Find Out if a USDA Loan in California Is the Right Choice

USDA Loans in California

USDA Section 502 loans are one of the best-kept secrets in mortgage lending: zero down, no PMI, government-backed. They’re designed for buyers in eligible “rural” areas — which, in California, includes a surprising amount of the foothills and outer-ring suburbs. Many buyers don’t realize their target home is USDA-eligible.

USDA at a glance

• 0% down payment
• No PMI — just an annual guarantee fee (paid monthly, lower than FHA MIP)
• 30-year fixed only
• Income limits apply (varies by county and household size)
• Property must be in a USDA-eligible area — we’ll check before you shop

Eligible NorCal areas (a partial list)

Much of El Dorado County (Placerville, Cameron Park, Pollock Pines), Amador County (Jackson, Ione), parts of Sutter and Yuba counties, Nevada County, large parts of Calaveras and Tuolumne, and pockets within Sacramento, Placer, and Yolo counties just outside city centers. The USDA eligibility map is publicly searchable and we’ll pull your target address before pre-qual.

Income limits, briefly

USDA caps household income at roughly 115% of the area median. In Sacramento and El Dorado counties that’s well into six figures for a 4-person household. Most middle-income buyers in eligible areas qualify.

How UWL handles USDA

USDA loans require an extra layer of agency approval that’s slowed many lenders down. Our team is experienced with the file flow and routinely closes USDA loans on standard 30-day timelines. We’ll run your address and income against the program before you make an offer.