USDA loans
Zero-down homeownership in eligible areas
USDA loans are backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help moderate-income buyers purchase homes in eligible rural and suburban areas with no down payment.
- Down payment
- 0% down
- Credit score
- As low as 500*
- Property use
- Primary home
- Location
- Eligible areas
How USDA financing works
Many people are surprised to learn how much of the country qualifies as eligible for USDA financing. Eligibility covers many small towns and suburbs, not only farmland, and you do not need to be a farmer.
USDA loans combine zero down payment with lower mortgage insurance costs than most other low-down-payment programs, which keeps the monthly payment affordable.
USDA Home Buyer's Guide
A free guide to USDA home loans: how the program works, who qualifies and what to expect. Download it to read at your own pace.
Key benefits
- No down payment required
- Lower mortgage insurance cost than many alternatives
- Competitive fixed rates
- Seller can contribute toward closing costs
- Financing available for eligible homes in rural and many suburban areas
What you need to qualify
- The property must be in a USDA-eligible area
- Household income within program limits for your area and household size
- At Glory Mortgage, we have many lenders who accept credit scores as low as 500
- The home must be your primary residence
- Dependable income history and a manageable debt-to-income ratio
*Requirements vary by lender and situation.
Income limits
USDA has a household income maximum
Unlike most other loan programs, USDA sets a ceiling on how much your household can earn. The limit is based on where the home is located and how many people live in your household.
The household count includes everyone who will live in the home, including children, not only the people on the loan. Larger households have a higher limit, and limits are updated by USDA each year.
Everyone counts
Every resident of the home is counted toward household size, children included.
Location matters
Limits are set by county, so the same family can have a different limit in a different area.
Adjusted income
USDA applies deductions, such as for dependents and childcare, so your qualifying income can be lower than your gross income.
A 5-person household in Johnston County, NC
Call or message me and I will confirm the current limit for your household size and county.
For example, as of October 2026, the maximum combined income a household of 5 can earn is $16,787.50 per month, or $201,450.00 annually.
Starting with a household size of 9 and up, the income maximum increases as the household size increases.
This example is for Johnston County, NC. Some counties impose lower limits, and some impose higher limits.
You can verify the income maximums for the county you are purchasing in on the USDA Property Eligibility Website.
Information accurate as of October 11, 2026. Source: the USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan Program website
Who this loan is best for
Want to know more? I would be honored to assist you in achieving your goals.
ConnectOrder CreditApply NowThe process, step by step
- 1
Check the address
We confirm the property location is eligible.
- 2
Check income limits
We confirm your household falls within program limits.
- 3
Get pre-approved
Shop for homes in eligible areas with confidence.
- 4
Appraisal and approval
The home is appraised and the loan is reviewed.
- 5
Close
Sign your documents and get your keys.