Zero down. And "rural" is bigger than you think.
The USDA Rural Development loan is the best-kept secret in first-time buying: 100% financing — no down payment at all — on homes in USDA-eligible areas. The catch? Most people assume they don't qualify without ever checking.
True 0% down
No down payment required. Your cash to close is limited to closing costs — which can themselves be reduced through seller credits or assistance programs.
"Rural" includes a lot
Chippewa Falls. Menomonie. Rice Lake. Much of the valley outside the Eau Claire core — and communities on the outer edge of the Twin Cities metro. Eligibility is address-by-address, and we check it in minutes.
Income limits are household-wide
USDA counts total household income against county limits — generous ones. Many two-income first-time buyer households fit comfortably.
Competitive monthly cost
USDA's guarantee fee structure often beats FHA mortgage insurance, keeping monthly payments surprisingly low for a 0%-down loan.
Typical eligibility
- Property in a USDA-eligible area (we check the exact address)
- Household income within county limits
- Primary residence only
- Credit per program guidelines (generally 640 for streamlined approval)
Program guidelines change and county limits vary — treat this as orientation, not a rulebook. We verify your actual eligibility for free, usually same-day.
Find out if USDA Rural Development fits you.
Eligibility checks are free, fast, and commitment-free — call, email, or apply through Fairway's secure system.
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