Zero-down USDA Guaranteed Loans are the most popular rural development mortgage program in Georgia. These loans are available for anyone with low to moderate income to purchase a home in approved rural areas with no down payment.  The USDA Guaranteed Loan Program is also the favorite no-down payment mortgage in Georgia for non-veterans today, and can be used for a broader range of applicant incomes than USDA Direct Loans.

What are Georgia USDA Loans?

The USDA loan program was created by the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development, also known as “USDA RD”. USDA Guaranteed Loans (also known as USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loans) are a mortgage program for low and moderate income mortgage applicants. Georgia USDA loans provide low-cost, government insured mortgage options that suit a variety of home buying needs. The most common mortgages offered through USDA are known as “Guaranteed” loans. USDA Guaranteed Loans are 100% financing mortgages, which means you can use them to buy a home with no down payment.

Georgia USDA Loan Requirements

USDA loan requirements mainly focus on the home loan applicant and the property. First off, the home must be located in an approved rural areas to be considered eligible for USDA financing. Second off, the home buyer must meet all income requirements set forth by USDA. These income limits are established through a combination of debt-to-income ratios and income ceilings that equal 115% of the area median income (AMI) for the particular area. Statewide, Georgia carries a median household income of $58,700, but that can vary from county to county. Ultimately, the applicant must also meet all lender requirements for mortgage approval which include:

  • Credit Requirements
  • Income Requirements
  • Documentation Requirements

Georgia USDA Loan Limits

USDA doesn’t set specific maximum loan amounts for guaranteed mortgages. Instead, local limits are determined by a combination of the area USDA maximum income limit and the borrower’s debt-to-income ratios. This approach means that guaranteed Georgia USDA loan limits are fluid and based upon numerous factors. The limits listed below are based on approximate calculations. Actual guaranteed loan limits may vary.

Area
1-4 Person Households
5-8 Person Households
Albany, GA MSA$306,000$391,000
Appling County, GA$306,000$391,000
Athens-Clarke County, GA MSA$306,000$391,000
Atkinson County, GA$306,000$391,000
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$323,000$417,000
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Bacon County, GA$306,000$391,000
Baldwin County, GA$306,000$391,000
Banks County, GA$306,000$391,000
Ben Hill County, GA$306,000$391,000
Berrien County, GA$306,000$391,000
Bleckley County, GA$306,000$391,000
Brunswick, GA MSA$306,000$391,000
Bulloch County, GA$306,000$391,000
Butts County, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Calhoun County, GA$306,000$391,000
Camden County, GA$306,000$391,000
Candler County, GA$306,000$391,000
Charlton County, GA$306,000$391,000
Chattanooga, TN-GA MSA$306,000$391,000
Chattooga County, GA$306,000$391,000
Clay County, GA$306,000$391,000
Clinch County, GA$306,000$391,000
Coffee County, GA$306,000$391,000
Colquitt County, GA$306,000$391,000
Columbus, GA-AL MSA$306,000$391,000
Cook County, GA$306,000$391,000
Crisp County, GA$306,000$391,000
Dalton, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Decatur County, GA$306,000$391,000
Dodge County, GA$306,000$391,000
Dooly County, GA$306,000$391,000
Early County, GA$306,000$391,000
Elbert County, GA$306,000$391,000
Emanuel County, GA$306,000$391,000
Evans County, GA$306,000$391,000
Fannin County, GA$306,000$391,000
Franklin County, GA$306,000$391,000
Gainesville, GA MSA$306,000$391,000
Gilmer County, GA$306,000$391,000
Glascock County, GA$306,000$391,000
Gordon County, GA$306,000$391,000
Grady County, GA$306,000$391,000
Greene County, GA$306,000$391,000
Habersham County, GA$306,000$391,000
Hancock County, GA$306,000$391,000
Haralson County, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Hart County, GA$306,000$391,000
Hinesville, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Irwin County, GA$306,000$391,000
Jackson County, GA$306,000$391,000
Jeff Davis County, GA$306,000$391,000
Jefferson County, GA$306,000$391,000
Jenkins County, GA$306,000$391,000
Johnson County, GA$306,000$391,000
Lamar County, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Laurens County, GA$306,000$391,000
Lincoln County, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Long County, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Lumpkin County, GA$306,000$391,000
Macon County, GA$306,000$391,000
Macon, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Meriwether County, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Miller County, GA$306,000$391,000
Mitchell County, GA$306,000$391,000
Monroe County, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Montgomery County, GA$306,000$391,000
Morgan County, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Murray County, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Peach County, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Pierce County, GA$306,000$391,000
Polk County, GA$306,000$391,000
Pulaski County, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Putnam County, GA$306,000$391,000
Quitman County, GA$306,000$391,000
Rabun County, GA$306,000$391,000
Randolph County, GA$306,000$391,000
Rome, GA MSA$306,000$391,000
Savannah, GA MSA$306,000$391,000
Schley County, GA$306,000$391,000
Screven County, GA$306,000$391,000
Seminole County, GA$306,000$391,000
Stephens County, GA$306,000$391,000
Stewart County, GA$306,000$391,000
Sumter County, GA$306,000$391,000
Talbot County, GA$306,000$391,000
Taliaferro County, GA$306,000$391,000
Tattnall County, GA$306,000$391,000
Taylor County, GA$306,000$391,000
Telfair County, GA$306,000$391,000
Thomas County, GA$306,000$391,000
Tift County, GA$306,000$391,000
Toombs County, GA$306,000$391,000
Towns County, GA$306,000$391,000
Treutlen County, GA$306,000$391,000
Troup County, GA$306,000$391,000
Turner County, GA$306,000$391,000
Union County, GA$306,000$391,000
Upson County, GA$306,000$391,000
Valdosta, GA MSA$306,000$391,000
Ware County, GA$306,000$391,000
Warner Robins, GA HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Warren County, GA$306,000$391,000
Washington County, GA$306,000$391,000
Wayne County, GA$306,000$391,000
Webster County, GA$306,000$391,000
Wheeler County, GA$306,000$391,000
White County, GA$306,000$391,000
Wilcox County, GA$306,000$391,000
Wilkes County, GA$306,000$391,000
Wilkinson County, GA$306,000$391,000

