Brunswick County has become one of the most talked-about places to buy on the North Carolina coast, and first-time buyers are a big part of that story. From Leland and Bolivia to Supply, Shallotte and the Southport area, the county offers a wide range of homes, from new construction to established neighborhoods. If you’re buying your first home here, this step-by-step guide will help you go from “just looking” to holding the keys.
Step 1: Get Clear on Your Budget
Start with the monthly payment you’re comfortable with, not just the price a lender approves. In Brunswick County, your total monthly cost often includes:
- Principal and interest
- Property taxes (county plus any town rate)
- Homeowners insurance, and flood insurance if required or wise for the property
- HOA dues, which are common in newer communities
- Utilities, which vary by provider and whether the home has county sewer or septic
Our guide to buying in Brunswick County under $400K shows where budgets tend to stretch further.
Step 2: Explore Down Payment Help
Many first-time buyers don’t realize how much help is available. The N.C. Housing Finance Agency offers the NC Home Advantage Mortgage, a fixed-rate loan with down payment assistance of up to 3% of the loan amount. According to NCHFA, you may be eligible if:
- You’re buying a home in North Carolina and will occupy it as your principal residence within 60 days of closing.
- Your annual income doesn’t exceed $158,000.
- Your credit score is 640 or higher.
- You’re applying for an FHA, USDA, VA or conventional loan through a participating lender and meet that loan type’s sales price limits.
NCHFA also offers the NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment, $15,000 in assistance for first-time buyers (those who haven’t owned a principal residence in the past three years), military veterans, or buyers in targeted census tracts who meet income and sales price limits. NCHFA describes its down payment assistance as a 0% deferred second mortgage, forgiven 20% per year at the end of years 11 through 15. Repayment is required only if you sell, refinance or transfer the home before year 15.
For more options, see our first-time buyer down payment help guide.
Step 3: Get Pre-Approved
A pre-approval tells you what you can borrow and shows sellers you’re serious. Compare at least a few lenders; our guide to comparing lenders and Loan Estimates explains how. Ask each lender whether they participate in NCHFA programs.
Step 4: Choose Your Area
Brunswick County is large, and each part has its own feel:
- Leland and northern Brunswick: closest to Wilmington, with many newer communities. See our Leland guide.
- Bolivia and Supply: central county locations with a mix of rural lots and subdivisions. See living in Bolivia and Supply.
- Shallotte and the south end: close to the Brunswick Islands beaches.
Schools are assigned by address, so check assignments for each home you consider. Our school assignment guide explains how.
Step 5: New Construction or Resale?
Brunswick County has a lot of new construction. New homes offer modern systems and builder warranties, and builders sometimes offer incentives. Resale homes may come with established landscaping, no construction nearby and room to negotiate. Either way, get an independent inspection. If you’re considering new construction, read our new construction buyer’s guide.
Step 6: Make an Offer and Use Your Due Diligence Period
In North Carolina, buyers typically negotiate a due diligence period to inspect, appraise, finalize financing and get insurance quotes. Use it fully: home inspection, termite report, survey if needed, and insurance and flood quotes. Our due diligence guide and buyer closing costs guide walk through the details.
Step 7: Close and Settle In
At closing you’ll sign your loan documents and receive the keys. Afterward, set up utilities, update your address and keep your closing documents somewhere safe.
First-Time Buyer FAQ
Who counts as a first-time buyer for NCHFA’s $15,000 program?
NCHFA says someone who hasn’t owned a home as a principal residence in the past three years, a military veteran, or a buyer in a targeted census tract, who also meets income and price limits.
Do I have to repay NCHFA down payment assistance?
Only if you sell, refinance or transfer the home before year 15. It’s forgiven 20% per year at the end of years 11 through 15.
What credit score do I need?
NCHFA lists 640 or higher for the NC Home Advantage Mortgage (660 for manufactured homes).
Ready to Buy Your First Home?
We love helping first-time buyers find the right fit in Brunswick County. Contact Aspyre Collective and we’ll walk you through every step.
