Many homebuyers in Alabama still don’t know about the 100% USDA Rural Housing mortgage program. The Alabama USDA RD program is a “less known” government sponsored home buying program that allows eligible buyers to purchase a home with little to no money out of pocket.
100% financing is hard to come by today in Alabama, but still possible with USDA. Similar to other government-backed loans like FHA and VA, USDA loans are processed through approved lenders, banks, and brokers.
Let’s look at the latest Alabama USDA RD Mortgage Guide below. We will also discuss some of the benefits and possible challenges of the USDA Rural Housing program.
- 100% Financing – no down payment.
- Single loan with a low 30-Year fixed interest rate
- USDA Closing costs, home insurance, and tax escrows can be rolled into the loan, or paid by the home seller
- You don’t have to be a first-time home buyer
- Low monthly mortgage insurance (PMI) required
- Large bank savings are NOT required
- Simple credit requirements (like FHA, minimum: 620 credit score)
USDA loans are not for everyone, let’s look at some of the restrictions for home buyers:
- Single-family homes only (can’t purchase duplexes, apartments, etc.)
- No mobile homes
- No “fixer-uppers” or investment property (standard primary homes in good repair that meet basic HUD compliance)
- No “build on your own lot”
- Student loan debt – cannot be deferred, and must be counted towards debt-to-income ratios.
- Property must be located in a USDA-approved area – see below
- Income for the household must be below the set county limit
USDA Approved Locations in Alabama:
USDA home loans are not for the “big cities”, but many suburban locations just outside larger cities like Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, etc. will likely still qualify. If you qualify for an Alabama USDA mortgage, it will likely be a more attractive mortgage program than other options like FHA loans.
The zero down payment option aside, USDA mortgage insurance (PMI) is nearly 30% less when compared to other loan programs. The home (any seller – short sale, foreclosure, bank-owned) must be located in a USDA-approved area according to the map here.
Alabama 2024 -2025 USDA Income Restrictions:
Rather than having a loan purchase limit, USDA has household income and debt-to-income ratio limits. The household income limits vary by county and household size. For most counties in Alabama, the family income limits start at $112,450 per year (Family 1–4 members) Even higher up to $146,050 for larger families of 5+ members. Need assistance calculating your household income for eligibility? Just reach out to us today by submitting the short Info Request Form on this page.
Common misconceptions of the USDA Rural Housing loan program:
- USDA loans are just for ranchers and farmers – USDA Loans are not “just for farmers,” millions of home buyers from all walks of life already qualify.
- USDA loans are not flexible – The truth is, USDA loans can be used to buy a new home (located in a USDA-approved area) or refinance to a lower rate (for homeowners that already have a USDA loan)
- Only certain people can qualify – Most homebuyers that meet the income, location and credit guidelines can qualify for a USDA Rural Development loan.
- They are only for rural areas – Actually, USDA Loans are available in many areas that most people would not consider “rural” For example, many small communities just outside metropolitan areas qualify as rural areas according to the US Department of Agriculture.
- FHA or Conventional Loans are better – USDA home loans often offer better terms than FHA or conventional loans. In addition, the monthly mortgage insurance is cheaper.
- They are harder to get than FHA or Conventional Loans – This just isn’t true. In many cases, USDA Loans are actually easier to get because the loans are guaranteed by the government.
- USDA loans take months to close – Maybe in the past, but not true today. USDA loans close just as fast as other home loans these days. Buyers can go under contract to purchase a home and close about 30 days later.
USDA Mortgage Source is a leading USDA loan specialist. If you have questions or want to get pre-approved, please submit the short Info Request Form on this page. You can also call us 7 days a week at the number above.
We serve all of Alabama including Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, Anniston, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, Dothan, Decatur, Auburn, Oxford, Albertville, Selma, Trussville, Troy, Tillmans Corner, Center Point, Helena, Hueytown, Talladega, Fairhope, Ozark, Scottsboro, Cullman, Foley, Madison, Florence, Gadsden, Vestavia Hills, Phoenix City, Alabaster, Bessemer, Opelika, Enterprise, Homewood, Northport, Prichard, Athens, Daphne, Pelham, ALA