USDA Loan Requirements

USDA Loan Requirements

What are the USDA Mortgage Loan Requirements?
To decide if you qualify for an USDA Mortgage Loan, the following will be looked at:

Your income and your monthly expenses. Standard debt-to-income ratios are 29/41 for USDA Loans. These ratios may be exceeded with compensation factors.

Your credit history (this is important, but USDA's credit standards are flexible). A FICO score of 620 or above is required for all loans through most lenders.

Your overall pattern rather than to individual problems you may have had.

To be eligible for an USDA mortgage, your monthly housing costs (mortgage principal and interest, property taxes and insurance) must meet a specified percentage of your gross monthly income (29% ratio). Your credit background will be fairly considered. At least a 620 FICO credit score is required to obtain an USDA approval through most lenders. You must also have enough income to pay your housing costs plus all additional monthly debt (41% ratio). These percentages may be exceeded with compensating factors. Applicants for loans may have an income of up to 115% of the median income for the area. Maximum USDA Loan income limits for your area can be found at here. Families must be without adequate housing, but be able to afford the mortgage payments, including taxes and insurance.

Can I get an USDA Mortgage Loan after bankruptcy?
Criteria for USDA loan approvals state that if you have been discharged from a Chapter 7 bankruptcy for three years or more, you are eligible to apply for an USDA mortgage. If you are in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy and have made all court approved payments on time and as agreed for at least one year, you are also eligible to make a USDA Loan application.

What are the USDA Down Payment Requirements?
USDA Mortgages have no down payment requirement. Other loan programs don't allow this.

What types of property are eligible?
While USDA Mortgage Guidelines do require that the property be Owner Occupied (OO), they do allow you to purchase condos, planned unit developments, manufactured homes, and single family residences.

What is the maximum amount that I can borrow?
The maximum amount for an USDA Mortgage Loans are determined by:

Maximum loan amount: The is no set maximum loan amount allowed for an USDA Mortgage. Instead, your debt-to-income ratios will dictate how much home your can afford (29/41 ratios). Additionally, your total household monthly income must be within USDA allowed maximum income limits for your area. Maximum USDA Loan income limits for your area can be found at here.

Maximum financing: The maximum USDA Mortgage amount will be 100% of the appraised value of the home.

What kinds of loans does USDA offer?

Fixed rate loans - All USDA loans are fixed-rate mortgages. In a fixed rate mortgage, your interest rate stays the same during the whole loan period, normally 30 years. The advantage of a fixed-rate mortgage is that you always know exactly how much your monthly payment will be, and you can plan for it.

What is Considered a Rural Area by the USDA?
Rural areas include open country and places with population of 10,000 or less and—under certain conditions—towns and cities. There is an automated rural area eligibility calculator at: http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov.

Why choose a USDA Mortgage?

USDA Loans require no down payment.
There are no prepayment penalties for USDA Rural Home Loans.
A USDA Rural Development Loan has low monthly mortgage insurance.
A USDA Rural Development Mortgage is available all rural areas of the country, provided a market exists for the property and the home meets HUD's minimum property standards.
A USDA Rural Housing Loan can be used to purchase a new or existing one family home in rural areas.
USDA RD Loans are offered at terms of 30 years with a fixed interest rate.

USDA Loan FAQ's

What is Considered a Rural Area by the USDA?
Rural areas include open country and places with population of 10,000 or less and—under certain conditions—towns and cities. There is an automated rural area eligibility calculator for USDA home loans at: http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov.

What is the Maximum Loan Amount for a USDA Loan?
There is no maximum loan amount for a USDA rural mortgage. However, it is limited by the appraised value and repayment ability (determined by your household income).

What is the Maximum LTV for a USDA Loan?
The maximum USDA rural loan LTV can be up to 100% LTV plus the Agency guarantee fee.

Can Closing Costs be Financed into the Loan?
Yes, any difference between the contract price and the appraisal value can be used to finance normal closing costs for a USDA mortgage.

What is a USDA Loan Guarantee?
USDA Rural Development Single Family Housing Program serves as a safety net for mortgage lenders. The USDA provides the full faith and assurance of the U.S. government that any financial loss resulting from servicing the loan will be reimbursed in full up to an amount not exceeding 90% of the original loan amount. All loss up to an amount not exceeding 35% of the original loan is fully reimbursed. Any loss amount exceeding the 35% is 85% reimbursed. This leaves the lender only 15% exposed on the loss amount above the 35% of original loan. In the majority of cases, the total loss does not exceed 35% of the original loan and the lenders are fully reimbursed. This guarantee provides lenders an expanded level of protection against losses. The quality of this guarantee allows lenders to easily sell the loans on the secondary market.