Two major changes are being made to the USDA home loans program as of October 1st. First, USDA home loans have not required mortgage insurance in the past and that will no longer be the case as of October 1st. Second, the eligibility maps for areas eligible for USDA home loans will be changed.
USDA mortgages haven’t needed a mortgage insurance premium (MIP) in the past. That’s changing come October, but other changes will make the addition easier to swallow. The current funding fee is at 3.5% of the property price. That fee will fall to 2.0% when the new structure goes into place.
The drop in the funding fee will somewhat offset the 0.3% mortgage insurance cost that will be due on a monthly basis. For instance, on a $100,000 mortgage, the 0.3% fee, or $300 would be added to the yearly mortgage expense for a $25 per month increase.
Protecting against defaults is why the mortgage insurance premium is being introduced. FHA loans have had mortgage insurance premiums for years and this addition for USDA loans makes sense by protecting public funds.
USDA mortgages are government guaranteed mortgage loans targeted for low to mid income families in rural and agricultural areas. Most of the regions that were considered rural when the previous USDA eligibility maps had been created have developed to be more suburban regions. Many of these areas that have grown in population are likely to be removed under the new eligibility maps.
If you live in a truly rural area, no down payment USDA loans are likely to remain in place for you. However, if the home you’re targeting to buy is in a town that has growth significantly, that area may no longer be eligible after October 1st. This doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to buy a home using a USDA loans, it just means you may need to look for a home in an eligible area.
First time home buyers, who don’t have the savings for a 20% down payment can really benefit from USDA mortgage loans. Many of these loans go to first time buyers. USDA home loans require no down payment and the credit requirements are not nearly as strict as conventional loans.
It doesn’t matter if you’re an old hand at buying homes, or a first time home buyer, it’s sensible to think about USDA home mortgages for your home purchase. The rates are incredibly competitive and closing costs and the funding fee might be rolled into the mortgage to minimize out of pockets costs and expenses. The USDA targets borrowers who will occupy the house or condo, so buyers of vacation or second homes should look elsewhere.