What Are USDA Loans, and Am I Eligible for One?

USDA loans provide low- and moderate-income families with funding to purchase, renovate, build or relocate decent and safe housing in eligible rural areas. Guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), qualified applicants can receive a loan without making a down payment or having a minimum credit score, but they must meet income requirements and use the property as their primary residence. Loans are provided as a fixed-rate mortgage with a minimum 30-year repayment term.

What is a USDA loan?

USDA loans aim to help low- to moderate-income borrowers purchase decent, safe and sanitary housing located in a qualified rural area. Borrowers can purchase any type of single-family home, including detached, attached, modular, manufactured, condos or planned unit developments (PUDs). They also have the option to build or renovate a home. However, it cannot be an income-producing property, so farming, raising livestock and other for-profit activities won’t be permitted.

A USDA home loan also has less stringent requirements than a traditional home loan. While borrowers will need to meet income limits, they don’t have to make a down payment or have a minimum credit score. For guaranteed loans, interest rates will vary by lender, while direct loans have a 4.75% fixed interest rate for low-income and very-low-income borrowers. Repayment terms are similar to those of a traditional mortgage — typically for 30 years — although some terms may extend up to 38 years.

Types of USDA loans

There are three primary types of USDA loans available to eligible borrowers.

USDA direct loans

Also called Single Family Housing Direct Loans, USDA direct loans help low-income and very-low-income borrowers purchase qualified rural residences. Unlike a traditional home loan, a USDA direct loan provides payment assistance in the form of a subsidy to temporarily reduce the mortgage payment. Lenders use the borrower’s adjusted family income to determine how much assistance they could receive.

The current interest rate for a USDA direct loan is 4.75%, but could be as low as 1% following payment assistance. Borrowers have up to 33 years to pay off the loan; that period could be extended to 38 years to make it more affordable for very-low-income borrowers.

USDA guaranteed loan

The Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program — also known as USDA guaranteed loans — helps low- to moderate-income borrowers purchase decent, safe and sanitary homes in eligible rural areas. Unlike USDA direct loans, USDA guaranteed loans are offered by approved lenders rather than the USDA itself. The government guarantees 90% of the loan with participating lenders. That also means interest rates can vary by lender, so it’s important for borrowers to shop around for the best rates. However, borrowers won’t have to meet a minimum credit score or make a down payment. All USDA guaranteed loans are 30-year fixed-rate mortgages.

USDA construction loans

For low- to moderate-income borrowers looking to build a home in an eligible rural area, a USDA construction loan combines a USDA guaranteed loan with a construction loan in a combination construction-to-permanent loan. That means they qualify, sign and close on one loan without having to modify it once construction is completed.

Once approved, borrowers can use the funds for all aspects of building a home, including:

→ Buying the lot
→ Inspection fees
→ Construction administrative fees
→ Builder’s risk insurance
→ Landscaping costs
→ Contingency reserves
→ Other qualified expenses

Lenders use the home’s appraised value to determine how much money borrowers can receive.

USDA direct loans vs. USDA guaranteed loans

While there are some similarities between USDA direct loans and USDA guaranteed loans, there are key differences in how they’re applied.

USDA loan eligibility requirements

Properties must be located in eligible rural designated areas. These are defined by the Congressional Research Service as areas with a population of 35,000 or less that are “rural in character” and have “a serious lack of mortgage credit for low- and moderate-income families.” Borrowers must also meet specific requirements to qualify.

For properties to qualify as decent, safe and sanitary, they must meet the following minimum property features.

→ Existing or new construction
→ Maximum 2,000 square footage
→ Structurally sound
→ Must be in good repair or able to be repaired with loan funds
→ Can’t be designed for income-producing activities
→ Can’t have an in-ground swimming pool
→ Must pass inspection by a state-licensed inspector
→ Must have water and wastewater disposal systems

  To determine if you and your prospective home qualify for a USDA loan, learn how to use the USDA Loan Map.

USDA loans compared to conventional loans

USDA loans and conventional loans are similar in that both have interest rates and fixed terms, but they vary with regard to down payment and fees.

Down payment

While a USDA loan doesn’t require a down payment, other home loans do. Conventional loans typically require a 3% down payment, while FHA loans require a 3.5% down payment. Like USDA loans, VA loans typically don’t require a down payment.

Fees

For USDA direct loans and USDA guaranteed loans, private mortgage insurance (PMI) isn’t required. However, USDA guaranteed loans incur a guarantee fee both at the loan closing and for each year thereafter until paid. The initial guarantee fee is currently 1%, and the annual guarantee fee is 0.35%. The initial guarantee fee can be rolled into the total loan amount, while the annual guarantee fee is typically included in the monthly payment.

Interest rates

There are a number of factors that determine a mortgage rate, including your credit history, loan term and the economy. Interest rates for USDA direct loans are currently 4.75%, while interest rates for USDA guaranteed loans vary by lender. The average interest rate for USDA guaranteed loans currently is 6.60%. Meanwhile, the current interest rate for a conventional 30-year fixed mortgage is 7.29%.

Loan terms

The loan term for a USDA guaranteed loan is a fixed-rate, 30-year term. For a USDA direct loan, borrowers have up to 33 years to repay the loan. For very-low-income borrowers, that period may be extended up to 38 years to make it more affordable.

How to qualify for the best USDA loan rates

Getting your finances in order is the best way to improve your odds of receiving the best USDA loan rates. Here are a few ways to strengthen your financial standing.

→ Work on your credit score. The higher your credit score, the better your interest rates — so take steps to boost your credit score before applying for a USDA loan.
→ Make a down payment. While USDA loans don’t require a down payment, putting money down shows the lender you’re serious about repaying the loan as agreed.
→ Tackle current debt. Paying off debt can reduce your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio — which lenders love — and also show that you have the funds available to pay your loan back.
→ Compare lenders. It’s important to shop around with several lenders to compare interest rates, fees, closing costs and loan terms to find the best deal. First-time homebuyers may find better deals than those available from USDA loans.