USDA loans0% downjust outside the city.
USDA guaranteed loans help moderate income buyers purchase in eligible rural and suburban areas with no down payment. More of Southern Maryland qualifies than most people expect. We check the address and your household income before you fall in love with a house.
Secure application, about 10 minutes. A licensed loan officer reviews it and reaches out to walk you through your options.
Who USDA works best for.
A strong fit if
- The home is in a USDA eligible area, such as parts of Charles, Calvert or St. Mary's County
- Your household income is at or under 115% of the area median
- You have little or nothing saved for a down payment
- You will live in the home as your primary residence
Compare options if
- The address is not on the USDA eligibility map. Most of central Prince George's County is not
- Your household income is above the limit. Everyone in the household counts, not just borrowers
- You want a farm, a rental or a second home. USDA is for a primary residence
USDA guidelines in plain numbers.
These are the program rules. Each lender can add its own on top, which is why we shop your file across several of them.
| Location | The home must be in a USDA eligible area. Charles, Calvert and St. Mary's counties and the more rural parts of Anne Arundel and Prince George's include eligible areas. Eligibility is set by the exact address. |
|---|---|
| Household income | Up to 115% of the area median income, adjusted for household size. All adult household income counts, even if that person is not on the loan. |
| Down payment | 0%. Closing costs can be covered by the seller or, if the appraisal comes in high enough, added to the loan. |
| Fees | 1% upfront guarantee fee, usually financed, and a 0.35% annual fee paid monthly. |
| Credit score | Lenders commonly look for 640 for automated approval. Lower scores may be reviewed manually. |
| Occupancy and property | Primary residence. Single family homes, townhomes and approved condos. No income producing farms. |
See what a USDA payment could look like.
Includes the 1% upfront fee and the 0.35% annual fee.
Zero down vs 3.5% down.
If the address and your income qualify, USDA usually wins on cash to close and monthly insurance. If not, FHA is the fallback.
Apply once
One secure application, about 10 minutes.
We price both
USDA and FHA across our lenders, side by side.
You pick with real numbers
Payment, cash to close and total cost, in plain terms.
USDA or FHA?
| Feature | FHA | USDA |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum down | 3.5% | 0% |
| Upfront fee | 1.75% | 1% |
| Yearly fee | About 0.55% | 0.35% |
| Where | Anywhere | Eligible areas only |
| Income limit | None | 115% of area median |
Pair USDA with assistance and bring less to closing.
State, county and DC programs can sit on top of a USDA first mortgage. Each has its own income, price and homebuyer education rules, so we check eligibility before you write an offer.
Maryland Mortgage Program
1st Time Advantage pairs a first mortgage with deferred, 0% interest help: a flat $6,000 or 3% to 5% of the loan. In Prince George's County, Pathway to Purchase adds up to $50,000 for eligible buyers.
Check my eligibilityDC Home Purchase Assistance Program
For loans closing after July 1, 2026, HPAP offers up to $202,000 toward the purchase plus up to $4,000 for closing costs, based on income and household size.
Ask about HPAPUSDA questions we hear every week.
Is my address USDA eligible?
Check it on the USDA eligibility map, or send it to us and we will check. Many neighborhoods in Charles, Calvert and St. Mary's counties qualify, along with rural parts of Anne Arundel and Prince George's.
What is the income limit?
Household income up to 115% of the area median, adjusted for household size. Income from every adult in the household counts, even if they are not on the loan. We confirm the exact limit for your county.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
No. You generally cannot own another adequate home at the time you buy, but you do not have to be a first-time buyer.
How much are the USDA fees?
A 1% upfront guarantee fee, which is usually added to the loan, and a 0.35% annual fee paid monthly. On a $375,000 loan the annual fee is about $109 a month.
Can I buy a home that needs work?
The home must meet basic safety and condition standards at closing. For bigger repairs, a renovation loan may fit better.
Compare other options.
FHA Loans
3.5% down and flexible credit for buyers with a 580+ score.
ExploreVeterans & militaryVA Loans
No down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance for eligible veterans and service members.
ExploreConventionalConventional Loans
3% down for first-time buyers, and mortgage insurance that comes off at 20% equity.
ExploreBuy + fixRenovation Loans
Roll the purchase and the repairs into one loan with FHA 203(k) and HomeStyle.
Explore