USDA

Rural Development

Eligible Areas
 
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Financing:                                   102% financing based on appraised value
Term:                                            30-Year Fixed
Mortgage Insurance:                 No monthly mortgage insurance.  One-time guarantee fee of 2%
Payment Reserves:                   None
Down Payment:                         0%  NONE!   NO-Money Down
First-time Buyer:                        NO First time homebuyer requirement
Seller Concessions:                 No Maximum.  If greater than 6%, comment from appraiser.
Gifts:                                             100% gifting permitted.  Donor must be disinterested third party
  
INCOME AND RATIOS
Ratios:                                          29/41
                                                       Exceptions with compensating factors to be approved by the USDA
Non-Occupant Co-borrower:  Not Permitted
Installment Debt:                        Include all installment debt greater than 6 months.
Primary Income:                         Two-year history
Self-Employment:                      Two-years 1040's & P&L
Alimony/child support:             12-month history, with proof of 3 years continuance
Part-time, Overtime & Bonus: 12-month history
Disability Benefits                       Benefits letter, 3 years continuance and gross up to 125%
SSI Benefits:                                Awards letter or 2 month banks statements.
                                                         Prove 3 years continuance
                                                         Gross up income by 125%
Salary Increases:                        Salary increases with 30-days of the first payment due date acceptable.
Maximum Income:                       http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov
                                1-4 person family        5-8 person family
 Warren County:           $92,000                        $121,450
            Atlantic County           $91,550                        $120,850
            Bergen/Passiac            $92,000                        $121,450
            Hudson                       $81,800                        $108,000
            Middlesex/Somerset    $92,000                        $121,450
            Hunterdon                   $92,000                        $121,450
            Ocean/Monmouth       $92,000                        $121,500
            Essex, Morris, Sussex  $92,000                        $121,500
            Union                          $92,000                        $121,500
            Cape May                   $91,550                        $120,850
            Burlington, Camden     $89,500                        $118,150
            Gloucester, Salem       $89,500                        $118,150
            Mercer                        $92,000                        $121,450
            Cumberland                 $91,550                        $120,850

 

CREDIT
Credit Score                                             620 Minimum
Late Payments                                        1 x 30 permitted in last 12 months with explanations.
Bankruptcy                                               Chapter 7 and 13 must be discharged for 3 years. 
Foreclosure:                                             Foreclosures must be completed 3 years ago.
Collections:                                              Accounts cannot have been placed in collection status within last 12 months
Judgments:                                              Must be paid off for atleast 12 months.
Verfication of Rent:                                 A VOR is required for the most recent 12 months. Private VOR not allowed.
Previous Housing Payment:                 Not required
Non-traditional credit:                            Allowed if borrower has a score but does not have 3-trades reporting.
Credit Report:                                         Tri-Merge (Alliance Financial to do)
Homebuyer Education:                        Case by case.
 
FUNDS FOR CLOSING
Closing Costs:                                        All closing costs may be financed, except discount points unless
                                                                    borrower is below the Rural Development low income limit,        
                                                                    then points may be financed.
Seller Concessions:                              All costs can be paid by the seller.
Gift:                                                           100% Gift acceptable.
 
PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible areas                                          http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov
                                                                                Ocean County
                                                                                Monmouth County
                                                                                Atlantic County
                                                                                Burlington County
                                                                                Camden County
                                                                                Cape May County
                                                                                Cumberland County
                                                                                Gloucester County
                                                                                Hunterdon County
                                                                                Mercer County
                                                                                Middlesex County
                                                                                Morris County
                                                                                Passiac County
                                                                                Somerset County
                                                                                Sussex County
                                                                                Warren County
 
NO ELIGIBLE AREAS IN:  Bergen, Essex, Hudson or Union Counties
 
Other Real Estate Owned:                            Borrowers must not own adequate housing.
Occupancy:                                                      Primary Residence Only
Property Type:                                                Single Family or Rural Development Condo/PUD
Manufactured homes:                                   Not permitted.
Swimming Pools:                                            No in-ground swimming pools (above ground permitted)
Thermal Certification:                                    No longer required.
Home Inspection:                                           Homes must be certified as meeting HUD guidelines
Termite Inspection:                                        Required
Well/Septic Inspection:                                 Required
Repairs:                                                             100% of repairs may be financed based on as-improved value.  If work is not complete prior to closing an escrow hold back may be established at 150% of repair cost.  More rules apply, call 732-797-0117 for more details.
Non-Occupant Co-borrower:  Not permitted.