How Can You Tell if a Home is in an Eligible Area for USDA Rural Housing Loan Financing

The first step in determining if a home is in a USDA eligible rural area is to conduct a property search on USDA's web site. You can look at exact property addresses to determine eligibility or you can conduct a search on a map by selecting the desired state and county. Using the map feature, it can be difficult to determine an exact line in the sand so you may need to speak with a mortgage or real estate professional for further assistance.

You can also look up income eligibility requirements on USDA's site.

USDA rural housing loans are used to help low income buyers purchase real estate in rural communities in the United States. Buyers may only have an income of up to 115% of the median income for the area. Loan programs have a fixed rate for 30 years and there are no down payment requirements.