Butterfield
HomeLoan ProgramsUSDA Sacramento
USDA Loans · Sacramento

USDA loans around Sacramento - $0 down in the right zip code.

USDA Rural Development loans offer $0 down for buyers in eligible areas - and you'd be surprised how much of the Sacramento metro qualifies. Wilton, Galt, Elverta, Herald, parts of Elk Grove and the El Dorado foothills are all in. I'll check your target address in 30 seconds.

Short answerA USDA loan offers $0 down for buyers in eligible areas around Sacramento - including parts of Elk Grove, Lincoln, Galt, and Placer County - with household income limits and an annual guarantee fee lower than FHA's MIP.

USDA loans in Sacramento at a glance

Down payment
$0 required
Minimum credit score
640 for streamlined underwriting
Property eligibility
USDA-designated rural and suburban areas
Income limit
Typically 115% of area median income
Fees
1% upfront guarantee + 0.35% annual
Typical time to close
30-45 days (USDA review)
Book a CallCall 916.571.6917
Program Highlights

Why Sacramento buyers choose USDA.

$0 Down
Like VA, USDA requires no down payment. Finance up to 100% of the purchase price.
Eligible Areas Around Sacramento
Wilton, Galt, Herald, Elverta, Sloughhouse, parts of Lincoln, Loomis, and the Sierra foothills all qualify.
Low Mortgage Insurance
USDA's guarantee fee is significantly cheaper than FHA's MIP - usually 0.35% annual vs FHA's 0.55%.
Income-Based Eligibility
Designed for eligible low-to-moderate income households. USDA updates county and household-size limits regularly.
Best Fit For

Is USDA right for you?

  • Buyers targeting Galt, Wilton, Herald, Elverta, or other Sacramento-adjacent rural-designated areas.
  • Households earning under USDA's area income limit - often higher than people assume.
  • First-time buyers with little or no down payment saved who don't qualify for VA.
  • Anyone who wants land, acreage, or a small farm property within commuting distance of Sacramento.
How It Works

The USDA loan process, step by step.

  1. 01
    Address Check
    First step - I verify the property is in a USDA-eligible area. Takes 30 seconds. Most rural Sacramento County qualifies.
  2. 02
    Income Verification
    USDA caps household income, but the cap is per-county and per-household-size. I confirm you qualify before we go further.
  3. 03
    Pre-Approval
    Full credit, income, asset review. USDA pre-approvals look like any other to your agent and seller.
  4. 04
    USDA Underwriting
    Files go through two underwrites - your lender's, then USDA's. I manage both to keep your close on track.
Common Questions

USDA loans in Sacramento - FAQs.

Is my Sacramento area USDA eligible?+

Send me the address and I'll check immediately. Generally: Galt, Wilton, Herald, Elverta, Sloughhouse, parts of Lincoln and Loomis qualify. The City of Sacramento and most of Elk Grove proper do not.

What's the USDA income limit in Sacramento County?+

USDA income limits change and depend on household size and applicable deductions. I verify the current Sacramento County limit for your household before recommending USDA.

What credit score do I need?+

USDA technically allows down to 580, but most lenders want 620-640. The streamlined automated approval works best at 640+.

How much is USDA mortgage insurance?+

A 1% upfront guarantee fee (financed into the loan) plus 0.35% annual fee paid monthly. Significantly cheaper than FHA's structure.

Can I buy land with USDA?+

Yes, on owner-occupied properties. USDA allows acreage as long as the home value exceeds the land value and the property is residential in nature.

Take the First Step

Tell me the address - I'll check eligibility now.

Book a CallCall 916.571.6917
Contact CardBook a Call