The short answer: you can buy a house with a credit score as low as 580 for some loans, but most buyers need at least 620–640 to qualify comfortably.FHA loans: Minimum score of 580 (with 3.5% down)VA loans: No set minimum, but lenders usually want 620+Conventional loans: Typically require 620 or higherBest rates: Credit scores 740+ give access to the lowest interest rates /*! elementor - v3.23.0 -...
August 2025
A deed shows that ownership of a property has been transferred, but having a deed alone doesn’t always guarantee that you own the property free and clear. /*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image...
When selling a home, most people expect to pay off their mortgage and walk away with profit. But sellers in South Carolina are also responsible for a variety of fees and closing costs.The main seller fees include:Real estate agent commissionsAttorney fees (required in SC) /*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image...
The point of a Homeowners Association (HOA) is to maintain property values, manage shared amenities, and enforce neighborhood standards through rules (called covenants).Simply put, HOAs are designed to protect your investment by ensuring the neighborhood remains attractive, functional, and consistent — so one poorly maintained property doesn’t lower the value of every home around it. /*! elementor...
When you buy a house, the purchase price is only part of the expense. Hidden fees are extra costs that often catch buyers off guard, like closing costs, inspections, taxes, and insurance premiums.On average, buyers in South Carolina spend 2–5% of the purchase price in closing fees alone, which can add up to thousands of dollars. For Lake Marion buyers, where waterfront and resort-style homes are common,...
A property survey is a detailed, professional measurement and mapping of your home’s boundaries, structures, and land features.In simple terms: it tells you exactly where your property begins and ends — and whether there are any legal issues like encroachments, easements, or zoning conflicts that could affect your ownership rights.Even if the lot looks perfect and the fence “seems” like the...
In South Carolina, “transfer tax” and “deed stamps” refer to the same closing cost — a government fee paid when real estate ownership changes hands. Officially, the state calls it the Deed Recording Fee, but you’ll hear locals, attorneys, and agents use terms like “deed stamps,” “documentary stamps,” or “transfer fee” interchangeably. /*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024...
Yes — in South Carolina, sellers of most residential real estate are legally required to provide a written Property Condition Disclosure Statement to potential buyers. This requirement comes from the South Carolina Residential Property Condition Disclosure Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 27-50-10 et seq.), which is designed to help buyers make informed decisions.The law applies to the sale of most residential...
In short: No, the option period and inspection period are not exactly the same — but they often overlap in function. In South Carolina, the term “inspection period” is more commonly used. In contrast, “option period” is a term mostly used in states like Texas.However, both refer to a timeframe early in the homebuying process when the buyer can inspect the property and potentially walk away from...
An Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) is a good faith payment made by a homebuyer when they sign a purchase agreement. It shows the seller they’re serious about buying the property.In South Carolina — including hot markets like Lake Marion, Santee, and Eutawville — an EMD is typically 1–3% of the home’s purchase price, but the amount is negotiable. The money is held in a trust or escrow account until...