Approved USDA loan lenders typically require a minimum credit score of at least 640 to get a USDA home loan. However, the USDA doesn't have a minimum credit score, so borrowers with scores below 640 may still be eligible for a USDA-backed mortgage. If your credit score is below 640, there's still hope.
Things like unverifiable income, undisclosed debt, or even just having too much household income for your area can cause a loan to be denied. Talk with a USDA loan specialist to get a clear sense of your income and debt situation and what might be possible.
Once you've signed a purchase agreement, the USDA loan application process typically takes around 30-45 days. The faster all parties work together to complete and provide documents for loan approval, the quicker final loan approval and closing can happen.
The USDA home loan is available to borrowers who meet income and credit eligibility requirements. Qualification is easier than for many other loan types, since the loan doesn't require a down payment or a high credit score.
What is the downside to a USDA loan? Not everyone — or every property — is eligible for a USDA loan, as there are strict income and location requirements. Additionally, USDA loans come with lifetime mortgage insurance premiums (MIP), although USDA's MIP rates are lower than those for FHA loans.
Seller concessions for USDA loans are among the most buyer-friendly out there. Conventional buyers can't tap into that 9 percent cap unless they're putting down 20 percent. USDA's approach to closing costs and concessions is one more reason buyers should give this loan program a closer look.
While USDA loans stand out for being ultra-affordable, many borrowers prefer an FHA mortgage for its looser underwriting requirements. There are no income limits when you apply for an FHA loan, and you might be able to get away with a lower credit score and higher debts than USDA or conventional lenders would allow.
A minimum FICO ® Score of 640. An eligible property – the home you want to buy or refinance must be in an eligible rural or suburban area. Find out if your property is eligible. A household income under the limit set by the USDA for the area where you want to buy a home.
Even if you don't have a 640 credit score, it's still possible to apply and be approved for a USDA loan. USDA allows lenders to underwrite and approve USDA home loans manually at the lender's discretion. Once cleared by your lender, the USDA must review your loan for final loan approval before you can close.
The USDA doesn't have a fixed credit score requirement, but most lenders offering USDA-guaranteed mortgages require a score of at least 640, and 640 is the minimum credit score you'll need to qualify for automatic approval through the USDA's automated loan underwriting system.
In order to automatically approve an application for underwriting, GUS will need to see that: The household income does not exceed 115 percent of the area's median income. Monthly housing expenses (PITI) will not exceed 29 percent of the applicant's income. Total debts do not exceed 41 percent of the applicant's income.
USDA Loan with 580 Credit Score
The minimum credit score requirement for a USDA loan is now a 640 (for an automated approval). Fortunately, you can still get approved for a USDA loan with a 580 credit score, but it will require a manual approval by an underwriter.
What does a USDA appraiser look for? Your appraiser will be looking to see that the house and property meet USDA requirements, as well as determining the fair market value based on “comps,” or comparable properties that have recently sold in your area.
A USDA renovation loan allows you to finance 100% of the purchase and 100% of your renovation costs, plus repairs up to the “as-improved” market value. That means you can buy and renovate a fixer-upper with no down payment. So, can you buy a fixer-upper with a USDA loan? Yes.
Even though USDA Direct Loans are underwritten by the USDA, home buyers can still expect a 30-60 day timeline for loan approval.
A cosigner is permitted under the USDA home loan program. The cosigner(s) will not make up for the applicant's poor credit but will assist in improving the applicant's debt-to-income ratio.
Tim: Yes, you can still get approved for a USDA loan after paying off collections or making arrangements to pay them. However, paying off collections can actually make your credit scores go down since that makes the collection accounts look new. Your middle credit score should be at or above 640 for a USDA loan.
USDA does not require medical collection accounts to be paid.
Can I get a USDA loan with a 550 credit score? No, the minimum credit score required for an automated approval for USDA loan is a 640. Sometimes credit scores below a 640 are approved, but it will require a manual approval.
USDA Loan Credit Benchmarks
The USDA does not set a minimum credit score requirement, but most USDA lenders typically look for a credit score of at least 640, which is the lowest score allowed for the USDA's Guaranteed Underwriting System (GUS). GUS allows lenders to automate the credit risk evaluation process.
The credit scores and reports you see on Credit Karma should accurately reflect your credit information as reported by those bureaus. This means a couple of things: The scores we provide are actual credit scores pulled from two of the major consumer credit bureaus, not just estimates of your credit rating.
USDA home loans have stricter income limits than FHA loans and also require you to live in an eligible rural area. Your home address and annual household income determine your borrower eligibility for USDA loans. FHA borrower requirements, on the other hand, are more lenient as you can have a lower credit score.
If you have an FHA or VA mortgage, you can refinance into the same type of loan and cash out your equity. But with a USDA mortgage, you'll have to refinance into a conventional loan to receive cash.
So no, USDA loans don't require PMI; only conventional loans have PMI, and only on those loans where the borrower has less than 20% equity in their home.