Five Steps to Prepare for Buying Your First Home
Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, but the right
Give Hope. Create Stability. Change Lives.
Your generosity helps individuals and families in our community overcome crisis, find stability, and build a path toward a brighter future.
Every gift to Origin SC helps provide critical services and support to people when they need it most.
Helping Families Find Stability
For individuals and families facing homelessness or housing insecurity, a little help at the right time can make all the difference.
Through its Housing Stability programs, Origin SC helps individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of losing their homes. When funding is available, assistance can help with critical needs such as rent, mortgage, and utilities. Helping households remain safely housed and giving newly housed individuals the opportunity for a fresh start.
Your gift can help provide the stability someone needs to move forward.
Empowering Survivors to Move Forward
Taking the first steps after experiencing domestic violence or other crimes can be frightening. Origin SC works to remove barriers, provide support, and help survivors move toward a safer, more stable future.
Through trauma-informed, resilience-focused services, individuals are empowered to move from victim to survivor to “thriver.” Overcoming barriers to safety, security, stability, mental health, wellness, and greater independence.
Your support helps ensure these services remain available to survivors in our community.
Give with Confidence
Origin SC is committed to transparency and accountability. We’re proud to have earned a 2022 Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid, formerly GuideStar! You can support our work with trust and confidence. Click the Gold Seal to explore our Candid profile and learn more about our measurements and accomplishments.
If you are looking to donate non-monetary items please contact info@originsc.org
Group Workshops
We have multiple options to help you get started with the homeownership process. Choose the one that is right for you!
One on One Counseling
Receive individual counseling with an experienced, professional HUD licensed counselor. There is a one-time fee of $60 to enroll in our coaching program and $49 for an individual or $98 for a joint tri-merge credit pull.
Down payment and Closing Cost Assistance Loans
Pending the availability of grant funding, you may be eligible to purchase your home through our Downpayment and Closing Cost Assistance Loan program.
FAQs
Meet with one of our Trusted Housing advisors to achieve your dream of homeownership and
Am I eligible for Downpayment and Closing Cost Assistance?
Origin SC will review all applications for qualified first time homebuyers, income restrictions apply. To learn more such as income guidelines & eligibility, please visit the Origin Lending page and view the current available products.
What are the fees, if any, for this program?
- Intro to Homeownership = FREE
Individual Advising
Financial Coaching = $60/one-time fee + cost of credit reports
Online Homebuyer Course = $99/individual or couple
Will my lender accept the certificate I will receive upon completion of homebuyer education?
Many lenders accept certificates from our program. Please check with your lender or call us to learn more.
Where do I begin?
The best way to begin is by reviewing all three of your credit reports & scores with one of our home purchase advisors.
Do I need to be debt free?
No, but it is important to not take on any new or unnecessary debt unless it is needed.
What mortgage product can I apply for with my credit score?
There are many mortgage lenders out there that determine their own level of risk, but a home purchase advisor will be able to help you understand what options are available based on your circumstance.
Do I have the income to qualify for a mortgage loan?
Your home purchase coach can help you determine what loan products you may qualify for, and how much will be manageable, based on your income.
How much money do I need in the bank when I go to a mortgage lender?
It depends on the maximum sales price a mortgage lender is willing to extend to you as the borrower. Five percent of the sales price is a safe amount. This should pay for all upfront fees going into the home purchase, including any downpayment expected from the homebuyer.
Do I need to pay off all my collections?
Some mortgage lenders will forgive certain collection debts. Having a home purchase advisor review your reports will help you identify what is needed before pre-qualification is possible.
How can I get my credit scores to go up?
Pay your bills on time and keep balances low.
How long will it take my credit score to go up?
It depends what is already showing on your reports. There are no quick score recoveries. It takes time, and patience is the key.
Will my student loan debt affect me if I want to buy a home?
It depends on the mortgage products. Some lenders will include student loan debt into the total Debt-to-Income Ratio, even if those loans are currently in deferment or forbearance.
Have you seen other credit reports as bad as mine?
Never look at your reports as “bad.” ALL consumers can improve credit history.
How much home can I be qualified to purchase?
It depends on your gross income and the mortgage product you are interested in.
What is the difference between interest rate and APR?
The interest rate refers to the cost of borrowing money. Your loan’s annual percentage rate (APR) reflects the cost of your loan on a yearly basis. The APR is intended to give you more information on what you’re really getting. All lender fees are included in factoring the APR so you can better see the true cost of a loan and make a fair comparison.
I have been approved for a mortgage loan, but the SC Department of Consumer Affairs requires that I have housing counseling. Are you an approved agency?
Yes. We offer what’s called “high cost mortgage loan” housing counseling. Please contact us at info@originSC.org or 843.628.3000 to schedule an in-person appointment with a licensed housing advisor.
What services am I paying for with Origin SC?
Your home purchase advisor will educate and supply the tools needed to help you achieve your goals of homeownership. Our advisors also give you information on the current mortgage products available and their basic requirements.
Still have questions?
We’re here to help you take the next step toward stability.
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