Home loans insured by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provide numerous benefits for borrowers and help open the door to homeownership for many Americans in qualifying rural areas.
The Benefits of USDA Loans
The USDA guarantees all loans against default, allowing lenders to take on greater risks and offer homebuyers more favorable loan terms. Some of the many benefits of USDA rural development loans for homes include:
- No down payments.
- Low interest rates.
- Reduced monthly mortgage insurance payments.
- Flexible credit guidelines and eligibility.
- Favorable loan terms.
Features and Requirements
Explore some of the features and requirements of a USDA loan from our website, CIS Home Loans:
- Applicants can have imperfect credit.
- The property must be in a USDA-designated area.
- Applicants can have a minimum credit score of 640.
USDA loans can cover manufactured homes, but it must meet the following requirements, and many lenders don’t provide USDA financing for manufactured homes:
- An approved contractor or dealer built the modular or manufactured home within the last 12 months.
- The home meets all Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards for manufacturing, construction and installation.
- The home is on a permanent foundation and classified as taxable real estate in a USDA eligible area.
How Do USDA Loans Work?
Two categories of USDA loans are available for lenders — a Single Family Housing Direct Home Loan and a Section 502 Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan. Both loans must meet the property and income requirements set by the USDA.
The USDA’s definition of a rural area is flexible and includes any areas with a population of fewer than 35,000 residents. This broad definition allows many applicants to qualify for a USDA loan to purchase a single-family home or manufactured home in areas they may not have previously considered rural.
Who Are USDA Loans Best For?
USDA loans are ideal for low-income borrowers in rural areas. A Single-Family Housing Direct Home Loan is suitable for low- to very low-income applicants in eligible rural areas. Section 502 Guaranteed Rural Housing Loans are for low- and moderate-income applicants in eligible rural areas.
What Are the General Requirements?
- All applicants must meet the basic eligibility requirements to receive a USDA loan. These minimum requirements include:
- U.S. citizenship or legal permanent resident status.
- The ability to prove financial competence.
- A minimum credit score of 640.
- A stable source of income.
- A 12-month history of consecutively paying debts on time.
The home must be the borrower’s primary residence in a qualified rural area. Learn More at CIS Home Loans Today
At CIS Home Loans, we want to dismiss the myth that affordable housing has to look different. We help many people achieve the American dream of homeownership by offering flexible lending solutions for manufactured housing.
There are many options for financing your manufactured home, including Conventional Loans, FHA loans, VA loans, & Chattel loans. To learn more about how we can help finance your purchase of manufactured housing, fill out our contact form or visit our website, CIS Home Loans, to apply for a loan today!
**All loans are subject to credit approval. Additional conditions may apply.**