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USDA Home Loans in Virginia

At Dash Home Loans, we make the mortgage lending process simple. As experienced home loan lenders³, we can help you get approved for a USDA loan in Virginia.

Applying for a USDA home loan doesn’t have to be difficult – Dash is here to help you find the most affordable Virginia home loans for your needs.

Apply for a USDA loan

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Contents

• What Is a USDA Loan?
• USDA Loan Eligibility in Virginia
• Benefits & Disadvantages USDA Loans
• USDA Loans vs FHA Loans
• USDA Loan Requirements for Virginia Borrowers
• How to Apply for a USDA Loan in Virginia

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What Is a USDA Loan?

A USDA home loan is a residential mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA loans are designed to support low- to moderate-income home buyers while boosting development in rural areas.

Launched by the USDA in 1991, the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan program sought to expand the availability of home loans for people looking to live outside city limits. The program has since gained ground and emerged as a popular financing option for qualifying borrowers. 

USDA loans can be a great option for home buyers with limited cash. That’s because unlike conventional loans in Virginia, which generally require a down payment of 20%, USDA loans require no money down². Of course, buyers are still expected to pay closing costs as well as annual and upfront guarantee fees. Guarantee fees help loan issuers pay for administrative costs and reduce the risk of loss if you default.

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USDA Loans in Virginia: Eligibility Areas

There are plenty of quaint mountain towns and charming coastal villages in Virginia to call home. Many of these areas are considered rural by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If you’ve found a house in Farmville or Damascus, for instance, you’re golden. But you’re probably ineligible for a USDA loan if you’re hunting in or around major cities like Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Arlington, and Richmond.

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USDA Loan Eligibility Requirements in Virginia

To get a USDA loan, you must meet certain income requirements. In Virginia, you cannot make over 15% more than your area’s median income. The exact dollar amount varies by county, though it’s typically about $114,450 per year for a family of four and $151,050 for families of five or more. Your USDA loan application will require income documentation.

The USDA rural housing loan also specifies other financial requirements. As far as credit, you must have at least a 640 FICO®* score and a debt-to-income ratio of 41% or less. You must also be able to show consistent employment and an ability to accumulate savings. 

Still not sure if you qualify? Contact the home lending experts at Dash Home Loans. Our Mortgage Coaches are like financial shamans, guiding home buyers through the mortgage lending process. If your Mortgage Coach determines that a USDA loan isn’t a good fit, we offer more than a dozen other types of home mortgage loans in Virginia.

Apply now

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Benefits & Disadvantages of USDA Loans

USDA loans make sense for low- to moderate-income individuals who want to live in a rural area. Since no down payment² is required, families don’t have to worry about limited cash reserves. Plus, USDA loan rates are often lower than conventional loan rates.

The most obvious drawback to USDA financing is the geographical restriction. Unless you’re exclusively looking outside city limits, you may fall in love with a home that doesn’t meet the USDA’s location specifications. The income specifications also might not work for all families.

USDA or FHA Loan? Which Is Better?

USDA loans and FHA loans in Virginia are commonly compared because they’re both government-backed mortgages⁶. While USDA loans are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, FHA loans are guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration. That doesn’t mean the government is literally issuing you cash, it just means that the respective agency protects the mortgage lender if you default on your loan. 

But what else is different about these two financing options? Well, for starters, USDA loans require no money down². This allows low- to moderate-income families to purchase a house with limited liquid assets. Comparatively, FHA loans require 3.5% down for applicants with a FICO®* score of 580 and higher. If you have less-than-perfect credit, you may be required to fork out 10% of your total loan amount.

Of course, USDA loans are more limiting in some respects. To qualify for a USDA loan, you must be purchasing a home in a specific geographical area. You must also meet income specifications. There are no location or income restrictions with an FHA loan. 

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USDA Loan Requirements for Virginia Borrowers

USDA loan requirements are fairly uniform across the country. To qualify for a USDA loan in Virginia, you must meet the following:

• Income Limits: You must provide proof of stable employment, but you cannot make over 15% more than your area’s median income. 
• United States Citizenship: Only permanent residents can apply for a USDA loan. 
• Mortgage Insurance: USDA loans require mortgage insurance. 
• Primary Residence in a Rural Area: The home must be located in a rural area and it must be your primary residence, not a vacation home or income property. 

If your family meets these requirements, a USDA loan could be a viable option. After all, this financial instrument requires no money down² and typically offers better interest rates than conventional loans.

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How to Apply for a USDA Loan in Virginia

Applying for a USDA loan is much like applying for any other home loan. You’ll begin by meeting with your mortgage lender, who will provide all the necessary documents. But at Dash, we do more than drown you in paperwork. We walk you through the loan application process, step-by-step.

Ready to get started? First, apply through Dash’s online system. You’ll then be matched with a Mortgage Coach who will help you gain pre-approval⁷.

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Timeline

Applying for a loan takes just minutes. From there, lenders need to start processing information. Depending on the lender, this can take from 30 days to three months to complete.

Documents & Paperwork to Submit

Documentation for a USDA home loan includes several items, including:

• Proof of Income: This includes pay stubs, two years of federal tax returns, W-2 statements, and other documentation proving income.
• Asset Verification: In addition to this, lenders need to see proof of assets you own, such as investment accounts and bank statements to prove down payments and cash reserves.
• Employment Verification: Many lenders want to ensure you are working. Paycheck stubs usually suffice, but self-employed workers need to provide additional documentation, such as bank statements, to prove income.
• Identification: You will need to show proof of your identity, such as your driver’s license or State ID. You will need to show proof of your Social Security number as well.

All of this information is verified as accurate to ensure only those who should apply can do so.

At Dash, we understand that applying for a USDA loan in Virginia can be a huge headache. That’s why we cut out the middle man (i.e., mortgage processors) and streamlined the entire process. We’re like the Quicksilver of the financial world. We move quickly, anticipating potential snags and additional requirements so that you can enjoy your dream home sooner.

Apply now

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USDA Mortgage Lenders in Virginia

Are you looking to get pre-qualified for a USDA loan? Keep in mind that only USDA-approved mortgage lenders can offer USDA home loans. As a USDA-approved mortgage lender, Dash Home Loans provides Virginia residents with a quick and painless home lending process.

Want to learn more? Contact Dash online or give our mortgage lenders a call at 757-280-1994 today!