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USDA loans
No-money-down loans for eligible rural areas. Most of South Florida does not qualify.
What it is
The USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan helps low- and moderate-income households buy in eligible rural areas with 100% financing. It’s a 30-year fixed-rate loan made by approved lenders.
Who it fits
- Buyers in a USDA-eligible rural area
- Households with income at or below 115% of the area median
- U.S. citizens, U.S. non-citizen nationals or qualified aliens buying a primary residence
How it works
- Eligibility depends on the exact address. When we checked USDA’s eligibility map data on Oct 17, 2026, every Broward and Miami-Dade location we tested was ineligible, including Homestead and the Redland, and so were Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Wellington and Belle Glade.
- A few Lake Okeechobee-area spots in western Palm Beach County (around Pahokee and South Bay) were outside the ineligible area. Always check the specific address on USDA’s site.
- USDA sets no credit score requirement, but you’re expected to show you can manage debt. Lenders may set their own minimums.
Benefits
- No down payment for those who qualify
- Closing costs can be included in some cases
- Fixed rate
Tradeoffs
- Most South Florida addresses aren’t eligible
- Income limits apply to the whole household
- Ask about USDA’s guarantee fees
Typical documents
- Income documents for everyone in the household
- Two recent months of bank statements
- Photo ID and Social Security number
Your lender may ask for more or less. Full list: 1-page document checklist (PDF).
Common myth: “USDA loans are only for farms.” Not true: they’re for homes in eligible rural areas, but in South Florida very few addresses qualify.
Pairing with assistance? See the down payment assistance finder.
Last checked October 17, 2026. Sources: USDA Rural Development, Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program · USDA property eligibility site
Availability depends on the lender and program funding; ask me which ones I can use for your loan.
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