Claude & Associates Team

Claude & Associates Team Carolina Coastal Realty Group formerly known as Claude & Associates Real Estate is a full service brokerage leading in Berkeley,Dorchester,Charleston.

Helping people buy and sell Real Estate

06/06/2026

Call or text 8439001254 Think buying real estate with no savings is impossible? Think again. I’ll walk you through a simple, proven ladder to build wealth using zero-down loans like USDA or VA. Step 1: buy your primary residence with little to no cash down (just closing costs). Step 2: live in it while the property appreciates and you build equity. Step 3: after 1–2 years, refinance or sell and use that equity to move up or purchase a rental. It’s slower than TV flips, but it works—every client who bought with me three years ago already has equity, and some used it to buy investment properties. This isn’t theory; it’s real results I’ve watched happen. Want to start your first rung on the ladder? I’ll show you how. Ken Claude, SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer — Carolina Coastal Realty Group | Summit Lending Group. NMLS #2476547 | 843-900-1254. Equal Housing Lender. Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

06/06/2026

Call or text 8439001254 Want the best mortgage rate? Here’s exactly how to position yourself: 1) Maximize your credit score—every tier up gets you better pricing. 2) Lower your debt-to-income ratio—pay down revolving debt before closing. 3) Put more down—more equity often equals better rates. 4) Shop multiple lenders—don’t just go to your bank; a mortgage broker can compare dozens of options at once. 5) Consider buying points if your timeline makes it worthwhile. Rates change daily and the day you lock matters—I monitor rates and advise clients on the right moment to lock. Expect proactive guidance, lender shopping, and tailored advice to secure the best possible rate. Ken Claude, SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer, Carolina Coastal Realty Group, LLC | Summit Lending Group | NMLS #2476547 | 843-900-1254 | Equal Housing Lender | Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

06/06/2026

Call or text 8439001254 Most people don’t know South Carolina currently has money available for first-time home buyers — and it can make buying possible now. The SC Housing program offers down payment assistance that may not need to be repaid, plus forgivable second mortgages, closing cost help, and reduced interest-rate options for qualifying buyers. Income limits and purchase-price caps apply, but they’re often higher than you think. I work with these programs every week; I helped a family who thought they had to wait two years close in 60 days after discovering assistance they qualified for. Don’t leave money on the table — text me and let’s see what you have access to. Ken Claude | SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer | Carolina Coastal Realty Group, LLC | Summit Lending Group | NMLS #2476547 | 843-900-1254 | Equal Housing Lender | Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

06/05/2026

Call or text 8439001254 Being turned down by one lender isn’t the end — it’s one opinion. Lenders add their own overlays to basic government rules: credit score minimums, accepted property types, income structures, and specialty programs vary. I’ve helped buyers get approved after being denied by their bank, online lenders, and even discouraged by friends and family — because the right lender and program matched their unique profile. I work with dozens of lending sources and can take a second look to find options you didn’t know existed. A second opinion can change lives. Ken Claude | SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer | Carolina Coastal Realty Group, LLC | Summit Lending Group | NMLS #2476547 | 843-900-1254 | Equal Housing Lender | Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

06/05/2026

Call or text 8439001254 Short-term rentals can outperform long-term leases in the right South Carolina markets — but not every market fits. In this video I walk you through my evaluation process: 1) check local regulations (some towns like Folly Beach and Isle of Palms restrict STRs), 2) analyze real occupancy and average daily rates with tools like AirDNA or Rabbu, 3) account for higher operating costs (cleaning, supplies, management fees, more frequent maintenance and seasonal vacancy), and 4) run the net-income vs. purchase-price math to confirm the deal works after higher coastal prices. If you want a numbers-based analysis tailored to a specific property, I help investors model the cash flow and returns. Ken Claude | SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer | Carolina Coastal Realty Group, LLC | Summit Lending Group | NMLS #2476547 | 843-900-1254 | Equal Housing Lender | Powered by C2 Financial Corporation. # # # #

