Updated January 2018
USDA Loans Program Eligibility Guidelines
Borrower Eligibility
Eligibility for a USDA guaranteed loan is dependent upon a number of factors. Specifically, the borrower should:
- Not exceed the maximum allowable income limit set forth in Rural Development Instruction 1980-D §1980.348, Exhibit C (use moderate-income limits). (http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov)
- Have insufficient assets to obtain other traditional conventional financing. The borrower may, however, qualify for an FHA or VA loan. In other words, applicants may have liquid assets and be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Rural Housing (GRH) Program. Those assets, however, should not be sufficient to meet the down payment and closing cost requirements associated with a conventional uninsured mortgage product (LTV ≤ 80%). This means applicants do have a choice of USDA-Guaranteed Rural Housing, FHA, VA, or a conventional mortgage product with private mortgage insurance.
The USDA Loan Guaranteed Rural Housing Purchase Program Features
- Closing costs may be financed when there is equity above the contract price as supported by the appraisal. (Discount points, however, are only eligible for financing for low income households as defined by Rural Development.)
- Seller contributions without any limitation are available to assist the borrower in paying closing costs. If they exceed 6% of the sales price, comparable sales and a comment from the appraiser with respect to the impact to value is required.
- 2/1 temporary buydowns are permitted with compensating factors.
- Property must be owned and occupied by the borrowers as their principal residence.
- The guarantee fee is 0.35% (for FY 2018)of the total principal obligation of the new loan.
- The 0.35% guarantee fee may be always financed into any GRH refinancing transaction. As usual, borrowers may finance other closing costs and fees up to 100% of the current appraised value. However, it is possible for the loan-to-value (LTV) of the new loan to reach 100.35% if the 0.35% guarantee fee is financed. Loans may exceed 100% LTV only to the extent that the excess represents a financed guarantee fee of no more than 0.35%.
- Total household income cannot exceed the moderate level for the area as established in RD Instruction 1980-D, Exhibit C.
- Subordinate financing such as home equity seconds and down payment assistance “silent” seconds cannot be included in the new loan amount. Any existing secondary financing must be subordinate to the new first lien.
Refinance transactions
- Loan must be secured by the same property as the original loan. The original loan must be Guaranteed Rural Housing (GRH) or USDA Section 502 Direct only. The Program may not be used to refinance FHA, VA, or other government or conventional mortgages.
- Term of the new loan will be 30 years.
- Interest rate of the new loan must be a fixed rate (2/1 Temporary Buydowns are not permitted).
- Interest rate of the new loan cannot exceed the interest rate of the loan being refinanced. However, the interest rate of the new loan does not have to meet the interest rate requirements established in RD Instruction 1980-D, §1980.320 Interest rate.
- GRH refinance loans are permitted for properties in areas that have been determined to be non-rural since the existing loan was made.
- Applicants are not eligible to receive “cash out” from the refinancing transaction. However, applicants may receive reimbursement from loan proceeds at settlement for their personal funds advanced for eligible loan purposes that are part of the refinance transaction, such as an appraisal fee or credit report fee. At loan closing, a nominal amount of “cash out” to the applicants (beyond reimbursement of these “prepaid” items)may occasionally result due to final escrow and interest calculations. This amount, if any, must be applied to a principal reduction of the new loan.
- Maximum loan amount cannot exceed the balance of the loan being refinanced, plus the guarantee fee, and reasonable and customary closing costs, including funds necessary to establish a new escrow account.
- Unpaid fees, such as late fees due the current servicer, are not eligible to be included in the new loan amount.
- As part of the refinancing transaction, additional borrowers may be added to the new GRH loan or existing borrowers may be deleted from the current loan. All applicants that will be a party to the promissory note for the new loan must meet all eligibility requirements.
- Ratios must meet requirements as stated in RD Instruction 1980-D, §1980.345(c)(3). The monthly housing expense to income ratio should typically not exceed 29% and the total debt to income ratio should typically not exceed 41%. However, originators may request a ratio waiver with documentation of acceptable compensating factors. A satisfactory payment history for the current mortgage will be considered a strong compensating factor by both the Rural Housing Service (RHS) and USDA Loan.
- A complete Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR) is required unless the refinance loan amount includes only the unpaid principal balance with or without the 0.35% guarantee fee.
