Mortgage Broker in Moncks Corner, SC

We know that many home loan officers have horrible reputations. Some brokers only see their clients as transactions, and a means to make quick money. They come off as impatient and pushy, failing to understand that this is a very big decision for you. At Mija Mortgage, we take the opposite approach. We encourage our clients to take as much time as needed to ask us questions and review mortgage documents. We could say that our mission is to exceed your expectations, but we'd rather just show you. From assistance finding FHA, VA, or other loans to refinancing your current mortgage, Mija is the team you can trust.

Here are just a few reasons why home buyers choose Mija Mortgage:

No Additional Fees

No Additional Fees- Providing our client's services free of charge, using a mortgage broker like Mija Mortgage can help you scout the best price on loans without a hefty price tag.

Access to 50 Lenders

Access to 50 Lenders- With access to a range of loans and interest rates available, Mija Mortgage can shop for the best loans for your unique needs.

Accessible to Our Clients

Accessible to Our Clients- Providing a transparent and communicative service to all our clients, Mija Mortgage ensures all phone calls are answered or returned in a timely manner.

Setting You Up for Success

Setting You Up for Success- Helping you prepare all your documents for pre-approval and the loan application, Mija Mortgage will provide you with all the necessary information to secure the best loan.

Contact Us For Service !

Free Consultation phone-number (843) 822-5685

To understand the benefits of working with a mortgage broker, you must first understand their role in the home-buying process.

What Does a Mortgage Broker Do?

Your mortgage broker is a third party that works to connect you with mortgage lenders. Essentially, a mortgage broker works as an intermediary between a person who wants to buy a home and the entities offering loans to buy a home. The mortgage broker works with both the borrower and lender to get the borrower approved. They also verify and collect paperwork from the borrower that the lender needs to finish a home purchase. Typically, mortgage brokers have relationships with several home loan lenders. Mija Mortgage, for example, has access to 50 different lenders, which gives us a wide range of home loans in Moncks Corner, SC, from which to choose.

In addition to finding a home loan lender, your mortgage broker will help you settle on the best loan options and interest rates for your budget. Ideally, your mortgage broker will take a great deal of stress and legwork off your plate while also potentially saving you money.

Help with the Pre-Approval Process

If you're ready to buy a home, getting pre-qualified is a great choice that will streamline the entire process. Your mortgage broker makes getting pre-approved easy by obtaining all the documents needed to get you pre-qualified. In taking a look at your application, they will determine if you're ready for the pre-approval process. If your application needs additional items, the mortgage company will help point you in the right direction to ensure your application is as strong as it can be. Your mortgage broker will also walk you through the different types of loans, from Conventional and FHA to VA and USDA.

In order to be pre-approved for a home in South Carolina, you must have the following:

  • Two Years of W2 Forms
  • 30 Days of Pay Stubs from Employer
  • 60 Days of Bank Statements
  • A Valid Driver's License

Conventional Mortgages

Conventional loans can be used to purchase a new home or refinance your current one. Conventional loans include fixed-rate mortgages and adjustable-rate mortgages. Generally, borrowers must put down a 3% down payment for owner-occupants, 10% for a vacation property, and 20% for an investment home. If you are able to pay 20% of the total cost of the home, you can avoid private mortgage insurance, which is otherwise required. Conventional mortgages are often preferred by buyers with good credit or people needing a non-owner-occupied mortgage.

 Mortgage Broker Moncks Corner, SC
 Mortgage Company Moncks Corner, SC

FHA Loans

FHA mortgages are issued by the U.S. government and backed by the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). This loan is often preferred by first-time homebuyers because it only requires a 3.5% down payment and offers more flexibility with credit requirements and underwriting standards. FHA loans have several requirements you must meet to qualify. Contact Mija Mortgage today to learn more about FHA loans and whether or not they're best for your financial situation.

