Purchase
USDA Loans
USDA loans offer 100% finance in designated areas.
Who it's best for
- Buyers in USDA-eligible suburban and rural areas
- Households within USDA income limits
- Buyers who want $0 down without a military service requirement
At a glance
- Down payment
- $0 — 100% financing
- Guarantee fee
- 1% upfront (financeable) + 0.35% annual
- Eligibility
- Property location & household income
Eligibility Snapshot
The numbers that matter for a usda loans
General guidelines. Your exact terms depend on your full profile. We confirm current figures for your scenario before you rely on any of them.
How It Works
Your usda loans, step by step
- 1
Check eligibility
We confirm the property area and your household income against USDA maps and limits before anything else.
- 2
Pre-approval
We review income, credit, and assets and issue a pre-approval you can shop with confidently.
- 3
Find your home
We keep your search inside USDA-eligible areas so financing never becomes a surprise.
- 4
Application & disclosures
You apply and receive your Loan Estimate showing the guarantee fee and monthly costs.
- 5
Underwriting & USDA review
After lender underwriting, USDA gives its final sign-off.
- 6
Closing
You sign, funds disburse, and you own the home with no down payment out of pocket.
Be A Sharp Borrower
What to ask any lender about this loan
Good questions get you better answers, and a better loan. Bring these to any conversation, including ours.
Is the home I want inside a USDA-eligible area, and how close is the boundary?
Does my household income fall within the USDA limit for my county and family size?
How does the USDA guarantee fee compare to FHA mortgage insurance for my situation?
How much extra time should I plan for USDA's final review before closing?
Common Questions
USDA Loans FAQs
- What is a USDA loan?
- A USDA loan is a government-backed mortgage that offers 100% financing (no down payment) for homes in USDA-designated rural and suburban areas. It is one of the only true zero-down programs with no military service requirement.
- Do USDA loans really require no down payment?
- Yes. Eligible buyers can finance 100% of the purchase price. You still have closing costs, but those can often be covered by seller credits, gift funds, or rolled in when the home appraises above the price.
- How do I know if a home is in a USDA-eligible area?
- USDA publishes an eligibility map, and more areas qualify than most people expect, including many suburbs outside Phoenix, Tucson, and other metros. We check the exact address for you before you write an offer.
- What are the income limits for a USDA loan?
- Your household income generally must not exceed 115% of the area median income for your county and household size. The limits adjust annually, so we verify your numbers against the current table.
- What credit score do I need for a USDA loan?
- USDA sets no official minimum. A score around 640 or higher qualifies for streamlined automated approval, and lower scores may still work through manual underwriting with compensating factors.
- Does a USDA loan have mortgage insurance?
- Not traditional PMI. USDA charges a 1% upfront guarantee fee, which can be financed into the loan, plus a 0.35% annual fee paid monthly, typically cheaper than FHA mortgage insurance.
- Can I use a USDA loan for a second home or rental?
- No. USDA loans are for primary residences only. If you are buying a second home or investment property, we would look at conventional or investor financing instead.
Other programs
Let’s find the loan that fits your situation.
Apply online in minutes, or call and talk it through.