Mortgage Broker in North Carolina
Attorney closings, Triangle and Charlotte demand, and program fit that depends on county.
I am personally licensed in North Carolina. Whether you are buying in Charlotte, Raleigh, or somewhere between the metros, you get a Mortgage Strategy Session built around your file, your timeline, and the county rules that actually apply to your purchase.
North Carolina markets with local detail
Pick a city for neighborhood context, county loan limits, and programs buyers actually use in that market.
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View Charlotte page
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Charlotte
Mecklenburg County
Neighborhood notes, loan programs, and a clear next step for buyers in Charlotte.
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View Raleigh page
NC
Raleigh
Wake County
Neighborhood notes, loan programs, and a clear next step for buyers in Raleigh.
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View Cary page
NC
Cary
Wake County
Neighborhood notes, loan programs, and a clear next step for buyers in Cary.
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View Durham page
NC
Durham
Durham County
Neighborhood notes, loan programs, and a clear next step for buyers in Durham.
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View Greensboro page
NC
Greensboro
Guilford County
Neighborhood notes, loan programs, and a clear next step for buyers in Greensboro.
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View Wilmington page
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Wilmington
New Hanover County
Neighborhood notes, loan programs, and a clear next step for buyers in Wilmington.
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View Asheville page
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Asheville
Buncombe County
Neighborhood notes, loan programs, and a clear next step for buyers in Asheville.
Same process. County-specific details.
FHA and conforming loan limits, down payment assistance options, and how closings work all vary by county in North Carolina. A national script does not catch attorney-closing norms, a Durham County FHA limit that runs higher than Wake County's, or which suburbs still sit in USDA-eligible zones.
Where I help buyers in North Carolina
Here are the North Carolina counties I work in most, with the 2026 FHA one-unit limit HUD published for each. The conforming limit is $832,750 in all of them. I can also help anywhere else in the state.
| City | County | 2026 FHA limit (1 unit) |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | Mecklenburg County | $541,287 |
| Raleigh | Wake County | $541,287 |
| Cary | Wake County | $541,287 |
| Durham | Durham County | $634,800 |
| Greensboro | Guilford County | $541,287 |
| Wilmington | New Hanover County | $541,287 |
| Asheville | Buncombe County | $541,287 |
Source: HUD FHA mortgage limits, calendar year 2026. Limits for other counties are on HUD's lookup, and I confirm yours on the consultation.
Chenoa Fund (FHA down payment assistance)
CBC Mortgage Agency
The Chenoa Fund, from CBC Mortgage Agency, is the down payment assistance I can place. It pairs an FHA 30-year fixed first mortgage with a second mortgage for 3.5% or 5% of the sales price or appraised value, whichever is less. The forgivable option has 0% interest and no monthly payment and is forgiven after three years of on-time payments on the FHA loan. The repayable option is a 10-year second mortgage with a monthly payment. There are no income limits and no first-time buyer requirement, but the home must be your primary residence (1 to 2 units), and credit and underwriting requirements apply. Refinancing the FHA loan during the first three years can cancel the forgiveness, so it suits buyers who plan to keep the loan at least that long.
Program terms and availability change with market conditions, so I confirm current terms for your file before you count on it.
State program to ask about: NC Home Advantage Mortgage
NC Housing Finance Agency
The NC Housing Finance Agency's NC Home Advantage Mortgage pairs a fixed-rate first mortgage with down payment assistance of up to 3% of the loan amount, for both first-time and move-up buyers. The assistance is forgiven 20% per year in years 11 through 15 if you keep the home, and the agency also offers a $15,000 option (NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment) for eligible first-time buyers and veterans. Income, credit score, and participating-lender rules apply.
State housing agency programs are offered only through participating lenders. As a broker, I confirm whether one of my wholesale lenders participates before recommending one, so treat it as an option to ask about rather than a promise.
Some cities add their own help on top of the state program. HouseCharlotte (City of Charlotte), the City of Raleigh's Homebuyer Assistance programs, and the City of Durham's Down Payment Assistance Program each serve eligible first-time buyers inside city limits, with income and price caps. Layering rules depend on the program and the lender, so I map the combination on your specific file.
Program terms, funding, and limits change. I confirm current guidelines before you rely on any assistance.
North Carolina property tax and closing basics
A quick orientation so your budget has no surprises. For your exact figures, your county tax office, closing attorney, or tax professional has the final word.
Property tax basics
North Carolina counties set property values through periodic revaluations, and state law requires every county to reappraise real property at least once every eight years. Counties can choose to revalue more often, so the schedule differs from one county to the next. A revaluation can move your bill even when the tax rate does not change.
Your bill is the assessed value times the county rate, plus a city or town rate if the home sits inside municipal limits. That is why two homes at the same price in the same county can have noticeably different tax bills.
