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What is a USDA Loan - For Florida Homebuyers

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A USDA loan is a government-backed, no-money-down mortgage specifically designed for buyers and homes in less-dense parts of the country, including rural and suburban areas in Florida.

If you're considering buying a home outside of urban areas, the USDA's home loan program can offer you several advantages, including lower interest rates and payments compared to other government-backed programs such as FHA and VA.

In Florida, the USDA stands for the United States Department of Agriculture, an agency renowned for its involvement in farming, forestry, and food-related initiatives.

However, it also plays a vital role in promoting home affordability and fostering strong communities in both rural and suburban regions.

To determine if a property is eligible for a USDA loan, you can refer to the USDA Eligibility Map. Surprisingly, 91 percent of the United States, including various parts of Florida, falls within the USDA boundary.

This means that if you're a first-time home buyer looking to purchase a home outside of urban areas in Florida, utilizing the USDA's home loan program can be a viable option.

In this article, we will delve into all the essential information that first-time home buyers in Florida should know about USDA loans.




How Does a USDA Loan Work?

Similar to other mortgage loans, USDA loans in Florida operate based on a loan size, an interest rate, and a payback period until the loan balance reaches zero. However, USDA loans have distinct features that set them apart from other mortgages.

The key differentiator is that USDA loans are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which reduces the risk for mortgage lenders. This guarantee enables lenders to offer USDA mortgages with remarkably low interest rates.

One notable advantage of USDA loans is that they do not impose prepayment penalties. This means that borrowers have the flexibility to make extra payments or pay off their loan early without incurring any additional fees.

Furthermore, most mortgage lenders in Florida provide USDA mortgages to eligible buyers, making it accessible to a wide range of individuals.

Due to the USDA guarantee, lenders can offer USDA mortgages with interest rates that are often up to 0.50 percentage points lower than other low-down payment loan options like HomeReady, HomePossible, and Conventional 97.

In fact, USDA mortgage rates tend to be lower than those offered for VA mortgages in many cases. This translates into significant cost savings for Florida homebuyers considering a USDA loan.


How Does The USDA Define Rural?

The definition of "rural" for USDA loans in Florida is derived from Section 520 of the Housing Act of 1949. According to this definition, a community is considered rural if it meets the following criteria:

  • The community has fewer than 2,500 residents and is not closely connected to a major city.

  • The community has a rural character and has less than 10,000 residents.

  • The community has fewer than 20,000 residents and is not part of a metropolitan statistical area.

On the other hand, communities that do not meet these rural criteria are classified as "urban." It's important to note that there is no specific government definition for suburbs or exurbs. Therefore, all homes in the United States are categorized as either rural or urban.


In 2020, the Census Bureau introduced additional criteria to distinguish between rural and urban areas at the level of census tracts. A rural census tract is defined as meeting the following conditions:

  • It has fewer than 2,000 housing units or 5,000 people.

  • It has fewer than 500 residents per square mile.

  • It has no more than 425 housing units per square mile.

  • It is not located within a half-mile radius of an airport with an annual passenger count of 2,500 or more.

Homes located in rural communities or rural census tracts that meet these criteria are eligible for USDA mortgages in Florida.


USDA Eligibility Map

You can use this USDA eligibility map to look up the address and find if a home currently meets the USDA's property eligibility requirements.

Using the USDA map, you can quickly determine whether a house you want to buy might be eligible for the program.

The areas that are eligible for properties can change yearly and are determined by the population density and other factors.

A USDA-approved lender can verify the eligibility of all the properties you are interested in.

In order to avoid wasting your time on properties that might not be eligible, it is best to contact a USDA-approved lender to confirm your address for a USDA loan.


How Do You Qualify for a USDA Loan?

To qualify for a USDA loan in Florida, potential home buyers need to meet specific criteria regarding both the property location and their income.

Additionally, they must satisfy other standard mortgage qualifications. Here are the eligibility requirements:

  • Property Location - The home being purchased must be located in a rural census tract as defined by the USDA. The property's eligibility can be confirmed using the USDA website or by consulting with your mortgage lender.

  • Income Eligibility - Home buyers should have a low or moderate household income that falls within the USDA's specified income limits. These limits can be found on the USDA website or by discussing with a mortgage lender.

  • Financial History - Applicants are expected to demonstrate a consistent history of on-time bill payment, indicating their ability to manage financial responsibilities effectively.

  • Citizenship or Residency - Home buyers must be either U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens to qualify for a USDA loan.

  • Homeownership Education - Completing a certified homeownership education course is mandatory. This course can be taken online or in-person to ensure that buyers have a good understanding of the responsibilities and requirements of owning a home.

It's essential to note that the USDA enforces income limits, and these limits can vary based on factors such as family size and county.

For more detailed information on income limits, it is recommended to consult with a mortgage lender or refer to the USDA website.

Furthermore, it's important to understand that USDA loans are specifically intended for modest primary residences.

These loans are not available for vacation homes, rental properties, or commercial purposes like using the property for a business or retail store.

USDA mortgages in Florida are exclusively offered as 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. Adjustable-rate USDA mortgages are not available under this program.


USDA Loan written on a paper


USDA Loan Types & Variations

The USDA offers three primary mortgage programs to support home buyers in Florida - Guaranteed Loans, Direct Loans, and Home Repair Loans.

Among these, the Guaranteed Loan program is the most commonly utilized by first-time home buyers. Here's an overview of each program:


USDA Guaranteed Loan Program

The USDA Guaranteed Loan program, officially known as the Section 502 Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program, accounts for 90 percent of USDA loans issued annually.

This program allows for 100% financing without the need for mortgage insurance, making it an attractive option for buyers. Additionally, it enables buyers to attend the closing without any upfront payment requirements.

