Being surrounded by nature may bring you peace … and an affordable home loan.
Thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) mortgage program, buying a home is possible for many rural and suburban families. A USDA rural development loan offers a zero down payment, low interest rate mortgage to low- or moderate-income households.
Backed by the USDA, the program provides trusted, approved lenders like Embrace, a 90% loan guarantee — so we can offer rural homebuyers the opportunity to own a home. Do you meet the eligibility requirements? The home must be an owner-occupied primary residence. You must be a US citizen, US non-citizen, or a qualified alien. And you need to have a credit score of 620 or above and at least two years of steady employment.
These loans are for USDA-eligible properties characterized as “rural” — meaning not located near urban areas and having a population of 20,000 or below of low- and/or middle-income residents. Income limits to qualify vary by location and depend on household size. To find the loan guarantee income limit for the county where you live or hope to buy, consult this USDA map and table.
Purchasing with a USDA loan
For over 35 years, Embrace has been helping folks finance their home purchases with all types of mortgages, including USDA loans. We can answer all your questions and walk your through the entire process from application to closing.
USDA Benefits
- No down payment required
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI) required
- Below-market mortgage rates
- No maximum loan limits
- Low- and moderate-income households can qualify
Refinancing with a USDA loan
If you already have a USDA home loan, you are well aware of the benefits. And the good news is that USDA loans are also eligible for refinancing.
USDA refinance loans are available as either 15- or 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. There are a couple good reasons to refinance, including when you may qualify for a lower interest rate and/or lower monthly mortgage payments.
Refinancing a USDA loan is similar to refinancing a conventional loan, but the rules and processes are not exactly the same. Your Embrace mortgage specialist can explain the differences and give you the lay of the land.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Embrace, my local bank, and a broker?
How long has Embrace been in business?
How much can I afford?
- Your debt-to-income ratio (your total monthly payments as a percentage of your gross monthly income)
- Cash you have available for a down payment and closing costs
- Your credit history
- The value of the home you’re buying
Can I pay my mortgage online?
Yes you can! Please use the following link to make payments. If you do not have an account you must create one the first time.
Where do I log in to see the status of my loan?
30-Year Fixed-Rate Refinance Mortgage Example:
The payment on a $225,000 30-year fixed-rate cash out refinance loan at 3.250% with a 70% loan-to-value (LTV) is $979.21 with 2 points due at closing. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is 3.520%. This assumes a FICO score of at least 690. Payment does not include taxes and insurance premiums, which will result in a higher monthly payment. Interest rates and annual percentage rates (APRs) are based on current market rates and are subject to change without notice. Rates offered may be subject to pricing add-ons related to property type, loan amount, LTV, credit score, and other variables. Mortgage insurance may be required for LTV >80%. If mortgage insurance is required, the mortgage insurance may increase the APR and the monthly payment. Stated rate may change or not be available at the time of loan commitment or lock-in.
30-Year Fixed-Rate Purchase Mortgage Example:
The payment on a $225,000 30-year fixed-rate purchase loan at 3.125% with a 70% loan-to-value (LTV) is $963.84 with 2 points due at closing. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is 3.390%. This assumes a FICO score of at least 710. Payment does not include taxes and insurance premiums, which will result in a higher monthly payment. Interest rates and annual percentage rates (APRs) are based on current market rates and are subject to change without notice. Rates offered may be subject to pricing add-ons related to property type, loan amount, LTV, credit score, and other variables. Mortgage insurance may be required for LTV >80%. If mortgage insurance is required, the mortgage insurance may increase the APR and the monthly payment. Stated rate may change or not be available at the time of loan commitment or lock-in.
