Angela Bruce, The REALTOR Who Cares

Angela Bruce, The REALTOR Who Cares Hello, my name is Angela( Angel) Bruce Bolton. Voted The State’s Best Real Estate Agent 2025(silver award).

I’m a SC & GA licensed REALTOR®️ & a Credit Repair Business Owner. If you’re looking to buy, sell or invest, I would love to help you.

09/25/2026

🏡 DAY 2

IF I WANTED TO BUY A HOUSE IN THE NEXT 6 MONTHS, THIS IS WHAT I WOULD DO…

➡️‼️SHARE/SAVE… Follow me for Day 3

Yesterday, we talked about getting your finances in order. Today, we’re talking about the next major step:

GETTING PREAPPROVED! 🔑

Before you start falling in love with houses, you need to know what you may realistically qualify for and what your monthly payment could look like.

And let me say this: Getting preapproved does not mean you have to spend the maximum amount a lender approves you for. It simply helps you understand your buying power so you can make informed decisions.

Here’s what I would focus on:

1️⃣ Understand What Lenders Look At

Lenders typically review:

✅ Your income and employment history

✅ Your credit history and credit score

✅ Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI)

✅ Your savings and available funds

✅ The loan program you may qualify for

✅ Your estimated down payment and closing costs

Your credit score matters, but it is not the only factor lenders consider. Your overall financial picture is important.

2️⃣ Prepare Your Documents 📄

Depending on your situation and the lender’s requirements, you may need:

* Recent pay stubs
* W-2s and tax returns, when applicable
* Bank statements
* Identification
* Information about your current debts
* Proof of available assets
* Employment or income verification

Having these documents organized can help make the process smoother and identify potential issues early.

3️⃣ Understand Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

Your debt-to-income ratio, also known as DTI, compares your recurring monthly debt payments with your gross monthly income.

For example:

If you earn $6,000 per month before taxes and have $1,800 in recurring monthly debts, that equals a 30% DTI before adding any proposed housing payment.

Your lender will calculate your DTI based on the loan program and applicable guidelines. The final calculation may include your proposed mortgage payment and other qualifying debts.

4️⃣ Know Your REAL Monthly Payment 💰

Your mortgage payment may include more than just principal and interest.

You may also need to account for:

🏡 Property taxes

🏡 Homeowners insurance

🏡 Mortgage insurance, if applicable

🏡 HOA fees, if applicable

🏡 Utilities and maintenance

The amount a lender approves does not automatically mean that payment fits comfortably into your personal budget.

Your goal should be to purchase a home you can enjoy while still having room to live your life.

5️⃣ Ask About Down Payment Assistance in South Carolina

If you’re a first-time homebuyer or meet other program requirements, ask your lender about available assistance options, including programs through SC Housing.

Eligibility requirements, income limits, purchase price limits, and assistance terms can vary.

Depending on the program, assistance may have different repayment conditions, such as being forgivable, deferred, or repayable.

Don’t assume you won’t qualify. Ask questions and have your lender review your options.

6️⃣ Understand Your Closing Costs

Your down payment is not always the only money you need to bring to closing.

Potential closing expenses may include:

* Lender fees
* Title and settlement charges
* Appraisal-related costs
* Prepaid taxes and insurance
* Other transaction expenses

Ask your lender for an estimated cash-to-close amount so you can plan ahead.

You may also ask whether seller concessions, lender credits, or eligible assistance programs could help with certain costs. These options have requirements and limitations, so make sure you understand the details.

7️⃣ Compare Your Lending Options

You do not have to work with the first lender you speak with.

When comparing lenders, ask about:

✔️ Interest rate

✔️ APR

✔️ Loan type

✔️ Lender fees

✔️ Estimated closing costs

✔️ Monthly payment

✔️ Mortgage insurance

✔️ Available credits or assistance programs

Look beyond the interest rate alone. The full loan estimate can help you compare the overall cost of borrowing.

8️⃣ Be Careful With Major Financial Changes

Once you begin the mortgage process, communicate with your lender before:

🚨 Taking out a new car loan

🚨 Opening new credit accounts

🚨 Making large purchases

🚨 Changing jobs or income sources

🚨 Moving large amounts of money

🚨 Making large deposits that cannot be documented

These changes may affect your loan review, depending on the circumstances. When in doubt, ask your lender before making a major financial move.

QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK YOUR LENDER:

💬 How much might I qualify for?

💬 What could my estimated monthly payment be?

💬 What documents do you need from me?

💬 What loan programs might fit my situation?

💬 Could I qualify for SC Housing assistance?

💬 How much money might I need to bring to closing?

