Help buying a home in a rural community.
Most rural households who qualify can buy with no down payment. You tell us where you want to live and a little about your household — we figure out which kind of help fits and walk you through the application.
Takes about 5 minutes · saved on your device · no commitment.
Same goal — owning a home — two paths
You don't have to choose. Tell us about your income and credit, and we'll show you which path you appear to qualify for.
USDA-funded home loan
USDA lends the money directly, with a low rate and a payment-assistance subsidy for very-low and low-income households.
- No down payment
- Rate reduced by payment assistance
- USDA is the lender
Internally: Section 502 Direct
Bank loan, USDA-backed
You borrow from a USDA-approved private lender. USDA guarantees the loan to the bank, which means easier qualifying and no down payment.
- No down payment
- Private lender, faster close
- For low- to moderate-income households
Internally: Section 502 Guaranteed
A short list, not a stack
- Photo ID and Social Security number
- Recent pay stubs or proof of income for everyone in the household
- 2 years of tax returns (W-2 or 1099)
- 2 months of bank statements
- Where you want to live (state & county is enough to start)
- A rough monthly budget — we'll help you build it
- 1Your file is queued
Submitted applications enter the queue first-come, first-served. We make sure yours is complete before it gets there.
- 2USDA reviews
USDA staff (or your bank, for the guaranteed path) review your file. We keep you posted in "My place."
- 3Decision
USDA issues the official decision. The platform doesn't decide eligibility — USDA does.