Greenville County Homebuyer Assistance Program (outside the City of Greenville)

Loan terms

CommunityWorks administers the program for the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority (GCRA). The assistance is a 0% non-amortizing subordinate loan: no interest, no monthly payment, and it is forgiven over 10 years. You may not rent the home out during that term. The price cap is generous for a local program, $425,000, or $195,000 for a manufactured home.

Requirements

You must be a first-time buyer or not have owned a home in 3 years, and earn no more than 80% AMI (CommunityWorks publishes the chart). The first mortgage must be a 30-year fixed loan. Other rules:

• At least $500 of your own money.
• Homebuyer education through Greenville County Human Relations.
• Housing payment at or below 36% of income.
• $325 processing fee, and no cash back at closing.

Addresses inside the City of Greenville are not eligible. City employees there have their own employer program.

Combining it with other help

A 30-year fixed loan from SC Housing's Homebuyer Program meets the first-mortgage rule, but neither CommunityWorks nor SC Housing says whether the two forgivable loans can be stacked. A participating lender confirms whether they combine. The loan type you choose (FHA, conventional, VA or USDA) also shapes how much cash you need; see our loan type comparison.

Who is this a good fit for? A buyer purchasing anywhere in the county outside City of Greenville limits, earning under 80% AMI, who can keep the housing payment at or below 36% of income. The $425,000 cap is far above most local program caps, so it can work on a typical Upstate starter home. Plan on living there for 10 years if you want the whole amount forgiven, and remember that renting the home out during the term is not allowed.

Budget for the $325 processing fee early; with no cash back allowed at closing, any leftover assistance cannot be paid out to you.

How to apply

1. Check that the property is outside City of Greenville limits.
2. Complete education with Greenville County Human Relations.
3. Get pre-approved for a 30-year fixed mortgage.
4. Apply with CommunityWorks and pay the $325 fee.

Local context is on the Greenville County page. Check eligibility to see which programs fit.

County guides for the area served: Greenville County

Questions about Greenville County Homebuyer Assistance Program

Ask whether I qualify for this program

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