9 best mortgage lenders in South Carolina

Although numerous banks and credit unions in South Carolina offer home loans, more and more consumers are attracted to the convenience provided by online lenders. And while there are several online lenders to choose from, none can match Better when it comes to the user experience. Better’s website offers an intuitive interface on tablets, smartphones and traditional computers. Plus, Better price-matches competitors and waives origination fees in many instances.

All of the other companies on this list are direct lenders, meaning they can provide your mortgage themselves. However, LendingTree is a mortgage marketplace that makes it easy for you to compare rates from numerous lenders throughout South Carolina.

Simply answer a few questions about the kind of loan you’re in the market for, and LendingTree shows you a list of lenders and their respective rates. LendingTree can save you a significant amount of time during your hunt for a mortgage, but the company also shares your contact details with third parties, which is a significant drawback for many of its customers.

While there are many well-liked mortgage lenders in South Carolina, Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans stands out as the most popular of them all. This lender has a massive presence in the state, in part because it makes the borrowing process quick and painless.

With Rocket Mortgage, you can qualify for a conditional prequalification in less than 10 minutes. This lender also offers more home loan programs than many of its competitors, and you can still get approved even if you have a low credit score.

Getting a low mortgage rate is a priority for many aspiring homebuyers, but customer service can be equally important. And compared to other lenders in South Carolina, Veterans United has the best customer service.

As of December 2020, Veterans United has a near-perfect rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on more than 5,800 reviews on Trustpilot. And on Zillow, Veterans United has a score of 4.8 out of 5 after nearly 4,000 reviews. And while you don’t need to be a service member to get a mortgage with Veterans United, vets generally get better rates and terms than civilians.

When it comes to applying for a home loan, your credit score plays a pivotal role in determining whether you get approved. And while many lenders require you to have a healthy score to get approved, PennyMac is somewhat more lenient in this department. Even if your credit score is as low as 580, PennyMac may still approve you for a mortgage.

Many of the best mortgage lenders in South Carolina offer attractive rates, but Academy Mortgage tends to have the state’s lowest rates. Unfortunately, you have to contact a loan officer to get an actual quote, as Academy Mortgage doesn’t disclose its rates online. But aside from that minor inconvenience, there’s a lot to like about this Utah-based lender. Academy Mortgage has outstanding customer reviews, a wide variety of loan types and one of the most intuitive websites we’ve seen.

Buying your first home can be incredibly stressful if you're unfamiliar with the process, but Ameris Bank can make it easier and more affordable. This Georgia-based lender offers two types of home loans specifically for first-time buyers. The Ameris Dream loan program is for first-time homebuyers who have limited funds for a down payment, and Ameris's First-time Homebuyer loan provides financial assistance for qualified buyers.

Several lenders on this list operate from coast to coast, but many don’t have strong ties to South Carolina. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but many South Carolinians want to work with a mortgage company that’s committed to the Palmetto State. And among the regional lenders that call this state home, South Carolina State Credit Union ranks above the rest. This lender was founded in 1952 and has more than 80,000 members across the state. It also has flexible lending options that are on par with many nationwide lenders.

If you already own a home and are interested in refinancing your mortgage, many local lenders can help you reduce your monthly payment, but South Carolina Federal Credit Union might be your best bet. This lender offers excellent rates on refinances, which could save you thousands of dollars per year. Plus, the credit union makes it easy to check your rate simply by filling out a short form.