USDA Guaranteed Loans can be obtained through various channels such as mortgage lenders, brokers, and retail banks. A credit score of 640 or higher is generally required to qualify for these loans.


USDA Direct Loan Program

The Section 502 Single Family Housing Direct Loan Program is less common and more restrictive compared to other USDA housing programs, representing only about four percent of recent USDA loans.

Direct Loans are issued directly by the USDA itself, bypassing traditional lenders or banks. These loans are specifically designed for low- and very-low-income households who may face challenges getting approved for mortgages elsewhere.

Interest rates for Direct Loans are subsidized by the government, and as of June 1, 2023, they stand at 4.00 percent. Direct Loan terms can extend up to 38 years, resulting in lower monthly payments.

Borrowers participating in this program often engage in ongoing credit counseling as a requirement for mortgage approval.


USDA Home Repair Loan Program

The USDA Section 504 Home Repair program offers loans of up to $40,000 to assist elderly, disabled, and low-income homeowners in maintaining the safety and livability of their homes.

These loans have a fixed interest rate of 1% and a repayment term of 20 years.

It's important to note that the Home Repair Loan Program is exclusively available to existing homeowners seeking assistance with repairs and improvements.


These USDA mortgage programs provide valuable support to different segments of the population, ranging from first-time home buyers to those in need of home repairs.


USDA Loan Unique Benefits

One of the notable benefits of USDA loans in Florida is that they do not require a down payment. The USDA mortgage program allows for 100% financing, enabling home buyers to purchase a home without having to make an upfront payment.

Additionally, USDA mortgage rates are typically extremely low compared to rates offered for similar low- and no-down-payment loans such as HomeReady, Home Possible, and VA mortgage loans for active-duty military personnel and veterans.

Another advantage is that USDA loans do not require mortgage insurance, which can significantly impact the overall cost of the loan.

Unlike conventional loans that often require a 20% down payment or mortgage insurance, the USDA charges a one-time guarantee fee of 1% at closing and an additional annual fee of 0.35%, resulting in potential cost savings for borrowers.

Home buyers utilizing USDA loans can purchase a home with $0 out of pocket.

USDA guidelines allow buyers to include the guarantee fee, closing costs, and loan fees in the loan amount, even exceeding 100% of the home's purchase price.

Additionally, seller concessions are permitted, further reducing the cash required to close the transaction.

One valuable feature of USDA mortgages is their assumable nature. This means that when homeowners decide to sell their property, the buyer can assume their existing USDA loan, maintaining the same interest rate and loan terms.

Assumable mortgages can increase a home's resale value, particularly when interest rates rise, as the buyer benefits from locked-in, lower mortgage rates.

For existing USDA mortgage holders, the USDA Streamline Refinance program offers an automated rate reduction option.

Homeowners who have made timely mortgage payments for the past 12 months can qualify for this program, provided the refinance results in a monthly savings of $50 or more.

The USDA Streamline Refinance does not require employment verification or a home appraisal, making it a convenient option for eligible homeowners.

In summary, USDA loans in Florida provide several advantages, including no down payment requirement, low mortgage rates, no mortgage insurance, the ability to purchase a home with $0 out of pocket, assumability, and access to the streamlined refinancing program.


USDA Mortgage Statistics

The rural areas of the United States encompass a significant portion of the country's landmass and are eligible for 100% financing through the USDA Section 502 program.

Here are some insights and statistics related to rural populations and USDA Guaranteed Loans:

  • Approximately 56.3% of USDA homeowners are single or not married.

  • The average age of a USDA mortgage borrower is 37 years.

  • The average household income for USDA homeowners is $52,478.

  • The typical household size for USDA homeowners is 2.3 people.

  • The average size of a home financed by a USDA mortgage is approximately 1,445 square feet.

  • The average loan size for USDA mortgages is $127,406.

  • On average, USDA home buyers make a down payment of 2.12%.

  • 72.6% of USDA home buyers fall into the moderate-income category according to USDA classification, while 25.6% are classified as low- or very-low-income earners.

  • The USDA reports that 82.0% of USDA home buyers are first-time home buyers.

To explore pre-approval for a USDA mortgage, you can click on the provided link for further information and assistance.


What’s the Difference Between USDA and FHA Loans?

USDA and FHA-backed loans are popular low down payment loan options available to first-time home buyers, as they are backed by government agencies and offer protection to mortgage lenders.

However, there are several differences between USDA and FHA loans, including down payment, income, and credit score requirements.

Here are some key distinctions:

  • Down payment - USDA mortgages allow home buyers to put less money down compared to FHA loans. USDA loans offer 100% financing, meaning no down payment is required, while FHA loans typically require a minimum down payment of 3.5%.

  • Upfront and ongoing fees - USDA mortgages generally have fewer upfront and ongoing fees compared to FHA loans. USDA loans have a one-time guarantee fee at closing and an additional annual fee, whereas FHA loans have upfront mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) and ongoing monthly mortgage insurance.

  • Property limitations - USDA mortgages are limited to 1-unit homes, meaning they can only be used for single-family residences. FHA loans, on the other hand, allow for a wider range of property types, including multi-unit homes (up to 4 units), as long as one of the units serves as the borrower's primary residence.

It's important to note that both USDA and FHA loans are intended for primary residences only and cannot be used for vacation homes or rental properties.

These are some of the key differences between USDA and FHA loans. It's recommended to consult with a mortgage lender or loan officer to determine the specific requirements and eligibility criteria for each loan program based on your personal circumstances.

With over 50 years of mortgage industry experience, we are here to help you achieve the American dream of owning a home. We strive to provide the best education before, during, and after you buy a home. Our advice is based on experience with Phil Ganz and Team closing over One billion dollars and helping countless families.

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