Mortgage Broker in Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, SC
 Mortgage Company Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, SC
 Refinancing Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, SC

Latest News in Mount Pleasant, SC

Documents show toddler escapes from Mount Pleasant daycare

One mother is demanding better for her children after what she said were questionable experiences at a Mount Pleasant daycare.CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - One mother is demanding better for her children after what she said were questionable experiences at a Mount Pleasant daycare.April Gilliard said her children attended Sunshine House for two years before she ultimately pulled them from the center after hearing a toddler was found wandering near Long Point Road.Witness reports from Sunshine House staff that were rec...

One mother is demanding better for her children after what she said were questionable experiences at a Mount Pleasant daycare.

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - One mother is demanding better for her children after what she said were questionable experiences at a Mount Pleasant daycare.

April Gilliard said her children attended Sunshine House for two years before she ultimately pulled them from the center after hearing a toddler was found wandering near Long Point Road.

Witness reports from Sunshine House staff that were received from the Department of Social Services show a toddler escaped out of a gate while on the playground and was found by staff in the arms of a truck driver.

Gilliard said the daycare never addressed what happened to the other parents, she was made aware of the situation through a post on social media.

“I asked about it and was told that wasn’t true,” Gilliard said. “I was told it was the previous director who was trying to sabotage the reputation or the name of the center.”

Gilliard said she had her own questionable experiences at the daycare as well. Some days she had trouble getting in contact with the daycare to check on her kids. On other days, when she received pictures from staff, it looked like too many children were in one classroom.

“When I got to the center I asked, ‘How was your day, what’s going on, did you guys have to combine classrooms,’” Gilliard said. “None of that was really communicated.”

She said the social media post about the escaped toddler was her final straw.

“It makes me question what happened prior to this incident,” Gilliard said.

Documents obtained from the Freedom of Information Act show inadequate supervision at the daycare has been an ongoing problem since 2015.

According to Department of Social Services documents, eight separate visits to the center reported deficiencies in areas like improper child-to-caregiver ratio, unqualified caregivers, inadequate supervision or improper accounting for the presence of children.

Gillard said by sharing her experiences, she is advocating for her own children and other children in the community.

“These are issues that are going on and no one is being held accountable, no one is actually speaking on it, and some parents don’t have social media to find out or learn about these things,” Gilliard said.

Sunshine House provided the following comment:

This past May, at our school in Mount Pleasant on Long Point Road, a child on the playground opened an exterior gate and was able to leave the premises and walk through the parking lot.

The safety and well-being of the children in our care is our highest priority. While the child was, thankfully, returned unharmed to the school two minutes later, we are distraught that this occurred.

Following the incident, we contacted the child’s family and officially notified our state licensor and Child Protective Services, per state licensing regulations and company procedures. The teachers were placed on administrative leave pending the results of both internal and state licensing investigations. The teachers involved are no longer employed with the company.

The playground gate was functioning and closed at the time of the incident. After this incident, we worked with our state licensors to identify a South Carolina state-approved lock, which was subsequently installed.

Two teachers were supervising 12 children on the playground at the time of the incident. The state ratio for this age group is 1 teacher to 6 children or 2 teachers to 12 children.

The safety and well-being of the children in our care is our highest priority, and we cannot stress enough how seriously we take this incident. We have bolstered our operational procedures and retrained teachers and teammates on playground safety checks and other safety protocols.

The Department of Social Services provided the following comment:

The provider in question was terminated from the ABC Quality program in June 2023 due to documented serious safety violations and the provider has not appealed the decision. Providers must be enrolled in the ABC Quality program to accept childcare scholarship funds issued by the Department of Social Services per federal guidelines.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Mount Pleasant hotel plan resurfaces in Old Village with a new name and owner

Plans to develop a small boutique hotel on a corner lot in Mount Pleasant’s historic Old Village neighborhood are being revived under a new majority owner.Jeremy Graves of Village Inn LLC has submitted plans to build the Seabird at Hibben and Whilden streets. The town’s Commercial Site Review Board is scheduled to vote July 26 for final approval of the site, landscape and architecture plans.Renderings show 23 guest rooms in one buil...

Plans to develop a small boutique hotel on a corner lot in Mount Pleasant’s historic Old Village neighborhood are being revived under a new majority owner.

