Zero-down USDA Guaranteed Loans are the most popular rural development mortgage program in Michigan. 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 Michigan for non-veterans today, and can be used for a broader range of applicant incomes than USDA Direct Loans.

What are Michigan 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. Michigan 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.

Michigan 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, Michigan carries a median household income of $57,144, 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

Michigan 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 Michigan 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
Alcona County, MI$306,000$391,000
Alger County, MI$306,000$391,000
Allegan County, MI$306,000$391,000
Alpena County, MI$306,000$391,000
Ann Arbor, MI MSA$374,000$483,000
Antrim County, MI$306,000$391,000
Arenac County, MI$306,000$391,000
Baraga County, MI$306,000$391,000
Barry County, MI HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Battle Creek, MI MSA$306,000$391,000
Bay City, MI MSA$306,000$391,000
Benzie County, MI$306,000$391,000
Branch County, MI$306,000$391,000
Cass County, MI HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Charlevoix County, MI$306,000$391,000
Cheboygan County, MI$306,000$391,000
Chippewa County, MI$306,000$391,000
Clare County, MI$306,000$391,000
Crawford County, MI$306,000$391,000
Delta County, MI$306,000$391,000
Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$408,000
Dickinson County, MI$306,000$391,000
Emmet County, MI$306,000$391,000
Flint, MI MSA$306,000$391,000
Gladwin County, MI$306,000$391,000
Gogebic County, MI$306,000$391,000
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$408,000
Grand Traverse County, MI$306,000$408,000
Gratiot County, MI$306,000$391,000
Hillsdale County, MI$306,000$391,000
Holland-Grand Haven, MI HUD Metro FMR Area$340,000$431,000
Houghton County, MI$306,000$391,000
Huron County, MI$306,000$391,000
Ionia County, MI$306,000$391,000
Iosco County, MI$306,000$391,000
Iron County, MI$306,000$391,000
Isabella County, MI$306,000$391,000
Jackson, MI MSA$306,000$391,000
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI MSA$306,000$391,000
Kalkaska County, MI$306,000$391,000
Keweenaw County, MI$306,000$391,000
Lake County, MI$306,000$391,000
Lansing-East Lansing, MI MSA$306,000$391,000
Leelanau County, MI$306,000$391,000
Lenawee County, MI$306,000$408,000
Livingston County, MI HUD Metro FMR Area$374,000$483,000
Luce County, MI$306,000$391,000
Mackinac County, MI$306,000$391,000
Manistee County, MI$306,000$391,000
Marquette County, MI$306,000$391,000
Mason County, MI$306,000$391,000
Mecosta County, MI$306,000$391,000
Menominee County, MI$306,000$391,000
Midland, MI MSA$306,000$391,000
Missaukee County, MI$306,000$391,000
Monroe, MI MSA$323,000$408,000
Montcalm County, MI HUD Metro FMR Area$306,000$391,000
Montmorency County, MI$306,000$391,000
Muskegon, MI MSA$306,000$391,000
Newaygo County, MI$306,000$391,000
Niles-Benton Harbor, MI MSA$306,000$391,000
Oceana County, MI$306,000$391,000
Ogemaw County, MI$306,000$391,000
Ontonagon County, MI$306,000$391,000
Osceola County, MI$306,000$391,000
Oscoda County, MI$306,000$391,000
Otsego County, MI$306,000$391,000
Presque Isle County, MI$306,000$391,000
Roscommon County, MI$306,000$391,000
Saginaw, MI MSA$306,000$391,000
Sanilac County, MI$306,000$391,000
Schoolcraft County, MI$306,000$391,000
Shiawassee County, MI$306,000$391,000
St. Joseph County, MI$306,000$391,000
Tuscola County, MI$306,000$391,000
Wexford County, MI$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 Michigan is determined by:

  • Maximum Loan Amount: There’s no set maximum loan amount for USDA rural home loans in MI. 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 MI is 100% of the home’s appraised value plus the 1% USDA RD Loan guarantee fee.

What types of loans does USDA offer in Michigan?

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

  • Michigan USDA Guaranteed Home Loans – Guaranteed Loans the most common Rural Housing Loans in Michigan, 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 $57,144 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.
  • Michigan USDA Direct Home Loans – USDA Direct Housing Loans in Michigan 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 Michigan?

To be eligible for a USDA loan in Michigan, 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 Michigan 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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