If you don’t have a house yet, it’s best to buy one soon before the price soars. You can buy a house using a USDA loan to have your dream house soon. To choose the right USDA Loan Mortgage Companies (U.S. Department of Agriculture), make sure you know the tips on choosing them.
The article below will uncover what a USDA loan is and how to choose the right USDA loan company. Keep reading the following article to get all the insight!
What is a USDA Loan?
USDA is a loan program with a 0% down payment for borrowers who live in rural areas. To qualify for a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan mortgage, borrowers must have an average income of 115%. This mortgage loan dares to offer a 0% down payment because the US Department of Agriculture issues it.
Additionally, this mortgage loan program is specifically aimed at elevating the rural economy. This loan consists of two types, including guaranteed and direct loans. Furthermore, these guaranteed loans get direct backing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To get this loan, you can apply directly to participating lenders.
Although direct loans are intended for low-income people, the criteria applied are stricter. Those who purchase a house in the U.S. Department of Agriculture loan will get a mortgage with a fixed interest rate. Also, this loan is a lifesaver for those who want to own a house but don’t have enough money to buy it in cash.
6 Tips Before Choosing USDA Loan Mortgage Companies
Even though U.S. Department of Agriculture loans provide a 0% down payment, it is also important for you to consider the tips below before choosing one. Here they are:
1. Set Your Budget and Get Pre Approval
The first smart step is to set a budget before you apply for a mortgage. Setting the budget in advance can increase the chances of approval being granted. Also, managing your budget has a good impact on your financial health in the future.
Make sure you visit the mortgage lender to provide a pre-approval letter. Before issuing a pre-approval letter, the mortgage lender will ask you some questions regarding your debts, income, assets, and credit rating. Thus, the calculation results will show the type of house based on your ability to pay.
To illustrate, you want to buy house A, but it turns out that the calculation results show that you can only afford house B. In this case, if you get a calculation result lower than your proposed budget, there are options to overcome this problem. Options include paying off debt first, saving more, or improving your credit score.
2. Find Your Home
After setting a budget and getting pre-approval, you can find the house of your choice by hiring a real estate agent. The real estate agency will assist you by providing a list of houses based on your needs.
They are steady to help you understand the documents and make an offer. Besides all the points mentioned, the real estate officer will also provide open house appointments.
The surefire tip for quickly getting a house that meets your criteria and buying it with USDA Loan Mortgage Companies is to list the house features you want. These features include the building area, number of rooms, and nearby public facilities.
3. Mortgage Lender Compare
There are many mortgage companies you can choose from, and they have their offers. To get an offer that benefits you, compare the eligibility criteria, loan programs, mortgage interest rates, and closing costs.
You don’t need to visit mortgage lenders’ offices one by one to compare them because you can research online. Besides, you can also ask for recommendations from trusted people. Make sure you also read the reviews of each mortgage lender to determine their quality and credibility.
4. Fill Out the Application for Some Lenders
For you to have the opportunity to get a lower mortgage interest rate offer, try to apply to multiple lenders. Submit all applications within 45 days so your credit score does not decrease. Of course, you must submit your mortgage loan application after signing the purchase agreement with the seller.
5. Choose a Lender Buyer and Sign the Contract
After applying for loans from multiple companies, you can choose the most suitable USDA Loan Mortgage Companies. Next, the mortgage lender will provide a detailed loan estimate that includes the loan amount, interest rate, monthly payments, and closing costs.
You can negotiate with the lender to get a better offer. Don’t hesitate to ask them to lower the interest rate, offer other incentives, and lower closing costs. Convey this politely to vanquish your conversation partner. If you and the lender have reached an agreement, they will ask you to sign a letter of agreement.
6. Close on Your New Home
The final tip is to close on your new home for the final mortgage process. Thoroughly inspect the home before signing the closing papers. If you find any damage, you can ask sales to fix it first.
The closing process will involve a pile of documents. Ensure you bring all the required requirements to support a smooth closing process until you finally get the keys to your new home.
7 Best USDA Loan Mortgage Lenders
If you live in a rural area and are eligible to apply for a USDA mortgage loan, consider the following 7 USDA loan mortgage companies.
| Lender | Minimum Credit Score | Rate |
| PENNYMAC | 620 | 5 |
| PCB BANK | 640 | 5 |
| New American Funding | 640 | 4,5 |
| Flagstar Bank | 660 | 4,5 |
| Northpointe Bank | 620 | 4,5 |
| Truist | N/A | 4,5 |
| Wintrust Mortgage | N/A | 4,5 |
Are You Ready to Choose the Best USDA Loan Mortgage Companies?
To put it all together, USDA loan mortgage companies offer loans with a down payment of 0%, specifically for those of you who live in rural areas with an average income of 115%. Keep in mind that each lender offers varying interest rates and closing costs.
Therefore, be selective in choosing a lender to get a more affordable offer. Also, ensure you don’t submit an application that exceeds your capacity to pay the loan so it gets approved quickly.
