USDA Rural Housing offers a great option for South Carolina First Time Home Buyers seeking 100% financing. Buyers don’t have many options today to purchase a home with NO money down. In fact, VA and USDA are the only government loan options that still allow buyers to purchase a home with $0 cash required.
USDA mortgages offer a great benefit for families in South Carolina looking to purchase a home. The USDA home loan program offers many advantages that you won’t find in an FHA loan or conventional mortgage program. A few of these advantages include low monthly mortgage insurance, 100% financing, no asset or reserve requirement, and absolutely no money down.
That’s right, the USDA mortgage is one of the few remaining mortgage programs in the country that require absolutely no down payment for the purchase of a home. In addition, the USDA home loan program allows for closing costs to be either paid by the seller in full or permitted to be accumulated or “rolled into” the total amount of the loan if the home appraisal is high enough. This allows buyers to need very little money upfront to buy your home.
USDA loans do not have loan amount limits, buyers qualify based on their income and debt to income ratios.
The USDA 502 Guaranteed loan is available to all home buyers purchasing in eligible locations. The program is not reserved exclusively for first-time homebuyers. Even better, buyers are not required to take any special homebuyer education class to get approved. Buyers can complete their loan application and search for a home all on the same day!
In order to qualify for a USDA Rural Mortgage, buyers must meet the basic USDA lender standards below.
- The property must be located in an area that is designated as ”rural” by the USDA. Many locations just outside of Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, etc are still eligible for the program.
- The mortgage is available for purchase transactions only (no investment properties or second homes)
- Available for First Time Buyers or Move-Up Buyers (Borrower cannot own another home at the time of purchase)
- 620 credit score is required to get approved
- Buyer income is limited to a maximum of 115% of the median income. Please see the latest USDA household income limits for South Carolina below.
- W2 income or self-employed is allowed (income and employment must be fully documented) Self-employed borrowers must show a minimum two-year history.
- Gifts for closing costs or down payment (if desired) are permitted
- The home purchase price (including upfront USDA Guarantee Fee) can be financed (100% financing, no down payment required)
- The seller or lender can contribute up to 6% of the sales price toward the home buyer’s USDA closing costs
- Single-family homes only (no mobile or manufactured housing)
- Term: 30-year fixed at low market interest rates
For a family of 1-4 in South Carolina, the average household income limit is around $112,450 a year. This limit can be as high as $148,450 for families of 5 or more. The exact income limits depend on the county, and household size, among other factors. Please contact us to discuss.
Questions? We are available to assist you 7 days a week. For quick service, please submit the Info Request Form on this page or call us at Ph: 800-743-7556