USDA Loans
Zero down for homes outside the city core — more of the Portland metro qualifies than you'd guess.
Overview
A USDA loan is a zero-down mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for homes in eligible rural and suburban areas. 'Rural' is more generous than it sounds: communities on the edges of the Portland metro — parts of Yamhill, Columbia, and Clark County, and towns like Newberg, Estacada, and Battle Ground — often qualify. If you're open to living outside the city core, USDA can put you in a home with no down payment and competitive rates. We check address eligibility in minutes.
Who It's For
How It Works
Eligibility Check
We check the address (or the towns you're considering) against the USDA map and confirm your income fits the county limits. Takes minutes.
Pre-Approval
Standard pre-approval with the zero-down structure priced in, so you know your real monthly payment.
USDA Review
After underwriting, USDA gives its sign-off. We build the extra days into your offer timeline so nothing surprises you.
Close
Zero down at the closing table. Keep your savings for the house itself.
Requirements
These are general guidelines, not a quote or commitment to lend. Actual terms depend on credit approval, income, and underwriting — not all applicants will qualify, and programs and requirements are subject to change without notice. Through Movement Mortgage we have access to additional programs with different requirements. Contact David & Bri for options specific to your situation.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
Considerations
Calculator
Loan Details
USDA loans require no down payment. Leave at $0 or enter an optional amount.
Auto-calculated from price minus down payment. Edit to override.
Annual rate. Use 0.125% increments.
USDA guaranteed loans are typically 30 years.
Roll the 1.0% upfront fee into the loan balance.
Household Info
Used for eligibility reference only — does not affect your payment estimate.
USDA income limits vary by area and household size. Check the USDA eligibility map to confirm your property and income qualify.
Property Costs
Check your county assessor's website for exact amounts.
Typical range: $1,200–$3,600 per year.
Leave at $0 if not applicable.
Your Estimated Monthly Payment
$2,250
30-year fixed at 6.5%
No Down Payment Required — USDA loans allow 100% financing for eligible buyers.
USDA Fees
Upfront Guarantee Fee
1.0% of base loan — financed into loan balance
$2,800
Loan: $282,800
Annual Fee
0.35% of outstanding balance, collected monthly
$82/mo
$990/yr
The USDA annual fee is reassessed each October on the remaining balance — it decreases slightly each year as your principal pays down. This estimate uses your initial loan balance.
Down Payment
$0
No down payment
Total Interest
$360,696
over 30 years
Payoff Date
July 2056
360 payments
Payment Composition
Amortization Schedule
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. USDA loans are available only for eligible rural and suburban properties, and borrowers must meet income limits for their area and household size. Guarantee fee and annual fee rates are based on current USDA guidelines and may change. Contact a USDA-approved lender to verify eligibility and obtain a personalized quote.
FAQ
5 questions
What areas near Portland qualify for USDA loans?
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Eligibility follows USDA's rural map, which includes much more of the metro edge than people expect — parts of Yamhill, Columbia, Marion, and Clark County, and towns like Newberg, Estacada, Sandy, Molalla, and Battle Ground. Send us an address and we'll check it same-day.
Is USDA really zero down?
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Yes — 100% financing, no down payment. You'll still have closing costs, but those can often be covered through seller credits or rolled into the loan when the appraisal supports it.
What are the USDA income limits?
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Limits vary by county and household size, and they're higher than most people assume — many two-income households still qualify. We'll check your numbers against the current limits in the first conversation.
USDA vs. FHA — which should I pick?
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If the home is in an eligible area and your income fits, USDA usually wins: zero down beats 3.5% down, and USDA's monthly insurance cost is lower. If the address doesn't qualify, FHA is the fallback. We'll price both.
How long does a USDA loan take to close?
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Plan on 30-45 days. USDA adds its own review after underwriting, which can add a few days to a couple of weeks depending on their queue. We track it and keep your agent in the loop.
Ready to explore usda?
Schedule a complimentary consultation. We'll review your situation and tell you honestly whether this is the right move.