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Purchase Mortgage Loan

First-time home buyer programs in St. Andrews, SC

Quick answer

First-time buyers in St. Andrews, SC can use 3%-down conventional loans (up to the $832,750 Richland County conforming limit), 3.5%-down FHA, or VA and USDA where eligible, plus 1 verified city, county or statewide assistance program. On the $146,700 median home, 3% down is about $4,401 and the estimated payment is $1,231/month at 7.18%.

By Purchase Mortgage Loan Editorial Team Checked against official sources per our editorial standardsData last updated

Median household income: $45,321; value-to-income ratio 3.24. St. Andrews ranks 57 by home value and 30 by population among 62 places in our SC dataset.

What does a first-time buyer loan cost on a typical St. Andrews home?

ItemSt. Andrews
Median home value (Census ACS)$146,700
South Carolina median home value$236,700
Down payment (3%)$4,401
Loan amount$142,299
Estimated monthly payment (PITI + MI)$1,231
Income needed (28% / 36%)$53,000 / $42,000
Richland County 2026 conforming limit (1 unit)$832,750
Max purchase price at the limit$858,000

Rate assumption: 7.18% (Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year fixed average, week of November 5, 2026). Change it in the payment calculator.

Payment includes South Carolina's 0.51% effective property tax rate (Census ACS), $1,753/yr homeowners insurance (NAIC state average) and an estimated 0.5% PMI.

What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in St. Andrews?

St. Andrews is in Richland County. Conventional 3%-down loans go up to the $832,750 conforming limit (price ≈ $858,000); FHA loans go up to $541,287.

The St. Andrews median home value of $146,700 is 38% below the South Carolina median, and within what the county limit supports.

Which down payment assistance programs can St. Andrews buyers use?

First-time buyer loans in nearby cities

First-time buyer loan FAQs for St. Andrews

On the $146,700 median: 3% conventional ≈ $4,401, 3.5% FHA ≈ $5,135, and 0% for eligible VA or USDA buyers. Conventional loans above $832,750 in Richland County become jumbo loans.

At the $146,700 median value (below the South Carolina median of $236,700), the estimated payment of $1,231/month at 7.18% needs about $53,000 a year under the 28% housing guideline, or $42,000 if your total debts stay under 36%.

0 city-level, 0 county-level and 1 statewide programs are verified for this city (1 total). Check each official administrator's eligibility rules and available funds.

Sources

Data last updated October 23, 2026.

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Figures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.