USDA loans are backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and are designed for homes in eligible rural and some suburban areas. For buyers who qualify, they allow no down payment. Eligibility depends on the property's location and your household income.
Who it fits
Outside the dense suburbs
Buyers looking in less densely populated areas
Upper Bucks and DoylestownUnder the income limit
Households under the USDA income limit for their county
First time buyersNo down payment saved
Buyers without a large down payment saved
Down payment helpSouth Jersey, Delaware, the Eastern Shore
Buyers looking in parts of Upper Bucks, South Jersey, Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore
Maryland guideHow it works
First we check the property address against the USDA eligibility map, then compare your household income with the limit for that county. If both pass, we move forward like any other purchase loan.
USDA loans carry an upfront guarantee fee and a small annual fee, both generally lower than FHA mortgage insurance.
Key facts
- Down payment
- 0% for eligible borrowers
- Property
- Must be in a USDA eligible area
- Income
- Household income limits apply by county
- Occupancy
- Primary residence only
Common questions
Is any of Bucks County USDA eligible?
Most of Lower and Central Bucks is not, because of population density. Some rural pockets farther north may be. The only way to know is to check the specific address on the USDA map, which we do for you.
Is a USDA loan only for farms?
No. It is for primary residences in eligible areas. Working farms are actually not eligible.
How does USDA compare with FHA?
USDA needs no down payment and its fees are generally lower, but it has location and income limits that FHA does not.
