Stop Saving for a Down Payment.
Start Looking for a Home.
100% financing for rural and suburban homes. As a dedicated mortgage broker, I help clients navigate USDA's unique requirements to get to the closing table faster.
Why Buyers Love USDA Loans
USDA loans are one of the most buyer-friendly programs available—if you qualify for the location and income requirements.
$0 Down Payment
Finance 100% of your home's purchase price. One of only two loan programs (alongside VA) that offers true zero-down financing.
Lower Monthly Costs
Competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance than FHA. The annual fee is just 0.35% vs. FHA's 0.55%.
Flexible Credit
Qualify with credit scores as low as 550 with automated underwriting, or 580 with manual underwriting.
Is This Loan Right for Me?
Answer a few quick questions to see if you might qualify for USDA financing.
Where is the property located?
USDA Requirements in Plain English
Let me break down the technical USDA jargon into what actually matters for your approval.
The Map Rule
The home must be in a USDA-designated rural area. Don't let "rural" scare you—many planned developments and quiet suburbs qualify!
I'll Check Your AddressThe Income Rule
You generally cannot earn more than 115% of the area's median income. This is based on household income, not just the borrower's.
Use Calculator BelowThe Primary Rule
This must be your "home sweet home"—no rentals, investment properties, or vacation homes. Owner-occupied single-family residences only.
Primary residence required
The DTI Reality Check
Here's something most lenders won't tell you upfront: USDA has the strictest debt-to-income requirements of virtually any loan program, and there's no wiggle room.
Housing ratio / Total debt ratio. No exceptions—the system is the system.
Even stricter if you need human review. These are hard caps.
My Strategy for Strong Earners
For clients with solid income but tight on cash for closing costs, I negotiate seller-paid closing costs up to 6%. If the home appraises higher than the sales price, USDA also lets you roll those costs into the loan. This keeps more money in your pocket.
USDA Credit & Employment
550 FICO with AUS Findings
Automated underwriting can approve scores this low
580 FICO for Manual UW
Higher floor if your file requires manual review
12-Month Employment History
Same employer required for at least the past 12 months
Seller Concessions up to 6%
Negotiate closing costs paid by seller
USDA Eligibility Across All 18 States I Serve
USDA loans are incredibly popular in the Midwest—Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee have extensive eligible areas. But here's what surprises most people: you can get USDA loans in California too. The key is being in the suburbs, not the middle of nowhere.
Below are USDA-eligible regions in each state where I'm licensed. These aren't exhaustive—always verify your specific address on the USDA eligibility map.
Midwest — USDA Hotspots
Bowling Green suburbs, Elizabethtown, Richmond, Berea, Somerset, Pikeville. Most areas outside Louisville/Lexington core.
Clarksville outskirts, Cleveland, Cookeville, Jackson, Johnson City, Kingsport. Wide eligibility outside Nashville/Memphis.
Nearly statewide eligibility. Ames suburbs, Cedar Falls, Dubuque outskirts, Mason City, Fort Dodge, Ottumwa, Burlington.
Lawrence outskirts, Manhattan, Salina, Hutchinson, Emporia, Pittsburg. Most of state outside KC/Wichita cores.
Joplin, Cape Girardeau, Jefferson City outskirts, Branson area, Kirksville, Rolla. Strong Ozarks eligibility.
Southeast Ohio Appalachian region, Lima, Zanesville, Chillicothe, Athens, Portsmouth. Strong eligibility outside major metros.
West Coast & Mountain — Yes, USDA Works Here!
Central Valley (Modesto, Fresno, Bakersfield suburbs), Inland Empire outskirts, North State (Redding, Chico), Salinas Valley, Temecula outskirts.
Tri-Cities suburbs, Yakima Valley, Wenatchee, Spokane outskirts, Bellingham rural areas, Olympic Peninsula.
Bend outskirts, Medford/Ashland area, Klamath Falls, La Grande, Pendleton, Albany/Corvallis suburbs, coastal communities.
Grand Junction, Pueblo outskirts, Montrose, Durango area, Sterling, Fort Morgan. Eastern plains and Western Slope.
Cedar City, St. George outskirts, Logan suburbs, Price, Richfield, Tooele outskirts. Cache Valley has great options.
Twin Falls, Pocatello, Idaho Falls suburbs, Lewiston, Coeur d'Alene outskirts, Rexburg. Extensive rural eligibility.
Big Island (Hilo, Kona outskirts), Maui upcountry, Kauai north shore, Molokai. Limited but available outside Honolulu.
South & Southeast — Strong Rural Programs
Waco outskirts, Tyler, Longview, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, San Angelo. Hill Country and East Texas have options.
Ocala, Gainesville outskirts, Panama City, Tallahassee suburbs, Lake City, Palatka. North/Central Florida strongest.
Auburn/Opelika, Dothan, Florence, Gadsden, Anniston, Decatur. USDA Rural Rehab loans available statewide.
Shenandoah Valley, Roanoke outskirts, Lynchburg, Danville, Bristol, Charlottesville suburbs. Southwest VA strong.
Southwest & Mid-Atlantic
Not Sure If Your Address Qualifies?
USDA eligibility depends on your exact property address—not just the zip code. Let me look it up for you while we discuss your loan options.
Check Your USDA Eligibility in 60 Seconds
Enter your zip code, household size, and income to get an instant preliminary assessment. If you look eligible, I'll verify your exact address against the official USDA map—no need to navigate government websites yourself.
USDA Eligibility Quick Check
See if you qualify for 100% financing in under 60 seconds
Count everyone who will live in the home
Combined income of all adults in the household
Optional: Income Adjustments (may lower your adjusted income)
Deductions: $480/child, $400/senior or disabled member
This is a preliminary screening tool using 2026 baseline income limits. Actual eligibility depends on your specific property address and county limits. Call (866) 617-7381 for definitive answers.
Why contact me instead of using the USDA website? The government site can be confusing, and eligibility often comes down to street-level details. I've helped hundreds of buyers discover their dream home qualifies when they thought it wouldn't.
The Broker Advantage
Why work with me instead of a big bank? Because I know the workarounds.
Manual Underwriting Access
The big banks often say "no" to scores under 640. As a broker, I have access to wholesale lenders who allow manual underwriting and consider compensating factors like strong reserves or minimal debt.
Appraisal Secrets
USDA appraisals have strict "safety and soundness" rules. I work with you and the seller to identify potential red flags—peeling paint, missing handrails, water heater issues—before the appraiser shows up.
Common USDA Questions
Answers written like I'm texting you back.
Q: Can I roll my closing costs into the loan?
Yes! If the home appraises for more than the sales price, USDA allows you to finance those costs right into the loan. Plus, sellers can contribute up to 6% toward your closing costs.
Q: Does "rural" mean I have to buy a farm?
Not at all! Many planned developments, quiet suburbs, and small towns in my licensed states are USDA-eligible. You might be surprised what qualifies—send me your address and I'll check for you in minutes.
Q: Why are the DTI limits so strict?
USDA loans are government-guaranteed, and the program is designed to help moderate-income families. The 34/46 (or 29/41 for manual) ratios ensure borrowers aren't overextended. No lender can override these.
Q: What if I just started a new job?
USDA requires 12 months with your current employer. If you recently changed jobs, we may need to wait—or explore other programs like FHA that have more flexibility on employment history.
Ready to See If You Qualify?
Let's check your USDA eligibility together. No obligation, no credit impact.