Jeremy Graves of Village Inn LLC has submitted plans to build the Seabird at Hibben and Whilden streets. The town’s Commercial Site Review Board is scheduled to vote July 26 for final approval of the site, landscape and architecture plans.

Renderings show 23 guest rooms in one building with 1,185 square feet of restaurant space and a lounge.

I’On developer Vince Graham pursued a plan more than a decade ago for what then was called Earls Court Hotel that was to be an offshoot of the nearby Earls Court residential nook his company built.

The inn project faced early pushback from some Old Village residents and was stalled by years of legal squabbles with the town. A settlement was struck in 2019.

Village Inn LLC bought the property in 2021 for $925,000, and Graham remains a minority investor in the hotel project, according to a spokesperson. Graves did not respond to a request for comment.

Back at the BAR

Two notable downtown Charleston hotel projects are coming back before the city’s Board of Architectural Review on July 26.

The developer of South Carolina’s first Four Seasons property at 155 Meeting St. is requesting conceptual approval and the OK to add an eighth floor for a rooftop terrace, conservatory and pool.

Florida-based Strategic Property Partners plans to construct three buildings for the 1.9-acre corner site at Horlbeck Alley that will include a mix of hotel rooms and residential condominiums.

During the last review of the proposal in June, the BAR generally was in favor of what was presented, but members remained split over the request for the extra height.

The panel also is set to take up a boutique 18-room lodging for upper King Street.

Plans show a five-story building with parking, a rooftop area, meeting space and two ground-floor commercial spaces on a vacant lot between Line Street and the overpass where Interstate 26 merges into the Septima P. Clark Expressway.

Greenville-based Atlantic South Development is listed the developer.

Point of view

An upcoming luxury waterfront hotel went before the Board of Architectural Review earlier this month requesting final approval of exterior changes that would improve the view.

The Cooper, which is under construction at 176 Concord St., is expected to open in 2025 with 225 guest rooms on six floors.

It will be part of the locally based Beemok Hospitality Collection, which also is embarking on an overhaul of The Charleston Place across from the City Market.

The developer requested to switch from two-pane to four-pane windows on the top and bottom floors facing Charleston Harbor to improve the waterfront views from the penthouse, restaurant and lobby. Also, it asked for architectural columns on the top floor to be removed from the design plans.

The BAR had mixed feelings about the latter request. The item was deferred.

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.

Sunsets, a new seafood-centric restaurant, soon to open on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant

MOUNT PLEASANT — A new 9,000-square-foot dining venue soon will replace a seafood ...

MOUNT PLEASANT — A new 9,000-square-foot dining venue soon will replace a seafood restaurant that started in 1979 in an old fish shed with 35 seats.

Sunsets plans to open in about three weeks at 97 Mill St. in the former R.B.’s on Shem Creek, which closed after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The seafood-centric offering between Red’s Ice House and Saltwater Cowboys comes from a partnership between Bottle Cap Group and Southern Entertainment, both based in Charlotte.

The two-story restaurant is designed “to focus on the views and accentuate waterfront dining,” according to Bob Durkin of Southern Entertainment. “Every seat will have an amazing view.”

The lower level features a larger deck that allows more outdoor seating while the second story includes garage door-like features to give it an open-air atmosphere.

“We really wanted to open it up outside,” Durkin said.

The project has been in the works for a couple of years since the business partners homed in on the site after longtime R.B.’s owner Ronnie Boals decided to retire and sell the property.

In 2020, an affiliate of Geyer Morris Co., a privately held Dallas-based commercial real estate development firm, bought the nearly 1-acre property from Boals for $7 million.

The existing two-story structure, built in 2003 after a fire destroyed the restaurant a year earlier, will feature seating for 284 diners on the first floor, according to site plans. Another 218 seats will be available on the second level.

“It’s the ideal location, but everything has taken longer than expected,” said Britton McCorkle with Bottle Cap Group. “We also had to install a sprinkler system, which held us up a bit.”

In addition to seafood, chef Kevin Spencer will offer entrees such as steaks, chicken and pork. Appetizers, sushi and veggie-centric dishes also will be on the menu. Brunch will include mainstays as well as some favorite items from lunch and dinner, Spencer said.

Lighter-fare salads, sandwiches and burgers also will be available.

