Sumter County · Palmetto Heroes

Help for first-time buyers in Sumter County, South Carolina

Sumter County public servants and veterans can use SC Housing's year-round $10,000 forgivable DPA now, plus Made It Home! on select new homes.

County seat: Sumter
Residents: 105,067
Income ceiling, 3+: $134,120
Highest price: $450,000

About buying in Sumter County

Sumter is one of five cities in SC Housing's Made It Home! program, which offers up to $25,000 in forgivable DPA, forgiven after 10 years, on a set number of new homes from participating builders. It can't be combined with other SC Housing DPA.

Sumter County is a targeted county, so you only need to not own a home at closing. It uses SC Housing's default limits of $114,960 for 1-2 people and $134,120 for 3 or more.

Sumter School District educators, the sheriff's office, Sumter Police and Sumter Fire employ 2026 Heroes roles, as do active-duty and veteran buyers in Sumter, Dalzell, Mayesville and Pinewood.

Limits that apply in Sumter County

Households of one or two	Households of three or more	Highest purchase price
$114,960	$134,120	$450,000

Sumter County uses $114,960 for 1-2 people and $134,120 for 3+, with the $450,000 price limit. You may also consult the statewide table or work out a comfortable price.

Further assistance offered in Sumter County

The programs below are run locally. Some may be added to the state program and some take its place; since each sets its own rules, your loan officer will tell you which can be used together.

City of Sumter Affordable Homebuyer Program

Limited funds

City of Sumter (City-built homes)

Intended for: Low-income buyers of new stick-built homes built by the City
Assistance: Up to $3,000 closing-cost grant plus up to $35,000 forgivable 0% deferred gap loan
Form of help: Forgivable second loan
Income ceiling: $26,600 (1) / $30,400 (2) / $34,200 (3) / $38,000 (4) ... $51,200 (8)
Further conditions: Private first mortgage; responsible credit; City pre- and post-purchase counseling; buyer may need 1% of price in cash

Income limits on page are very low (about 50% AMI) and may be outdated; page does not say whether homes are currently available. Contact 803-774-1649.

Reviewed November 2026 · our standards

Read our full account Ask whether I qualify

The complete list for South Carolina

Homebuyer classes near Sumter County

Nearly every assistance program asks you to complete a homebuyer class before closing. The HUD-approved agencies below, each within reach of Sumter County, teach that class or offer counseling before purchase.

Agency	Location	Miles away	Offered	Languages	How it is taught
Southeastern Housing & Community Development Fka Southeastern Housing Foundation	Orangeburg	40 mi	homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling	English	Phone
City of Florence	Florence	40 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.

Unsure which class will count? A loan officer who offers South Carolina programs can tell you, and can begin your pre-approval at the same time. Begin my eligibility review

Local employers whose staff may qualify

Among the eligible employers in and around Sumter County:

Sumter School District
Sumter County Sheriff's Office
Sumter Police Department
Sumter Fire Department

Sumter School District staff, these public safety agencies and military and veteran buyers matched 2026 roles. The full list of eligible professions

Questions about Sumter County

Can I use a VA loan with SC Housing help in Sumter?

Yes. SC Housing offers VA 30-year fixed loans with its DPA.

How is Made It Home! different?

It offers up to $25,000, forgiven after 10 years, on certain new homes, with an income cap of $135,000 or the county limit if lower. It can't be combined with other SC Housing DPA.

Is there a 3-year rule in Sumter?

No. Sumter is a targeted county.

Neighboring county guides

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