Mortgage Law in South Carolina

Mortgages are a special type of secured loan, where the security is the piece of property bought with the loan. In Surfside Beach, South Carolina, most mortgages are taken out to buy houses. The seller of the house is paid by the bank, and the buyer, in exchange, agrees to pay the bank back in installments, with interest. If they fail to make these payments, the bank can seize the house.

Taking out a mortgage and buying a house is not a decision to make lightly. However, mortgages serve some very useful purposes. Because houses are so expensive, it's impossible for most people to buy them by paying the full price upfront. A mortgage ensures that the seller gets paid immediately, and that the buyer is able to pay the purchase price over a long period of time, in manageable installments.

Buying anything with a loan costs more than just the purchase price. This is because lenders charge interest on their loans, which, when all is said and done, adds up to a very large amount of money.

Most people find this arrangement to be mutually beneficial - the lender makes a profit, and the borrower is able to buy a home where it would otherwise have been impossible.

Getting a Mortgage in Surfside Beach, South Carolina

When trying to get a mortgage in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, it's necessary that you have a good credit history dating back as far as possible. The better your past record of paying back loans, the more likely a bank is to assume the risk of loaning you hundreds of thousands (or more) dollars to buy a house.

The majority of lenders require a down payment on any mortgage. This is usually represented as some percentage of the total purchase price. Lenders require this to show that the borrower is financially solvent, indicating that they are generally responsible with their money. You should ensure that you have more money than the required down payment saved up, so that making this payment doesn't hurt your financial situation.

Also necessary is realism about your finances. Credit is a strange thing - it allows people to buy things that they could never pay for on their own. Some people are tempted by the siren song of credit into buying far more than they can afford. This can happen when buying a house, as well. When buying a house with a mortgage, you need to make sure you know how much it will actually cost, and how much you'll be paying each month. And mortgage payments aren't the only expenses associated with owning a home. There are homeowner's association fees, property taxes, and the cost of maintenance.

Once all of your affairs are in order, the time to sign the mortgage agreement comes. Once the agreement is signed, the loan is final, and there's no going back. Well before this day, you should make absolutely sure that you clearly understand every single provision of your mortgage agreement, and the obligations it imposes on you.

Can a Surfside Beach, South Carolina Real Estate Attorney help?

Because of the gravity of the decision to buy a house, and the complexity of some of the issues involved, it is never a bad idea to seek the help of a Surfside Beach, South Carolina real estate attorney if you have any questions whatsoever.