North Carolina does not offer a general homestead exemption for every owner-occupant. The state's relief programs, such as the homestead exclusion for qualifying older or disabled owners, have age, disability, and income rules. Check the county tax office for the next revaluation date and any relief you may qualify for. This is general information, not tax advice.
Closing costs and transfer taxes
North Carolina charges an excise tax on the deed (often called revenue stamps) of $1 per $500 of the price, and state law puts that tax on the seller. On a $400,000 sale, that is $800 on the seller's side.
Buyer closing costs usually include the closing attorney's fee, title insurance, recording fees, lender fees, and prepaid taxes and insurance. Together they typically run about 2 to 5% of the price, and seller credits can offset part of it.
A licensed North Carolina attorney typically handles the closing, certifies title, and records the deed and deed of trust. I work alongside your attorney so the Closing Disclosure and settlement statement match. Your attorney confirms exact fees.
North Carolina mortgage questions
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Are you licensed in North Carolina?
Yes. Keith Lopez is personally licensed to originate mortgages in North Carolina (NMLS #2814077), through NEXA Mortgage, LLC (NMLS #1660690).
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Is North Carolina an attorney-closing state?
Yes, in practice. A licensed North Carolina attorney typically handles the closing, reviews title work, and records the documents. I coordinate with your attorney so the timeline stays on track.
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What is the 2026 FHA loan limit in North Carolina?
It depends on the county. Most counties, including Mecklenburg, Wake, Guilford, New Hanover, and Buncombe, use the $541,287 national floor for a one-unit home. Durham, Orange, and Chatham counties (the Durham-Chapel Hill metro) are higher at $634,800, per HUD, which also covers the parts of Cary that sit in Chatham or Durham County.
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What down payment assistance is available in North Carolina?
The down payment assistance I can place is the Chenoa Fund, which pairs an FHA loan with assistance of 3.5% or 5% of the price or appraised value, whichever is less, with no income limits or first-time buyer requirement. The main state program is the NC Home Advantage Mortgage from the NC Housing Finance Agency, which offers assistance of up to 3% of the loan amount for first-time and move-up buyers, forgiven over years 11 through 15, plus a $15,000 option for eligible first-time buyers and veterans. State programs are offered only through participating lenders, so I confirm whether one of my wholesale lenders participates before recommending one. Some cities add their own programs, and I confirm current terms on any program for your file.
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Who pays the excise tax when you buy a home in North Carolina?
The seller, under state law. The excise tax is $1 per $500 of the price, so a $300,000 sale carries $600 in excise tax. Buyers mainly pay the attorney, title insurance, recording, lender fees, and prepaid items.
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How often are North Carolina property values reassessed?
At least once every eight years, by law, and some counties do it more often. Revaluation years differ by county, so check the county tax office before estimating a future bill.
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Which North Carolina cities do you cover?
City pages currently cover Charlotte, Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Greensboro, Wilmington, and Asheville. If you are buying elsewhere in North Carolina, I can still help.
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Can I use FHA, VA, or USDA in North Carolina?
Often yes, depending on the property, your eligibility, and county loan limits. USDA can work on eligible addresses outside the denser metros, and VA is common near the state's military installations. We map program fit on the Mortgage Strategy Session before you write offers.
Programs buyers use in North Carolina
Same national guidelines, with local closing and market context on each city page. Start with the overview that matches your situation.
Articles for North Carolina buyers
- Loan Programs Conventional Loan Down Payment Requirements in North Carolina Conventional loans in North Carolina allow down payments starting at 3% for eligible buyers, but the right amount depends on your savings, PMI tolerance, and cash-to-close budget. Here is what you need to know before you decide.
- Loan Programs USDA Home Loans in North Carolina: Eligibility, Income Limits, and Eligible Areas USDA loans offer zero-down financing for eligible buyers in qualifying North Carolina locations. Learn how the property map, income limits, and credit guidelines work before you apply.
- Loan Programs Reverse Mortgage HECM Basics: What Homeowners 62+ in NC, SC, and GA Need to Know A HECM reverse mortgage lets eligible homeowners 62 and older tap home equity without a required monthly mortgage payment, but the balance grows over time and ongoing obligations remain. Here is a plain-English breakdown of how it works in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
- Loan Programs Non-QM Loans Explained: Who They Fit and How They Work in NC, SC, and GA Non-QM loans offer an alternative path to homeownership or investment property financing for self-employed borrowers, real estate investors, and buyers whose income does not fit standard documentation requirements. Learn how bank statement, DSCR, and asset depletion programs work and what trade-offs to expect.
Buying elsewhere in North Carolina?
These city pages cover the markets buyers ask about most. If you are looking in a smaller town or between metros anywhere in NC, we can still talk through your options.
Let's find the right loan in North Carolina.
One free Mortgage Strategy Session. Your numbers, your options, your next step.
Keith Lopez, NMLS #2814077 | NEXA Mortgage, LLC, NMLS #1660690 | Licensed in NC, SC & GA | Equal Housing Opportunity