Zero-down USDA Guaranteed Loans are the most popular rural development mortgage program in Arkansas. These loans are available for anyone with low to moderate income to purchase a home in approved rural areas with no down payment. The USDA Guaranteed Loan Program is also the favorite no-down payment mortgage in Arkansas for non-veterans today, and can be used for a broader range of applicant incomes than USDA Direct Loans.
What are Arkansas USDA Loans?
The USDA loan program was created by the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development, also known as “USDA RD”. USDA Guaranteed Loans (also known as USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loans) are a mortgage program for low and moderate income mortgage applicants. Arkansas USDA loans provide low-cost, government insured mortgage options that suit a variety of home buying needs. The most common mortgages offered through USDA are known as “Guaranteed” loans. USDA Guaranteed Loans are 100% financing mortgages, which means you can use them to buy a home with no down payment.
Arkansas USDA Loan Requirements
USDA loan requirements mainly focus on the home loan applicant and the property. First off, the home must be located in an approved rural areas to be considered eligible for USDA financing. Second off, the home buyer must meet all income requirements set forth by USDA. These income limits are established through a combination of debt-to-income ratios and income ceilings that equal 115% of the area median income (AMI) for the particular area. Statewide, Arkansas carries a median household income of $47,597, but that can vary from county to county. Ultimately, the applicant must also meet all lender requirements for mortgage approval which include:
- Credit Requirements
- Income Requirements
- Documentation Requirements
Arkansas USDA Loan Limits
USDA doesn’t set specific maximum loan amounts for guaranteed mortgages. Instead, local limits are determined by a combination of the area USDA maximum income limit and the borrower’s debt-to-income ratios. This approach means that guaranteed Arkansas USDA loan limits are fluid and based upon numerous factors. The limits listed below are based on approximate calculations. Actual guaranteed loan limits may vary.
Area | 1-4 Person Households | 5-8 Person Households |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Ashley County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Baxter County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Boone County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Bradley County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Calhoun County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Carroll County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Chicot County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Clark County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Clay County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Cleburne County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Columbia County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Conway County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Cross County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Dallas County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Desha County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Drew County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR HUD Metro FMR Area | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK HUD Metro FMR Area | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Franklin County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Fulton County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Grant County, AR HUD Metro FMR Area | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Greene County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Hempstead County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Hot Spring County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Hot Springs, AR MSA | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Howard County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Independence County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Izard County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Jackson County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Johnson County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Jonesboro, AR HUD Metro FMR Area | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Lafayette County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Lawrence County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Lee County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Little River County, AR HUD Metro FMR Area | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR HUD Metro FMR Area | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Logan County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Marion County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR HUD Metro FMR Area | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Mississippi County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Monroe County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Montgomery County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Nevada County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Newton County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Ouachita County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Phillips County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Pike County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Pine Bluff, AR MSA | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Poinsett County, AR HUD Metro FMR Area | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Polk County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Pope County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Prairie County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Randolph County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Scott County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Searcy County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Sevier County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Sharp County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| St. Francis County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Stone County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Texarkana, TX-Texarkana, AR HUD Metro FMR Area | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Union County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Van Buren County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| White County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Woodruff County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
| Yell County, AR | $306,000 | $391,000 |
Additional USDA Limits
- Arkansas USDA Guaranteed Loan Income Limits
- Arkansas USDA Direct Loan Limits
- Arkansas USDA Direct Loan Income Limits
- All USDA Loan Limits
- USDA Loan Requirements
What is the maximum amount that I can borrow with a USDA Loan?
The maximum amount for a USDA home loan in Arkansas is determined by:
- Maximum Loan Amount: There’s no set maximum loan amount for USDA rural home loans in AR. Instead, your debt-to-income ratios dictate how much home your can afford (29/41 ratios). Additionally, your total household monthly income must be within USDA allowed maximum income limits for your area. Maximum USDA Guaranteed Loan income limits for all areas can be found at here.
- Maximum Financing: The maximum USDA Rural Development Loan amount in AR is 100% of the home’s appraised value plus the 1% USDA RD Loan guarantee fee.
What types of loans does USDA offer in Arkansas?
Two USDA home loan options are presently available in Arkansas for single family households. These programs are backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture by way of its Rural Development Housing Loans:
- Arkansas USDA Guaranteed Home Loans – Guaranteed Loans the most common Rural Housing Loans in Arkansas, because they accommodate higher income limits and 100% financing for home purchases. USDA Guaranteed applicants may have an income of up to 115% of the median household income for the area, which average $47,597 across the state. Specific area income limits for the program can be viewed here. All USDA Guaranteed Loans carry 30 year terms and are set at a fixed rate.
- Arkansas USDA Direct Home Loans – USDA Direct Housing Loans in Arkansas are less common than USDA Guaranteed Loans and are only available for low and very low income households to obtain homeownership, as defined by the USDA. Very low income is defined as below 50 percent of the area median income (AMI); low income is between 50 and 80 percent of AMI; moderate income is 80 to 100 percent of AMI. Click here to see area income limits for this program.
What factors determine if I’m eligible for a USDA Loan in Arkansas?
To be eligible for a USDA loan in Arkansas, your monthly housing costs (mortgage principal and interest, property taxes, and insurance) must meet a specified percentage of your gross monthly income (29% ratio). Your credit background will be fairly considered. A 620 FICO credit score is generally required to obtain a USDA Rural Housing Loan approval through most lenders. You must also have enough income to pay your housing costs plus all additional monthly debt (41% ratio). These ratios can be exceeded somewhat with compensating factors. Applicants for loans may have an income of up to 115% of the median income for the area. Families must be without adequate housing, but be able to afford the mortgage payments, including taxes and insurance.
How much money will I need for the down payment and closing costs?
Rural Development Mortgages in Arkansas require no down payment and they allow for the closing costs to be included in the loan amount (appraisal permitting).
What property types are allowed for USDA Mortgages?
While USDA Guidelines do require that the property be Owner Occupied (OO), they also allow you to purchase condos, planned unit developments, manufactured homes, and single family residences.
