Buying a home is one of the most significant investments that you will ever make. Like most good things, finding the perfect home comes with a lot of work. From your initial search online to your home tour and finally closing, there are many difficult decisions to make along the way. The bottom line is that the entire home buying process can be very stressful, especially when it comes to finding the right mortgage broker and loan for your new home. Since market conditions and mortgage programs change frequently, you have a lot riding on your broker's ability to provide quick and accurate financial advice. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or own several residential properties, you need a mortgage broker in Folly Beach, SC, who can educate you on mortgage rates and provide trustworthy guidance to help you make an informed decision.
My name is Dan Crance - Folly Beach's most trusted mortgage loan officer with more than 30 years in the mortgage industry. I bring unparalleled insight and decades of experience into your home loan process. If you're looking for a new home loan, are interested in refinancing your current mortgage, or need information regarding FHA, VA, or other types of loans, Dan Crance is Your Mortgage Man.
Unlike some mortgage loan officers in Folly Beach, my primary goal is to help you make the right mortgage choice for you and your family. Mortgage lenders have a horrible reputation for turning over clients quickly to expedite cash flow and make the most money possible. While some mortgage brokers come off as pushy and impatient, I encourage my clients to take as much time as they need to ask questions and review their mortgage agreements. I'm here to help answer those questions and provide you with easy-to-understand advice so that you can rest easy knowing you made the right choice. I could say that I strive to provide service that exceeds your expectations, but I'd rather show you. In the end, I want you to leave feeling confident in the loan you've selected, as well as in your choice of broker.
Clients choose my mortgage company because I truly care about helping them navigate the often-confusing landscape of the mortgage process. I am fiercely dedicated to my clients and make every effort to provide them with trustworthy advice and an open line of communication.
In my business, I work for two different customers. On one hand, I have the buyer: the person entrusting me with the responsibility of guiding them through one of the most important decisions ever. Serving homebuyers is not a task that I take lightly. I work with them daily to help them through the process and provide timely updates and news on their mortgage status. On the other hand, I have the realtor: the person who works with my client to find their dream home. Since their commission is in my hands, working with realtors is also a very important task. I update these agents on the status of their customers weekly. Only when I take care of both parties can I say my job as a mortgage loan officer is complete.
As a mortgage broker with more than 30 years of experience, I pledge to give you the highest level of customer service while providing you with the most competitive loan products available. That way, you can buy the home of your dreams without second-guessing your decision.
At Classic Home Mortgage, our team works diligently to close on time without stress or hassle. Whether you're a seasoned homeowner or are buying your new home in Folly Beach, we understand how much stress is involved. Our goal is to help take that stress off of your plate by walking you through every step of the home loan process. Because every one of our clients is different, we examine each loan with fresh eyes and a personalized approach, to find you the options and programs you need.
With over 30 years as a mortgage professional in Folly Beach, Dan Crance will help you choose the home loan, interest rate, term options, and payment plans that fit your unique situation.
30-Year Loan - This loan is often considered the most secure option to choose. With a 30-year loan, you can lock in a low payment amount and rest easy knowing your rate won't change.
FHA Loan - If you're not able to make a large down payment, an FHA loan could be the right choice for you. With an FHA loan, many of our clients have successfully purchased a home with less than 4% down.
VA Loan - This loan is reserved for military veterans and active-duty men and women. Those who qualify may be able to purchase a home with no down payment and no Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).
Choosing a home loan is an important step in the home buying process. At Classic Home Mortgage, we are here to make choosing a loan as easy as possible, so you can focus on the joys of being a homeowner. Contact our team of experts today and ask how you can get pre-qualified for your home loan in Folly Beach, SC.
Because home mortgage rates in the U.S. have been so low over the last year, many current homeowners are opting to refinance their home loans. Simply put, refinancing is replacing your existing mortgage with a different mortgage under new terms. Homeowners who refinance their homes enjoy lower interest rates, lower monthly payments, and even turn their home's equity into cash. If you're interested in refinancing your home, it all begins with a call to your mortgage broker in Folly Beach, SC - Dan Crance.
Refinancing from a 30-year to a 15-year mortgage might seem counterproductive on the surface because your monthly payment usually goes up. However, interest rates on 15-year mortgages are lower. And when you shave off years of your previous mortgage, you will pay less interest over time. These savings can be very beneficial if you are not taking the mortgage interest deduction on your tax returns.
FHA loans are notorious for paying premiums for the life of the loan. Mortgage insurance premiums for FHA loans can cost borrowers as much as $1,050 a year for every $100k borrowed. The only way to get rid of mortgage insurance premiums is to refinance to a new loan that the Federal Housing Authority does not back.
