Homebuyer Programs in Beaufort, SC (2026)
Beaufort is a charming coastal city in South Carolina's Lowcountry, known for its historic architecture, military presence at nearby Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, and vibrant waterfront community. With a median home price around $400,000, buyers here benefit from a strong lineup of state, local, and nonprofit programs. The SC Housing Homebuyer Program offers up to $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance, while the Palmetto Heroes Program provides an additional $10,000 for teachers, nurses, veterans, law enforcement, and first responders. The Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust offers up to $12,000 in forgivable assistance for Beaufort County buyers. CommunityWorks Lowcountry provides up to $10,000 in down payment assistance, with employer-partnered programs offering even more. Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry also serves qualifying families with zero-interest mortgages. By stacking these local and state programs with federal loan options like FHA, VA, or USDA financing, Beaufort buyers can significantly reduce their upfront costs.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Beaufort
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust Homebuyer Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $12,000 in forgivable down payment assistance | Yes | View → |
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
| CommunityWorks Lowcountry Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 in forgivable down payment and closing cost assistance (employer-partnered programs may offer up to $25,000) | Yes | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | No-interest mortgage with homes sold at no profit. Monthly payments set at 30% or less of household income. | Yes | View → |
| Palmetto Heroes Program | Forgivable Loan | $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance | Yes | View → |
| Palmetto Home Advantage | Forgivable Loan | Up to 4% of the first mortgage loan amount | No | View → |
| SC Housing Homebuyer Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $12,000 in forgivable down payment assistance
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 in forgivable down payment and closing cost assistance (employer-partnered programs may offer up to $25,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- No-interest mortgage with homes sold at no profit. Monthly payments set at 30% or less of household income.
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 4% of the first mortgage loan amount
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
- Step 1:
Check your eligibility. Most SC Housing programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for Beaufort County. The Palmetto Heroes Program is available to teachers, nurses, veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs. The Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust and CommunityWorks programs have their own income requirements.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. SC Housing and most local programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. CommunityWorks offers homebuyer workshops in the Lowcountry area. Contact them at (864) 235-6331 or visit communityworkscarolina.org.
- Step 3:
Contact an SC Housing participating lender. Visit the SC Housing website at schousing.sc.gov to find a participating lender in the Beaufort area who can help you apply for the SC Housing Homebuyer Program or Palmetto Heroes Program.
- Step 4:
Explore local assistance. Contact CommunityWorks Lowcountry about their down payment assistance programs. City of Beaufort employees and Beaufort Memorial Hospital employees may qualify for employer-specific programs offering up to $10,000 each.
- Step 5:
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Your lender will determine which loan type (FHA, VA, USDA, or Conventional) best fits your situation and confirm your eligibility for down payment assistance.
- Step 6:
Find a home within program limits. Work with a local real estate agent to find a property that meets purchase price limits for your selected programs.
- Step 7:
Submit your application and close. Once you have a signed contract, your lender will process the down payment assistance alongside your first mortgage. Expect 30-45 days from contract to closing.