Loan program
USDA Loans
Zero down payment financing for eligible rural and suburban properties. More parts of California qualify than most buyers expect — worth checking before you rule it out.
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What USDA financing offers
Backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this program was built to support homeownership outside dense urban centers. The headline benefit: 100% financing, meaning no down payment at all for eligible buyers on eligible properties.
Two things to check first
- Property location. The home has to be in a USDA-eligible area — generally rural and many suburban areas outside major metro cores. I can check a specific address for you in a couple of minutes.
- Household income. USDA loans have income limits based on your county and household size. It's a program for moderate-income buyers, not a program with no income ceiling.
Cost compared to FHA
Instead of PMI or FHA's MIP, USDA loans charge an upfront guarantee fee and a smaller annual fee — typically less expensive over time than FHA's mortgage insurance, which is one reason it's worth checking eligibility even if you assumed you didn't qualify.
Who this fits well
Buyers targeting homes outside the dense core of major California metro areas, with moderate household income and little or nothing saved for a down payment.
Not sure if a property qualifies?
Send me the address — I'll check USDA eligibility for you directly.