Homeowners/North Myrtle Beach, SC/Underwater Mortgage
Underwater Mortgage & Negative Equity in North Myrtle Beach, SC
Homeowners in North Myrtle Beach, SC owing more than their home is worth need clear options. Find short sale attorneys, HUD counselors, and loan modification resources.
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Situation overview
When your mortgage balance exceeds your home value in North Myrtle Beach, SC, you have options. South Carolina requires lenders to expressly reserve deficiency rights in court (S.C. Code 29-3-630), and borrowers can petition for an independent appraisal to reduce or eliminate a deficiency. A HUD counselor can help you evaluate all paths.
What to do first
When your mortgage balance exceeds your home value in North Myrtle Beach, you have more options than you think. Short sale, loan modification, refinance, and strategic selling each have different timelines and consequences for your credit and finances.
Start with
- Get a current market valuation and compare it to your payoff amount before making any decisions.
- Contact your servicer early — loss mitigation options are more available before you miss payments.
- Work with a HUD counselor to understand deficiency judgment rules in SC before agreeing to a short sale.
Avoid
- Walk away from the property without understanding deficiency judgment risks in SC.
- Accept a short sale approval without written confirmation that the lender waives the deficiency.
- Assume refinancing is impossible — FHA Streamline and VA IRRRL programs may work even underwater.
SC law reference
Key legal facts for underwater mortgage situations in South Carolina.
- Homestead exemption
- South Carolina homestead exemption is adjusted periodically (about $63,250; verify current statutory amount).
Step-by-step action plan
A starting path you can follow before committing to any contract or agreement.
- Request a current payoff statement from your lender and compare it to a realistic home valuation.
- Contact your servicer's loss mitigation department to ask about short sale approval, loan modification, or forbearance.
- Consult a HUD-approved housing counselor to review all options before committing to any path.
Who to contact in North Myrtle Beach
Underwater Mortgage Attorneys
Hopkins Law Firm
Coastal SC foreclosure defense practice with offices in Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Pawleys Island. Offers free consultations and handles residential foreclosure defense on a contingency fee basis.
Hopkins Law foreclosure defenseDavid Hart Breen, Attorney at Law
Attorney David Hart Breen has 40 years of experience and has represented over 5,000 clients in consumer and business bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and real estate matters in Horry County.
David Hart Breen attorney profileDuRant & DuRant, P.A.
Attorney Frank DuRant has practiced real estate law in Myrtle Beach since 1979. Julian DuRant joined after clerking in the federal judiciary. The firm handles foreclosures, property disputes, and real estate transactions.
DuRant & DuRant real estate lawOhanesian Law Firm
Founded over 40 years ago with two generations of lawyers and over 140 years of combined legal experience. Attorney Glenn Ohanesian has served as President of the Horry County Bar Association.
Ohanesian Law FirmMortgage Servicer and Bank Loss-Mitigation Contacts
Wells Fargo Mortgage Assistance
Wells Fargo loss-mitigation contact for forbearance, repayment plans, and modification review for qualifying mortgage borrowers.
Wells Fargo mortgage helpBank of America Mortgage Assistance
Bank of America loss-mitigation contact for forbearance, repayment plans, and modification review for qualifying mortgage borrowers.
Bank of America mortgage helpTruist Mortgage Assistance
Truist loss-mitigation contact for forbearance, repayment plans, and modification review for qualifying mortgage borrowers.
Truist mortgage helpChase Mortgage Assistance
Chase loss-mitigation contact for forbearance, repayment plans, and modification review for qualifying mortgage borrowers.
Chase mortgage helpFirst Horizon Mortgage Assistance
First Horizon loss-mitigation contact for forbearance, repayment plans, and modification review for qualifying mortgage borrowers.
First Horizon mortgage helpHousing Counseling and Foreclosure Prevention
HUD Housing Counselor Search Portal
Primary HUD counselor lookup portal for North Myrtle Beach homeowners; filter by Horry County or local ZIP code for nearby approved counseling agencies.
Open HUD counselor search portalOriginSC Foreclosure Prevention Counseling
HUD-certified and SC Housing-approved nonprofit providing foreclosure prevention counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, and homebuyer education for coastal SC homeowners.
OriginSC housing counselingSouth Carolina Housing Foreclosure-Avoidance Resources
State housing agency page with loan-counselor contacts, loss-mitigation guidance, and escalation paths for borrowers behind on mortgage payments.
South Carolina Housing foreclosure resourcesHorry County Treasurer
County tax-payment and collections office for property-tax balances, delinquency questions, and payment processing. Installment payment plans available for real property taxes.
Horry County Treasurer officeHorry County Assessor
County appraisal and listing office for valuation, legal-residence review, and assessment questions tied to Horry County real property. Quadrennial reassessments (most recent: 2024).
Horry County Assessor officeFree and Low-Cost Legal Aid
South Carolina Legal Services - Conway Office
Regional legal-aid office serving Horry, Georgetown, Marion, and Williamsburg Counties with free civil legal help including housing, foreclosure prevention, consumer debt, and family-law intake for eligible households.
SC Legal Services Conway officeSouth Carolina Legal Services - Online Intake
Statewide intake portal and hotline for civil legal screening, case prioritization, and referral to the appropriate local legal-services office.
Start SCLS intakeSouth Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral Service
Referral option for residents who need private-counsel consultation when legal-aid eligibility is not met or specialized representation is required.
SC Bar lawyer referralUnderwater Mortgage Real Estate Agents in North Myrtle Beach
Chamiese Evans — Licensed Realtor
Specializing in helping North Myrtle Beach homeowners navigate underwater mortgage situations — whether that means selling, negotiating, or exploring every option before making a decision. NorthGroup Real Estate.
Visit listrobin.comCommon questions
What are my options if I owe more than my home is worth in North Myrtle Beach?
In North Myrtle Beach, you have several options: request a loan modification from your servicer, explore a short sale (lender agrees to accept less than the balance), refinance through FHA Streamline or VA IRRRL if you have a government-backed loan, or contact a HUD counselor to review all loss mitigation paths.
Will I owe money after a short sale in SC?
It depends. In North Carolina, lenders can pursue deficiency judgments after a short sale unless they agree in writing to waive the balance. In South Carolina, lenders must expressly reserve this right in court. Always get written confirmation that the deficiency is waived before closing.
Can I still sell my home if the mortgage is underwater in North Myrtle Beach?
Yes. A short sale allows you to sell for less than you owe with lender approval. Cash buyers experienced with underwater properties can close faster. The key is getting your lender's loss mitigation department to approve the sale terms before listing.
Related situations in North Myrtle Beach
Homeowners dealing with underwater mortgage often face overlapping issues. These resources may also help.
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View resourcesResearched by CC Evans, Marketing Analyst — RobinOffer
Last reviewed: February 2026
This directory is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Confirm all options with licensed counsel or a qualified financial professional before signing any agreement.
Sources: SC Code of Laws · HUD.gov · CFPB.gov
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