The address
WhereCheck the exact property on the USDA eligibility map. A rural mailing address alone is not enough.
USDA Loans
Evaluate USDA financing using the property address and household income, with a practical plan for the full housing payment.
Two eligibility questions come first
USDA eligibility depends on the property location and the applicable household-income rules. A Colorado mailing address or a rural appearance does not establish eligibility. Check the specific address and current program rules before relying on USDA in an offer.
USDA: three eligibility checks before you shop
The household
IncomeAdjusted household income must fit the applicable published limit, including household size and eligible adjustments.
The financing
0%Eligible guaranteed loans can offer no down payment. Closing costs, the guarantee fees and monthly budget still need planning.
The USDA Guaranteed program differs from USDA Direct lending. For FY 2027, the guaranteed program’s upfront fee is 1% and annual fee is 0.35%, subject to applicable rules. The annual charge uses the scheduled balance calculation—not the original purchase price forever.
USDA does not set one universal minimum credit score. Automated underwriting, repayment history and lender requirements determine the review. Manual underwriting commonly uses 29% housing and 41% total-debt benchmarks, with permitted exceptions. We verify the income, address and financing together.
USDA property eligibility · USDA income eligibility tools (select Income Eligibility) · FY 2027 fee notice.
Smart home financing starts with strategy
Buying or refinancing? We compare options across our network of 150+ wholesale lenders, explain the trade-offs, and build a plan around your goals. Start with a pre-approval video conversation so you know what to expect before moving forward.
Your USDA plan: prepare, verify, close
Prepare
01Bring household income details, debt statements and source-of-funds information. We identify the documents that fit your income type.
Verify
02Check the property location and condition before relying on zero-down financing in an offer.
Close
03Coordinate underwriting, appraisal, insurance and final costs. Your contract and complete loan file—not a generic six-month schedule—drive the timeline.
USDA: start with two eligibility checks
More detail for your financing plan
What is a USDA Loan? USDA loans are guaranteed by the United States Department of Agriculture. These loans (also known as Rural Development loans) are designed to help low-to-moderate income consumers purchase homes in rural areas. USDA loans often don’t require a down payment and provide up to 100% for a home purchase or refinance (rate and term only if existing home is insured by USDA.
Approved USDA loan lenders typically require a minimum credit score of at least 640 to get a USDA home loan. However, like VA Loans, the USDA doesn’t have a minimum credit score requirement, so borrowers with credit scores below 640 may still be eligible for a USDA-backed mortgage.
We’re here to make getting a USDA Loan easier with our technology, tools, expertise, that will guide you along the way. We’ll help you clearly understand the differences between loan programs and options, empowering you to make the best informed decisions on what is right for you. Use our Mortgage Calculators to estimate monthly payments and more.
Qualifying for a Rural Loan
Making sure you qualify for a USDA loan should be your first step before applying, but you may also want to consider the different types of USDA loans available. These include a USDA guaranteed loan and a USDA direct loan.
Here’s a breakdown of each:
- USDA guaranteed loan: Adjusted household income can’t exceed 115% of the median family income in the designated rural area where you chose to live. This includes the combined income of all the adults in the household.
- USDA direct loan: A USDA direct loan helps low- to very low-income borrowers. Qualifying borrowers’ income must fall at or below the low-income limit in a designated area. Applicants may not obtain a loan from other resources, and they must treat the property as a primary residence and satisfy other qualifications.
You must also choose to live in the home as your primary residence and live in a qualified rural area. Lenders may establish lender-specific requirements other than those put in place by the USDA’s Rural Development program.
USDA Eligibility
To qualify for a USDA loan you must buy a home in a USDA designated rural area, but you can often find eligible properties just on the edge of suburban areas too.
You can verify your USDA eligibility tools (select Income Eligibility), to review the applicable income limits, and USDA Loan Basics to see if you qualify or just contact us and we can do it for you.
To check if a house is in a USDA Loan eligible area visit the USDA Property Eligibility Zone Map.
You can enter a specific address for determination or just search the map to review general eligible areas.
Select the “Single-Family Housing Guaranteed” option, then select Property Eligibility below. After you accept the disclaimer, just type in the house address.
Exact address
Use the official eligibility map; a city name or rural appearance is not enough. Start your financing plan →
Household income
Program income rules are different from qualifying repayment income. Start your financing plan →
Primary residence
Review occupancy, condition and the complete housing cost. Start your financing plan →
Guaranteed and direct loans are different
The USDA guaranteed program works through approved lenders. The USDA direct program has a different application path and income requirements. Confirm which program is under discussion before using an eligibility estimate.
