Government-Backed Loan
USDA Purchase
Buy a home in an eligible rural or suburban area with no down payment, if your household income fits the USDA's limits for your county.
- Down paymentNone for eligible buyers and areas
- LocationUSDA-eligible rural and suburban areas
- IncomeHousehold within the county limit
- PropertyPrimary residence
How It Works
Backed by the USDA, made by a lender.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture guarantees part of the loan through its Rural Development program, which lets lenders offer 100% financing to moderate-income buyers outside the most built-up areas.
- 01
We check the address and income
The home must sit in a USDA-eligible area, and your total household income must be within the limit for your county and household size. We check both before you make an offer.
- 02
The lender reviews your application
Lenders review your credit, income, debts and payment history, usually through USDA's automated underwriting system.
- 03
We price USDA against your other options
USDA, FHA and conventional each have different fees and mortgage insurance. We price them side by side so you can see which costs less over time.
Program Highlights
Why buyers choose USDA.
- No down payment for eligible buyers in eligible areas
- Under current fee schedules, USDA guarantee fees typically cost less than FHA mortgage insurance
- Many communities outside major city centers qualify, not just farmland
- Closing costs can sometimes be included if the home appraises above the price
- Seller can contribute toward closing costs
- For primary residences only, with household income limits by county
Common Questions
What buyers ask about USDA loans.
A USDA loan, also called a Rural Development loan, is a mortgage partly guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It lets eligible buyers in eligible rural and suburban areas buy a home with no down payment. The loan itself is made by a private lender.
The home must be in a USDA-eligible area and be your primary residence, your household income must be within the limit for your county and household size, and you must show stable income and acceptable credit. Lenders set their own credit standards and usually run the file through USDA's automated underwriting.
The USDA publishes an eligibility map, and the boundaries are updated from time to time. Many towns and suburbs outside major city centers in Florida qualify. Send us the address and we will check it for you.
The USDA sets a maximum household income for each county, adjusted for household size, and updates the limits regularly. It counts the income of every adult in the household, not just the borrowers. We will confirm the current limit for your county.
The USDA does not set one fixed minimum. Lenders set their own, and files with stronger credit usually move through USDA's automated approval more easily. Lower scores may still be considered with manual underwriting at some lenders.
Not land by itself. A USDA guaranteed loan is for buying a home to live in. Some lenders offer USDA construction-to-permanent loans that include the lot as part of building a new home.
General information only, not a commitment to lend. Loan programs, guidelines, interest rates and terms are subject to change without advance notice.
Related Programs
Check your USDA eligibility across 50+ lenders.
Send us the address, or the area you are looking in, and your household size. We will check eligibility and show you how USDA compares.