Beaufort County · Palmetto Heroes
Help for first-time buyers in Beaufort County, South Carolina
Beaufort County has high SC Housing income limits and the looser first-time buyer rule, and the $10,000 forgivable DPA is open now.
- County seat
- Beaufort
- Residents
- 204,433
- Income ceiling, 3+
- $158,200
- Highest price
- $450,000
About buying in Beaufort County
Beaufort County's limits are $135,600 for 1-2 people and $158,200 for 3 or more. The $450,000 price limit is often the tighter constraint for buyers in Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, so set your search range around it.
Beaufort is a targeted county, so you only need to not own a home on closing day. It's also named in SC Housing's County First Initiative, which adds forgivable DPA and special fixed-rate FHA, USDA or VA loans.
Beaufort County School District educators, the sheriff's office, Bluffton and Beaufort police, Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue and Beaufort County EMS all employ roles from the 2026 Heroes list. Port Royal buyers use the same county numbers.
Limits that apply in Beaufort County
| Households of one or two | Households of three or more | Highest purchase price |
|---|---|---|
| $135,600 | $158,200 | $450,000 |
Beaufort County uses $135,600 for 1-2 people and $158,200 for 3+, with the statewide $450,000 price limit. You may also consult the statewide table or work out a comfortable price.
Further assistance offered in Beaufort County
Our research turned up no program run only for Beaufort County at present. The statewide choices remain open to you; you will find them in the complete list for South Carolina.
Homebuyer classes near Beaufort County
Nearly every assistance program asks you to complete a homebuyer class before closing. The HUD-approved agencies below, each within reach of Beaufort County, teach that class or offer counseling before purchase.
| Agency | Location | Miles away | Offered | Languages | How it is taught |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Trident Urban League, Inc. | Charleston | 51 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English | Face to Face, Phone, Internet |
| Origin Sc | North Charleston | 56 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English | Face to Face, Phone, Internet |
Taken from HUD’s list of housing counseling agencies. A given program may not accept every class.
Local employers whose staff may qualify
Among the eligible employers in and around Beaufort County:
- Beaufort County School District
- Beaufort County Sheriff's Office
- Bluffton Police Department
- Beaufort Police Department
- Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue
- Beaufort County EMS
Beaufort County School District teachers and these police, fire rescue and EMS agencies fit 2026 Heroes roles. The full list of eligible professions
Questions about Beaufort County
Can I buy on Hilton Head with SC Housing help?
Yes, if the price is $450,000 or less and you meet the income, credit and occupancy rules.
Is Beaufort part of County First?
Yes. SC Housing names Beaufort among the County First counties.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
Only in the sense that you can't own a home when you close. Beaufort has no 3-year lookback.
