--- title: All About USDA Loans description: USDA loans are an affordable option for many families, since most require little or no money up front and credit score requirements are less stringent than they would be for a traditional loan. image: https://blog.homesandland.com/hubfs/All-about-USDA-Loans.jpg --- [![Homes & Land](https://blog.homesandland.com/hubfs/Images/hnl-logo.svg)](https://www.homesandland.com/) - [Homes](https://www.homesandland.com/homes) - [Rentals](https://www.homesandland.com/rentals) - [Agents](https://www.homesandland.com/agents) - [Commercial](https://www.homesandland.com/commercial) - [Open houses](https://www.homesandland.com/open-houses) - [Land](https://www.homesandland.com/land) - [Mortage](https://www.homesandland.com/mortgage) - More [Rentals](https://www.homesandland.com/rentals) [Agents](https://www.homesandland.com/agents) [Commercial](https://www.homesandland.com/commercial) [Open houses](https://www.homesandland.com/open-houses) [Land](https://www.homesandland.com/land) [Mortage](https://www.homesandland.com/mortgage) - [Log in](https://www.homesandland.com/account) - [Blog](https://blog.homesandland.com) - [Advertisers](https://advertise.homesandland.com/advertise) [How a Realtor Makes Home Buying Easier](https://blog.homesandland.com/how-a-realtor-makes-home-buying-easier) Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll ever make, but the process... 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Here are a few key details that can help you decide: - ### Loan types There are two different loan programs offered by the USDA. The first is a direct loan program, where the agency directly funds the applicants and payments are made to the USDA. The second is a loan guarantee program, similar to the program used for federal student loans, where the USDA guarantees the loan with a conventional lender or bank. The loan that you qualify for will depend on your income and the property you are buying; each loan type has its own standards and guidelines. - ### Property USDA loans are designed to build and promote rural communities, so the location of the property will determine if it is eligible for a loan. Many rural properties are covered in the program, so even if the home you are considering is not a farm, you should still check the USDA property eligibility map to see if your home qualifies – the results may surprise you. ![](https://blog.homesandland.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(64)-png-jpg.jpeg) - ### Income The amount of income you need to qualify for a USDA direct or guaranteed loan may be different from the amount you need for a traditional loan. The USDA government site has a calculator you can use to determine your eligibility; it uses the amount of income you earn, the number of people in your household, and the average income in your [property search](https://www.homesandland.com) area to determine if you are eligible. Find a [local Realty Expert ](https://www.homesandland.com/sitemap/agents)or search our [real estate listings](http://homesandland.com). Learn something new? Want to pass an idea to a friend? 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