USDA Home Loan: What it is, How it Works, and How to Apply

So, you have made up your mind to get your own home. That’s great! What better time to learn the best mortgage plan for you than now? And one excellent mortgage option is the USDA home loan. Do you know what it is? Or have you heard about it? You might want to, especially if you want to buy or repair an eligible home in a rural area. So, to know how to apply for a USDA home loan, read this article until the end.

What is USDA Home Loan?

This is a special type of loan with which you can buy a home in a rural area. With this loan, you can repair a house or build your desired home from scratch. The U.S. Department of Agriculture usually provides this type of mortgage. And being backed by the government, the loan comes with lower interest rates compared to other types of loans in the market.
Furthermore, the USDA loans are also known as the USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Loan Program. And for a fun fact, it has helped about 127,000 families to buy, repair, and renovate their homes in rural environments. This is in line with the goal of the loan program to “improve the economy and quality of life in rural America.”

How Does USDA Home Loan Work?

Do you want to know how a USDA home loan works? If yes, you should know about three USDA home loan programs.

• Loan Guarantees

This is where you get to enjoy minimal interest rates, even without a down payment, on your loan. And this loan is issued by a local lender.

• Home Improvement Loans and Grants

This includes financial awards which allow homeowners to renovate their homes and upgrade them. It could be a combination of a loan and a grant that gives up to $27,500 in assistance.

• Direct Loans

This is titled more towards low-income aspiring homeowners. With the government’s subsidies, the interest on this loan could be ridiculously low. And if you are interested in what is the interest rate on a USDA home loan here, it could be as low as 1%.

How to Apply for a USDA Home Loan

If you are looking for how to qualify for a USDA home loan or you want to know what credit score is needed for a USDA home loan, then you should look to ticking the following boxes:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or have a permanent residency permit in the United States. 
• A monthly payment: This should naturally include the principal, interest, insurance, and taxes. It requires that other debts you pay monthly must not be over 41% of your income. But if you have a credit score above 680, the USDA would consider a higher debt ratio. 
• A regular and prompt income schedule. 
• A credible credit history

You may have discovered now that getting a ‘USDA home loan how much can I borrow’ is no longer difficult, including for those looking to build their home in a rural area. As explained in this piece, the government has made the process much easier for you via the USDA loan. So, leverage the mortgage today!