06/05/2026

Call or text 8439001254 Most sellers underestimate the paperwork needed to list a home — and missing documents can slow or derail the sale. In this quick video I walk you through what to gather before we list: your deed (proof of ownership), mortgage payoff info (so we can estimate net proceeds), HOA documents (rules, fees, financials), your survey (if you have one), homeowner’s insurance declaration, the South Carolina seller disclosure of known material defects, and any permits, warranties, or repair/improvement documentation from recent work. Having everything ready makes the process smoother and faster. I provide a complete seller checklist to every client so nothing gets missed. Ken Claude | SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer | Carolina Coastal Realty Group, LLC | Summit Lending Group | NMLS #2476547 | 843-900-1254 | Equal Housing Lender | Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

06/05/2026

Call or text 8439001254 Summerville, SC has seen strong appreciation over the last five years, with median home prices now in the high $200Ks to low $300Ks depending on community and quarter. Is it still affordable? Compared to Charleston — and to where many buyers are relocating from (NY, NJ, FL) — Summerville often feels like a bargain. USDA-eligible outskirts and FHA-friendly mid-priced neighborhoods still create entry paths for first-time buyers, but acting now is key before appreciation pushes more inventory out of reach. I work buyers here every week and know where the remaining value and opportunities are. Let me guide you through the market and find the right path to homeownership. Ken Claude | SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer | Carolina Coastal Realty Group, LLC | Summit Lending Group | NMLS #2476547 | 843-900-1254 | Equal Housing Lender | Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

06/05/2026

Call or text 8439001254 Hard vs. soft credit inquiries — what you actually need to know: Soft inquiries happen when you check your own credit, companies pre-screen you, or employers run background checks, and they don’t affect your score. Hard inquiries occur when a lender pulls your credit for a real application and can temporarily lower your score by a few points. The important part most people miss: when multiple mortgage lenders pull your credit within a 14–45 day window, credit bureaus count those as a single inquiry for scoring purposes — so shopping around for the best mortgage rate won’t hurt your score as much as you think. Don’t let fear of a hard pull stop you from getting the best deal. I guide and protect my clients through the process. Ken Claude | SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer | Carolina Coastal Realty Group, LLC | Summit Lending Group | NMLS #2476547 | 843-900-1254 | Equal Housing Lender | Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

06/04/2026

Call or text 8439001254 Mortgage points (aka discount points) let you pay cash at closing to permanently lower your interest rate — one point = 1% of the loan (on a $200,000 loan one point = $2,000). Whether to buy points depends on your break-even timeline: if a point cuts your payment by $40/month, it takes 50 months (~4 years) to recoup that $2,000. Planning to stay in the home longer than that? Points can save you money. Planning to move or refinance within a few years? Skip them. I run this calculation for every client so you make the right choice. Ken Claude | SC Real Estate Broker-in-Charge & Licensed Loan Officer | Carolina Coastal Realty Group, LLC | Summit Lending Group | NMLS #2476547 | 843-900-1254 | Equal Housing Lender | Powered by C2 Financial Corporation.

06/04/2026

Call or text 8439001254 Every dollar you pay in rent is gone — every dollar you pay toward a mortgage builds equity you own. If your rent is $1,500/month, that’s $18,000 a year you’ll never see again. A $200,000 home with a similar payment on a 30‑year mortgage means you’re investing in an asset and growing equity every month. In South Carolina markets like Summerville and the Lowcountry, home values have been steadily appreciating, so buying now can turn monthly costs into long‑term wealth. Renting isn’t always wrong, but staying in rent when you could buy is often costly. Watch as Ken Claude, SC Real Estate Broker‑in‑Charge and Licensed Loan Officer, breaks down the math and shows how homeownership can pay you back over time. Contact Ken for personalized guidance and loan options.

Address

500 N Pine Street
Summerville, SC
29483

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18439001254

Website

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