Sometimes, borrowers with adjustable-rate mortgages refinance so they can switch to a fixed rate, which lets them lock in an interest rate. Doing so is beneficial for some homeowners who like to know exactly how much their monthly payment is each month. Conversely, some homeowners with fixed rates prefer to refinance to an adjustable-rate mortgage. Homeowners often go this route if they plan on selling in a few years and don't mind risking a higher rate if their plans fall through.
Finding the right loan can be a difficult proposition, even if you have been through the process before. This is especially true since mortgage rates and market conditions change frequently. If you're like most of my clients, you probably have questions about interest rates, refinancing options, and a litany of other topics. To help alleviate some of your stress, here are just a few common questions with answers so that you can better educate yourself as we work our way to securing your loan.
Whether you're selling, buying, refinancing, or building the home of your dreams, you have a lot riding on your home loan specialist. When you need a mortgage broker who works tirelessly for you, answers your questions, provides guidance, and does so with a genuine smile, Dan Crance is your mortgage man. Contact Dan today at 843-478-5612 to get pre-approved and discover why Folly Beach loves Classic Home Mortgage.
After hours by appointment only. CONTACT DANFOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCIV) — Tami Bourne has lived on folly beach for over three decades.However, because of a recent development plan on Folly's beachfront lots, she is concerned.Folly Beach resident fears overbuilding amid ongoing legal battle over beachfront development. (WCIV)"When you have these disasters, these hurricanes, houses blow into houses," Bourne said. "So the more you put out there, the more it's gonna' get blown into the water. So it's just a problem that way. And also with the hurting...
FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCIV) — Tami Bourne has lived on folly beach for over three decades.
However, because of a recent development plan on Folly's beachfront lots, she is concerned.
Folly Beach resident fears overbuilding amid ongoing legal battle over beachfront development. (WCIV)
"When you have these disasters, these hurricanes, houses blow into houses," Bourne said. "So the more you put out there, the more it's gonna' get blown into the water. So it's just a problem that way. And also with the hurting the beach as far as making it erode more."
The super beachfront lots are along East Ashley Avenue, just north of the washout down to the lighthouse.
Read more: South Carolina workers face job loss due to stalled worker's compensation claims.
"These lots were platted back in at least the 1950s," Leslie Lenhardt said, "and they are the most seaward of any lots that were platted on Folly Beach."
The plots are currently held in trust by the state for the public to enjoy. Some property owners attempted to claim ownership after the 2018 Folly Beach Renourishment Project.
"So for a very short period of time after that Renourishment, these lots became high ground," Lenhardt said. "These property owners, what they are trying to do during this window of time is to develop those lots."
Read more: Dorchester District 2 board to review long-awaited salary study in bid to stay competitive.
This is a legal battle that goes back to 2020. A judge hear motions on whether developers could build on those lots. The legal maneuvering is ongoing, with the issue expected to go before another court in the coming months.
"The Court of Appeals has remanded the case," Lenhardt said. "Because it's a novel issue, the court said we really want a judge to determine whether or not this is a recognizable theory under the law."
Multiple preservation groups and the city say they want to figure out the boundary between private and public property while preserving the beach.
"I'd like to keep folly as it is," Bourne said. "It's unique. It's funky. And I hate to see it get overbuilt and our beaches overbuilt."
People like to call Folly Beach the “fun” beach, and maybe it is, especially if you’re visiting for the restaurants and bars.But there’s also a measure of serenity here if you know where, and when, to look.Here’s the best way to find it: Get here early; 7 a.m. should work — before the traffic on the only road in and out becomes a nightmare.Bring the dog if you have one: From May through September, they’re allowed on the beach before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.Check the tides ...
People like to call Folly Beach the “fun” beach, and maybe it is, especially if you’re visiting for the restaurants and bars.
But there’s also a measure of serenity here if you know where, and when, to look.
Here’s the best way to find it: Get here early; 7 a.m. should work — before the traffic on the only road in and out becomes a nightmare.
Bring the dog if you have one: From May through September, they’re allowed on the beach before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
Check the tides online before you arrive: at high tide, part of this walk is underwater.
Park in the grass just outside Folly Beach County Park. Make sure your tires aren’t on the pavement or you’ll have a ticket when you get back.
Take a right when your feet hit the sand.
Keep going, past the pelicans flying so low they could dip their toes in the water, past the last jetty trying to keep the sand from washing away.
Before you’ve walked a mile, you’ll reach a bend in the beach. This is the spot.
To the left, waves lap at the coast. To the right, still water.
It feels like you’ve reached the end of the ocean. Or the beginning.
Sit in the sand. Before you head back to civilization, let the scene wash through your eyes and into your body.
Explore
The Washout
Head to the other end of the island if your companion is a surfboard instead of a dog. A spot off East Ashley Avenue known as The Washout is a favorite for surfers. A bit farther along the street, a paved trail covered in graffiti leads to a small beach with views of the Morris Island Lighthouse.