💬 How long is my preapproval valid?

💬 What could affect my final loan approval?

Remember, a preapproval is based on a preliminary review. It is not a guarantee of final loan approval. Your lender will still need to complete the required underwriting and verification process.

LET’S MAKE THIS INTERACTIVE! 👀

If you’re thinking about buying a home in the next 6 months, which part of getting preapproved do you need the most help understanding?

A - How much home I may qualify for

B - Understanding my monthly payment

C - Down payment assistance programs

D - What documents I need

Comment A, B, C, or D below! 👇🏽

And stay tuned for DAY 3, because once you’re preapproved, there’s still more to do before you start making offers! 🏡🔑

Angela Bruce, The REALTOR® Who Cares

Your Trusted Realtor | Credit Expert

LPT Realty | The Full Circle Group

Serving South Carolina Homebuyers

📞 803-747-4573

09/24/2026

🏡 IF I WANTED TO BUY A HOUSE IN THE NEXT 6 MONTHS, THIS IS THE FIRST THING I WOULD DO!

➡️‼️SHARE/SAVE THIS POST. Follow me for Day 2 & Day 3!

DAY 1 OF 3: GET MY FINANCES IN ORDER! 💰

Let’s be honest… wanting to buy a house and being financially prepared to buy a house are two different things. And that’s okay! We’re starting with preparation, not perfection. ❤️

If I knew I wanted to be a homeowner within the next 6 months, I would NOT start by scrolling through Zillow all day. 😂

I would start by asking myself these questions:

1️⃣ What does my credit look like?

I would review my credit reports, check for inaccuracies, and understand where my credit stands. I wouldn’t wait until I’m ready to make an offer to discover an issue that could have been addressed months earlier.

2️⃣ How much can I realistically afford each month?

I would look at my income, monthly bills, debts, and savings. I would think about the total cost of homeownership—not just the mortgage payment.

Remember: A lender can help determine what you may qualify for, but your personal budget matters too!

3️⃣ How much money do I need to save?

I would start preparing for potential:
🏡 Down payment
🏡 Closing costs
🏡 Inspections
🏡 Appraisal
🏡 Moving expenses
🏡 Emergency savings

And here’s something many buyers don’t realize… 👀

You may not need to have a huge down payment saved before exploring your options!

In South Carolina, qualifying buyers may have access to programs that offer down payment assistance. For example, SC Housing has programs with financing and assistance options, subject to eligibility and program requirements.

That’s why I would connect with a knowledgeable lender early. Not to pressure myself into buying, but to understand my options and create a realistic plan.

MY GOAL WOULD BE TO USE THESE NEXT 6 MONTHS WISELY.

I would rather spend 6 months getting prepared than rush into a purchase without understanding my finances.

And if you have credit challenges? Don’t automatically count yourself out. There may be steps you can take to improve your financial readiness. Start early and get informed.

💬 LET’S TALK!

If you wanted to buy a house in the next 6 months, what would be your biggest concern?

👇 Comment below:

CREDIT | DOWN PAYMENT | CLOSING COSTS | KNOWING WHERE TO START

Tomorrow, we’re talking about the next step I would take BEFORE seriously shopping for a home! 🏡👀

✨ Angela Bruce, The REALTOR® Who Cares
Your Trusted Realtor | Credit Expert
🏡 LPT Realty | The Full Circle Group
📍 Serving South Carolina homebuyers
803-747-4573

Helping you move from questions to a plan—and from a plan to the keys. ❤️

09/23/2026

To our clients and supporters for real estate and credit, I appreciate you all more than words can ever express! I’m grateful for you all! THANK YOU! ❤️🏠

Your Credit to Close Agent 🔑

09/21/2026

When you finally stopped doubting yourself and took the first step to reach your homeownership goal! I love this for YOU! 🏠🔑🥳

CREDIT ➡️ KEYS 🔑

Your Credit to Keys Agent

You could be NEXT! ✅

JAM Financial Solutions
Jamfinancialsolutions.com

Angela Bruce, The REALTOR Who Cares
angelabrucesoldit.com

゚viralシ

09/21/2026

🏡 🚨MORTGAGE RATES ARE HIGH… BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN YOU HAVE TO PRESS PAUSE ON HOMEOWNERSHIP. 🚨

SAVE/SHARE THIS POST‼️ 📣

📣 If you’re hoping to buy a home before the end of 2026, please don’t automatically assume, “I’ll wait until rates come down.”

There are strategies available RIGHT NOW that can help make your payment more manageable. 👇🏽

💰 1. LOOK INTO SC HOUSING PROGRAMS‼️

South Carolina Housing offers programs with competitive fixed-rate financing and options for down-payment and closing-cost assistance.