USDA Loans

Also backed by the government, these loans are insured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and don't require money down. These loans have lower insurance requirements when compared to FHA loans, offer 100% financing if you qualify, and allow for closing costs to be covered by the seller. In order to qualify for a USDA loan, you must live in a rural area, and your household income must meet certain standards. These loans are often preferred by low-income citizens who live in rural parts of South Carolina.

 Mortgage Lending Service Moncks Corner, SC
 Refinancing Moncks Corner, SC

Veteran Mortgages

Also known as VA or Veteran's Affairs loans, these mortgages are reserved for the brave men and women who served in the military. VA loans help provide our military members, veterans, and their families with favorable loan terms and an easy home ownership experience. Often, those who qualify are not required to make a down payment on their home. Additionally, these loans often include less expensive closing costs.

If you are a veteran or the family member of a veteran, contact Mija Mortgage today to speak with our Vetted VA Professional, Debbie Haberny. Debbie helps our military members, veterans, and their family members obtain home loans utilizing veteran benefits and would be happy to help as you search for a home.

Q. I was talking to my spouse about mortgage brokers, and they mentioned the phrase home loan originator. What's the difference between a broker and a loan originator?

A. The mortgage industry is full of confusing jobs and titles, making it easy to confuse roles and responsibilities. Such is the case with mortgage brokers and home loan originators. Though their roles share similarities, a home loan originator in Moncks Corner, SC, works for a bank or credit union, while a mortgage broker works for a brokerage company. Home loan originators and mortgage brokers are both licensed by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS).

Q. I've heard from everyone that you must have mortgage insurance to buy a home. What is mortgage insurance?

A. Essentially, mortgage insurance helps protect lenders if a borrower forecloses on the home they bought. One advantage of mortgage insurance is that when borrowers pay it, lenders can often grant loans to buyers when they might not have otherwise. Though not always required to buy a home, mortgage insurance is often needed for down payments of less than 20%.

Q. I have just been pre-approved to buy a beautiful home in South Carolina. Is there anything I shouldn't do now that I'm pre-qualified?

A. Mortgage companies like Mija Mortgage, make getting pre-qualified for a home easy. However, as your loan process continues, your lender is required to run a new credit report before closing on a home. For that reason, it's to avoid any activity that might affect your credit score, such as:

  • Do not become a co-signer on a loan with someone else.
  • Do not quit or change your job.
  • Do not apply for new credit cards, automobile loans, or any other lines of credit.
  • Do not use your credit card to pay for large purchases, like furniture for your new house.
  • Do not avoid payments on current lines of credit, loans, or utility bills.

Q. My brother-in-law recently refinanced his home in South Carolina. What is refinancing, and should I consider refinancing my home too?

A. Refinancing your home basically means you're swapping your current mortgage for a new one, most often with a lower interest rate. If you would like to reduce the term of your loan, lower your monthly mortgage payments, or consolidate debt, refinancing may be a smart option. Many homeowners also choose to refinance if they want to switch from adjustable-rate mortgages to fixed-rate mortgages or to get cash back for home renovations. To learn whether refinancing is a viable option for your situation, contact Mija Mortgage ASAP, as loan rates change frequently.

Mija Mortgage: Turning Dreams into Reality, One Mortgage at a Time

Head-bottom

Here at Mija Mortgage, we believe that the best communities begin with the dream of home ownership. Our mission is to make those dreams come true, with personalized service, expert guidance, and good old-fashioned hard work. As one of the most trusted mortgage companies in Moncks Corner, SC, we have years of experience working with a diverse range of clients, from first-time buyers and investors to self-employed borrowers and non-native English speakers.

Though every mortgage situation is different, one thing never changes: our commitment to clients. Contact our office today to get started on an exceptional home-buying experience.

Contact Us For Service !

phone-number (843) 822-5685
 Refinances Moncks Corner, SC

Latest News in Moncks Corner, SC

SC factory that’s made various medical products since 1972 is closing

A Moncks Corner factory that’s been manufacturing medical products for half a century will be closing its doors.Becton Dickinson and Co., known as BD, plans by 2025 to shut down the 274-worker Berkeley County plant where it makes urinary catheters, according to a layoff notice filed with the state labor officials.Company spokesman Troy Kirkpatrick said in a written statement that employees were told a year ago that the Power House Road location would be closing.He said it was a “difficult, but necessary, deci...