- No other property inspections or thermal certifications are necessary. However, any conditions noted on an appraisal that are related to the safety or livability of the subject property must be addressed and rectified prior to loan closing. Expenses related to property inspections and property repairs may not be financed into the new GRH refinance loan, or escrowed for prior to closing.
- In the USDA Loan-Rural Development program, the appraisal determines the maximum loan amount. The applicant may borrow up to 102% of the appraised value for purchase transactions, and 100.35% for refinance transactions if the guarantee fee is included in the loan amount.
USDA Loans Property Eligibility For Purchase Transactions
In order for a property to be eligible for a Rural Development guaranteed loan, it should meet these requirements.
- Property must be located in a rural designated area as defined in Rural Development Instruction §1980.312. You may view eligible areas on USDA Rural Development’s website at: http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov
- Property must be a nonfarm, non-income providing tract.
- According to Rural Development Instruction §1980.313 (e) “Generally, the value of the site must not exceed 30 percent of the total value of the property. When the value of the site is typical for the area, as evidenced by the appraisal, and the site cannot be subdivided into two or more sites, the 30 percent limitation may be exceeded.”
If the property is a new construction and the builder offers a one-year warranty, these inspections will be required:
- Footing Inspection
- Framing Inspection
- Final Inspection
- Thermal Certification
If the property is a new construction and the builder offers a 10-year Builder Warranty, only Final Inspection and Thermal Certification are required.
For properties that are older than one year old:
Existing properties must meet the current requirements of HUD Handbooks 4150.2 and 4905.1, typically verified through an RHS Adequacy Certification (Existing Dwelling Inspection Report), or by the appraiser certifying in the comments section of the appraisal that the property meets HUD Handbooks 4150.2 and 4905.1.
USDA Loans Required Repairs/Escrow Agreements
When repairs are required for structural or mechanical deficiencies that exceed the Seller’s contractual obligation, USDA loans can assist borrowers. They allow the financing of required improvements based on an “as improved” appraised value, in combination with an escrow hold-back at closing.
Unless the deficiency is a significant item that negatively impacts the safety or livability of the dwelling, loan closing need not be delayed. For those deficiencies that can be corrected post-closing, the USDA loan will require, in addition to our standard closing items:
- A corrected FNMA 1003 (Uniform Residential Loan Application) with the amount of financed improvements listed under the “Repairs” Section.
- Estimates/contracts for all repairs financed with loan proceeds.
- A USDA loan-approved escrow hold-back agreement signed by buyer and seller at closing.
- A collection of one and one-half times of the estimated repair cost retained at closing to be disbursed by the settlement agent.
- Final inspection of required repairs will be required.
Rural Development requires all repairs to be completed prior to their issuance of the final Loan Note Guarantee (Rural Development Form 1980-17). However, external repairs delayed by weather related issues must be completed within 120 days of loan closing as outlined in Rural Development Instruction §1980.315 – Escrow accounts for exterior development.
For loans closing with USDA loan’s funds, it is our policy that repairs for internal deficiencies completed within 30 days of loan closing. As Rural Development will require a final inspection once the work is completed, please include this expense as part of the escrow holdback.
USDA Loans Maximum Interest Rate For Purchase Transactions
The maximum interest rate for the Rural Development Guaranteed Rural Housing Program is defined as the FNMA 90-day actual-actual yield requirements plus 60 basis points, rounded up to the nearest quarter percent.
Each day USDA Loan will publish the maximum Note Rate as defined by FNMA on its Rural Housing Rate Sheet. These rate sheets are only available to Licensed and approved mortgage brokers.
Note: For Guaranteed Rural Housing refinance transactions, the interest rate of the new loan must only be less than the interest rate of the existing loan.
USDA Loans Assumability
The Guaranteed Rural Housing loan is assumable subject to the following conditions:
- Subject property and applicant(s) must meet all criteria for the Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Program.
- Applicant (buyer) must be credit-approved by USDA Loan.
- In accordance with Rural Development (FmHA) Instruction 1980-D, no release of liability will be granted to the original Borrower(s).
- A new title policy will be required at closing.
USDA Loans Income Verification Requirements
- The Guaranteed Rural Housing loan is documented with both Rural Development and FNMA forms. (Rural Development forms are provided in the Forms Section of this manual.)
