Carolina Coastal Realty Group & Mortgage Solutions

Carolina Coastal Realty Group & Mortgage Solutions Carolina Coastal Realty Group formerly known as Claude & Associates Real Estate is a full-service Brokerage proudly serving our community with all of

06/15/2026

FHA loans aren’t a “last resort” — they’re a powerful starter option that can get more buyers into homes. In this quick explainer, Ken Claude breaks down why FHA matters: a 3.5% minimum down payment with a 580 credit score makes homeownership genuinely accessible; FHA’s debt-to-income rules are more flexible for buyers carrying higher debt; and FHA pairs exceptionally well with down payment assistance because the low down payment makes aid go further. Ken also covers the tradeoff: most 30-year FHA purchases require mortgage insurance for the life of the loan, increasing long-term cost compared to conventional PMI that can cancel. He explains the common strategy of using FHA to buy now, build equity, then refinance into conventional to reduce total insurance costs. FHA is a starting point, not a ceiling — practical advice for buyers who want a path to homeownership. Presented by Ken Claude, SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer, Carolina Coastal Realty Group and Summit Lending Group. NMLS #2476547. Equal Housing Lender. Powered by C2 Financial Corporation. Call 843-900-1254.

06/14/2026

Clear to close isn’t the same as closed — it’s the underwriter’s sign-off that your loan is approved to fund, but the job isn’t finished. This video explains what happens after CTC: the title company prepares your closing disclosure and schedules signing while the lender runs a final file audit, which can include final employment verification and sometimes a credit pull. Any changes to employment, credit, or finances between CTC and closing can reopen your file or delay funding. Learn the crucial rules: don’t open new credit, don’t change jobs, don’t make large purchases, and don’t move money between accounts without telling your loan officer. The 72–96 hours between CTC and closing require the same financial discipline as the entire loan process. Presented by Ken Claude, SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer, Carolina Coastal Realty Group and Summit Lending Group. Contact: 843-900-1254. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #2476547. Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

06/14/2026

SC buyers: don’t miss SC Housing — the state’s powerful, often-overlooked homebuying resource. This video explains three key programs: the Homebuyer Program (below-market first mortgage rates + down payment assistance for qualifying buyers), Palmetto Home Advantage (no first-time buyer requirement, statewide assistance based on income and purchase price limits), and the Mortgage Tax Credit Certificate (converts part of your annual mortgage interest into a direct federal tax credit for the life of the loan). All programs have income limits, purchase price caps, and credit score minimums, and they’re available only through approved SC Housing lenders — not every loan officer can originate these products. If you’re buying in South Carolina and haven’t been told about SC Housing, find a lender who works with it regularly. For help, contact Ken Claude, SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer, Carolina Coastal Realty Group / Summit Lending Group, NMLS #2476547 — 843-900-1254. Equal Housing Lender. Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

06/14/2026

Payment history builds credit slowly over time, but utilization can move your FICO score fast — sometimes in a single billing cycle. This video explains how the ratio of what you owe on revolving accounts to your total available credit is the second most powerful score factor and is updated monthly when creditors report balances. Learn why carrying more than 30% of a card’s limit can hurt your score and why dropping below 10% across cards often produces a meaningful boost. Crucial timing tip: the balance that matters is the one reported on your statement date, not your payment due date. Pay down balances before the statement closes — one focused billing cycle of paydown can create score movement that would otherwise take months. Presented by Ken Claude, SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer, Carolina Coastal Realty Group, LLC | Summit Lending Group | NMLS #2476547 | 843-900-1254. Equal Housing Lender. Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

06/14/2026

Too many qualified buyers keep renting because they think down payment assistance (DPA) is welfare. It’s not — DPA are financing tools from state agencies, cities, and nonprofits to help income-stable households who haven’t had time to save a large cash reserve. A reliable borrower making $80,000 a year is exactly who these programs target. In South Carolina, income limits are often higher than people assume — some households earning over $100,000 may still qualify depending on county and program. Eligibility rules are specific but not extreme. Don’t guess—ask a lender to run your file before you assume the answer is no. Every year you wait can cost you real home equity. Ken Claude, SC Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer, can help review your options. Contact: 843-900-1254. Equal Housing Lender. Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

