Buy with $0 down, in more places than you would guess.
USDA loans offer true 100% financing, and the eligible areas are not just farmland. Plenty of ordinary suburbs qualify. Look up any address below, then let me confirm the rest.
Opens the official USDA site in a new tab. Questions? Call (448) 202-7711.
Look up a property in about 30 seconds
The USDA map is the official source of truth, but the site is dated and easy to get lost in. Here is exactly what to click.
Official USDA Property Eligibility Tool
Type in any address and USDA will tell you whether the property sits inside an eligible area. The tool is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, so the answer you get there is the current, authoritative one.
Open the USDA eligibility site
Use the green button above. It opens the official USDA map tool in a new tab so you can keep this page open alongside it.
Choose 'Single Family Housing Guaranteed'
On the left you will see a Property Eligibility menu. Pick the Single Family Housing Guaranteed option. That is the standard USDA purchase loan.
Type in the property address
Enter the full street address, city, and state, then hit Go. The map will zoom to the property and tell you whether it sits in an eligible area.
Read the result
Green shading on the map means the area is generally eligible. If the address comes back ineligible, do not give up. Send it to me anyway, because there are often eligible homes a short distance away.
One thing worth knowing: the map only answers the property half of the question. Income limits and credit guidelines decide the rest. Send me the address and a rough household income and I will confirm both sides in one shot.
Why buyers love the USDA loan
If you qualify, it is often the cheapest way into a home, both up front and every month after.
$0 down payment
USDA is one of the last true 100% financing programs. If the home and your household income qualify, you can buy without a down payment.
Lower monthly mortgage insurance
USDA charges an annual fee instead of traditional mortgage insurance, and it typically runs lower than the monthly MIP on a comparable FHA loan.
Competitive fixed rates
Because the loan is backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, rates are usually very competitive, and USDA loans are fixed rate for the full term.
Flexible credit guidelines
USDA is designed to open the door for buyers who have solid income but limited savings. Credit guidelines are generally more forgiving than conventional financing.
Closing costs can be covered
Seller credits, lender credits, and gift funds can all go toward closing costs. In some cases the appraised value allows you to roll costs into the loan.
Not just farmland
This surprises almost everyone. Plenty of established suburbs and small towns fall inside USDA eligible areas, including neighborhoods around Pensacola.
What it takes to qualify
Four boxes to check. Most buyers who ask me about USDA are closer than they expect.
- ✓ The property sits in a USDA eligible area
- ✓ The home will be your primary residence
- ✓ Household income falls at or under the local USDA limit
- ✓ You meet standard credit and debt-to-income guidelines
Not sure where you land? That is the easiest thing for me to check. Reach me at (448) 202-7711.
Common questions
Why can't I check eligibility right here on your site? +
The USDA runs the eligibility map on their own government servers, and they block other websites from displaying it inside a frame. That is a security setting on their end that nobody can work around. The button above sends you straight to the official tool, which is always the most current source.
Do I have to buy a farm or live way out in the country? +
No, and this is the biggest misconception about the program. USDA eligible areas cover a large share of the map, including many established suburban neighborhoods and small towns. A lot of buyers assume they do not qualify and never bother to check.
What are the income limits? +
USDA sets limits by county and by household size, and they are based on total household income, not just the income of the people on the loan. Because the numbers change and vary by area, the cleanest answer is to send me your household details and I will confirm the exact limit that applies to you.
Is there mortgage insurance on a USDA loan? +
USDA charges a one-time upfront guarantee fee, which can usually be financed into the loan rather than paid at closing, plus a smaller annual fee collected monthly. Compared to FHA, the monthly piece is typically lighter, which is a large part of why USDA payments pencil out so well.
The map says my address is not eligible. Now what? +
Send it over anyway. Boundaries can run right down the middle of a neighborhood, so a comparable home a few streets away may qualify. If USDA truly will not work for that property, I will price out the alternatives, including FHA, VA if you are eligible, and low-down-payment conventional options.
Who do I call if I have questions? +
Me. Reach Rich Preston directly at (448) 202-7711 or rich@prestonlending.com. I am glad to check a specific address and your income situation before you fill out any application.
Found a property you like?
Send me the address and I will confirm USDA eligibility, income limits, and your real monthly payment.
USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing loans are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Property eligibility, income limits, and program fees are determined solely by USDA and are subject to change. The property eligibility tool linked from this page is operated by USDA, not by Preston Lending, and results shown there are the controlling determination. This page is for informational purposes, is not an offer or commitment to lend, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture or any government agency. All loans are subject to credit approval, income verification, and property appraisal. Rich Preston, Branch Manager, NMLS 1735238. NEXA Lending, AZ Broker License 0944059, NMLS 1660690. Equal Housing Lender.