USDA loans
No down payment for eligible rural homes and qualifying households.
Short answer
USDA loans offer eligible buyers financing with no down payment for a primary home in a qualifying rural area. The address, household income and full loan application all need to qualify. Guarantee fees and closing costs still matter. Send me the property address and your household details so we can compare the full cost with other options.
Who this is for
- Buyers in USDA-eligible rural and semi-rural areas
- Households with moderate income and limited savings
- North State families buying outside the Redding core
- Anyone comparing FHA who might qualify for zero down instead
What it takes to qualify
- The property sits in a USDA-eligible area. Check the exact address against the current USDA map.
- Household income within the program's limits for your area and household size. Eligibility can include income from household members who aren't borrowers, subject to USDA exclusions and deductions.
- The home will be your primary residence. No investment properties, no second homes.
- Documented income, credit and debts that meet the program and lender requirements.
How it works with me
A process you can see the whole way through
Address and income check
Send me the address and your household income picture. We start with the current property map and income limits.
Full budget up front
Your numbers include the guarantee fees from the start, so the zero-down price tag is the true one.
A timeline that fits USDA
USDA files include an extra agency review step. I build that into the proposed contract dates before you write the offer.
What to know before you decide
The map decides, so check the map
USDA eligibility is address-specific. A rural mailing address alone doesn't establish eligibility. Use the official USDA eligibility tool to check the property and household income. Then send me the listing so we can review the home and financing requirements together.
Zero down, honestly priced
No down payment is the headline, and it is real. The program charges an upfront guarantee fee, which can be financed into the loan, plus an annual fee paid monthly. Closing costs, prepaid expenses and any appraisal shortfall also affect cash needed. I compare the full monthly payment and cash to close with the other loans available to you. Household income eligibility is a separate review from the income used to qualify for the payment.
Rates and terms subject to change without notice. Not a commitment to lend. Not available in all states. This is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
Run your own numbers first
Run the payment calculator with zero down to see what a USDA purchase looks like monthly, then send me the address to confirm the map.
Open the calculatorsRelated programs
USDA loans: common questions
How do I know if a property is USDA-eligible?
Use USDA's current property eligibility map to check the exact address. Map eligibility is one requirement; the home and loan application still need to meet the program and lender requirements. Send me the listing so we can check the full picture.
Is USDA really zero down?
Eligible buyers can finance a home with no down payment. That doesn't mean every transaction needs no cash. Guarantee fees, closing costs, prepaid expenses and an appraisal shortfall can affect your budget. We review those costs before you decide.
What are the USDA income limits?
Limits depend on the area and household size. USDA's eligibility calculation can include income from household members who aren't borrowers, with applicable exclusions and deductions. Send me the household details so we can check the current limits and calculation.
USDA or FHA, which is better for me?
We compare eligibility, cash to close, monthly payment, fees and the property's condition. USDA has rural-area and household-income limits. FHA has a different set of requirements. The better fit depends on the actual home, loan terms and your finances.
Do USDA loans take longer to close?
A little, sometimes. After lender underwriting, USDA files go through an agency review step, and that queue varies by state and season. The fix is planning: I check current turn times before we write contract dates, so the offer promises a timeline the process can actually keep.
Can I buy a home with acreage or outbuildings with USDA?
Often, yes. USDA finances homes, not farms, so the property needs to be residential in character rather than an income-producing agricultural operation. Modest acreage and typical rural outbuildings are common on approved files. If the property leans agricultural, send me the listing and I will give you a straight answer.
Fine-tune your USDA loans plan
Send the property, purpose, timing, and numbers you already know. The email opens prefilled for this USDA loans page so the review starts in the right lane.
MortgageOne Inc. is licensed for consumer mortgage lending in 41 states and Washington, DC. Chris Lamm is individually licensed in 19 states.