A Moncks Corner factory that’s been manufacturing medical products for half a century will be closing its doors.

Becton Dickinson and Co., known as BD, plans by 2025 to shut down the 274-worker Berkeley County plant where it makes urinary catheters, according to a layoff notice filed with the state labor officials.

Company spokesman Troy Kirkpatrick said in a written statement that employees were told a year ago that the Power House Road location would be closing.

He said it was a “difficult, but necessary, decision to transition all manufacturing from Moncks Corner to other existing ... manufacturing facilities that also produce catheters.”

“This move will help BD leverage existing resources and available capacity, centralize products and, ultimately, streamline operations in order to operate more effectively and efficiently,” Kirkpatrick said.

He added that the Franklin Lakes, N.J.-based medical technology company expects the shift “to occur in waves” over the next two years.

“Once the transfer is completed, we plan to close the Moncks Corner facility,” he said in the statement.

The company also said it’s working with the state and is coordinating with its other sites “to support our employees with future employment opportunities.”

The “delivery solutions” business that includes the catheter business is a laggard within BD’s broader medical segment, with sales rising about 4 percent to $2.36 billion for the first half of the current fiscal year compared to a nearly 13 percent revenue gain for the entire group.

Under its “2025 Strategy,” the company said one of its priorities is to simplify, in part by reducing “complexity across our manufacturing network.”

The 117,000-square-foot plant had been run since the early 1980s by C.R. Bard Inc., which Becton Dickinson acquired in 2017. Just months before the deal, the catheter industry pioneer disclosed plans to invest $16 million and add 50 jobs in Moncks Corner.

The factory itself has been around since the late 1960s.

The original 82,000-square-foot structure was built by Aerovox Corp., which processed aluminum for use in electronic components and audio equipment. It closed up shop in Berkeley County after a few years.

The next owner also didn’t stay long. Sprague Electric, which supplied parts to the refrigeration industry, sold the plant in 1972 to a division of Narco Scientific Industries that manufactured disposable health care products.

Davol Inc., which made medical filters in Moncks Corner, took over the site in 1977, three years before International Paper sold the subsidiary to C.R. Bard.

Shortly before it was acquired by BD, the catheter maker reported that the plant could turn out 80,000 of the drainage devices each day. The company also described the manufacturing process in Moncks Corner as “quite tedious” and labor intensive.

“Layers upon layers of latex are dipped to ensure quality and preciseness,” C.R. Bard posted on its website in 2017.

Remember how excited lots of people were in 2021 and 2022 about I-bonds, the federal savings bonds with interest rates linked to inflation?

Toward the end of 2021 banks were still paying less than 1 percent interest on savings accounts, but I-bonds were paying an annualized 7.12 percent, which increased to 9.62 percent in May 2022.

Much has changed since then.

Today, it’s easy to find a bank certificate of deposit that pays at least 5 percent interest, but the current I-bond rate is 4.3 percent — about the same as my savings account. That’s still not bad, considering I-bond earnings are exempt from state and local taxes, but it’s nothing like the premium I-bonds were offering just a year ago.

Inevitably, people who jumped into I-bonds for the sky-high interest offered between November of 2021 and November of 2022 and going to wonder if it would make sense to cash out and put the money elsewhere.

Here are some things to know:

That last part is important, because those 9.62 percent I-bonds had a fixed rate of zero. That means those bonds aren’t earning 4.3 percent at the current rate, but 3.38 percent. That’s because the latest rate includes a 0.9 percent fixed rate, which only applies to newly bought I-bonds.

Conversely, someone who bought an I-bond back in early 2000 has been earning a fixed rate of 3.6 percent plus the six-month inflation rate. Those lucky savers are currently earning 7.04 percent on the same bonds that pay 4.3 percent to new purchasers.

