USDA Loans

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) gives out a variety of loans to help low- or moderate-income people buy, repair or renovate a home in a rural area. Some of the popular types of loans are: the single family direct homeownership loan, the single family guaranteed homeownership loan, the rural repair and rehabilitation loan or grant and the mutual self-help loan. This guide will help you figure out what these loans are and whether you qualify.

Though the terms and details of these loans differ, all offer very low effective interest rates (some are as low as 1 percent) and don’t require a cash down payment. To qualify, you need to have a decent credit history.