Purchasing a home can be overwhelming. With lots of homes on the market across the state and historical low mortgage rates, here are some helpful tips as you get ready to buy a home.

Get pre-approved – This process helps you understand what you can afford and it helps your broker too. Ask your First Reliance Bank Residential Lender for a list of documents you’ll need to obtain a pre-approval. Call 888.543.5510 or visit our website and click on the “Apply For A Mortgage Loan” image on the bottom left hand corner of our homepage. There is plenty of information on getting your mortgage started and you can conveniently apply online.

Is pumpkin carving one of your family's Fall traditions? Have you always wanted to try your hand at designing and hand-carving your own work of pumpkin art?

Why not join in the fun and enter our Pumpkin Carving Contest this year?

If you have access to a computer and a pumpkin (or pumpkins), you could be among the three winners who will be awarded prizes for the best of the best!

To participate in the contest:

1. The contestant must be 18 or older (but you can involve younger members of the family by getting them to consult on your design).

2. Get a pumpkin or pumpkins to carve. You can enter as many times as you'd like.

3. When you do your carving, be sure to incorporate the First Reliance Bank brand in some way with your pumpkin design ...