- All sources of income must be verified using FNMA Form 1005 – “Verification of Employment”. Rural Development, as outlined in Rural Development Instruction §1980.351, will typically review the past 24 months to determine both Income Eligibility, as well as compliance with Monthly Housing (29%) and Total Debt (41%) Ratios. Usually, USDA Loan requires verified primary sources of income for a 24-month period to confirm loan approval.
- Alternate documentation is permitted in place of FNMA Form 1005. Alternate documentation must include: two years W-2’s, 30 days paystubs with year-to-date information, and a Processor’s Certification of Employment.
The following should serve as a guideline for handling income-related issues:
- Full Time – For borrowers whose income is derived from full-time employment, two (2) years of full employment history must be verified on FNMA Form 1005 (Verification of Employment).
- Borrowers are not required to have 24 months continuous employment with their current employer.
- Where there has been a change in employers in the last 24 months, the borrower must explain any gap in employment that extends beyond one (1) month.
- Two (2) years of tax returns will only be required for: (i) Self-employed borrowers and (ii) Commissioned borrowers
- Borrowers employed by a relative or closely-held family business.
- Borrowers who are not commissioned, but need to validate their expenses.
- Part-Time – Part-time or second job income with duration of 24 months may be used.
- Overtime and Bonus Income – Overtime and bonus income can be used to qualify the applicant if the employer verifies that the applicant has received it during the last 24 months and indicates that the overtime or bonus income will in all probability continue. The lender must develop an average of the last 24 months overtime and bonus income to determine the amount of income that can be considered in evaluating the borrower’s qualifications.
- Self-Employed Income – Two (2) previous years 1040’s are required. They must be signed and certified by the applicant. Additionally, a year-to-date Profit & Loss Statement with Balance Sheet, prepared and signed, must be submitted. If the applicant has 25 percent or more ownership interest in any business entity, the applicant must also provide the most recent two (2) years’ business tax returns (Corporate, Sub-S Corporate, or Partnership) along with a current Profit and Loss Statement with a Balance Sheet prepared and signed by an accountant.
- Alimony, Child Support, and Separate Maintenance – USDA Loan requires documentation that child support, alimony, or separate maintenance will continue for three (3) years after the date of the mortgage application or it will not be considered as income. The borrower must also provide evidence that the funds have been received for the last 12 months. Acceptable evidence includes deposit slips, canceled checks, court records, or tax returns.
- Retirement Income – Retirement income, i.e., pensions, annuities, 401K distribution, etc., may be verified by letters from the organizations providing the income, copies of the retirement award letters (with photocopies of canceled checks attached), tax returns, or IRS W-2 forms. This evidence must confirm a continuation of this income for a minimum of three (3) years.
- Social Security Income – Acceptable verification includes a photocopy of the Social Security Administration’s award letter or copies of the borrower’s last 2 statements to confirm the regular deposit of the payments. Benefits that have defined expiration dates must have a remaining term of at least three (3) years to be considered as income.
- Disability Income – Disability income will be considered acceptable income provided it can be documented by furnishing a recent copy of respective letter of benefits or allotment setting forth the terms of the income. The benefits must be on-going for a minimum of three (3) years.
- Unemployment And Public Assistance Benefits – Unemployment And Public Assistance benefits will be considered as income if they are properly documented by letters or exhibits by the paying agency. The amount, frequency and duration of payments must be stated in the verifying documents. If an individual receives unemployment benefits as a regular part of his/her income, USDA Loan requires copies of tax returns for the past two (2) years to establish a history of receipt. This income must be documented as on-going for a minimum of three (3) years.
- Dividends/Interest Income – Dividends and interest may be used as income provided the assets that are generating the dividend/interest income will not be used for the down payment or closing costs on the proposed loan. The applicant must provide tax returns for the previous two (2) years along with verification of current assets via statements, verification of deposits, etc. This income will be averaged over two (2) years or calculated at current market interest rates, whichever is less.
USDA LOANS CREDIT CRITERIA IN USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT
GUARANTEED RURAL HOUSING PROGRAM
- Rural Development Guaranteed Rural Housing loans are typically underwritten to Rural Development Instruction §1980.345(d).
Additional specific requirements:
- The total debt ratio should include revolving debt regardless of when the debt will be retired. Installment loans will only be considered if the debt will be retired in more than six months. However, if the monthly payment on the debt is substantial, the payment will also be included in long term debt.
