Homebuyer Programs in Summerville, SC (2026)
Summerville is one of the fastest-growing towns in the Charleston metro area, located in Dorchester County, South Carolina, and known as the Flowertown in the Pines. With a median home price around $375,000, buyers here benefit from strong state-level assistance programs. The SC Housing Homebuyer Program offers up to $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance with income limits above $126,000 for Dorchester County, while the Palmetto Home Advantage program provides up to 4% of the loan amount as a forgivable second mortgage with no first-time buyer requirement. Teachers, nurses, veterans, and first responders can access the Palmetto Heroes Program for an additional $10,000 in forgivable assistance. Locally, the Charleston Trident Urban League serves Dorchester County with down payment and closing cost help, Founders Federal Credit Union offers no-PMI financing up to $350,000, and Dorchester Habitat for Humanity provides interest-free mortgages for qualifying families. By stacking state and local programs, Summerville buyers can significantly reduce their upfront costs.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Summerville
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 → |
| Charleston Trident Urban League First-Time Homebuyer Program | Grant | Down payment and closing cost assistance (amount varies based on funding availability) | Yes | View → |
| Dorchester Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | No-interest mortgage with homes sold at no profit. Affordable monthly payments. | Yes | View → |
| Founders Federal Credit Union First-Time Homebuyer Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Finance up to $350,000 with only $1,000 minimum in the transaction; no PMI required | Yes | View → |
| Palmetto CAP Affordable Housing Program | Grant | Subsidized home purchase price with potential additional subsidies for qualified buyers | 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:
- 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:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance (amount varies based on funding availability)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- No-interest mortgage with homes sold at no profit. Affordable monthly payments.
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Finance up to $350,000 with only $1,000 minimum in the transaction; no PMI required
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Subsidized home purchase price with potential additional subsidies for qualified buyers
- 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. For the SC Housing Homebuyer Program, the income limit for Dorchester County is above $126,000 for one or two people, and the purchase price limit is $425,000. Review current limits on the SC Housing website or call (803) 896-2211.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. SC Housing programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Call (800) 569-4287 to find a HUD-approved housing counselor near Summerville, or contact Palmetto Community Action Partnership at (843) 724-7353 at their Summerville office at 500 N Main St.
- Step 3:
Contact a participating lender. SC Housing works with over 100 approved lenders statewide. Ask about the SC Housing Homebuyer Program, Palmetto Home Advantage, and Palmetto Heroes (if you qualify as a teacher, nurse, veteran, or first responder). Also contact the Charleston Trident Urban League for additional down payment assistance in the tri-county area.
- Step 4:
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Your lender will determine which programs you qualify for and the maximum assistance available. Have your income documentation, tax returns, and employment history ready. Consider Founders Federal Credit Union for a no-PMI first-time homebuyer mortgage up to $350,000.
- Step 5:
Find a home within program limits. The SC Housing Homebuyer Program has a $425,000 purchase price limit for Dorchester County. Your lender can confirm the current limits for all programs you're using.
- Step 6:
Submit your application and close. Once you have a signed purchase contract, your lender will process your SC Housing or other program application alongside your mortgage. Plan for a typical closing timeline of 30-45 days.