Okay, I know this is all a bit wonky and complicated, but that’s how it works. The combined interest rate an I-bond pays depends on when it was purchased.

One takeaway is that people who bought I-bonds for the high interest rates offered, but plan to hold them for the long term, could be better off selling them and then buying new ones.

Why? Because current I-bonds have that 0.9 percent fixed rate that’s paid in addition to the inflation rate, while any I-bond sold between Nov. 1, 2019, and May 1, 2022, has a fixed rate of zero.

The current 0.9 percent fixed rate is far from the highest ever offered, but it’s the highest offered since the end of April 2009. Both the fixed rate and the inflation rate will change again on Nov. 1.

For more details, or to buy an I-bond, go to treasurydirect.gov.

There is a $10,000 per-person limit on annual I-bond purchases, and they can only be purchased online, unless a person is buying one using a federal income tax refund.

Moncks Corner residents call for town leaders to step up and revitalize Lacey Park

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Lacey Park in Moncks Corner is considered a staple for the town, a place where parents can bring their kids and relax. Over the years neighbors said the park has been neglected and there have been no efforts to fix it."Right now If you go to Lacey Park the swings is about all you have," said longtime Moncks...

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Lacey Park in Moncks Corner is considered a staple for the town, a place where parents can bring their kids and relax. Over the years neighbors said the park has been neglected and there have been no efforts to fix it.

"Right now If you go to Lacey Park the swings is about all you have," said longtime Moncks Corner resident Thomas Hamilton. "I’m telling you a lot of these moms who want to bring their kids they won’t go there and it needs to be cleaned up."

Moncks Corner Lacey Park News 4. (WCIV, June 27, 2023).

Hamilton has been fighting for many years to revive one of his favorite parks. He described the playground's equipment as old and uncared for and he blames town leaders for neglecting the park.

"I have been pushing for new tennis courts, pickle ball courts, flash pads for the kids, and eventually a Rex center for Moncks Corner," continued Hamilton. "It seems like the town of Moncks Corner all they want to do is put time and money and effort into the ball field and to that Rex center up there and the rest of the parks get neglected."

Read more: Multigenerational family emotionally moved by International African American Museum opening.

Recently town leaders passed a 15 percent tax increase and Hamilton believes some of the money should go towards the park's revitalization.

"We should be getting more tax revenue and I just feel like the city council and the mayor and the town administrator needs to be looking at these parks and start asking what can we do for the residents," said Hamilton.

News 4 reached out to Moncks Corner Officials and asked if Lacey Park would get attention anytime soon, and in a response they said: "The Town of Moncks Corner began developing a Parks Master Plan last year to evaluate our parks and help establish priorities for refurbishing our existing facilities. We were also able to identify what recreation needs are not being met. This study was based on a comprehensive survey sent out to our residents, which showed support to improve some of our older parks, increase funding, as well as add new facilities."

The spokesperson from the town continued: "The study is expected to be completed in the next two months and will provide Town Council with specific recommendations and prioritizations for all the parks. In the meantime, Town staff has been working to maintain the existing facilities but has, at times, been challenged with long lead times in getting replacement parts. If anyone sees anything that seems unsafe with any of our facilities, we ask that they contact us at 843-719-7900, so we can address it as soon as possible. Improving our older parks, including Lacey Park, has been, and continues to be a Town priority. We look forward to accomplishing it with the support of our residents. "

Moncks Corner all-stars headed to World Series

Winning for the sixth straight game since dropping its opener in the Dixie Youth 12U O-Zone state tournament, Moncks Corner edged Greer, 2-1, in the championship game at the Moncks Corner Regional Recreation Complex July 14.The host team secured two victories on the final day of the tournament to punch its ticket to the DYB Div. I O-Zone World Series in Ruston, Louisiana Aug 4-9. Coach Landy Cox’s bunch doubled up Gregg Park 4-2 in the morning, then avenged it’s opening loss from July 8 in the championship game.&ldq...

