lender fees, 15 days of prepaid interest, and mortgage insurance. Payment does not include property taxes, homeowners insurance, or HOA dues; your actual payment will be higher. The interest rate is fixed and will not increase. Example dated September 12, 2026, for illustration only. Rates change daily. This is not an offer, quote, or commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval, property appraisal, and program eligibility. Your rate, APR, and payment will depend on your credit, down payment, property, and loan program.

³ Refinancing Disclaimer: When refinancing your mortgage, you can typically reduce your monthly payment amount. However, your total finance charges may be greater over the life of your loan. Your 1st Advantage Mortgage loan professional will provide you with a comprehensive refinance comparison analysis to determine your total life loan savings.

⁴ VA Mortgage Disclaimer: VA home loan purchases offer options for a 0% down payment, no private mortgage insurance requirements, and competitive interest rates with specific qualification requirements. VA Interest Rate Reduction Loans (IRRRL) are exclusively for veterans with current VA loans. Current loan rate restrictions apply, and limits to recoupment of costs and fees apply. VA cash-out refinances are available for veterans with or without current VA loans. Policies and guidelines may vary and are subject to individual borrower(s) qualifications. Program and lender overlays apply.

⁵ Down Payment Assistance Disclaimer: First-lien interest rates may be higher when using a DPA.

⁶ Pre-Approval Disclaimer: Pre-approvals are granted to clients who meet qualifying approval criteria and specific loan requirements at the time of application. Results may vary.

General Disclaimer: The content on this page has not been approved, reviewed, sponsored, or endorsed by any department or government agency.