Zero down.
For the right zip code.

Why USDA?

100% financing for primary home purchases in qualifying areas. No down payment. Mortgage insurance rates lower than FHA. Two requirements: the property must be in a USDA-eligible area and your household income must fall within county limits. More properties qualify than most people expect — including a lot of East Tennessee. Takes 60 seconds to check your address.

They came in looking at rentals. They left with a mortgage...

Young couple, brand new baby, shopping rentals in a new community. Their agent connected us, just to see if anything was possible. We ran the numbers on a USDA loan.

Owning was going to cost them $50 more a month than the rental they were looking at. They've been homeowners for 18 months. Building equity. Building roots. For $50 a month more than a landlord would've charged them.

FAQs

How do I know if a property qualifies?

I check the USDA eligibility map for every client considering this program. It takes about 60 seconds and eliminates the guesswork. There are so many areas that qualify for this program that don't feel 'rural'.

Are there income limits?

Yes — USDA has household income limits based on county and household size. Limits vary by location and are updated periodically. In most standard counties the 2026 limit starts around $110,650 for 1–4 person households, with higher limits for larger households and higher-cost areas. I'll confirm your county's exact limits in the first conversation.

What credit score is required?

Most lenders require 640+ for USDA. Some go to 620 with strong compensating factors. Unlike FHA, there's no pathway for scores below 580 with USDA.

Is there a loan limit?

USDA doesn't have set loan limits — the amount is limited by the appraised value and your income-qualifying amount. As long as the payment fits your income and the home appraises, there's no hard cap.