Loading
Loading
Dublin's city council just approved a 113-unit senior affordable housing project on Regional Street, signaling continued investment in the community. At 5.625%, a $200,000 USDA loan carries a $1,151 monthly payment for principal and interest alone.
USDA financing opens doors for buyers who qualify by income and property location. The program requires zero down payment and no mortgage insurance, making it one of the strongest options for rural-eligible properties in Alameda County.
5.625%
Interest Rate
$1,151
Monthly P&I
640
Min FICO
$0
Down Payment
~$145K
Income Limit
USDA Loans in Dublin
USDA loans demand a 640 FICO minimum, though 740+ gets the best pricing. Your income cannot exceed 115% of the area median — Alameda County's median household income is $126,240, so your household income ceiling sits around $145,176.
The zero-down structure means you're financing the full purchase price with no equity cushion. Lenders typically want to see stable employment history and clean credit.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Dublin.
Dublin's city council just approved a 113-unit senior affordable housing project on Regional Street, signaling continued investment in the community. At 5.625%, a $200,000 USDA loan carries a $1,151 monthly payment for principal and interest alone.
USDA financing opens doors for buyers who qualify by income and property location. The program requires zero down payment and no mortgage insurance, making it one of the strongest options for rural-eligible properties in Alameda County.
USDA loans demand a 640 FICO minimum, though 740+ gets the best pricing. Your income cannot exceed 115% of the area median — Alameda County's median household income is $126,240, so your household income ceiling sits around $145,176.
USDA loans are less common than conventional or FHA in California because they're restricted to rural-eligible properties and income-capped borrowers. Most portfolio lenders and brokers carry USDA programs, but not all.
Underwriting timelines run 30-45 days because USDA properties require additional verification. The program carries a 1% upfront guarantee fee and 0.35% annual fee, both rolled into your loan balance.
USDA makes sense in Dublin when you're income-qualified and the property sits in an eligible zone. At $200,000 purchase price with zero down, you're building equity immediately without PMI drag. That's a structural win over conventional 5% down.
The catch: USDA income limits exclude higher earners. If household income tops $145K, you're out. If the property falls outside eligible zones, USDA won't work. Verify both before you fall in love with a specific home.
FHA also runs zero-down in Dublin, but carries mortgage insurance for life if you put less than 10% down. USDA has no mortgage insurance at any down payment level. On a $200,000 loan, that's real money saved over 30 years.
The tradeoff: FHA has no income limits and accepts lower credit scores. USDA caps income and demands 640+ FICO. If you're over the income threshold, FHA is your only zero-down path. If you're under it, USDA wins on cost.
New restaurants are opening across the East Bay — Filipino, burger, Mexican, and Nicaraguan spots just launched. That kind of neighborhood growth signals rising property values and community investment, which matters for long-term equity building in Dublin.
The 113-unit senior housing project approved on Regional Street shows Dublin is investing in mixed-income development. That stability supports home values and makes zero-down USDA financing a smarter long-term play than it would be in a declining market.
Yes, but only if the specific property sits in a USDA-eligible rural zone. Dublin has eligible areas, but not all neighborhoods qualify. Your lender must verify the property address before you apply.
At 5.625% / APR 5.682%, the principal and interest payment is $1,151 per month on a $200,000 loan. That's before property taxes, insurance, and HOA fees.
No. USDA loans require zero down payment. You finance the full purchase price. There's no mortgage insurance either, which saves you hundreds per month compared to conventional or FHA loans with small down payments.
Your household income cannot exceed 115% of Alameda County's median household income. The county median is $126,240, so your income ceiling is roughly $145,176. If you're over that, USDA won't work — FHA is your zero-down alternative.
Plan for 30-45 days. USDA loans require property verification and rural-eligibility confirmation, which takes longer than conventional. Your lender will order those checks early.