Lending

USDA Loans in the Sacramento Region

No-down-payment loans for eligible buyers in eligible rural areas, checked by address.

Check my loan options Run my payment Call (916) 549-3131Apply for a loan with Maggie

Talk to Maggie directly: cell (916) 549-3131 (text or call) · maggie@loveyoursurroundings.coMaggie B. Hopkins, NMLS #349517 · Surroundings NMLS #2528307

Golden summer grass on rolling hills dotted with oak trees

What is a USDA loan?

A USDA loan, formally the Section 502 Guaranteed Loan, is a mortgage from an approved private lender that USDA Rural Development guarantees. USDA's program page (checked October 22, 2026) says the guarantee covers 90% of the loan. That lowers the lender's risk so it can offer 100% financing. In plain terms, no money down for those who qualify.

USDA says the loan can be used to buy, build, repair or relocate a home in an eligible rural area. It also notes that interest rates vary by lender and encourages you to compare lenders. Maggie B. Hopkins is a mortgage broker, so comparing USDA offers is part of the work.

Check my loan options

Check my loan options Call (916) 549-3131

Or read how we do it, step by step

Who is eligible for a USDA loan?

USDA's program page lists three requirements for applicants:

Income: household income can't exceed 115% of the area's median household income.
Occupancy: you must live in the home as your primary residence.
Citizenship or status: you must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. non-citizen national or a qualified alien.

Income limits differ by county and household size. They're updated over time, so we check the current limit for your county on USDA's income eligibility tool. You'll also need to show you can repay, which the lender reviews like any other loan.

Is the home you want in a USDA-eligible area?

This is the first thing to check, because eligibility goes by the property's location, not where you live now. USDA's eligibility site lets you enter an exact address or browse a map of eligible areas.

In the Sacramento region that matters a lot. Many core urban and suburban areas are not eligible. Some outlying areas may be. Lines can fall between neighborhoods, so a general sense of an area isn't enough. We check each address you're serious about before you count on USDA financing.

If the home you love isn't eligible, that doesn't end the plan. An FHA loan or a low-down-payment conventional loan may work instead.

What credit do you need, and what are the loan terms?

USDA's program page says there's no USDA credit score requirement. Applicants are expected to show a willingness and ability to handle and manage debt. Lenders often set their own minimums, which is why it helps to compare more than one.

USDA guaranteed loans are offered as a 30-year fixed rate only, according to the same page. Your payment of principal and interest stays the same for the life of the loan.

What kinds of homes qualify?

USDA's program page says the home must be your permanent residence and can't be an income-producing property. Detached and attached homes, condos, planned developments, modular homes and manufactured homes can all qualify. There are no set acreage limits.

USDA also allows reasonable closing costs to be included in the loan. Repairs connected with buying an existing home can be included too. USDA lists the full rules in its technical handbook, HB-1-3555, and the lender works with Rural Development to confirm the home qualifies.

What does a USDA loan cost besides interest?

USDA guaranteed loans carry an upfront guarantee fee and an annual fee. USDA sets those amounts each fiscal year. We use the current figures for your loan and show them in dollars on your options.

You'll also have normal closing costs like title, escrow and the appraisal. Every lender must give you a Loan Estimate, so you can line up offers side by side. Our mortgage calculator lets you test a monthly budget with tax and insurance included.

How does a USDA loan compare with FHA and conventional?

The CFPB's page on kinds of loans (last modified February 18, 2026) describes USDA loans as serving low- to middle-income borrowers in rural areas. Here is how USDA stacks up:

USDA: no down payment for those who qualify, but the home must be in an eligible area and income must be under the limit.
FHA: no location rule and down payments as low as 3.5%, with mortgage insurance on every loan. See our FHA loan page.
Conventional: down payments as low as 3% for some buyers, and PMI can come off as you build equity. See our conventional loan page.
VA: if you're an eligible veteran, also no down payment with no location rule. See our VA loan page.

The CFPB suggests trying more than one scenario when more than one type fits. We do that for you and lay the Loan Estimates side by side. Our first-time buyer loan page covers state down payment help too.

How do you start a USDA loan?

Send us the address of the home, or the area you're looking in, through the loan options form. You can also call Maggie's cell at (916) 549-3131. We'll check property and income eligibility first, then compare USDA against your other options.

USDA also has a separate direct loan program for lower-income households, handled through your state's Rural Development office. If that may fit you better, we'll tell you. You're always free to use any lender you like, and we'd like the chance to quote your loan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a USDA loan in Sacramento?

It depends on the exact address. USDA eligibility goes by the property's location. Many core urban areas aren't eligible and some outlying areas may be, so we check each address on USDA's eligibility map.

Do USDA loans require a down payment?

No, not for those who qualify. USDA says its guaranteed loan offers 100% financing in eligible rural areas.

What is the income limit for a USDA loan?

USDA caps household income at 115% of the area's median household income. The dollar limit differs by county and household size, so we check the current figure for your county.

Is there a minimum credit score for USDA?

USDA itself has no credit score requirement, but you must show you can handle and manage debt. Lenders often set their own minimums, which is a good reason to compare lenders.

Can I buy a condo or manufactured home with a USDA loan?

Yes, if it's in an eligible area. USDA lists condos, planned developments, modular and manufactured homes as eligible. The home must be your primary residence and can't produce income.