“We will have something for everyone,” said Andrew Izrael, general manager.

A full bar with local beers, cocktails and wine also is part of the new dining spot.

“The bar includes a playful reimagining of classic items that work with the seafood-forward menu and being on the water,” Izrael said. “They will have touches of flair.”

The restaurant will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. weekdays, with later hours on weekends.

The restaurant’s partners also have other business interests in the Charleston area.

Bottle Cap Group includes Snapper Jack’s Seafood & Raw Bar on Folly Beach. Southern Entertainment is involved in developing Farm Haus Butcher & Beer Garden in Moultrie Plaza Shopping Center in Mount Pleasant. Durkin said Farm Haus is several weeks away from opening.

11 Newest Brunch Spots in Charleston, August 2023

If you've made your way through the essential brunch restaurants in Charleston and still yearn for another mimosa in a different setting, we present this list of the new spots servicing the early crowds. To be on the Brunch Heatmap, these establishments must be less than a year old (with some consideration for those barely over the mark or changes in the kitchen). ...

If you've made your way through the essential brunch restaurants in Charleston and still yearn for another mimosa in a different setting, we present this list of the new spots servicing the early crowds. To be on the Brunch Heatmap, these establishments must be less than a year old (with some consideration for those barely over the mark or changes in the kitchen).

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Fans of brunch fun spot Millers All Day should take notice — you no longer need to fight the downtown crowds for a chance to order the hot honey chicken doughnut, shrimp and grits, or a lobster roll, because there’s a second location on James Island now. Go hard with breakfast shooters — try the tequila-based, French-toast-flavored one.

Charming French restaurant La Bonne Franquette offers the classics like salmon Benedict, croque monsieur, quiches, and plenty of bubbles for brunch. Sit on the sunny patio if its not too hot outside.

Filipino restaurant Kultura now has permanent residence in the former Baguette Magic space on Spring Street. This has given chef Nikko Cagalanan a chance to experiment with brunch on Sundays. The menu includes ube lattes, guava “Pop-Tarts,” egg sandwiches with pork belly adobo, and pancit with local lump crab.

Sunny spot Island Provisions serves breakfast and lunch, so technically it isn’t a brunch spot. However, you could definitely believe it’s brunch if you order a few glasses of bubbly to go with your salmon toast with chive cream cheese or a slice of quiche with a side salad.

2022 James Beard semifinalist Orlando Pagán, of tasting menu spot Wild Common, created the breakfast and lunch menu for Alcove Market with health and well-being in mind, so go here if you want a brunch on the lighter side, like a rainbow quinoa bowl or crispy falafel sandwich. Though, there is a fried chicken sandwich with bacon jam on the menu, for those who might need a bit of heft to start their day.

Party bar Palace Hotel now offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The menu has fun morning items like cinnamon roll waffles, bananas foster French toast, and a breakfast hot dog with scrambled eggs and maple syrup.

If your only requirements for brunch are a giant egg sandwich to soak up a hangover or a breakfast burrito to take to the beach, then George Street stop Legend Deli has your back. The creative sandwich shop offers bagel sandwiches all day long, every day, and the burritos are stuffed full of egg, cheese, grilled onions, and hash browns.

European cafe Azur starts brunch service on Sunday, August 20. Look for hearty items like the Azur burger (beef burgundy, tomato, and Emmental cheese on a croissant bun) or something lighter, like the shrimp salad on avocado toast. There’s plenty of quiches, frittatas, and mimosas to go around too.

Broad Street restaurant Brasserie La Banque now serves a brunch full of French classics. Look for croque madame, French toast with fresh berries, an expertly prepared omelet, and steak frites in a stunning setting. It feels like a sophisticated way to start the day.

Proprietor Kevin Roach set out to make New York-style bagels in Mount Pleasant, and many people (including NYC transplants) are saying he succeeded with the opening of Ruby’s Bagels. The doughy creations are kettle boiled and baked for an exterior with a snap and a chewy inside. Find over a dozen varieties, including a bloody mary bagel, plus housemade cream cheeses.

New Mount Pleasant addition Spread Bagelry offers wood-fired Montreal-style bagels, which are thinner than the New York style and with a larger hole. There’s plenty of choices of bagels and spreads, but the stacked sandwiches are the way to go for a really filling meal — the melted pimento cheese with bacon and tomato is a standout star.

