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Bakersfield sits in a unique spot for USDA eligibility. Parts of Kern County qualify as rural or suburban under USDA maps.
Not every Bakersfield address qualifies. You need to check the USDA property eligibility map before falling in love with a listing.
0%
Down Payment
640 (preferred)
Min Credit Score
1% of loan amount
Upfront Fee
0.35% of balance
Annual Fee
45-60 days
Typical Close Time
USDA Loans in Bakersfield
USDA loans have two hard requirements: the property must be in an eligible area, and your income must fall under the limit for your household size.
Most lenders want a 640 credit score for automated approval. Below that, manual underwriting kicks in — slower and harder to get through.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Bakersfield.
Bakersfield sits in a unique spot for USDA eligibility. Parts of Kern County qualify as rural or suburban under USDA maps.
Not every Bakersfield address qualifies. You need to check the USDA property eligibility map before falling in love with a listing.
USDA loans have two hard requirements: the property must be in an eligible area, and your income must fall under the limit for your household size.
Not every lender offers USDA loans. Many banks skip them due to the extra paperwork and rural eligibility checks.
As a broker with access to 200+ wholesale lenders, we find the ones who actually close USDA deals — not just list them on a rate sheet.
The biggest USDA mistake I see: buyers find a house, get attached, then discover the address doesn't qualify. Check eligibility on day one.
USDA loans carry a guarantee fee — 1% upfront, 0.35% annually. Most buyers roll the upfront fee into the loan. Factor that into your numbers.
FHA requires 3.5% down. USDA requires zero. For a buyer with solid income but thin savings, that gap is everything.
VA beats USDA if you have military service — no guarantee fees, no income limits. But USDA serves buyers VA won't touch.
Bakersfield's outer edges — think areas past the 99 corridor heading toward unincorporated Kern — are where USDA eligibility shows up most.
Kern County's agricultural roots mean rural zoning exists closer to town than you'd expect. Some suburban neighborhoods still qualify. Always verify.
Parts of Bakersfield and surrounding Kern County do qualify. You need to check each specific address on the USDA eligibility map.
Income limits vary by household size and are set by USDA for each county. Check current Kern County limits directly with a broker or USDA's website.
The home must meet USDA minimum property standards. Serious repairs or safety issues can block approval.
USDA loans typically take longer than FHA or conventional. Budget 45-60 days. Rural Development office processing adds time.
Yes. USDA charges 0.35% annually versus FHA's 0.55%. Over time, that difference adds up meaningfully.
Yes. USDA offers a streamline refinance option. The property must still be in an eligible area at the time of refi.