You may be eligible for a no down payment loan through the USDA home loan program if you meet income guidelines and buy in a designated rural area.
USDA home loans, sometimes called rural development loans, are government-insured mortgages that help buyers purchase a home with no down payment. Buyers may finance their closing costs into their loan or receive seller assistance for minimal out-of-pocket costs. USDA mortgages usually have very low fixed-interest rates.
The USDA home loan program was created in 1991 to improve homeownership rates in rural areas, although not all areas covered by the loan are necessarily rural. The program allows for purchases, refinances, renovations and repairs.
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a USDA mortgage:
You may choose one of two types of USDA home loans: a direct loan or a guaranteed loan. Direct loans are made by the USDA to low-income borrowers whose household income is less than 80 percent of the median income in the region. Guaranteed loans are made by a bank and offer a broader income range.