Photo by Pete Linforth via Pixabay
Vacant land is a hot commodity – especially for builders. If you’re searching for a home, you may find one in an area that’s growing in population but still offers great lots. Interestingly enough, these areas that look like thriving cities could be zoned in an area deemed “rural.” If so, you may qualify for a rural home loan.
What’s a Rural Home Loan?
Rural home loans are issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and have specific criteria and qualifications. These loans are designed to provide homeownership to rural and suburban Americans that may not qualify for conventional financing. Here are some advantages:
How Do I Qualify?
In order to qualify for this program, you must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency. Credit scores should be 640 at a minimum and proof of stable income is required. The lenders check payment history – you should have no late payments or collections, and the adjusted household income should be equal to or less than 115% of the area’s median income. The property must be the primary residence and located in a qualified rural area.
There are many places that qualify as rural that will surprise you. Gone are the days where there is nothing around and all you see is miles and miles of empty land. Obtaining a rural loan will allow homeowners to purchase in areas that provide land that’s worth the money.
The USDA Loan Process
The process has a few components involved. First, you must find a lender and prequalify. It’s best to find a lender specializing in this area to get the best benefit. The lender is going to focus on how much you want to borrow, your income and other assets and your monthly debts. In order to qualify, they will do a hard credit inquiry.
After the prequalification to determine how much you are eligible for, you go through the preapproval process which is more in-depth. The lender will require photo identification, tax returns, W-2’s, bank statements, and pay stubs. This is when they determine your debt-to-income ratio to see how much you can actually afford.
The next step is finding a USDA-approved home. This is where you work with a realtor to find properties that appeal to you. Once you find it, it’s time to sign a purchase agreement, go through processing and underwriting, and finally, the closing. Securing the loan is based on the broker, your financial situation and the property you have chosen.
Have you seen a home in a rural area that you like? Now you know the criteria involved with obtaining a USDA loan. Are you ready? The rest is up to you.
“My Passion is people and relationships and I promise to provide my clients with exceptional service tailored to their individual needs.” -Robin Anderson
Georgia native, Robin Anderson brings her passion for people and her love of homes to work for her clients. She and her husband, Andy, have been married for over 30 years and have two adult children, Ellen and Drew. They currently live in Fulton County, but Robin has lived and invested in properties throughout metro Atlanta as well as helped clients buy and sell. She has been integral to many real estate endeavors including designing and building several custom homes, remodeling homes, subdividing land, managing rental properties, and buying and selling properties. She spent her first 3 years in real estate working with a new home builder, and she has spent the last 6 years working with buyers and sellers in her own community. Robin is highly motivated but sensitive to the fact that buying and selling homes can be an emotional experience, so she makes it a priority to keep clients closely informed throughout the process and strives to produce quick results. She appreciates the opportunity to help her clients navigate the real estate process, and she aspires to deliver quality customer service that is both informative and positive. She is driven to provide outstanding service for her clients and she is focused on building successful and lasting relationships with her clients. This personalized service earns her enthusiastic referrals from clients she is pleased to call friends.Edit