Winning for the sixth straight game since dropping its opener in the Dixie Youth 12U O-Zone state tournament, Moncks Corner edged Greer, 2-1, in the championship game at the Moncks Corner Regional Recreation Complex July 14.

The host team secured two victories on the final day of the tournament to punch its ticket to the DYB Div. I O-Zone World Series in Ruston, Louisiana Aug 4-9. Coach Landy Cox’s bunch doubled up Gregg Park 4-2 in the morning, then avenged it’s opening loss from July 8 in the championship game.

“I was questioning whether we could win but I didn’t let them know that,” Cox said. “They’re too young to know they’re not supposed to win six games in a row like that. I guess they were smarter than me.”

Moncks Corner pitcher Nicholas Stephens hurled a four-hitter and struck out four batters to garner the victory on the mound in the championship game.

Moncks Corner grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when Carson Hainline singled and scored on a wild pitch. Landyn Cox singled hard to the outfield, scoring Dougie Floyd from second base, to make it 2-0 in the top of the fourth.

Greer plated a run in the bottom of the fourth but couldn’t scratch again against Stephens. Greer got the tying run in scoring position in the fifth inning but Stephens stranded the runner at second base. He retired the side in order in the bottom of the sixth, capping a spectacular run to the title.

“It’s one of the hardest things we’ve ever had to do, win six games in seven days when you’re facing elimination each day,” Cox said. “I’m not sure that team doesn’t outweigh us 40 pounds a kid but our kids are tough.”

Moncks Corner left no doubt about that on short rest. It played past midnight the night before because of a weather delay, staying alive and handing Gregg Park its first loss, 7-3.

Moncks Corner then lost a coin toss to Greer and had to play Gregg Park again in the morning less than 10 hours later, with a spot in the title game on the line. It didn’t cut corners in preparation for the final day even though everybody got to bed after 1 in the morning.

“Somebody asked if we were going to hit in the morning and I said ’you darn right,” Cox said. “We met at 8:30 in the morning at Berkeley High School and kept our same routine.”

Tied 1-1 after two and a half innings, Moncks Corner plated three runs in the bottom of the third inning to take control against Gregg Park (from Aiken County). Gregg Park managed a single run in the top of the fourth inning but got not closer.

Carter Hainline was 2 for 2 and scored a run while Carson Hainline and Davis Owens knocked in runs.

Moncks Corner pitchers Floyd and Mason Prince scattered five hits and struck out four batters. Floyd hurled four innings to garner the win.

Moncks Corner’s other wins after falling, 9-8, to Greer in the tournament opener were over Hartsville Northern (11-0), Greenwood (12-0) and Mt. Pleasant (5-4).

More team members are Ansel Todd, Caleb Morris, Jaxson Stackley, Layne Lucas and Layton Oliver. Cox’s assistant coaches are Ryan Owens and Doug Floyd.

Moncks Corner begins the world series against the host team at 10 a.m. on Aug. 4.

Moncks Corner represents South Carolina and could square off against other state champions from Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas and Mississippi.

“We’re just gonna play our small ball, pitch and play defense and see where we stack up against everybody else,” Cox said. “I think our kids average about 75 pounds. We’re not big but we’ll fight you.”

New Moncks Corner apartments to open soon

A new apartment development soon will open in a rapidly developing area of Moncks Corner....

A new apartment development soon will open in a rapidly developing area of Moncks Corner.

Waterleaf at Foxbank will feature 318 units in three-story buildings between the residential neighborhood Foxbank and Cypress Gardens Road.

The one- to three-bedroom units include one to two bathrooms and range from 885 square feet to 1,510 square feet. Monthly rents will be $1,580 to $2,265.

Work continues on the project, and the Waterleaf website says the complex will open soon.

The development is near the Publix-anchored Moncks Corner Marketplace and several restaurant and retail structures under development along U.S. Highway 52, including fast-food restaurant Wendy’s and donut shop Dunkin’, as well as oil change site Valvoline.