Plan cash to close even with no down payment
Eligible guaranteed loans may permit no down payment. Closing costs, prepaid taxes and insurance and other costs still matter. Seller contributions or financing certain costs depend on program rules and the transaction—not a promise of zero cash needed.
Illustrative photograph via Pexels; resized. Source · Pexels License.
The right loan begins with your goals
Tell us how you plan to use the home, what monthly payment feels comfortable and how long you expect to keep the financing. We compare options across lenders, explain the costs and help you choose a strategy with a clear next step.
Our pre-approval video call gives you time to ask questions, understand the trade-offs and coordinate your financing before an offer or refinance decision.
Prepare for a primary-home purchase
Eligible USDA financing may offer no down payment, but closing costs, reserves where required and ongoing housing expenses still need planning. Review guarantee fees, income documentation, occupancy and property-condition requirements.
Compare the alternatives
If the address or household does not fit USDA requirements, compare conventional and FHA financing. Ask for the same purchase price and closing assumptions so the comparison is useful.
Explore Mortgage Calculators
Compare purchase, refinance and affordability scenarios, then let our team help turn the estimate into a financing plan.
USDA seller credits: align them with eligible costs
| Situation | Credit planning rule |
|---|---|
| Guaranteed-program interested-party limit | Generally up to 6% of sales price |
| Example: $450,000 sales price | $27,000 percentage ceiling; usable credit must fund eligible purposes. |
Eligible contributions can help with closing costs, prepaids and the upfront guarantee fee. Seller funds cannot pay off the applicant’s personal debts to qualify. USDA excludes certain seller payments, including qualifying repair payments and buyer-agent commission fees, from this limit under its rules.
Seller credits are negotiated, not guaranteed. Eligible credits may cover approved closing costs, prepaid items or points; they do not replace a required down payment or become unrestricted cash back. A percentage ceiling is not a promise that every dollar can be used. Repair arrangements and price changes need documented approval, not an informal workaround.
Questions worth asking
No. Use the specific property address and the applicable USDA eligibility map, then have our team confirm the transaction.
No. Closing costs, prepaid expenses and other transaction-specific costs may still apply.
USDA home financing is intended for eligible primary residences, not vacation or investment rentals.
USDA considers household income under its eligibility rules, while repayment qualification follows its own review. We can help distinguish those two calculations and check the address before you rely on USDA financing.
In some eligible transactions, costs may be financed when the appraised value and program rules support it. Seller contributions or other permitted sources may also help. Our team will explain the actual cash-to-close plan for your property.
More resources for your financing decision
Explore these related guides and resources from your original loan page.
- USDA eligibility tools (select Income Eligibility)
- USDA Loan Basics
- USDA Property Eligibility
- USDA Loan Qualifier
- Calculate
What our clients say
Reviews from Google44 client reviews
Paul and his team helped me with a very complicated transaction for a cash out mortgage. I would highly recommend him.
Paul was great. He helped us understand our loan better and put our needs first. I’d strongly recommend his services. Throughout our home buying process, Paul Cederholm demonstrated the highest level of professionalism throughout our home loan process, an amazing ability to explain complex mortgage terms in simple language and a willingness to work evenings and weekends to meet our closing deadline. We got our home purchase loan in Chicago thanks to Paul Cederholm. I would absolutely recommend Paul Cederholm for your home loan because I would recommend Paul. You can trust him and he is very informative. We can't recommend Paul Cederholm enough for your home financing needs.
My overall experience working with Paul was fantastic! All his help made the whole process seem easy. Throughout our home buying process, Paul Cederholm demonstrated a talent for making the mortgage process seamless and stress-free, truly professional lending services that exceeded our expectations and a knack for shopping rates and locking in an amazing deal for us. He is humble and easy-going, which made us feel at ease. I would absolutely recommend Paul Cederholm for your home loan because paul is a truly amazing advisor: el mejor! Without his help, our dream of owning our first home would not have been possible. After our introductory call ended, my husband and I looked at each other and said, "He is the one!" We were absolutely right.
Paul exceeded our expectations by offering excellent advice and answering our questions before we even had to ask them (mind reader!). Paul always had our best interests at heart, and his dedication and passion showed in every conversation. We are thankful to have worked with someone trustworthy and honest; someone who went above and beyond for us.
