South Carolina's #1 Rated Reverse Mortgage
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Michael G. Branson, CEO of All Reverse Mortgage, Inc., and moderator of ARLO™, has 45 years of experience in mortgage banking, with the past 20 years devoted exclusively to reverse mortgages. A Forbes Real Estate Council member, he developed the industry's first fixed-rate jumbo reverse mortgage and has been featured in Forbes, Kiplinger, the LA Times, and Yahoo Finance. (License: NMLS# 14040) |
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Cliff Auerswald, President of All Reverse Mortgage, Inc., and co-creator of ARLO™ — the industry's first real-time reverse mortgage pricing engine — has 27 years of experience in mortgage banking, with 20+ years focused exclusively on reverse mortgages. A recognized expert in reverse mortgage technology and consumer education, he has been featured in Kiplinger, Yahoo Finance, Realtor.com, and HousingWire. (License: NMLS# 14041) |
Experience Excellence with South Carolina’s Top Reverse Mortgage Lender
For over 20 years, All Reverse Mortgage, Inc. (ARLO™) has helped South Carolina homeowners access their home equity through HUD-approved HECM and jumbo reverse mortgages. As South Carolina’s #1 Rated Reverse Mortgage Lender, we hold an A+ BBB rating with perfect 5-star reviews and zero complaints — a record that earned us recognition as a BBB Torch Award for Ethics Finalist three years running.
As a HUD-approved direct lender and proud member of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA), we specialize exclusively in reverse mortgages — it’s all we’ve done since 2004. That singular focus is especially valuable in South Carolina, where a growing retiree population has made the state one of the top retirement destinations in the Southeast. Homeowners come to us from across the market spectrum — from established neighborhoods in Charleston’s South of Broad and Mount Pleasant, to Lowcountry and island communities on Hilton Head, Kiawah Island, and Isle of Palms, to master-planned retirement communities in Bluffton, Sun City Hilton Head, and the Myrtle Beach area. With an average home value of $377,200, most South Carolina homeowners qualify comfortably within HECM lending limits, while higher-value coastal and island properties may benefit from a jumbo reverse mortgage. Our team has the expertise to help you evaluate both options and choose the program that best fits your financial goals.
Whether your goal is to eliminate monthly mortgage payments, create a financial safety net with a growing line of credit, or access equity for retirement planning, we’re here to help you choose the right program with competitive rates and lower costs. Let us show you the difference two decades of dedicated experience can make.
South Carolina Reverse Mortgage Eligibility & Key Facts

| Top 10 Reverse Mortgage Cities in South Carolina |
|---|
| 1 Bluffton |
| 2 Mount Pleasant |
| 3 Charleston |
| 4 Fort Mill |
| 5 Greenville |
| 6 Myrtle Beach |
| 7 Indian Land |
| 8 Columbia |
| 9 North Myrtle Beach |
| 10 Inman |
| Data by MCA (January 2024) |
Latest South Carolina Reverse Mortgage Statistics (2026 Update)
| State | Homeowners Age 62+ | Reverse Mortgages Closed Last 12 Months | Lenders in South Carolina | Avg. Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 800,000 | 524 | 34 | $377,200 |
How this data was derived: Reverse mortgage counts reflect FHA-insured HECM loans endorsed over a rolling 12-month period (Dec 2024–Nov 2025) using HUD HECM Snapshot data. Active lenders represent unique FHA sponsor numbers with at least one endorsed loan during this period. Estimated homeowners age 62+ are based on U.S. Census ACS 5-year owner-occupied households age 65+ as a conservative proxy. Home values are sourced from Zillow’s Home Value Index (latest available).
Top Reverse Mortgage Lenders in South Carolina
| Lender | BBB Rating | Accredited | Years in Business | Customer Rating (0–5) | % Positive Reviews | Complaints | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Pacific Mortgage | F | NO | 28 | 1.75/5 | 35.0% | 6 | Source |
| CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC. | F | YES | 22 | 1.43/5 | 29.0% | 303 | Source |
| Fairway Independent Mortgage | A+ | YES | 29 | 4.51/5 | 90.0% | 26 | Source |
| Finance of America Reverse LLC (FAR) | A+ | YES | 22 | 3.71/5 | 74.0% | 36 | Source |
| Goodlife Home Loans | A+ | YES | 13 | N/A (Not enough reviews) | N/A (Not enough reviews) | 1 | Source |
| Guaranteed Rate | A+ | YES | 26 | 2.25/5 | 450% | 45 | Source |
| Guild Mortgage Company LLC | A+ | NO | 65 | 1.55/5 | 31.0% | 73 | Source |
| HighTechLending Inc | A+ | YES | 19 | 4.94/5 | 99.0% | 1 | Source |
| Liberty Home Equity Solutions Inc. | A+ | NO | 22 | 1.00/5 | 20.0% | 1 | Source |
| Longbridge Financial LLC | A+ | YES | 13 | 3.77/5 | 75.0% | 34 | Source |
| Luminate Bank | NR | NO | 84 | NA | NA | NA | Source |
| MCM Holdings | A+ | YES | 27 | NA | NA | NA | Source |
| The Money House | NR | NO | 28 | NA | NA | 0 | Source |
| Movement Mortgage, LLC | A+ | NO | 18 | 4.43/5 | 89.0% | 92 | Source |
| Mutual of Omaha Mortgage | A+ | YES | 12 | 3.31/5 | 66.0% | 65 | Source |
| New American Funding | A+ | YES | 26 | 4.65/5 | 93.0% | 147 | Source |
| Plaza Home Mortgage Inc | A+ | YES | 24 | 2.67/5 | 53.0% | 6 | Source |
| Smartfi Home Loans | A+ | YES | 6 | N/A (Not enough reviews) | N/A (Not enough reviews) | 0 | Source |
| South River Mortgage, LLC | A+ | NO | 6 | 3.79/5 | 76.0% | 14 | Source |
South Carolina Reverse Mortgage Lending Limits
South Carolina, known as “The Palmetto State,” is home to over 5.2 million residents as of 2026. The state offers some of the lowest property tax rates in the U.S., making homeownership more affordable for many. With a median home value of $377,200 as of January 2026, many South Carolina homeowners are eligible for a reverse mortgage. The state’s home values fall well within the HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage) reverse mortgage lending limit of $1,249,125.