- If the borrower has co-signed a loan for another party, an acceptable 12-month history validating that the borrower is not making the payment must be provided in order to exclude the payment from the total debt.
- When a borrower has a delinquent student loan obligation, a satisfactory six-month repayment history must be provided.
- All files require a 24-month history of residence, including verification of rent or mortgage payments for 12 months being applicable to primary wage earners with credit scores below 620.
NOTE: Those with scores of 620 or higher may not explain credit inquiries or adverse credit events unless they pertain to a previous USDA debt or a delinquent federal debt for that matter. The same can be said with outstanding collections and rental verifications.
USDA LOANS: VERIFICATION OF FUNDS
Verification of funds is not required unless the borrower’s contribution is the greater than 2% of the purchase price. In those cases, the following are acceptable sources for verification of funds.
- Checking or Savings Verification of Deposit (FNMA Form 1006)
- Current balance must cover cash-to-close requirements.
- Average balance must be consistent with current balance. Any significant increase must be accompanied by written explanation and proof of source of deposits,
OR
- Statements – To substantiate that a borrower has sufficient funds available for closing, the lender may accept the borrower’s original statement(s) for the most recent two (2) months to verify funds that the borrower has in a deposit institution. The borrower’s statements must identify clearly the depository institution, the account holder(s), the account number, the time period covered by the statement, all deposit and withdrawal transactions, and the ending account balance.
If the date of the borrower’s most recent statement is more than 45 days earlier than the date of the borrower’s application, the borrower must supply a supplemental statement – the lender may accept any generated forms (such as deposit or withdrawal slips) that show a machine-printed account number, balance, and date.
Cash-On-Hand – Cash-on-hand is typically not an acceptable source of funds for closing. However, it may be acceptable if the following can be documented:
- Analysis of discretionary income through a household budget supports the ability to accumulate the funds.
- Cash is a way of life for the borrower and can be documented with receipts where cash is used consistently to make household payments, such as rent/mortgage, utilities, etc.
- Gifts (or grants) – A borrower can use funds obtained as a gift (or grant) to satisfy part of the cash requirement for closing only if the donor is a relative or friend, or charitable organization, municipality, or nonprofit organization.
A gift must be evidenced by a letter that is signed by the donor. The letter must:
- specify the dollar amount of the gift and the date the funds were transferred;
- indicate the donor’s name, address, telephone number, and relationship to the borrower; and
- include the donor’s statement that no repayment is expected.
The lender must verify that funds have been transferred to the borrower’s account and show documentation of the transfer of the gift funds from the donor’s account; for example, by obtaining the following documents: (i) a copy of the donor’s canceled check or withdrawal slip and (ii) the borrower’s deposit slip, etc. When the funds are not transferred prior to settlement, the donor may give the closing agent a certified check for the amount of the gift. A copy of that check or a settlement statement showing receipt of that check will be sufficient documentation for the lender’s records provided the donor is listed as the remitter.
A gift (or grant) from a charitable organization, municipality, or nonprofit organization must be evidenced by either a copy of the letter awarding the gift or grant to the borrower or a copy of the legal agreement that specifies the terms and conditions of the gift or grant. This supporting document must include language indicating that no repayment of the gift or grant is expected and an indication of how the funds will be transferred (to the borrower, the lender, or the closing agent). The lender must include in the individual mortgage file evidence of the transfer of the funds – such as a copy of the donor’s canceled check or a settlement statement showing receipt of the check.
Note: All supporting gift documentation (other than the gift letter) is no longer required if the entire gift is going toward closing costs/prepaids (any amount), or being used to pay-off debt of $1,000 or less.
- Disposition of Personal Assets – Proceeds from the sale of personal property may be used towards closing costs. Documentation for funds obtained should include a bill of sale, statement verifying deposit of funds, and when applicable, a transfer of title.
- Borrowing of Funds on an Unsecured Basis – Borrowers that qualify may borrow funds on an unsecured basis to pay for their closing costs and prepaids. For example, a borrower could obtain an unsecured loan from a family member, or credit union, or even a credit card cash advance.
In order to qualify for this option, a borrower’s median credit score must be 660 or above.
When utilizing this option, Lenders must remember to include the unsecured debt in the total debt calculations, and should indicate on the “Source of Downpayment, Settlement Changes, and/or Subordinate Financing” Section of the FNMA 1003 (Uniform Residential Loan Application) the amount of the unsecured funds.
