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Ione sits in rural Amador County — exactly the kind of town USDA was built for. Most of Ione's residential areas qualify for USDA's zero-down program.
Small-town California doesn't get cheaper to buy into than this. USDA lets buyers skip the down payment entirely and still get a fixed-rate mortgage.
0%
Down Payment
640 (preferred)
Min Credit Score
1% of loan amount
Upfront Guarantee Fee
0.35% of balance
Annual Fee
30-45 days
Est. Close Time
USDA Loans in Ione
USDA has two hard requirements: the property must be in an eligible area, and your household income must fall under the local limit. Both apply in Ione.
Most lenders want a 640 credit score for USDA's automated approval. Below that, you're not out — but manual underwriting is slower and stricter.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Ione.
Ione sits in rural Amador County — exactly the kind of town USDA was built for. Most of Ione's residential areas qualify for USDA's zero-down program.
Small-town California doesn't get cheaper to buy into than this. USDA lets buyers skip the down payment entirely and still get a fixed-rate mortgage.
USDA has two hard requirements: the property must be in an eligible area, and your household income must fall under the local limit. Both apply in Ione.
Not every lender does USDA loans. Many retail banks don't bother because the volume isn't there. A broker with wholesale access finds the ones that do it well.
At SRK CAPITAL, we work with 200+ wholesale lenders. We know which ones close USDA deals fast and which ones drag them out for 60 days.
The biggest USDA mistake I see: buyers assume they qualify based on property location alone. Income limits catch people off guard — especially dual-income households.
USDA also charges a guarantee fee upfront and an annual fee. They're lower than FHA's mortgage insurance. But you need to factor them into your payment math.
FHA needs 3.5% down. Conventional needs at least 3%, and you'll pay PMI without 20%. USDA is the only program that truly starts at zero down for non-veterans.
VA beats USDA for eligible veterans — no fees, no income limits. But for civilian buyers in Ione without a military background, USDA is the strongest zero-down option.
Ione is a small footprint town. Confirm your specific property address against USDA's eligibility map before getting too far into the process. Boundaries shift.
Amador County homes can have well and septic systems. USDA requires those to meet condition standards — factor in inspection costs for older rural properties.
Most of Ione falls in USDA-eligible rural territory. Verify your specific address on the USDA eligibility map before applying.
USDA income limits vary by household size and county. Check the USDA income eligibility tool for current Amador County figures.
The home must meet USDA's minimum property standards at closing. Major repairs needed upfront can complicate approval.
Expect 30-45 days with an experienced lender. USDA requires a separate rural development approval, which adds time.
Yes. There's a 1% upfront guarantee fee and a 0.35% annual fee. Both are lower than FHA mortgage insurance costs.
No. USDA is strictly for primary residences. You must occupy the home as your main residence.