South Carolina boasts a rich history, from its pivotal role in the American Revolution — nearly a third of all Revolutionary War battles were fought on South Carolina soil — to its evolution into a modern economy driven by aerospace manufacturing, tourism, and a thriving agricultural sector. The state’s diverse geography, from the Atlantic coastal plain to the Blue Ridge Mountains, combined with its warm climate and lower cost of living, has made it one of the fastest-growing retirement destinations in the country.
If you’re a homeowner aged 62 or older in South Carolina, All Reverse Mortgage, Inc. (ARLO™) is here to answer your questions and help you explore how a reverse mortgage can fit into your retirement plans.
Essential Protections for South Carolina Borrowers
South Carolina adheres to federal reverse mortgage regulations established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) while enforcing general consumer protection laws to safeguard borrowers. Here’s what you need to know about the protections in place for reverse mortgage borrowers in South Carolina:
- Mandatory Counseling — Before applying for a reverse mortgage, you must complete a HUD-approved counseling session. This ensures you fully understand the loan’s terms, costs, and potential alternatives. Counseling can be done over the phone or in person, and you must provide the certificate of completion to your lender.
- Cooling-Off Period — Federal regulations include a mandatory waiting period between completing counseling and closing on the loan. This gives you time to carefully review the terms, discuss the decision with family or advisors, and confirm that a reverse mortgage aligns with your financial goals.
- No Tied Financial Products — Lenders in South Carolina cannot require you to purchase additional financial products, such as annuities or insurance, as a condition of obtaining a reverse mortgage. This safeguard ensures the loan process is transparent and free from unnecessary financial pressure.
- Clear Disclosures — Lenders must provide clear and detailed disclosures about the loan’s terms, including interest rates, fees, and repayment responsibilities. They must also remind you that you remain responsible for property taxes, homeowners insurance, and home maintenance. Failure to meet these obligations could result in foreclosure.
- Licensed Lenders — All reverse mortgage lenders in South Carolina must be licensed to operate within the state. This ensures they meet South Carolina’s standards for transparency, professionalism, and ethical practices.
- Non-Recourse Loans — Reverse mortgages in South Carolina are non-recourse loans, meaning neither you nor your heirs will owe more than the home’s value when the loan is repaid. This protection ensures peace of mind, knowing you won’t be burdened with excess debt if the loan balance exceeds the home’s worth.
- Spousal Protections — For borrowers with a non-borrowing spouse, South Carolina lenders must adhere to federal HUD guidelines. These protections ensure that eligible non-borrowing spouses can remain in the home after the borrowing spouse passes away or moves out, provided certain requirements are met.
HUD-Approved Reverse Mortgage Counseling Agencies in South Carolina
| Name | Agency ID | Address | Phone | Web Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCCS OF THE SAVANNAH AREA, INC.- SC BRANCH | 90002 | 15 Sams Point Rd, Beaufort, South Carolina, 29907-1588 | (843) 379-2227 | cccssavannah.org |
| CREDIT.ORG - NORTH CHARLESTON, SC BRANCH | 90755 | 5935 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, South Carolina, 29406-6071 | (843) 574-8668 | credit.org |
| ORIGIN SC | 81419 | 8084 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, South Carolina, 29406-9235 | (843) 628-3000 | originsc.org |
Did you know? South Carolina does not mandate in-person counseling. Visit our counseling page for a list of phone-based counseling agencies, and you can conduct your required counseling from the comfort of your home.
Other Areas of Interest in South Carolina
Ready to Unlock Your Home’s Equity?
As South Carolina’s #1 Rated Reverse Mortgage Lender, All Reverse Mortgage, Inc. (ARLO™) is here to provide trusted guidance, real-time rates, and expert support to help you make informed decisions.
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All Reverse Mortgage, Inc. is fully licensed by the South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions (License #MLS-1048681), ensuring that you receive expert guidance every step of the way.
Get Your Reverse Mortgage Quote from South Carolina’s #1 Rated Reverse Mortgage Lender* or call (800) 565-1722 to speak with a licensed expert.
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Michael G. Branson
Cliff Auerswald
