Virginia mortgage tools

USDA Eligibility Check for Virginia

USDA home loans have two gates: the property and your household income. Answer five quick questions to see whether it is worth a closer look.

Your situation

Answers stay on this page

1. Is the property in a USDA-eligible rural area?

2. Is household income at or under the USDA limit for that area and household size?

3. Will this be your primary home?

4. Your credit score

5. U.S. citizen, U.S. national or eligible noncitizen?

Check the official tools

USDA decides eligibility, not a lender. These official tools give the answer for your address and household.

Check an address on the USDA map Check income eligibility View income limits (PDF)

Needs a check

What we see

Compare my options

A quick screen only. It is not an eligibility determination or a loan approval.

How USDA eligibility works

USDA backs loans for moderate-income buyers in eligible rural areas. Every loan has to pass both gates.

The property gate. The home must sit in an area USDA maps as eligible. This is decided address by address, so two homes on the same road can differ.
The income gate. Household income, counting every adult in the home, must be at or under USDA's limit for the area and household size. Some deductions may apply.
Everything else. The home must be your primary residence, you must be a U.S. citizen, national or eligible noncitizen, and your credit and debts must meet the lender's rules.
Where it fits in Virginia. Small towns and rural counties are the most likely to qualify. Much of Northern Virginia and other metro areas generally does not. Always check the exact address.

USDA eligibility FAQ

My address is right on the line. Is it eligible?

Only USDA's official map decides, and a lender cannot override it. Check the exact address, since eligibility can change from one parcel to the next.

My income is slightly over the limit. Is there any room?

USDA counts adjusted income, and certain deductions, such as for dependents or child care, may reduce it. A loan officer can run the numbers.

Do I have to live in the home?

Yes. USDA loans are for primary residences only, not investment properties or second homes.

What credit score is needed?

As a general guide, scores around 640 and up are easiest to approve. Lower scores may need extra review and can limit your options.

Can I use USDA for a manufactured home?

Some qualify if they meet USDA's requirements, which often include being new and on a permanent foundation. Confirm with the property details.

If the address fails, what next?

You still have options. VA, FHA and low down payment conventional loans work in any location, subject to each program's rules.

Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647. Licensed in VA, TN and GA. Brokered through Coast2Coast Mortgage, NMLS #376205. This page is general information about USDA eligibility. It is not an eligibility determination, loan offer or commitment. Program rules and income limits change. Equal Housing Opportunity.