
Buying a home in Greenville County is more within reach than many people think, especially when you connect with local lenders, credit unions, and community organizations that know the area. This guide walks you through what home financing is, who typically qualifies, what paperwork to gather, and which local institutions can help — including options for buyers who use an ITIN instead of a Social Security Number. We also cover South Carolina-specific programs and flag the warning signs of predatory lending so you can protect yourself throughout the process.
Every institution below comes from public federal data — the CDFI Fund certified list (Jan 2026), NCUA credit union data (Mar 2026), and the SBA microloan intermediary list — plus a short national tier we verified by hand. No listing is paid.
Zero-interest lending circles and credit building. SSN or ITIN accepted. Works through nonprofit partners across the country.
Nonprofit small-business lender. Accepts ITIN in place of SSN. Serves most states, in English and Spanish.
Microloans for women entrepreneurs. Requires photo ID and proof of address — no SSN requirement. Branches in major metro areas.
Ask Iris. She'll explain it the way it should have been explained the first time.
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