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What is a USDA loan?

By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543

Real Estate Agent with Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 PA License - AB067198

August 26, 2026 03:00 AM

I was sitting talking with Mike Storti of Foxtrot Mortgage last week and we got to discussing USDA loans. You may or may not have heard of them but they provide a useful no money down option to buy homes in rural areas.

You can check eligibility using this map just click the link.

Watch the video to hear about the benefits of this loan

Looking to buy in Chester County, the USDA loan may be a great option. Contact me, Nick Vandekar with Realty ONE Group Advocates, office 484-237-2055, cell or text 610-203-4543, or email Nick@VandekarTeam.com and lets start working to fins you the perfect property.

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Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner

Denver, CO

Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Nick, this is really good information for buyers of rural property. Although I have sold rural properties, have not ever had a buyer with a USDA loan.

Aug 26, 2026 03:22 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD
Nick Vandekar, 610-203...

Downingtown, PA

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Nick... I sold a few properties "back in the day" with USDA loans. At this point, Charlotte area that I work is no longer categorized as "rural." What is still considered USDA eligible here is way outside where I go to sell homes. But certainly a great no money down option for certain buyers.

Aug 26, 2026 05:06 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD
Nick Vandekar, 610-203...

Downingtown, PA

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

Educating. Encouraging. Serving.

Good morning Nick,

USDA loans are a great option for buyers. In our rural areas they are an option but I have to admit I've never had a buyer use them.

Aug 26, 2026 05:11 AM

Nick Vandekar, 610-203...

Downingtown, PA

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518

Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC

Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

Nick, this is such a helpful overview of USDA loans. Having a zero-down option makes a tremendous difference for buyers looking in qualifying suburban-rural transitional pockets, though you are right that eligibility maps require a careful look as development expands!

Aug 26, 2026 05:14 AM

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes &...

Walhalla, SC
Nick Vandekar, 610-203...

Downingtown, PA

Sham Reddy CRS

Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH

CRS

Yes Nick, Its a great program for rural areas!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Aug 26, 2026 06:46 AM

Nick Vandekar, 610-203...

Downingtown, PA

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543

Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA

Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner whilst the USDA loan is primarily location specific, there are also income limits as well, so larger or more expensive properties are not going to see these being used.

Nina Hollander, Broker many of our local towns are excluded, but the areas around them can all use them.

Dorie Dillard Austin TX living in a more rural area I think they could be a good option for first time buyers looking for a cheaper property.

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518 those maps are always changing. But they are a good product if you meet the requirements.

Sham Reddy CRS thanks for commenting.

Aug 26, 2026 07:01 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC
Joan Cox, Retired Brok...

Denver, CO
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes &...

Walhalla, SC

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Wednesday morning, Nick. This is good information to share with prospective mortgage borrowers.

Aug 26, 2026 07:03 AM

Nick Vandekar, 610-203...

Downingtown, PA

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543

Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA

Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Roy Kelley thanks for stopping by today.

Aug 26, 2026 07:23 AM

Lawrence & Sheila Agranoff

Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - crrli.com. We are Lic. Assoc. Broker/Lic. RE Salesperson - Plainview, NY

Listing & Selling Long Island Real Estate

I'm not familiar with these Nick, so have no experience with anyone using them or their benefits.

Aug 26, 2026 09:07 AM

Nick Vandekar, 610-203...

Downingtown, PA

Brian England

Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ

MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

There aren't a lot of areas near me that qualify for a USDA loan, so I have never worked with a buyer who utilized one, but I know it is a very good loan for people in rural areas!

Aug 26, 2026 10:06 AM

Nick Vandekar, 610-203...

Downingtown, PA

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543

Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA

Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Lawrence & Sheila Agranoff they are typically for use in more rural areas and aimed at first time buyers with little in reserves who may need a zero down mortgage option.

Brian England they are a good product, but limited by being only good in certain locations and limited on income levels too.

Aug 26, 2026 10:19 AM