The area has seen several new housing developments in recent years, with others on the way.

Southern expansion

A Charleston-based marina owner is unveiling a new addition in South Florida.

Port 32 Marinas recently completed construction of a full-service site in Fort Lauderdale that includes dry storage and can accommodate vessels from small tenders to yachts up to 180 feet.

The 3-acre yacht basin can accommodate up to 32 yachts. It offers 278 short and long-term dry storage slips up to 55 feet, and 28,000 square feet of commercial space for leasable marine use.

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The marina also includes a 150-ton travelift which can lift vessels up to 120 feet, a 60-ton yard transporter, and forklift with elevating cab for increased visibility and safety.

The newly constructed wet slips are designed to accommodate vessels up to 150 feet for in-water repairs and refits. As a self-service marina, owners and captains may elect to bring their own crew or use one of the pre-approved vendors. The facility also offers safe wet slip hurricane storage and is designed to withstand 175 mph winds.

Port 32 also owns marinas in several other Florida cities, including Jacksonville, Palm Beach Gardens, Tierra Verde, Tampa, Naples, Cape Coral, Marco Island and Lighthouse Point.

On Point(e)

The recently sold Palm Point apartment complex in North Charleston has been renamed.

The 112 rental units at 2561 Fassitt Road are now known as Retreat at Palm Pointe.

As previously reported, an affiliate of New York City-based Prospect Lane paid $13.25 million on June 12 for the two-story multifamily development near Ashley Phosphate and Stall roads.

The apartments were built in 1991 and were previously owned by Cohen Investment Group of Virginia Beach, Va.

Job Fair Happening Feb. 1 at Berkeley County Administration Building

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – (Friday, January 27, 2023) – There will be a community-wide job fair happening Wednesday, February 1 in the Assembly Room of the Berkeley County Administration Building, located at 1003 N. Highway 52 in Moncks Corner.The event will be open to Berkeley County high school students from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the general public from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.The event will provide opportunities for Berkeley County industries that are hirin...

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – (Friday, January 27, 2023) – There will be a community-wide job fair happening Wednesday, February 1 in the Assembly Room of the Berkeley County Administration Building, located at 1003 N. Highway 52 in Moncks Corner.

The event will be open to Berkeley County high school students from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the general public from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will provide opportunities for Berkeley County industries that are hiring to connect with job-seeking residents and high school seniors. Employment opportunities in healthcare, manufacturing, law enforcement, hospitality, construction, information technology and other career fields will be represented. Berkeley County Government will also be on-hand to discuss its open positions.

Attendees are urged to bring an updated resume and come prepared to interview on the spot, if necessary.

For questions, please contact Berkeley County Human Resources at 843-719-4163.

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-Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office-

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – (Friday, February 3, 2023) – Berkeley County received a ‘Clean Report’ or ‘Unmodified Opinion’ following a 2022 independent audit. The audit was presented to County Council on Monday, January 23, 2023 from the County’s outside auditors, Mauldin & Jenkins. Watch the full County Council meeting HERE.

“I’m pleased to say we do not have any audit findings to report to you on this year, meaning we noted no material weaknesses or sufficient deficiencies in the County’s internal controls in our audit. …Being one of the largest counties in South Carolina, you obviously have a significant amount of financial activity for which you have to account for. In addition, with all the new County standards and changes that are being implemented each year—and really just the complexity of all involved in the financial reporting process—it makes it all that more impressive to be able to present you all an audit with a clean opinion and no audit findings.” – David Irwin, CPA Partner, Mauldin & Jenkins

The report represents the best possible opinion the County can receive. The County has received this opinion several years in a row.

“Government has a fundamental responsibility to be effective stewards of the taxpayer’s money and this audit result reflects just that. A special thanks to my colleagues on County Council for their work throughout the budget process and most importantly to each and every Berkeley County employee for your daily efforts throughout the year. This TEAM effort allows us to continue to offer high level services while keeping our county government taxes the lowest in South Carolina.” -Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb

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-Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office-

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