Thank you, Paul, for taking all of our doubts and worries away.
Thank you for cheering us on!
We absolutely recommend you and your team to anyone looking for the best mortgage advisor. We can't recommend Paul Cederholm enough for your home financing needs.
Exceptional experience with Paul and his team! We knew we wanted to work with Paul not long into our introductory call. He put us at ease as he explained all the details of what it would take to get into our first home. Numbers are scary when it comes to such a large purchase, but he walked us through the documents in a way that was easy to comprehend. He made sure we understood the information and answered all the questions we had before proceeding to the next task. He was always available for a call, through text, and email. Never once did we feel uncomfortable or like we were not being heard and understood. We got the best rate available to us based on our information and also helped us get a rate buy-down! Thank you, Paul and your team, for everything you did. We look forward to working with you again should the time come to refinance or get into a different home. Paul Cederholm brought impressive expertise across mortgage products that helped us find the perfect fit, incredible dedication to finding us the best mortgage rate and a willingness to work evenings and weekends to meet our closing deadline. I'd tell anyone looking for a home loan to call Paul Cederholm — highly recommend Paul and his team as we felt comfortable, understood, and empowered throughout the entire process!. I would highly recommend Paul Cederholm — truly an exceptional mortgage professional.
(Translated by Google) Excellent service from Cederholm.
(Original)
Excelente atendimento de Cederholm.
Working with Paul and his team was an absolute dream! We had a particularly complex transaction, Paul made navigating feel easy and less stressful.
Paul and his team were absolutely amazing! Insanely fast response time to any question I had and amazing explanations throughout the whole process. I can’t imagine using another broker ever again!
If you are looking for a mortgage broker for your next home purchase, I highly recommend Paul Cederholm and his team at Cederholm Mortgage Advisors 🏡.
Paul helped me plan the financing for my new home, and I am so grateful for his guidance throughout the process. At the beginning, I felt nervous because the home buying process can feel very intimidating. With Paul’s care, patience, and expertise, I grew into a confident home buyer by the time we reached closing 🌿.
Paul was always available to answer my questions and explained everything in a clear, supportive, and non-intimidating way. He stayed one step ahead throughout the loan process and helped ensure my loan approval moved along quickly and smoothly.
Paul also has a wonderful team. Their attention to detail and clear communication helped me feel supported and never overwhelmed during the process 🌸.
I truly loved working with Paul. He was wonderful to have by my side during such an important step in my life. If you are looking for a knowledgeable and caring mortgage advisor who will guide you every step of the way, I wholeheartedly recommend Paul Cederholm and his team.
Buying my first house was an exceptional experience because Paul was tremendously helpful, and communicative. I can’t thank him and his team enough and highly recommend!!!
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Recently I had the pleasure of working with Paul and I can confidently say that my experience was nothing short of exceptional.
Trust is a crucial element when it comes to financial decisions, He took the time to understand my unique needs and goals, ensuring that every step of the process was transparent and tailored specifically to me. I never felt rushed or pressured; instead, I felt supported and empowered to make informed choices. Whether it was providing insights into market trends or introducing me to other professionals who could assist with my financial journey, Paul went above and beyond to ensure I had access to the best tools and information available.
I can say that Paul genuinely cares about his clients and strives to build lasting relationships. I can't recommend him enough for anyone looking for a mortgage broker who feels like family, fosters trust, and provides invaluable resources. Thank you, Paul, for making this experience so positive and rewarding!
We started the process in June and closed in November because we were indecisive and Paul was patient, he heard our request and never pushed us to buy until we were comfortable with our purchase. Luckily, he waited on us and we closed on the perfect home. We loved his 24/7 availability for us even on his vacation days. Thanks for an amazing work !
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You and your team were very helpful throughout the entire process! I could always rely on you to help answer questions and be available at all times. I would highly recommend!
Paul was amazing to work with! Unbelievable response times and guided us through every step of the process.
Paul was great to work with - so friendly, understanding and helpful! We felt very cared for throughout the process and he never made us feel like we were bothering him with our questions. He was always upfront and honest and we are so grateful for his help!
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We bought an amazing Condo in the heart of DTC. Paul was very helpful and made us, first home buyers, feel very confident in the process of buying a home. I would highly recommend!
