Free Download: The Carolina First-Time Homebuyer Checklist
Everything you need to do, in order, to buy your first home in South Carolina or North Carolina. The same order-of-operations Samantha walks her own clients through — plus the Carolina-specific programs most national lender checklists leave out.
What's inside (16 pages, free)
- Step 1: Credit prep — what to check 4–6 months out, FICO vs VantageScore (the 2026 rule change that could lower your rate), and target scores by program
- Step 2: Your 5 financing paths — FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional 3% down, and the SC/NC Housing DPA programs that stack with all of them
- Step 3: Document folder — the exact checklist that gets pre-approval done in 24 hours instead of 5 days
- Step 4: Real numbers table — down payment, monthly payment, and cash-to-close for every program at a $350K Carolina purchase
- Step 5: Pre-approval vs pre-qualification — why sellers ignore one and respect the other
- Step 6: Best entry-level neighborhoods in Greenville, Columbia, Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville, Wilmington, Rock Hill, and more
- Step 7: The 8 mistakes first-time Carolina buyers make that cost thousands
- Step 8: Rate locks and the lender-funded 1-0 buydown (free through June 30, 2026)
How to get it
Two options:
- Fastest: Call or text Samantha at (864) 387-8964. We text the PDF over within minutes and answer any questions you have on the spot.
- Or: Email Samantha@openkeymortgage.com with subject line “Free Checklist Please” and we'll send the PDF + a quick 24-hour reply with any program suggestions for your situation.
Why we made this free
Most first-time buyer guides online are written by lenders trying to sell you a specific product. This one is written by an independent mortgage broker who shops 50+ wholesale lenders for every client. The goal is to help you understand the full landscape so you can either work with us or go in informed elsewhere. Either outcome is a win for you.
Who this is for
- First-time buyers in South Carolina or North Carolina
- Renters who've been thinking about buying “someday” and want to know what “someday” actually looks like
- Recent relocators to Charlotte, Raleigh, Greenville, Charleston, Asheville, or Wilmington who need a primer on the local market
- Anyone planning to buy in the next 6–18 months who wants a clear pre-approval roadmap
About the author
Samantha Payne is an independent mortgage broker, co-owner of OpenKey Mortgage Advisors (NMLS Company ID 2812158, Samantha NMLS #2743877). Licensed in South Carolina and North Carolina. Based in Greer, SC. Serves the Upstate, Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and the major NC metros.
Related Programs and Areas We Serve
Ready for your free 20-minute pre-approval call?
Call or text Samantha Payne at (864) 387-8964, email Samantha@openkeymortgage.com. OpenKey Mortgage Advisors LLC. NMLS Company ID 2812158. Samantha Payne, NMLS #2743877. Licensed in South Carolina and North Carolina. Equal Housing Opportunity.
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