South Carolina FHA Loans – Requirements and Loan Limits for 2024 – South Carolina FHA Lenders
South Carolina home buyers who need a small down payment or have poor credit scores may be able to purchase a home with an South Carolina FHA loan. There are many FHA lenders in South Carolina who offer FHA loans, but not all of them participate in all of the FHA loan options available.
We will take you through the South Carolina FHA loan requirements, detail what is needed to qualify, then help you to get pre-qualified. If you already know that an FHA loan is right for you, then click to connect with an South Carolina FHA lender whether you live in Charleston, Columbia, Rock Hill, or anywhere else.
South Carolina Home Buying Statistics
If you are thinking about buying a home in South Carolina, these home buying statistics may be interesting and relevant to you.
Population = 5,282,000
Number of Housing Units = 2,446,724
Percent of Housing Units that are Owner Occupied = 70.3%
Average Home Value = $197,800
Average Mortgage Payment = $1,529
Average commute time to work = 25.3 minutes
Top South Carolina Cities by Population
Charleston – 153,672
Columbia – 139,698
North Charleston – 118,608
Mount Pleasant – 94,545
Rock Hill – 75,349
*References (US Census – South Carolina Demographics)
Types of FHA Loans in South Carolina
There are various types of FHA loans available in the state of South Carolina for both purchases and also refinances. Each of these are for a specific situation that a home buyer or current homeowner may encounter. Although these programs are available, not every lender offers them and the ones who do may have their own unique requirements.
- Standard Purchase
- Standard Refinance
- FHA 203k Rehab (when buying or refinancing)
- FHA Streamline Refinance
- FHA One Time Close Construction Loan
- FHA Cash Out Refinance
- FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage
We will review some of these programs below and will provide additional information.
South Carolina FHA Down Payment Requirements
The down payment requirements for an FHA loan is the same in every state. The minimum requirement for an FHA loan is 3.5% of the purchase price. However, if your credit score is below 580, then the down payment requirement will be 10%.
If you do not have the down payment needed, you can also use gift funds from a relative.
South Carolina FHA Down Payment Assistance
There are various down payment assistance programs in every state. Below is a list of just a few down payment assistance programs that may be available to you in South Carolina. Home buyers will need to contact, and arrange for these programs independently. Lenders will accept the funds from these programs for your down payment but they will not arrange for the down payment assistance.
We also have lenders who can provide down payment assistance as part of the total loan offer and package. This may be easier than trying to find the down payment assistance on your own. If this option is something you would like to explore, then contact us.
South Carolina FHA Loan Requirements for 2024
These are the basic FHA loan requirements for this year. All of these must be met to be approved for an FHA loan. If you are not positive on whether you meet these standards or have questions, an FHA lender can help.
- Down payment of 3.5% or 10% if your credit score is below 580
- 2-year employment history with some exceptions allowed
- Fully document your income for the past two years
- Minimum FICO score requirement of 500 – down payment will vary
- Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) is required for every FHA loan
- Maximum debt to income ratio of 43% with exceptions up to 56%
- The home must be your primary residence
- No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the past two years
South Carolina FHA Loan Benefits
These are the benefits of an FHA loan versus a conventional loan:
- Lower credit scores permitted
- Lower down payment requirement
- FHA interest rates are lower than conventional rates
- Gift funds allowed
- Seller closing cost contributions are allowed
- FHA loans are assumable
- Co-signers allowed
- Higher debt to income ratios permitted
Top South Carolina FHA lenders
These lenders are just a few options for you to consider. Please note that each lender is different and it is possible that none of these options are best for you depending upon your scenario.
- Carrington Mortgage Services – Contact
- Bank of England South Carolina – Contact
- Flagstar Bank – Contact
- Carolina Farm Credit – Contact
- Local First Bank – Contact
Let us help you to find the best FHA lender in your area by completing this FHA loan scenario form with some basic loan scenario information. No credit report will be pulled and we can connect you with the best option.
South Carolina FHA Loan Limits
Every county in the United States has specific maximum loan limits that are set for single family homes, as well as 2-4 unit properties. The limits are set based upon the average home sales value in that county.
The FHA loan limits vary for each county and are set to meet the average median home cost in each area. This FHA Loan limit listing below will be kept updated so you may bookmark the page for future reference.
FHA 203k Loans in South Carolina
FHA 203k loans are a great program which will allow you to borrow the money needed to purchase the home plus additional funds needed to rehabilitate or remodel the home. This program is also available in your state and we work with lenders that help with your FHA 203k loan.
If you would like to fully understand how this program works, we suggest reading our article on FHA 203k loans.
FHA Streamline Refinance in South Carolina
The FHA streamline refinance program is available to existing homeowners who would like to refinance for a lower rate while eliminating some of the refinance costs such as an appraisal. You may also get a discount on the mortgage insurance premium which is another advantage.
For more information, please read our article on the FHA streamline refinance.
South Carolina FHA Loan Pre-Approval Process
If you are looking for an FHA loan, there is an optimal process you should follow to get pre-approved.
- The first step is to make sure you have the minimum down payment needed to qualify
- Check your credit and try to cleanup anything that is pulling down your scores
- Get a copy of your tax returns for the past two years
- Get copies of your pay stubs for the past month
- Get copies of your last two months’ bank statements
- Speak to an FHA lender about your loan scenario
Speak to a lender early in the process because they can identify opportunities to help with your FHA approval. This should be done months before you start looking for a home. Read more about how to get pre-approved for an FHA loan.
What to Look for in an FHA Lender
We take a few things into consideration when looking at which lenders we work with. Some of these also may be, or should be very important to you as you continue shopping for an FHA loan.
A good FHA lender will:
- Allow for credit scores as low as 500
- Provide FHA 203k loans
- Offer competitive rates and fees
- Have a great processing and underwriting team
- Work closely with you throughout the loan process
- Communicate well and will provide you with updates along the way
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Frequently Asked FHA Questions
Can I get an FHA loan with a bankruptcy?
In general, you will need to wait two years before applying for an FHA loan after a bankruptcy. However, there are some exceptions which may allow you to apply sooner. Read our article on the bankruptcy waiting period.
Are all FHA lenders the same?
Not all lenders who offer FHA loans are the same. They all do not offer all of the FHA programs and their rates and fees may also vary. Most importantly, the individuals who help to process and underwrite your loan will have a huge impact on your FHA loan experience.
Can I use gift funds for an FHA loan?
FHA loans do allow for gift funds to cover your down payment as well as your closing costs. The gift funds must come from a relative or a close friend as approved by the lender. You will need to provide the lender with a gift letter that is signed by the donor.
Do I need an appraisal for an FHA loan?
The FHA does require an appraisal and inspection before your loan can be approved. The FHA inspection has clear guidelines on what needs to be repaired before your loan can close. They want to make sure home buyers are moving into a home that is safe and operational.
Can I get an FHA loan for an investment property?
FHA loans are for primary residences only and if your goal is to purchase an investment property, you cannot use FHA insured financing for that purchase. However, if you are currently living in a home that is financed with an FHA loan, you can move to a new home and keep the current home as an investment.
