See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 22, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Sumter, SC (2026)
Sumter is a mid-sized city in central South Carolina known for its proximity to Shaw Air Force Base and a growing local economy, with a median home price around $220,000. While the City of Sumter's local down payment assistance program is currently out of funds, buyers here can still take advantage of strong state and federal options. The SC Housing Homebuyer Program offers forgivable down payment assistance at zero percent interest, and the Palmetto Heroes Program provides up to $10,000 for teachers, nurses, law enforcement, military members, and other public servants. Sumter Habitat for Humanity also partners with qualifying families earning 50-80% of area median income to provide zero-interest mortgages with no traditional down payment. By combining state programs with federal loan options like FHA, VA, and USDA, Sumter homebuyers can significantly reduce their out-of-pocket costs.
City Programs in Sumter
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Sumter Housing Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Down payment and closing cost assistance (amount varies) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance (amount varies)
- First-time only:
- No
State Programs in South Carolina
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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+ | Grant | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | 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 $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:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- 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
Federal Programs
| 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 → |
| 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 → |
- 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:
- 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
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumter Habitat for Humanity Homeownership | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable zero-interest mortgage (no traditional down payment required) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable zero-interest mortgage (no traditional down payment required)
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income limits for SC Housing programs and Sumter Habitat for Humanity. Most state programs target first-time homebuyers with low to moderate income.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved housing counseling course is required for most assistance programs. The City of Sumter offers pre-purchase counseling, and you can also find HUD-approved counselors by calling (800) 569-4287.
Step 3: Contact a local housing partner. Reach out to Sumter Habitat for Humanity at (803) 775-5767 if you earn 50-80% AMI, or contact the City of Sumter Community Development Office at (803) 774-1649 to ask about any newly available city funds.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Connect with an SC Housing-approved lender to explore state down payment assistance, or work with a local lender for FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional financing.
Step 5: Find a home within program guidelines. SC Housing programs have county-specific purchase price limits. If working with Habitat, homes are built within Sumter city limits. For USDA loans, verify that the property location qualifies for rural eligibility.
Step 6: Submit your application. Apply through your chosen program. SC Housing assistance is provided through participating lenders on a first-come, first-served basis. Habitat applications go through a family selection process that takes approximately three months.
Step 7: Close on your home. Your down payment assistance from state programs will be structured as a forgivable second mortgage. Maintain the home as your primary residence for the full forgiveness period.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Sumter?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Is the City of Sumter down payment assistance program still available?+−
Does Sumter qualify for USDA loans?+−
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