- Reserve Funds – There is no requirement for payment reserves after closing.
- Updating Documents – When updating expired verification of funds documents, alternate documentation can be used. For example, when updating an expired Verification of Deposit, statements or print-outs may be used. Although one month current statement and print-out may be used to update funds, these cannot be used to initially verify funds.
USDA LOAN HOMEOWNERSHIP COUNSELING
Applicants utilizing the Guaranteed Rural Housing Program represent a wide spectrum of credit profiles. Most applicants have never owned a home, many applicants have never rented, and many applicants have little or no established credit. Nonetheless, despite these varied profiles, they all may be excellent candidates to achieve successful homeownership through this affordable housing program.
As we work to support this objective, as well as to comply with the current Rural Development Instruction §1980.309(f)(4) Counseling, the underwriter may request evidence of the borrower’s successful completion of homeownership counseling. This is not a requirement on every Rural Development loan file. It will be used selectively on files which have no previous housing expense and/or no established positive credit trades to demonstrate an ability to handle the proposed housing payment on a timely basis.
If this condition is part of our decision on your Rural Development loan file, the condition may be cleared by utilizing Fannie Mae’s “Guide to Homeownership”, or a comparable program offered by local non-profit organizations, or a standard mortgage insurance class given by the lender. This condition may be cleared at closing by providing a signed certificate of completion and the household budget worksheet information.
Please note, while homeownership counseling is not required on all files by USDA Loan, many Rural Development State Offices require all first-time home buyers to complete home buyer education (as of March 28, 2016).
Rural Development State Offices that require homeownership counseling are:
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- South Carolina
- Texas
If you are originating Guaranteed Rural Housing product in a state not referenced above, please confirm with Rural Development your State’s requirements regarding homeownership counseling, as additional states are considering this requirement as a mandatory item for all first-time home buyers.
USDA LOANS 2/1 TEMPORARY BUYDOWN
- 2/1 temporary buydowns are for purchase transactions only, and may be originated where authorized by the Rural Development State Director. (Currently approved in all states except Arizona.)
- The buydown period is 24 months. There is a 2% reduction in note rate in year one (1), and a 1% reduction in note rate in year two (2). For years three (3) through thirty (30), the loan returns to the maximum rate.
- The borrower will be qualified by Rural Development and USDA Loan at the note rate.
- USDA Loan’s daily price includes the buydown escrow. There is no further contribution required at closing to establish the buydown account.
- All buydowns must be funded by the Lender, Seller, Builder or other Third Party. Rural Development clearly states: “Buydowns funded by the borrower are not authorized.”
With this issue in mind, Lenders are reminded that borrowers cannot make any direct or indirect contribution to the buydown account. Borrowers may pay points in connection with the Lender’s establishment of a 2/1 buydown loan. However, the borrower cannot pay any more points than what would have been assessed for the same note rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage, without the 2/1 buydown option. Neither can the Borrower pay increased fees (i.e., origination fee) to pay for the cost of the buydown.
- All 2/1 temporary buydown loans must still comply with the maximum interest restrictions set forth in Rural Development Instruction §1980.320 based on the actual note rate without the benefit of the buydown.
- All loans closed using the 2/1 temporary buydown option must use the USDA Loan approved Buydown Agreement. Use of any other agreement will delay funding. A copy of the USDA Loan Buydown Agreement (Subsidy Account Agreement) form can be found in the Forms Section of this manual.
- As all buydowns are Seller/Lender funded, all 2/1 temporary buydown loans must be disclosed on the Truth-in-Lending at the full note rate without the benefit of the 24-month subsidy.
- USDA Loan does not have any specific credit requirements in order to use the 2/1 temporary buydown. However, borrowers must demonstrate compensating factors to Rural Development in order to be eligible for the 2/1 temporary buydown option as defined in Rural Development Instruction §1980.345(c)(5) Determining regular payment amounts. Examples of these compensating factors include:
- Present housing expense over the last 12 months similar to proposed housing expense.
- Accumulated savings which when added to the applicant’s current housing expense show an ability to make payments on the proposed loan.
- Verifiable history of previous increase(s) which when projected shows an ability to make payments under the proposed loan.
- Post high school education or technical training that places the applicant in a field where future increases can be expected to make payments under the proposed loan.