South Carolina USDA loan guide

USDA Loans in South Carolina

A USDA guaranteed loan may let you buy a home with no down payment. Your household and the home’s address must both qualify. Check the address first. Then compare the full payment and cash you need with other loans.

Submit Your Scenario Check USDA Eligibility

This is general loan information. USDA and the lender must approve the home and your loan. Rules and costs apply.

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Check the home and income

Could a USDA loan fit?

Start with the address and income checks. Then compare costs and loan choices.

01Check borrower fit 02Check the address 03Review household income 04Estimate cash and fees 05Review the property 06Compare other loans

Two checks to start with

Could a USDA loan fit your home purchase?

You must plan to live in the home. Its address must be in an area USDA allows. Your household income must fit the limit. The lender must also check that you can afford the loan. Read USDA’s program rules.

You want to keep some cash

If you qualify for no down payment, you may keep more cash for closing, moving, repairs and savings. Other costs may still be due.

You will live in the home

A USDA guaranteed loan is for a home you live in. It does not cover a second home or a rental home you will not live in. Check USDA’s home-use rules.

Your income can cover your debts

The lender compares your income with your debts and new home payment. This is called debt-to-income. You must pass that review even if the home and household income qualify.

When another option may fit better

When could another mortgage be a better choice?

Compare FHA and conventional loans, too. Look at how much cash you need, the full payment and all fees. If you have a VA home loan benefit, compare VA as well.

Check the address

How do you check a South Carolina address for USDA eligibility?

Enter the full street address in USDA’s map. A home can look rural and still fall outside an eligible area.

Enter the complete street address

Open USDA’s eligibility site. Choose the single-family guaranteed housing program and search the home’s address.

The map is a first check

A map result is not final loan approval. USDA and the lender must review the home and the full application. Start with the official USDA map.

Recheck before relying on USDA in an offer

Map boundaries and home details can change. Check the address again before you rely on a USDA loan for your offer.

Check household income

Whose income counts toward the USDA household limit?

The income test may count income from people who live with you, even if they will not sign the loan. Some income is excluded, and some costs may be deducted. See USDA’s income rules.

There are two income checks

One check asks if your household income fits USDA’s limit. The other asks if the people taking out the loan have steady income to repay it. They use different rules. Read USDA’s income guide.

Use the right county and household size

Use USDA’s current income tool for the home’s county and the people in your household. Do not rely on one income figure for all of South Carolina.

Check the proposed payment

Your debts and new home payment still need to fit the lender’s review. Ask the lender to compare USDA with FHA and conventional loans using the same home and costs.

Zero down is not zero cost

How much cash could you still need with zero down?

You may still need cash for closing costs, taxes, insurance and inspections. A low appraisal can also change the cash needed. Ask how much you will have left after closing.

The fee due at closing

For fiscal year 2027, USDA sets the upfront guarantee fee at 1.00%. That year runs from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The fee may be added to the loan when the rules are met. See USDA’s September 2026 fee notice and USDA’s rules for financing the fee.

The fee paid through your monthly payment

For fiscal year 2027, the annual fee is 0.35%. It is based on the average scheduled unpaid loan balance. Include it in your full monthly cost. See USDA’s fiscal 2027 fee notice and the annual-fee calculation rules.

Add all other closing costs

Ask for a full cost estimate. Include lender fees, other closing costs, taxes, home and any flood insurance, HOA fees and any credits.

Check the home’s condition

Which property problems can delay a USDA closing?

A low price may hide repair costs. Check the roof, structure, systems and access before you rely on the home for a USDA loan.

The home must be safe to live in

Problems with the roof, wiring, plumbing, heat, water, septic system or road access may need to be fixed. Ask which repairs must be done before closing. Read USDA’s home requirements.

Check the land and other buildings

Ask about land use, zoning, access and utilities. A barn, business use or other income-producing feature needs review. The home must fit USDA’s rules.

Modular and manufactured homes are not the same

Tell the lender how the home was built. Modular and manufactured homes have different rules. Ask about the title, foundation, age and installation before you assume the home qualifies.

Get insurance and tax costs early

Get home and any flood insurance quotes for the address. Add taxes and HOA fees to your budget. Keep cash for deductibles, repairs and other costs of owning the home.

Compare the full cost

How does USDA compare with FHA, conventional, and VA loans?

Use the same home and price in each loan quote. Include the same taxes, insurance, cash and plans for the home.

USDA and adjacent mortgage options
Option	Potential strength	Important question	Detailed guide
USDA	May preserve cash with zero down	Do the address, household income, debts, occupancy, and property all qualify?	Current page
FHA	May provide more debt-to-income flexibility	How do down payment, mortgage insurance, and property review compare?	FHA loans
Conventional	May fit when funds are available and USDA flexibility is limiting	How do cash, PMI, payment, and long-term cost compare?	Conventional loans
VA	Eligible military borrowers may have another zero-down option	How do entitlement, funding fee, occupancy, and property rules apply?	VA loans

Common borrower questions

South Carolina USDA Loan FAQs

USDA and the lender must approve your household, the home and the loan. A map result alone is not enough.

Can a USDA loan require no down payment in South Carolina?

Yes, if you and the home qualify. USDA allows up to 100% financing, and its upfront guarantee fee may be financed. Closing costs, inspections, taxes and insurance can still require cash. See USDA’s program rules and its loan-amount rules.

How do I check whether a South Carolina home is USDA eligible?

Enter the full address in USDA’s property map. The result is a first check. USDA and the lender must still review the home and your full application.

Whose income counts toward the USDA household limit?

The test may count income from people in the household who will not sign the loan. Exclusions and deductions may apply. Use the right county and household size. Check USDA’s income rules.

Can USDA finance a South Carolina home that needs repairs?

The home must fit USDA’s safety and condition rules. Some repairs may need to be done before closing. Ask the lender to review the home before you commit. See USDA’s home rules.

Is USDA always better when it offers zero down?

No. Compare the full costs and cash needed. You must meet USDA’s income, location and home-use rules. FHA, conventional or VA may fit your plans better.

Can a USDA loan finance a second home or rental property?

No. You must use the home as your main home. USDA guaranteed loans do not cover second homes or rentals you will not live in. Check USDA’s home-use rule.

Tell us about the home

Ask about a USDA loan for your home

Share the address, household size, income, debts and budget. Tell us about any work the home needs. We can help you compare USDA with other loan options.

Submit Your Scenario Call (843) 524-2404 Text (843) 441-0668

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USDA Loans in South Carolina

Could a USDA loan fit?

You want to keep some cash

You will live in the home

Your income can cover your debts

When could another mortgage be a better choice?

How do you check a South Carolina address for USDA eligibility?

Enter the complete street address

The map is a first check

Recheck before relying on USDA in an offer

Whose income counts toward the USDA household limit?

There are two income checks

Use the right county and household size

Check the proposed payment

How much cash could you still need with zero down?

The fee due at closing

The fee paid through your monthly payment

Add all other closing costs

Which property problems can delay a USDA closing?

The home must be safe to live in

Check the land and other buildings

Modular and manufactured homes are not the same

Get insurance and tax costs early

How does USDA compare with FHA, conventional, and VA loans?

South Carolina USDA Loan FAQs

Can a USDA loan require no down payment in South Carolina?

How do I check whether a South Carolina home is USDA eligible?

Whose income counts toward the USDA household limit?

Can USDA finance a South Carolina home that needs repairs?

Is USDA always better when it offers zero down?

Can a USDA loan finance a second home or rental property?

Other mortgage options to consider

Ask about a USDA loan for your home