Paul went above and beyond to get all the numbers to work for us. He was available for questions at any time, even at the most unusual times. He consistently would give us updates and let us know that everything was going well or immediately would call us if there are any issues. The whole process went incredibly smoothly and made the home buying process super easy!
Thank you Mr Paul, you were truly amazing and on top of everything! Love your proactive approach in covering all anticipated requests ahead of putting into UW. Your professionalism and high level expertise truly shines thru and I’m so glad we connected through the grapevines. Can’t thank you enough and look forward to doing this again!
My wife and I worked with Paul when purchasing our first and second home. He was recommended to us from a trusted friend so we decided to go with him when trying to find the best loan for us. Going into it, we had no idea what we were doing but Paul was extremely attentive, did a great job explaining the details, and I felt like he always put our needs first. It was a pleasure working with Paul and we will definitely be working with Paul again in the future!
Was a great experience working with Edge to get into our first home. Everything was made easy and clear for us to understand
Paul was excellent! He communicated all of our options and so we can make the best decision possible! He kept us informed the entire time as to where we were in the process so we were able to have a smooth and efficient closing!
Working with Paul and his team was amazing! Paul was straight to the point, gave us guidelines on what to and not to do, made us feel comfortable buying a home, and made it a very simple process. We will forever work with Paul and continue to recommend him to everyone we know!
Paul was absolutely amazing to work with. He kept us in the loop through EVERY step of the home mortgage process. He took the extra time to explain things we didn’t understand, and also had all of our best interests in mind. I truly felt like we were in the best hands possible when it comes to a big financial decision! We can’t thank you enough!!!
Paul was incredible! He made my first-time home buying experience way easier than I had expected. He was incredibly knowledgable and more than willing to explain anything I wasn't sure of. He was super helpful throughout and made the whole process go smoother than I thought was possible.
Paul is amazing! I would highly recommend working with him. He is so responsive and truly cares about each and every client. There are no questions left unanswered when working with Paul and he makes the home buying process easy peasy.
Working with Paul was an incredible experience. I was the listing agent for Sellers and he was the lender for the Buyer. He promised a smooth transaction up from and that’s exactly what we received. He met every deadline, early in fact, and was on the ball with keeping us updated every step of the way. His communication and correspondence was spot on. Thank you, Paul, for such a great experience and a smooth transaction!
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Hands down the easiest financial process I have ever been through. I refinanced my home loan with Paul and his team and I just sat back and relaxed while they did their thing. It was a quick and seamless process. I can’t thank Paul enough for his advice and expertise. Paul’s personal attention and his availability throughout the process always made me feel like I was his only client. Top notch service! I highly recommend Paul and his team.
Great team and service. Answered all of our questions and made sure we understood the refinance process. 10/10 recommend!
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Paul was wonderful to work with during our home-buying experience! He was very professional, personable and patient as we worked thru the various scenarios available to us, and was true to his word when he said it was his number 1 goal to ensure we were left in a better situation than when he'd come to us. Thanks to Paul's efforts and diligence, we got precisely the outcome we were looking for, and couldn't be happier!
I highly recommend Paul and his team. They worked their way and explained each step to me and what was expected of me to be quick and efficient. Thank you for a great experience.
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Paul is a great lender he made the process painless and was very informative. He helped get our credit up and rate down so we could get the best situation for our house purchase.
I recommend Paul for any financing you may need!
Paul has been one of the easiest Lenders to work with. Super honest businessman and extremely knowledgeable. I will continue to do business with him. He is a great and trustworthy lender!
Paul is straight up a rockstar. If you have a deal that a lender said can’t be done, or they don’t know how to fix. Paul has the answers and can get the job done. Very creative when it comes to helping structure his clients Loans and giving the advice to get the deal closed. He is an amazing lender partner.
Paul was extremely helpful with the refinance process. He kept us in the loop during the entire process and when the original plan fell through, he was able to work a new plan that turned out better than the original. Thanks Paul!
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Plan your next move
Bring your goals and a property address if you have one. Paul Cederholm, mortgage expert and real estate financing strategist, can help you compare the financing choices and plan your next step.
Ready to begin? Start your loan application. Prefer a direct conversation? Call 303-931-6798.
*Information, scenarios, and calculations are for educational and illustrative purposes only—not a loan offer, a commitment to lend, a rate quote or an approval. Programs, costs and qualification requirements depend on the borrower, property, selected lender and current guidelines. Examples are not guaranteed results. Our team can review the details for your situation.