Additional USDA Limits

What is the maximum amount that I can borrow with a USDA Loan?

The maximum amount for a USDA home loan in Georgia is determined by:

  • Maximum Loan Amount: There’s no set maximum loan amount for USDA rural home loans in GA. Instead, your debt-to-income ratios dictate how much home your can afford (29/41 ratios). Additionally, your total household monthly income must be within USDA allowed maximum income limits for your area. Maximum USDA Guaranteed Loan income limits for all areas can be found at here.
  • Maximum Financing: The maximum USDA Rural Development Loan amount in GA is 100% of the home’s appraised value plus the 1% USDA RD Loan guarantee fee.

What types of loans does USDA offer in Georgia?

Two USDA home loan options are presently available in Georgia for single family households. These programs are backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture by way of its Rural Development Housing Loans:

  • Georgia USDA Guaranteed Home Loans – Guaranteed Loans the most common Rural Housing Loans in Georgia, because they accommodate higher income limits and 100% financing for home purchases. USDA Guaranteed applicants may have an income of up to 115% of the median household income for the area, which average $58,700 across the state. Specific area income limits for the program can be viewed here. All USDA Guaranteed Loans carry 30 year terms and are set at a fixed rate.
  • Georgia USDA Direct Home Loans – USDA Direct Housing Loans in Georgia are less common than USDA Guaranteed Loans and are only available for low and very low income households to obtain homeownership, as defined by the USDA. Very low income is defined as below 50 percent of the area median income (AMI); low income is between 50 and 80 percent of AMI; moderate income is 80 to 100 percent of AMI. Click here to see area income limits for this program.

What factors determine if I’m eligible for a USDA Loan in Georgia?

To be eligible for a USDA loan in Georgia, your monthly housing costs (mortgage principal and interest, property taxes, and insurance) must meet a specified percentage of your gross monthly income (29% ratio). Your credit background will be fairly considered. A 620 FICO credit score is generally required to obtain a USDA Rural Housing Loan approval through most lenders. You must also have enough income to pay your housing costs plus all additional monthly debt (41% ratio). These ratios can be exceeded somewhat with compensating factors. Applicants for loans may have an income of up to 115% of the median income for the area. Families must be without adequate housing, but be able to afford the mortgage payments, including taxes and insurance.

How much money will I need for the down payment and closing costs?

Rural Development Mortgages in Georgia require no down payment and they allow for the closing costs to be included in the loan amount (appraisal permitting).

What property types are allowed for USDA Mortgages?

While USDA Guidelines do require that the property be Owner Occupied (OO), they also allow you to purchase condos, planned unit developments, manufactured homes, and single family residences.

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