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Zero down payment financing for eligible rural and suburban Utah communities
USDA Rural Development loans are backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Zero down is available only after the property address, household income, occupancy, and lender overlays all fit. Pricing is file-specific. Run USDA’s published map before you write an offer as if the program is available.
Use this as a map of typical overlays, not a score. A loan officer still has to apply the guide that is in force for your product and your documentation.
Typical program differences as of 2026-08. Confirm current published rules.
Swipe sideways to compare every column.
| Question | Conventional | FHA | USDA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit (typical overlay, not a promise) | 620 (overlays often higher) | HUD allows 580+ for 3.5% down and 500–579 with 10% down. Many lenders set higher overlays. A 500 score is not a promise that a file will be originated. | Automated GUS findings and lender overlays often sit near the mid-600s. That is not a published floor that guarantees an approval. |
| Down payment / equity | Some first-time and low-down conventional products start around 3% down for eligible borrowers. | 3.5% down at 580+ under HUD policy; overlays often sit higher. 10% at 500–579. | Zero down when the property map, household income, and occupancy tests are met. |
| Occupancy | Primary, second home, and investment, each with different pricing and overlays. | Primary residence (with limited exceptions) | Primary residence. Investment property is not eligible. |
| Property type | 1–4 units, condos and PUDs when the project meets investor rules. | 1–4 units as a primary. Condos need FHA project approval. HUD minimum property standards apply. | Address must be on the USDA map. Existing homes and some new construction; not an investment rental. |
| MIP / PMI / funding fee / guarantee fee | Conventional PMI can usually be removed once the loan reaches the investor’s equity threshold (commonly 20% based on original value, or by a new appraisal under the program rules). | Upfront MIP 1.75% of the base loan amount (often financed). Annual MIP is a range that depends on term, loan amount, and LTV. It is not a single published percent for every file. Life-of-loan MIP is common below 10% down. | 1.00% of the loan amount (often financed); annual 0.35% of remaining principal (annualized; confirm current RD fee notice). USDA publishes an upfront guarantee fee and an annual fee. The percents in this module are a dated snapshot, not a quote. Confirm the current RD fee notice before anyone prices a file. |
| Loan limits | FHFA conforming limit for the property county. Look up this year’s table. | HUD FHA county limit. Different table from FHFA. Look up the property county. | Area loan limits exist. The map and income tests usually bind first. |
Program rules, fees, and county loan limits change. Confirm the current published schedule and lender overlays. Nothing here is a quote, a lock, or a credit decision.
Education first. A conversation with a loan officer is how you find out what may actually fit your file.
Loan information is provided by Ondo Real Estate (NMLS ID on file). This is not a commitment to lend, a loan approval, or an offer of credit. Rates, terms, and payments shown are estimates for illustration only, are not a quote, and are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and market conditions. You are not required to use Ondo for financing to buy or sell with Ondo. Equal Housing Lender. Program rules, fees, and county loan limits change. Confirm the current published schedule and lender overlays. Nothing here is a quote, a lock, or a credit decision. Licensing and disclosures