If you’re brave enough, join the kite surfers being pulled along the water on windy days, sometimes soaring high above the surface before splashing back down.
Folly Beach pier
The pier reopened in December 2022 after a two-year, $14 million rebuild. It’s 1,049 feet long. The pier has been a part of Folly Beach — you can’t miss it if you head toward the sand — since the 1930s. Pay $5 for an all-day fishing pass or just walk to the end and listen to the water.
The pier is open from 8 a.m. to sunset.
Eat and drink like a local
Lost Dog Cafe
For brunch, the go-to meal for late sleepers or early drinkers, try Lost Dog Cafe. Located in a former laundromat on West Huron Avenue, you can find breakfast and bloodies on the menu all day. Try a breakfast burrito, or grab some fried green tomatoes and a chicken salad croissant from the lunch menu. And like many other eateries in Folly, your dog is welcome to join you.
Jack of Cups
A favorite of The Post and Courier’s food editor, Jack of Cups on Center Street has a menu built for the adventurous eater. Boasting a bevy of vegetarian options on a menu the owners describe as “globally inspired,” the kitchen also cranks out dishes you probably never come across at home: Among them: Cap’n Crunch deviled eggs, dill pickle soup and unicorn pop rock cheesecake.
The Bounty Bar
Created by the owners of The Royal American in Charleston, The Bounty Bar on Center Street aspires to serve “better than it has to be” bar food. It’s open until 1 a.m. daily and has you covered whether you’re craving seafood, chicken or steak.
Chico Feo
Head to Chico Feo on East Ashley Avenue for tacos, beer and live music. Check their calendar for musical performances. Or show up on a Monday for soapbox night, when you can sign up to take the stage and show off your talent, whether it’s singing, spoken word or parlor tricks.
Shopping
If you need groceries or a quick snack, try Bert’s Market on East Ashley Avenue.
A smattering of surf and beach shops in the heart of town will have everything you need for a day on the beach, including the towel or sunscreen you accidentally left at home.
While you’re indoors — easily the worst place to be at Folly Beach — you can also pick up some souvenirs for the family members who couldn’t join you.
If you plan to spend most of your time on the beach, there are some rules you should remember:
No alcohol, glass containers, plastic bags, balloons, Styrofoam, open fires, fireworks or littering.
Surfing without a leash is prohibited. From May 15 to Sept. 15, surfing is prohibited from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from 2nd Street East to 3rd Street West. From Sept. 16 to May 14, surfing is allowed in any area. It is prohibited within 200 feet of the fishing pier.
Stay off the dunes and use public walkovers.
To protect sea turtle hatchlings, no lights are allowed that illuminate the front beach between 10 p.m. and dawn from May 1-Oct. 31. For a full list of beach rules, check visitfolly.com.
Reach John Ramsey at 843-906-9351. Follow him on Twitter @johnwramsey.
Food editor Parker Milner contributed to this report.
Folly Beach’s name may never seem more fitting than when one learns about a fresh legal battle playing out there — a battle that ultimately will decide if taxpayer-funded beach renourishment opens the door for public land to be converted back into private property whose owners may then build new homes on lots previously under water. The city and its allies should ensure this doesn’t happen.Unfortunately, that will be a challenge because of Folly’s dynamic nature and unique history. More than a half century ago,...
Folly Beach’s name may never seem more fitting than when one learns about a fresh legal battle playing out there — a battle that ultimately will decide if taxpayer-funded beach renourishment opens the door for public land to be converted back into private property whose owners may then build new homes on lots previously under water. The city and its allies should ensure this doesn’t happen.
Unfortunately, that will be a challenge because of Folly’s dynamic nature and unique history. More than a half century ago, Folly Beach had a road, Benke Drive, that ran between East Ashley and the ocean’s edge on the island’s easternmost end; this part of the beach was growing, and lots on both sides of Benke were platted and sold off. By the early 1980s, however, the sands shifted, and Benke was lost to erosion, and its lots were under water. A few years later, however, a sandbar migrated across Lighthouse Inlet and attached itself to the northern end of Folly, and some lots along Benke were high ground again. And the state baseline was drawn through the yet-undeveloped Benke Drive lots, allowing development on 28 of them.
Fourteen of these lots were built upon, and it’s no surprise that these homes — built between East Ashley and the beach — are among Folly’s most threatened, and the most likely to end up costing taxpayers once they fall into the ocean. The fate of the 14 remaining, undeveloped “super-beachfront” lots is now the subject of a fresh legal battle, as some owners have sought to capitalize on their freshly elevated status following the island’s 2018 beach renourishment.
