Compare the best USDA lenders
| USDA Lender | Best Feature(s)* |
|---|
| Flagstar Bank | Strong customer review scores |
| CMG Mortgage | Strong customer review scores |
| American Pacific Mortgage Corp. | Strong customer review scores |
| PNC Bank | Low upfront fees on average |
Put simply, if you already own land, the equity that you have in that land can be used as your down payment for your construction loan.
Minimum Qualifications for USDA LoansAbility to prove creditworthiness, typically with a credit score of at least 640. Stable and dependable income. A willingness to repay the mortgage - generally 12 months of no late payments or collections.
Once the home is completed, the consumer then pays the construction loan off with a second loan that is their permanent 30 year financing (take-out), usually from a mortgage company. This process is referred to as a “Two-Time Close.”
To calculate your debt-to-income ratio:
- Add up your monthly bills which may include: Monthly rent or house payment.
- Divide the total by your gross monthly income, which is your income before taxes.
- The result is your DTI, which will be in the form of a percentage. The lower the DTI; the less risky you are to lenders.
The Possible Drawbacks
- Only primary residences can be purchased. USDA loans cannot be used to purchase a vacation home or rental property.
- There are geographical restrictions. Homes in urban centers won't qualify.
- There are income limits.
- Mortgage insurance is factored into the cost.
USDA Loans and Seller Concessions Contribution LimitsSeller concessions for USDA loans are among the most buyer-friendly out there. Conventional buyers can't tap into that 9 percent cap unless they're putting down 20 percent.
Acreage: One of the great things about USDA they do allow you to buy a home with more acreage than a conventional or FHA loan. Generally they like to keep it at 10 acres or less. There is no maximum acreage limit. However, the land cannot exceed more than 30% of the total appraised value.
USDA eligibility for a 1-4 member household requires annual household income to not exceed $91,900 in most areas of the country, and annual household income for a 5-8 member household to not exceed $121,300 for most areas.
USDA Maximum Loan AmountUSDA has not set a maximum loan amount but $510,400 seems to be the consensus by most lenders. Your max qualifying loan amount is determined by your DTI ratio. USDA has set 29/41% as the max DTI, but often allows up to 47% with a GUS automated approval and a FICO score over 680.
In addition, to qualify you must show that you have a stable income and can make your mortgage payments without incident for at least 12 months based on your assets, savings and current income. Your mortgage lender will also look at your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio when they consider you for a USDA loan.
Qualification is easier than for many other loan types, since the loan doesn't require a down payment or a high credit score. Homebuyers should make sure they are looking at homes within USDA-eligible geographic areas, because the property location is the most important factor for this loan type.
The USDA doesn't require an inspection, but it's a smart move for buyers to do anyway. Appraisals are ordered by your lender to obtain a fair market value for the home. Generally, the appraiser will be checking to make sure the home meets all the USDA requirements, but won't evaluate the property beyond that.
Food Inspectors ensure that the product is fit for human consumption in compliance with federal laws governing the wholesomeness and purity of meat and poultry products. They ensure the plant is operating within its written plans for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, sanitation, and processing.
With a USDA Home loan, you have the option to finance in the cost of repairs and some appliances. This is only a possibility if the house appraises for more than the sales price. The sales price plus the cost of repairs/upgrades cannot exceed the appraised value.
No. The USDA Single Family Direct Loan program requires escrow accounts for real estate taxes and hazard insurance. Once an escrow account is established, the Rural Housing Service is responsible for timely payment of taxes and insurance for the duration of the loan.
Types of USDA Loans
- Guaranteed USDA Loan: USDA partners with local lenders to offer guaranteed loans.
- Direct USDA Loan: USDA funds the borrowers of these loans directly.
- USDA Home Improvement Loans: These loans help low-income Americans repair or enhance their homes.
With the USDA Escrow Holdback Rehab Program, you finance the cost of your home and the cost of the repairs in one loan. You can add onto it, though, with 2% of the home's value for repairs. If you bid lower than the home's value for the purchase, then you have more room for repairs. The USDA allows a total LTV of 102%.
What is a Rehab Loan? An FHA 203(k) rehab loan, also referred to as a renovation loan, enables homebuyers and homeowners to finance both the purchase or refinance along with the renovation of a home through a single mortgage.
A PITI reserve is an amount of cash that you're required to keep on hand after paying for your down payment and closing costs. Your lender may require you to show that you have enough assets to pay your PITI (principal, interest, taxes and insurance) for a predetermined number of months to qualify for a mortgage.
