USDA Loan Eligibility
Qualification is easier than for many other loan types, since the loan doesn't require a down payment or a high credit score. Homebuyers should make sure they are looking at homes within USDA-eligible geographic areas, because the property location is the most important factor for this loan type.
How to find a USDA-approved home. The process of identifying an eligible property is quick and easy. Visit the USDA Income and Property Eligibility website, select the program you're interested in, and just type any address to see if it qualifies.
Income and debt issues.
Things like unverifiable income, undisclosed debt, or even just having too much household income for your area can cause a loan to be denied. Talk with a USDA loan specialist to get a clear sense of your income and debt situation and what might be possible.
The lender issues a pre-approval (3 days to 1 week) You find a home in a USDA-eligible geographic area (timing depends on the home market) The lender checks the appraisal and any other items needed (1 week) The lender sends the file to your state's USDA office for approval (1 day)
The USDA doesn't permit income-generating structures or pools, and the land can't be income-generating or worth more than 30 percent above the value of the home. Wells and septic systems must be at least 100 feet from the home. Local zoning and code compliance.
Once the loan file is completely approved and signed off by USDA, the file is sent back to the lender with the final loan commitment. The home buyers will generally close about 3 days later depending on the property state. The entire process from purchase contract to closing takes around 4-5 weeks to complete.
USDA eligibility for a 1-4 member household requires annual household income to not exceed $86,850 in most areas of the country, but up to $212,550 for certain high-cost areas, and annual household income for a 5-8 member household to not exceed $114,650 for most areas, but up to $280,550 in expensive locales.
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.
Cons to the USDA Rural Development Loan
Current USDA underwriting turn times are the same as for other loan packages, and funds are available now. The only hitch – and the word “agriculture” in the name should provide a clue – is that the property must be in a rural area.
It begins with your initial application and continues until you close on the loan, which may take place several weeks or even months later. In many cases, the lender doesn't formally approve the mortgage until a few days before closing occurs, and it is possible to receive a last-minute denial.
USDA Maximum Loan Amount
USDA has not set a maximum loan amount but $510,400 seems to be the consensus by most lenders. Your max qualifying loan amount is determined by your DTI ratio. USDA has set 29/41% as the max DTI, but often allows up to 47% with a GUS automated approval and a FICO score over 680.
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