06/13/2026

Down payment assistance programs require an approved homebuyer education course—usually 8–10 hours online through a HUD-approved provider—before closing. This isn’t needless paperwork: buyers who finish education before closing default at significantly lower rates, which is why programs mandate it. Courses explain mortgage structure, closing costs, budgeting for ongoing homeownership expenses, and what to expect in your first year. Your lender will tell you which providers are acceptable and the certificate typically lasts 12 months. Do the course before you’re under contract so it won’t delay closing. You can treat it as a checkbox, but actually learning the material will pay dividends after you move in. Ken Claude | SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer | Carolina Coastal Realty Group, LLC | Summit Lending Group | NMLS #2476547 | 843-900-1254 | Equal Housing Lender | Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

06/13/2026

Lenders estimate property taxes for your pre-approval/payment using the current assessed value, but many counties reassess at sale and reset the assessed value to the purchase price — not the seller’s lower basis. That can produce a tax bill well above your lender’s estimate and increase your escrow payments once the new assessment posts. In South Carolina primary residences benefit from a 4% owner-occupied assessment rate, which helps compared with investor/rental rates, but the taxable base can still change. Before closing, check whether your county reassesses on sale, confirm the effective assessment rate that will apply, and calculate the realistic annual tax obligation — don’t assume it’ll match what the previous owner paid. For questions or help running numbers, contact Ken Claude, SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer, Carolina Coastal Realty Group & Summit Lending Group, NMLS #2476547, 843-900-1254. Equal Housing Lender. Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

06/13/2026

Selling a fixer-upper? The way you present it determines whether you control the sale or let buyers price in every unknown. The biggest mistake: listing “as-is” with no documentation. Deferred maintenance and vague disclosures make buyers assume the worst and demand steep post-inspection credits. Instead, commission a pre-listing inspection, disclose the findings, and price for your target market—investors, renovators, or buyers who want a project. That transparency removes buyer guesswork, speeds the sale, and avoids costly negotiation surprises. Market to the audience that values the opportunity, make it easy for them to buy, and don’t let perceived hidden liabilities drag down your offer. Ken Claude | SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer | Carolina Coastal Realty Group, LLC | Summit Lending Group | NMLS #2476547 | 843-900-1254 | Equal Housing Lender | Powered by C2 Financial Corporation. # # # #

06/13/2026

Self-employed investors who run tightly optimized, well-deducted businesses are ideal candidates for DSCR loans—even if they don’t know it yet. Traditional underwriting evaluates personal tax returns, where legitimate deductions can shrink a $250,000 revenue business to $60,000 net income that won’t support the loan needed for investment property. DSCR changes the game by qualifying based on the property’s ability to cover payments, not your taxed-down income. Keep your business optimized, qualify by rent coverage, and close the gap between taxable income and borrowing power. If you’ve been told your returns don’t support a loan, ask whether DSCR could change the answer before giving up. Ken Claude | SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer | Carolina Coastal Realty Group, LLC | Summit Lending Group | NMLS #2476547 | 843-900-1254 | Equal Housing Lender | Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

06/12/2026

DSCR loans aren’t limited by the federal cap that applies to conventional investor loans — instead, individual lenders set limits, so your ability to scale depends on the lender and your financial profile. Some lenders stop at 3–5 DSCR loans; others will finance more if you have strong credit, ample reserves, and a proven cash-flowing portfolio. The real practical ceiling is reserves: most programs require roughly six months of mortgage payments per property in liquid assets, and that requirement rises as you add properties. Successful investors under DSCR structure each asset to cover its own payments rather than relying on personal income to plug gaps. Bottom line: plan your reserve strategy before acquisitions, focus on properties that stand on their own cash flow, and shop lenders to match your growth goals. Ken Claude | SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer | Carolina Coastal Realty Group, LLC | Summit Lending Group | NMLS #2476547 | 843-900-1254 | Equal Housing Lender | Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

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Summerville, SC
29483

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