Fans of brunch fun spot Millers All Day should take notice — you no longer need to fight the downtown crowds for a chance to order the hot honey chicken doughnut, shrimp and grits, or a lobster roll, because there’s a second location on James Island now. Go hard with breakfast shooters — try the tequila-based, French-toast-flavored one.

Charming French restaurant La Bonne Franquette offers the classics like salmon Benedict, croque monsieur, quiches, and plenty of bubbles for brunch. Sit on the sunny patio if its not too hot outside.

Filipino restaurant Kultura now has permanent residence in the former Baguette Magic space on Spring Street. This has given chef Nikko Cagalanan a chance to experiment with brunch on Sundays. The menu includes ube lattes, guava “Pop-Tarts,” egg sandwiches with pork belly adobo, and pancit with local lump crab.

Sunny spot Island Provisions serves breakfast and lunch, so technically it isn’t a brunch spot. However, you could definitely believe it’s brunch if you order a few glasses of bubbly to go with your salmon toast with chive cream cheese or a slice of quiche with a side salad.

2022 James Beard semifinalist Orlando Pagán, of tasting menu spot Wild Common, created the breakfast and lunch menu for Alcove Market with health and well-being in mind, so go here if you want a brunch on the lighter side, like a rainbow quinoa bowl or crispy falafel sandwich. Though, there is a fried chicken sandwich with bacon jam on the menu, for those who might need a bit of heft to start their day.

Party bar Palace Hotel now offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The menu has fun morning items like cinnamon roll waffles, bananas foster French toast, and a breakfast hot dog with scrambled eggs and maple syrup.

If your only requirements for brunch are a giant egg sandwich to soak up a hangover or a breakfast burrito to take to the beach, then George Street stop Legend Deli has your back. The creative sandwich shop offers bagel sandwiches all day long, every day, and the burritos are stuffed full of egg, cheese, grilled onions, and hash browns.

European cafe Azur starts brunch service on Sunday, August 20. Look for hearty items like the Azur burger (beef burgundy, tomato, and Emmental cheese on a croissant bun) or something lighter, like the shrimp salad on avocado toast. There’s plenty of quiches, frittatas, and mimosas to go around too.

Broad Street restaurant Brasserie La Banque now serves a brunch full of French classics. Look for croque madame, French toast with fresh berries, an expertly prepared omelet, and steak frites in a stunning setting. It feels like a sophisticated way to start the day.

Proprietor Kevin Roach set out to make New York-style bagels in Mount Pleasant, and many people (including NYC transplants) are saying he succeeded with the opening of Ruby’s Bagels. The doughy creations are kettle boiled and baked for an exterior with a snap and a chewy inside. Find over a dozen varieties, including a bloody mary bagel, plus housemade cream cheeses.

New Mount Pleasant addition Spread Bagelry offers wood-fired Montreal-style bagels, which are thinner than the New York style and with a larger hole. There’s plenty of choices of bagels and spreads, but the stacked sandwiches are the way to go for a really filling meal — the melted pimento cheese with bacon and tomato is a standout star.

This Family Found Their Forever Home In Charming Shem Creek

This streamlined Lowcountry home is set off Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, SC. See how the family of 6 made it a perfect fit for them.Shrimp boats, kayaking outfitters, and lively bars and restaurants line the commercial side of Shem Creek, the gem of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina's Old Village Historic District. But north of the Shem Creek bridge, the waterway winds through quiet neighborhoods where children roam on bikes and go crabbing off backyard docks. "My husband dreamed of being on the water, and we fell in love with this...

This streamlined Lowcountry home is set off Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, SC. See how the family of 6 made it a perfect fit for them.

Shrimp boats, kayaking outfitters, and lively bars and restaurants line the commercial side of Shem Creek, the gem of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina's Old Village Historic District. But north of the Shem Creek bridge, the waterway winds through quiet neighborhoods where children roam on bikes and go crabbing off backyard docks. "My husband dreamed of being on the water, and we fell in love with this lot. We're drawn to older areas where kids can run around," says owner Maggie Bullwinkel. She and husband George, a Charleston native, had two young children when they began renovating this 3,200-square-foot house that was built in the 1970s. Their third child was 9 months old when they moved in. Maggie refers to her then-infant sidekick as "my design assistant."

