USDA mortgage loans are offered in rural areas as determined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The USDA’s mission is to help lower income households obtain home loans at reasonable mortgage rates. USDA home loans offer many advantages to qualified borrowers.
USDA mortgage loans allow for purchase and no cash out refinances of primary residences. Some benefits of USDA are:
- 100% financing
- No asset or automatic reserve requirements
- Gifts allowed for closing costs
Eligible USDA property types include single family homes and condominiums. USDA does have some income and property eligibility requirements.
Even though a mortgage insurance premium is not required, USDA charges a 1% Guarantee fee and 0.35% annually to guarantee the mortgage. This fee may be financed into the loan amount.
Best For:
- No Down Payment Required
- Competitive 30 Year Fixed Interest Rates
- Flexible Credit Guidelines
- No Maximum Purchase Price (household income limits apply)
Borrower(s) Qualifications:
- Borrower who plans to occupy a home located in an eligible rural area as their primary residence
- Sufficient income verification
- Credit history that indicates an ability and willingness to meet repayment obligations
