South Carolina first-time home buyer programs
SC Housing lists 5 programs that help buyers in South Carolina with the down payment or closing costs. Amounts and terms are shown as the agency publishes them.
- Programs from the agency
- 5
- Biggest amount listed
- $25,000
- First-time buyers only
- 2 of 5 programs
- Income caps
- Up to $135,750
Down payment assistance programs in South Carolina
| Program | Amount | Grant or loan | Income limit | First-time buyers only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmetto Home Advantage. With a Conventional, FHA, VA or USDA loan through the Palmetto Home Advantage program; credit score 640+; price limit no sales price limit. | Up to 4% of the home loan | Forgivable loan: Help that can be forgiven, with no monthly payment. | Borrower income up to $135,750; household or family size doesn't change this. | No |
| Made It Home!. Only for buyers purchasing a home from one of the program's participating builders. | Up to $25,000 | Forgivable loan: 0% second mortgage, fully forgiven after ten years if you stay in the home. | Ask the agency | Yes |
More programs the agency lists
- SC Housing Homebuyer (BOND) Program: Forgivable loan: 0% second loan with no payments, forgiven if you stay in the home 15 years. Income: household income and sales price limits depend on your county.
- Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program: Forgivable loan; you may not have to pay it back.
- County First: Forgivable loan: you may not have to pay it back.
Usually, "first-time buyers only" means you haven't owned a home during the past three years, though every program sets a rule of its own. The name of each program links to a SC Housing page that says whether applications are open right now. The agency also maintains its own list of participating lenders. Compare down payment assistance programs across all states, or ask a lender that works with South Carolina's programs.
How do you repay South Carolina's programs?
- Forgivable loan: keep the home and its first mortgage for the set years, and this second loan is written off.
How does your income compare with South Carolina's caps?
Every program has its own income cap, which the table shows, and the exact chart is on that program's agency page. Use the HUD income limits lookup (FY2026) to find the figure for your county and household size. If a program relies on its own county chart or Freddie Mac's, the result can differ from HUD's number, and the agency's chart decides.
| HUD area | Median family income | HUD low-income limit |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $92,400 | $73,900 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | $117,500 | $94,000 |
| Greenville-Mauldin-Easley | $106,400 | $85,050 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $90,400 | $72,300 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $117,400 | $93,900 |
Talk to a lender that works with South Carolina programs
These programs are paid out through the agency's approved lenders, so the lender is your next step. Tell us where you're buying and a lender that works with South Carolina's programs can explain which ones fit you.
Rather not call? Send your details and the lender will reach you.
Are you buying near a state border?
Georgia, North Carolina or programs for all 50 states plus DC.