Special offer

Mortgages 101 - Sorting out the Options, Part 4: USDA Loans by Jennifer Prestwich Your North Suburban Denver REALTOR

By
Real Estate Agent with Henderson, Thornton, Broomfield and Westminster 100026886

When it comes to mortgages, there are a lot of options to sort out.  When I am working with clients, they often ask me about mortgage rates and down payments, and the answer can vary.

In Part 1 of the series, we examined FHA mortgages.  In Part 2, we took a look at Conventional Mortgages.  Part 3 examined VA Loans.  In Part 4, we will look at USDA Loans- the lending criteria and the Pros and Cons.  This is meant to be an overview - a licensed Loan Officer will help you examine all of the options more closely to help you determine the right choice for you.

close up of cow's noseUSDA: USDA,  or United States Department of Agriculture loans can be used by anyone who purchases a property in a qualifying rural development area.  This is determined per census track, based on population.  There is also an income eligibility requirement.

Minimum Down Payment: 0%!! This is another one of the few NO MONEY DOWN loans available nowadays.

Mortgage Insurance: Required.

Minimum Credit Score: 640

Ownership Types: Primary residence only.

Property Type: Singe Family, Townhomes.

Maximum Loan Amount: Varies by county.  Check with the USDA website (click this link).

Pros: 0 Down, low monthly mortgage insurance, low rates.

Cons: Customer must meet maximum income and loan amount guidelines, property must be in a qualifying area, loan will have USDA funding fee added to the loan amount.

Also to Note: They will not lend on anything that could be income producing, and you cannot currently own a home.  While you do not need to be a first time homebuyer, you must currently be a renter who does not own a home.

Want to live in your dream neighborhood for $0 down?  Call me at 720-341-5235 to find out what's available in Henderson, Thornton, Northglenn, Broomfield, and Westminster!


Comments(4)

Steven Cook
No Longer Processing Mortgages. - Tacoma, WA

Jennifer -- the one drawback to the USDA loan came in late 2011, when they added a monthly Mortgage Insurance Payment (like FHA) - but made it permanent with the mortgage.  In other words, as long as you have the USDA loan you will be paying the Mortgage Insurance premiums.  They are lower than FHA but you will be paying them even if you pay over 20% down - or you only have 5% of the balance of the mortgage left tro pay.

May you and yours be blessed through 2012!

Jan 23, 2012 08:19 AM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Excellent job with your post on USDA loans. We do a lot of them. It is amazing to me that more folks don't take advantage to this loan product.

Jan 23, 2012 08:20 AM
Jennifer Prestwich
Henderson, Thornton, Broomfield and Westminster - Henderson, CO
Madison & Co Properties

Steven- Great point.  This is why I refer people to experts - they can help people pick the best options!

Joe- I didn't even realize they existed until about a year ago!  That's part of the reason I wanted to do this series- to help people examine their options and realize that there are a lot of things they can and should talk about with their lender.

Jan 23, 2012 08:42 AM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Interesting information Jennifer... 'course they wouldn't be much help here in the CA Bay Area LOL LOL. But, I have friends who live in Broomfield, so I'll pass the info on.

Jan 23, 2012 12:14 PM