To block them, the city of Folly Beach, the Coastal Conservation League, the nonprofit Save Folly Beach and several local homeowners filed a 2019 lawsuit challenging the ownership of this taxpayer-created land. Although a local judge ruled they did not have standing to bring such a challenge, the South Carolina Court of Appeals reversed that decision and ordered the case to proceed at the trial court level. That’s an auspicious step but likely only one of many to come before this matter is settled for good.
At the very least, we hope our courts continue to recognize that these groups should have standing to question this critical environmental decision. And it is critical, with implications far beyond the 14 lots on Folly Beach. As Amy Armstrong, executive director of the S.C. Environmental Law Project that represented the plaintiffs, explains: “As we have sea level rise and we have lands being converted to public trust land as they’re eroding away and going below the water, can you convert public land, with public money, into private property? It’s kind of crazy when you think about it in those terms.”
While this issue emerged first on Folly, the precedent set here will reverberate elsewhere as more coastal communities renourish their beaches more often due to sea level rise and stronger, more frequent storms. Our state’s Public Trust Doctrine says the state owns all land below the mean high water mark and holds this land in trust. A previous Supreme Court ruling has noted beachfront property owners take their title “at risk of loss to the State by natural forces,” but the courts haven’t settled what should happen when unnatural, sudden forces (like renourishment) shift our shoreline.
Locals realize Folly Beach actually received its current name (it originally was “Coffin Island”) from an old English word meaning “dense foliage,” not because of any association with a lack of good sense, prudence or foresight. But if we allow new homes to be built on its rapidly shifting sands right next to the water’s edge, the latter definition would fit all too well.
Click here for more opinion content from The Post and Courier.
FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCBD) – The Arctic Avenue Plan officially started being discussed in 2021, and on Thursday, there will be a public meeting where community members can give their input about the changes they’d like to see made to Arctic Avenue.The City of Folly Beach is discussing plans to make several improvements to one of the city’s most active two-lane roads.“What our proposal is saying, ‘Hey, lets make this officially a one-lane, one-way street with parking on one side and a pedestrian path ...
FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCBD) – The Arctic Avenue Plan officially started being discussed in 2021, and on Thursday, there will be a public meeting where community members can give their input about the changes they’d like to see made to Arctic Avenue.
The City of Folly Beach is discussing plans to make several improvements to one of the city’s most active two-lane roads.
“What our proposal is saying, ‘Hey, lets make this officially a one-lane, one-way street with parking on one side and a pedestrian path on the other,’” Folly Beach Mayor Tim Goodwin said. “So people can have a place to walk, place to park and you still have a place wide enough to safely go down the street in your vehicle.”
Thursday’s public input meeting will be the second after the first one was held in June earlier this year.
Goodwin says consultants who were hired to carry out this project will show neighbors the two alternatives they’ve come up with for the city’s commercial and residential districts.
“They’ll show them all the drawings and proposed parking areas and non-parking areas and walking paths and all that,” he said. “Then, they’ll get feedback from the citizens like they did the first time.”
All that feedback will be considered before a formal proposal is presented to city administrators and city council.
“Then what we have to do is we have to take that and turn it into the Department of Transportation (DOT) for their approval,” Goodwin said. :It could take two years to be approved, just depends on how fast DOT wants to work.”
Katie Zimmerman with Charleston Moves says the development process leading up to this point has been phenomenal and she’s optimistic because the time and attention to detail the design team has put in.
“I mean a lot of the time,” Zimmerman said, “with a lot of these projects, there are no walking audits that are done, and they’ve done two. So, they’re really taking their time and collecting as much data and going out and seeing the user experience, which is really admirable.”
Goodwin says no matter which alternative is chosen, or how long it takes to implement the changes, he just wants to make sure it’s what’s best for everyone.
“For something like this that’s going to be around for a long time hopefully,” he said, “it takes a while to get it right because you definitely want to get it right the first time.”
The public input meeting will start at 5:00 p.m. Thursday at Folly Beach City Hall.
SHAREThe Folly Beach Turtle Watch Program is a group of 52 volunteers and one permit holder with SCDNR to monitor Folly Beach for sea turtle nests. They walk the beach every morning to check for tracks, nests, and nests that have already hatched. I had the opportunity to go on one of the walks, and I’ll tell you about it in this weeks Science 2 Go!Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed....
SHARE
The Folly Beach Turtle Watch Program is a group of 52 volunteers and one permit holder with SCDNR to monitor Folly Beach for sea turtle nests. They walk the beach every morning to check for tracks, nests, and nests that have already hatched. I had the opportunity to go on one of the walks, and I’ll tell you about it in this weeks Science 2 Go!
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Holiday / 5 hours ago
Holiday / 17 hours ago
Holiday / 42 mins ago
If a midcentury Christmas is your dream aesthetic, AllModern has what you need.
Thanks for signing up!
Watch for us in your inbox.
Subscribe Now