Buying a House in Evansville – Many people who want to own a home have given up on their dream because they can’t afford a down payment or acquire a home loan from a traditional lender. They must not, however, quit up. They still have options to assist them in achieving their goal. A USDA loan, for example, is a low-interest mortgage that requires a modest or no down payment and is designed for people who don’t have good enough credit to qualify for a standard mortgage. Does that make sense? If that’s the case, here’s everything you need to know about USDA loans in Evansville.

Types of USDA Loans

What many people don’t realize is that there are actually three types of USDA loans . . .

1. Guaranteed USDA loan – The “USDA partners with local lenders to offer guaranteed loans” using this sort of loan, which “means the USDA insures a portion of the mortgage in the case you default on your loan.” This arrangement encourages lenders to give favourable loan conditions to low- to moderate-income purchasers with less-than-perfect credit scores.
2. Direct USDA loan – The “USDA funds the borrowers of these loans directly” in this scenario, making the USDA the lender rather than a bank. “These loans are typically used by low- and very-low-income Americans who are unable to get other forms of housing financing.”
3. USDA home improvement loan –  This type of loan is designed to “help low-income Americans repair or enhance their homes.”

Qualifying Criteria

Now let\’s see how you can qualify for USDA loans when buying a house in Evansville.

A “USDA home loan” is a zero-down payment mortgage available to qualifying rural homebuyers. USDA loans are granted by the United States Department of Agriculture under the USDA loan programme, often known as the USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Loan Program.”

The qualifying criteria are as follows:

• Must be for an owner-occupied primary residence
• citizenship or permanent residency
• The monthly payment must be 29% or less of monthly income and other debt can’t exceed 41% of income (unless your credit score is above 680)
• Must have a dependable income, usually for a minimum of 24 months
• Acceptable credit history, especially “no accounts converted to collections within last 12 months

Further, if you have a credit score of 640 or higher, you’ll get streamlined processing. But if your credit score is below that, you’ll have to “meet more stringent underwriting standards.”

How USDA Home Loans Work

With USDA loans for homes, mortgages are issued to applicants with the greatest need and who can prove that need. The criteria to demonstrate this need include:

• Being without “decent, safe and sanitary housing”
• Inability to get a mortgage from traditional sources
• An “adjusted income at or below the low-income limit for the area”

USDA direct loans are typically given out “for residences of 2,000 square feet or fewer, with a market value less than the local loan maximum.” However, the market value loan limit fluctuates greatly from market to market. Contact a local agent at [phone] to learn more about the Evansville market and loan limit.

Further Considerations

And there are a few other things to keep in mind when it comes to USDA loans . . .

• “Fixed-interest rates for USDA-guaranteed loans are usually lower than conventional mortgage rates, which typically range from 3% to 5% of the home’s value. The lender’s evaluation of your financial, credit, and job history ultimately determines your interest rate.”
• Qualified borrowers are eligible for either 15-year or 30-year loans.
• Because these loans are low or zero down payment, “you’d need to shell out an up-front insurance premium to protect the seller in the event you default. This payment usually measures about 1% to 2% of the loan amount. You’d also need to pay a fee of about 0.35% to 0.40% of the loan throughout the year.”
• You’ll still have to pay closing costs, which typically include lender fees and administrative fees. “Closing costs for USDA-guaranteed loans vary by location. Still, they tend to equal about 1% to 3% of the loan amount. But unlike some mortgages, USDA-backed loans can be covered with gift money. You’d just need to provide a gift letter or proper documentation.”

The Next Step When Buying a House in Evansville

With better interest rates and sometimes no down payment, a USDA home loan can surely make owning a home possible and more reasonable for qualifying buyers in rural and some suburban areas. However, the home’s location is a major consideration. Houses in urban areas will not qualify, so make sure you buy a house in the suitable region – usually rural or near rural – to qualify for one of these loans. Your Evansville real estate agent can help you with this. So, if USDA loans and purchasing a home in Evansville are on your mind, give us a call at Northindy Home Buyers.