USDA loans have property eligibility requirements rooted in the program's mission to boost rural communities nationwide. For a property to be eligible for a USDA loan, it must meet the basic eligibility requirements set forth by the USDA, which cover rural area designation, occupancy, and the physical condition of the home.
The good news is that most of the country is in what the USDA considers a qualified rural area. But it's important for prospective buyers to check a home's eligibility status before getting too far into the process.
You can use this interactive map to help determine if a home currently meets the USDA's property eligibility requirements. Areas in red are not currently eligible for a USDA-backed loan.
Property eligibility areas can change annually and are based on population size and other factors. This map is a helpful guide, but the USDA will make a final determination about property eligibility once there's a complete loan application.
If your prospective home falls near or in an area that does not appear to meet the rural designation, a USDA-approved lender can verify the address through the USDA's online portal.
To verify your address for a USDA loan, it is best to speak with a USDA-approved lender. A USDA-approved lender can verify all properties you are interested in and ensure you don't waste valuable time on properties that may not be eligible.
For a home to meet the USDA's rural definition, it must be in an area that's located outside of a town or city and not associated with an urban area
The USDA's guidelines on the definition of a qualified "rural area" includes:
These guidelines are generous in the sense that many small towns and suburbs of metropolitan areas fall within the requirements.
See if you are eligible for a USDA loan here.
The USDA wants to ensure that the home you choose meets certain property requirements to protect the borrower's interest and well-being.
First and foremost, the home must serve as your primary residence. Fortunately, many property types are eligible for USDA loans apart from purchasing a pre-existing home, such as:
USDA loans cannot be used for investment properties, meaning farms, rental or vacation homes, and other income-producing properties aren't eligible. However, a property with acreage, barns, silos and so forth that are no longer in commercial use may still qualify.
More: Owning more than one property with a USDA loan.
The USDA requires the home to be structurally sound, functionally adequate and in good repair. To verify the home is in good repair, a qualified appraiser will inspect and certify that the home meets current minimum property requirements set forth in HUD's Single Family Housing Policy Handbook.
A few of these standards include:
USDA loans have a different appraisal process than other loan types in the sense that the appraiser is ensuring the property meets all standards set by the USDA in addition to determining the fair market value of the property. Keep in mind that appraisals are not as in-depth as a home inspection.
More: Learn about the USDA appraisal process here.
On the same level of importance as the USDA property requirements are the USDA's credit and income requirements. While the USDA does not impose a credit score minimum, the program does enact income limits, adjusted for family size, to ensure all loans help the low- to middle-income families that the program was designed for.
USDA income limits count toward all adult household members, but vary by location and household size. The base income limits are:
MORE: Determine the income limit in your county using our USDA income limit calculator.
While the UDSA property eligibility map shows a general idea of qualified locations, it's best to consult a USDA lender to ensure the location is in fact eligible. This is due to changes to what the USDA considers eligible as laws and populations change.
