Mortgage Resources and Guides
Straight answers on buying, refinancing and choosing a loan program in Charlotte and across the Carolinas, written by a licensed mortgage broker and lender.
1st Advantage Mortgage is a licensed mortgage broker and lender in Charlotte, NC. These guides answer the questions we are actually asked, in the order people ask them. None of them is a loan offer.¹
Buying a home
Explore the top home loan programs for first-time buyers in North Carolina and South Carolina. Learn how 1st Advantage Mortgage helps you compare program options.
Why a VA loan usually beats a first-time buyer program, and why being a first-time buyer costs you nothing on it.
Bank statement, 1099-only, asset depletion and DSCR programs, and how to tell which one your file needs.
The six things that actually move your rate, and what you can do about each one. No rate figures, because they change daily.
Understand the step-by-step home loan process in North Carolina. Review the home loan process and timelines with help from 1st Advantage Mortgage.
Discover the truth about mortgage myths for homebuyers. 1st Advantage Mortgage helps NC & SC buyers achieve affordable, confident homeownership.
Discover mortgage options and rates in Greenville, SC. Work with trusted local experts at 1st Advantage Mortgage to make your homeownership dream real.
Choosing a loan
Compare FHA and conventional home loans for buyers in NC & SC. Compare program requirements, costs, and payment scenarios with 1st Advantage Mortgage.
Review VA loan benefits, eligibility, purchase and refinance options, and the process for borrowers in the Charlotte area.
Refinancing
Find out if refinancing your home loan makes sense. Compare rates, costs, and timing with 1st Advantage Mortgage across NC and SC.
Compare FHA and VA refinance options in NC and SC with 1st Advantage Mortgage.
Choosing who to work with
See how a local mortgage broker can help you compare loan options and costs. Learn about home financing across NC and SC.
Compare local and online mortgage service models and lender options with 1st Advantage Mortgage.
Frequently asked questions
What is in the Resources section?
10 guides covering buying, choosing between loan programs, refinancing and the local market. They are written for borrowers in the Charlotte metro and across North and South Carolina.
Is any of this a loan offer?
No. These guides are general information. Rates, programs and eligibility depend on your file, the property and the lender we place it with. A licensed officer gives you real numbers.¹
How often is this updated?
Program rules and limits change, so the guides are reviewed when they do. The conventional loan amount shown across the site is $845,000, held as one value the whole site reads from.
Can I talk to someone instead of reading?
Yes, and most people should. Call 704-343-8681 or use the contact form. Licensed loan officers in six states, and pre-approvals usually within 24 hours.⁵
Which guide should I start with?
Start with the one that matches where you are: the first-time buyer guide if you have not bought before, the refinance guide if you already own, and the broker guide if you are still deciding who to work with.
Do the guides cover South Carolina as well as North Carolina?
Yes. Several are written for one state or the other, because closing practice, property tax assessment and assistance programs all differ across the line.
Can you send me a guide?
Call 704-343-8681 or email sales@firstadvantagemortgage.com and we will send the one that fits your situation, along with a document checklist.
Do the guides include current rates?
No. Rates change daily, so the guides explain how pricing works rather than quoting a number. For a current quote, speak to a licensed loan officer.
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.