Financing

Know your numbers before you make an offer.

A confident offer starts with a clear picture of what you can borrow and what it costs. Check today's rates, run the math, and connect with a local lender I trust when you are ready to get preapproved.

Rates shown are provided by Mortgage News Daily and are market averages for general information. The payment calculator is an estimate only, not a quote or commitment.

View current mortgage rates
Mortgage Interest Rates
View More Refinance Rates

A lender I work with

Taylor Graham

Taylor Graham

Guild Mortgage

NMLS #1736006

Get preapproved

Taylor Graham is a South Carolina native who grew up in Myrtle Beach, where he spent his early years near the ocean and developed a lifelong love of surfing. He attended the College of Charleston, earning a degree in Business and Finance before beginning a career that gave him an unusually deep understanding of how real estate actually works.

Early in his career, Taylor spent years working with investment properties across the full spectrum, including multifamily, land development, renovations, vacation rentals, fix-and-flip, and property management. He was hands-on across financing, accounting, marketing, and day-to-day operations, which built the kind of behind-the-scenes knowledge most loan officers never develop. That background lets him guide clients through complex situations with confidence and clarity.

Taylor lives in Mount Pleasant's Park West community with his wife, a physical therapist, and their two sons. When he is not working, he is shuttling kids to soccer games and high school band performances, or occasionally sneaking in a trip to the beach.

His goal is to be the lending partner Realtors trust without question: clear communication, calm under pressure, and every client treated like his own.

843-469-5860 [email protected]
Open the mortgage calculator
Mortgage Calculator
$
%

Total Interest Paid:$0

Total Principal & Interest:$0

Monthly Principal & Interest:$0

Today's Mortgage Rates

Already searching on Zillow®? Supercharge that search today!

Connect with me as your agent and I will turn that endless scroll into a focused shortlist, with a local advisor answering every Charleston question along the way.

Connect with me on Zillow

Not sure where to start?

I can talk through your options and connect you with the right lender for your situation, with no pressure either way.

Get preapproved

Charleston financing, the questions buyers actually ask

What credit score do I need to buy a home in the Charleston area?

It depends on the loan type. Many conventional loans look for a score around 620 or higher, FHA loans can go lower, and VA and USDA loans have their own guidelines rather than a single hard cutoff. A stronger score generally earns a better interest rate, but plenty of buyers qualify with mid-range credit. The only way to know your real options is to talk to a lender and get preapproved.

How much do I need for a down payment in South Carolina?

Less than most people assume. Many conventional loans allow as little as 3 percent down, FHA is commonly 3.5 percent, and VA and USDA loans can require zero down for buyers who qualify. South Carolina also has down payment assistance programs through SC Housing for eligible buyers. Twenty percent is not required, though it does let you avoid mortgage insurance.

What types of mortgages can Charleston-area buyers use?

The common options are conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans. Conventional works for a wide range of buyers, FHA is friendlier on credit and down payment, VA serves eligible active-duty service members and veterans with zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance, and USDA supports zero-down purchases in eligible rural and suburban areas around Charleston. The right fit depends on your credit, your savings, your service history, and where you are buying.

What is the difference between prequalified and preapproved?

Prequalification is a quick estimate based on information you share, useful for a rough budget. Preapproval is deeper: the lender verifies your income, assets, and credit and issues a letter stating what you can borrow. In a market where good homes move fast, a preapproval makes your offer far more competitive because sellers know your financing is real.

How much are closing costs for a buyer in Charleston?

Buyer closing costs in South Carolina typically run in the range of about 2 to 5 percent of the purchase price. They include lender fees, the appraisal, a title search and owner's title insurance, attorney fees (South Carolina requires an attorney at closing), and prepaid items like homeowners insurance and property tax escrow. Your lender provides a written Loan Estimate early so you can see the specifics before you commit.

Mortgage rate information on this page is provided by Mortgage News Daily and is for general informational purposes only. It is not a loan offer, commitment, or guarantee of any rate or term. Matthew Kleinman is a licensed real estate advisor, not a mortgage lender or broker, and does not originate loans or provide mortgage advice. Lender referrals are offered as a courtesy, and you are free to work with any lender you choose. Taylor Graham, Guild Mortgage, NMLS #1736006. Taylor Francis, Cazle Mortgage, NMLS #2159074.