Depending on your situation, you may qualify for programs such as:

🏡 SC Housing Homebuyer Program
🏡 Palmetto Home Advantage — available to first-time AND repeat/move-up buyers
🏡 County First — offers reduced-rate financing in eligible counties
🏡 First-Generation Homebuyer Program
🏡 Families with Disabilities Homebuyer Program
🏡 Made It Home! — for eligible purchases through participating builders

Palmetto Home Advantage, for example, offers conventional, FHA, VA and USDA options and does not require you to be a first-time buyer. Program income and other eligibility requirements apply. (South Carolina Housing)

🏗️ 2. DON’T OVERLOOK NEW CONSTRUCTION

Builders are competing for buyers too.

Some new-construction communities are offering incentives such as:

✅ Temporary rate buydowns
✅ Permanent rate reductions
✅ Closing-cost assistance
✅ Builder-paid incentives
✅ Price reductions
✅ Upgrades and appliances

BUT: Builder incentives often require you to use the builder’s preferred lender, so compare the entire loan package—not just the advertised rate.

📉 3. ASK ABOUT BUYING DOWN YOUR RATE

You may be able to pay discount points at closing in exchange for a lower interest rate.

A seller or builder may also contribute toward your rate buydown, depending on the loan program and transaction.

There are also temporary rate buydowns, which can reduce your payment during the initial years of the mortgage.

💡 The key is to have your lender run the numbers and compare:

Regular rate vs. points vs. temporary buydown vs. seller/builder concession.

Don’t assume the lowest advertised rate automatically means the lowest overall cost. The CFPB recommends comparing the costs and benefits over the period you expect to keep the loan. (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)

🤝🏽 4. YOU MAY HAVE MORE NEGOTIATING POWER THAN YOU THINK

Higher rates can reduce the number of buyers competing for certain homes.

That can create opportunities for buyers who are prepared and patient.

Instead of only negotiating:

💵 Purchase price

You may be able to negotiate for:

➡️ Seller-paid closing costs
➡️ Seller contribution toward a rate buydown
➡️ Repairs
➡️ Home warranties
➡️ Appliances or other personal property
➡️ Price reductions
➡️ Builder incentives on new construction

The right strategy depends on the property, seller, financing type and local market.

🧠 5. DON’T BUILD YOUR ENTIRE PLAN AROUND WAITING FOR RATES TO DROP

Nobody can promise exactly when mortgage rates will fall—or where they’ll be when they do.

But you can control how prepared you are.

Get your:

✅ Credit in position
✅ Debt-to-income ratio reviewed
✅ Documents organized
✅ Preapproval completed
✅ Down-payment assistance options explored
✅ Closing-cost strategy planned
✅ Monthly payment budget established

And remember:

A mortgage rate is not necessarily permanent.

If rates become more favorable in the future and your circumstances allow, refinancing may become an option.

But the goal should never be to buy a house simply because you qualify.

🏠 THE REAL QUESTION IS:

“What strategy can make homeownership make sense for ME at today’s rates?”

There are more options than simply:

BUY NOW ❌
or
WAIT FOR RATES TO DROP ❌

There is a whole middle ground that many buyers aren’t being told about.

If you’re hoping to own a home before the end of 2026, let’s talk about your options BEFORE you count yourself out.

I help South Carolina buyers look at the credit + financing + assistance + negotiation strategy together—not separately.

📲 Angela Bruce, The REALTOR Who Cares
🏡 LPT Realty
📞 803-747-4573
📧 [email protected]

Your goal isn’t just to get a mortgage.
It’s to structure the purchase intelligently. 🔑

Programs, rates, incentives, eligibility requirements and availability can change. Consult a participating lender for current program terms and personalized loan scenarios.

09/19/2026

Another behind the screen moment! The joy of homeownership! She was so excited! 🥹

I ❤️ my clients! 🥰🥳🏠

From Credit Repair ➡️ Closing 📣

Your Credit to Close Agent

09/19/2026

Behind the scenes before editing..🤣My poor scissors 🤣 My client is so sweet & hilarious at the same time with her Charleston accent. 🥰

09/17/2026

Sometimes you just have to let the results speak for themselves! 💯 This is just a portion of my amazing clients! 😎🔑🏠

I don’t own rights to this music!

09/16/2026

When you trusted the process and now you’re closed on your first home!

From Credit Repair ➡️ Closed 🔑

I don’t own rights to this music!

゚viralシ

Address

128 Millport Circle Suite 200
Greenville, SC
29607

Telephone

+18037474573

Website

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