While the Bullwinkels had renovated and sold houses before, this one would be a keeper. "It had great bones. We loved the back porch and knew this could be our forever home," Maggie says. Working with architect Hunter Kennedy and designer Sidney Wagner, they spearheaded family-friendly changes to the four-bedroom abode that have definitely paid off. Today, the Bullwinkels have four kids under age 10 and plenty of yard, a great porch, and a frequently used outdoor kitchen to accommodate their active lifestyle.

"Overall, the footprint didn't change much," says Sidney, who squared off the kitchen to make it more functional. As the home's command center, it now opens up to a bright eating nook, which is one of Maggie's favorite spots. "Family dinners are a priority," she says. What was previously a formal dining room, adjacent to the kitchen, became the kids' playroom. They removed an attached garage to make way for a new mudroom/laundry area off the kitchen. "It's basically where I live," quips Maggie. They also elevated and enlarged the back porch to be a seamless open-air extension of the family room, ground zero for entertaining during Clemson University football season. "I love that we really do live in each space," Maggie says. "We use it all."

Brighten It Up

A monochrome kitchen keeps Maggie happy. "It helps to have a clean look in a busy room," she says. Streamlined light fixtures by Cedar & Moss and vintage Lucite barstools scooped up at a local antiques mall add to the airy feel in the room.

Remember That Simplicity Rules

"With four kids, there is plenty of chaos," says Maggie. Namibia marble countertops and Benjamin Moore's Simply White (OC-117) paint make her kitchen a calming space. Plus, they allow the Hampton Faucet by Waterstone to shine as the statement piece.

Let the Landscape Lead

Reorienting the kitchen to open into a family dining area was Maggie's top priority. Hunter bumped out the eating nook to add windows on all sides, inviting in sunlight and creek views. A mid-century modern table and slipcovered chairs keep lines simple, and Roost's whimsical light fixture "softens all the hard surfaces," says Sidney. The fabric used for the curtains (Katana by Kelly Wearstler) is also on the barstools, where it's laminated to be indestructible.

Choose Flexible Design

"We needed comfortable pieces that are easy to rearrange," says Sidney, who was mindful of not blocking the French doors that open to the porch. "I love how the vintage-reproduction chairs are movable and sculpturally interesting from whatever angle." A sofa slipcovered in Crypton fabric is ultrapractical, and bare windows keep things light and airy while connecting well with the porch, she says.

Lean On A Natural Palette

Sidney painted the porch floor in Benjamin Moore's Kennebunkport Green (HC-123), the same color that's used on the exterior trim, and added soothing blue accents to complement the surrounding outdoor hues. "We didn't want to distract from the view," she says. Wicker chairs from CB2 add natural texture, and a fun Annie Selke rug anchors the blue tones. Floor-to-ceiling screens and a vaulted ceiling help the porch feel cool in summer.

Prioritize All-Purpose, All-Season

Two years after moving in, the Bullwinkels worked with architect Chris Heinlen of Heinlen Design to add a backyard shed with a full attic to supplement the home's limited storage. Adjacent to that, they created an outdoor kitchen and entertaining area. "This is our favorite spot for birthday parties, neighborhood suppers, or sometimes sunset sips after the kids have gone to bed," says Maggie. A metal roof, green trim, and white siding tie the shed to the main house.

Stretch Family Space

"I love the playroom right off the kitchen. It's our cuddle area," says Maggie. A big barn door can be closed to contain toys and messes. Commissioned pieces by local artist Michelle Owenby add grown-up flair to the room, designed to one day transform into a family hangout space.

Control Clutter

Maggie believes that tidiness is key, even in the playroom. Each child has (and uses!) a designated toy-and-book basket, and a rotating gallery helps solve the what-to-do-with-endless-kids'-art dilemma.

Invite Some Drama

" 'Are you sure about going this showy?' my husband asked about the paint color, and I was—including covering the ceiling," says Maggie of the vibrant Benjamin Moore Slate Teal (2088-20) she chose for the laundry room. "I love how the boldness brings you in." Custom cabinets add extra pantry space.

Be Bold And Functional

Next to the laundry room, the bold color continues in the mudroom with an added touch of graphic wallpaper. Each kid has their own space for coats and bags in the blue storage wall.

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