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Long Beach proper doesn't qualify for USDA financing—it's too urban. But buyers looking at northeastern Los Angeles County can still use this zero-down program in eligible areas.
Most USDA-eligible zones sit in the Antelope Valley and eastern LA County communities. You're looking at Palmdale, Lancaster, and parts of the Santa Clarita Valley where population density drops.
USDA Loans in Long Beach
You need stable income below USDA limits for Los Angeles County—currently around $110,000 for a family of four. Credit score minimums typically land at 640, though we can work with lower scores through manual underwriting.
The home must be your primary residence in an approved rural area. No investment properties. No second homes. Sellers can contribute up to 6% toward closing costs, which helps when cash is tight.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Long Beach.
Long Beach proper doesn't qualify for USDA financing—it's too urban. But buyers looking at northeastern Los Angeles County can still use this zero-down program in eligible areas.
Most USDA-eligible zones sit in the Antelope Valley and eastern LA County communities. You're looking at Palmdale, Lancaster, and parts of the Santa Clarita Valley where population density drops.
You need stable income below USDA limits for Los Angeles County—currently around $110,000 for a family of four. Credit score minimums typically land at 640, though we can work with lower scores through manual underwriting.
Not every lender touches USDA loans—processing takes longer and the guarantee fee structure differs from FHA. We work with 15-20 wholesale lenders who actively fund USDA deals in Los Angeles County.
Rate shopping matters here because USDA doesn't set rates. Lenders price these loans independently. We've seen rate spreads of 0.5% between lenders on identical borrower profiles.
USDA works best when you're choosing between Palmdale at $450k and Long Beach at $700k. That price difference funds a lot of gas money for commuting. Most of our USDA buyers work remotely or commute to aerospace jobs in the valley.
The upfront guarantee fee—currently 1% of the loan amount—gets rolled into your loan. Monthly guarantee fee runs 0.35% annually. Still cheaper than PMI on a conventional 3% down loan when you factor in the higher loan amount.
FHA requires 3.5% down but works anywhere in Long Beach. VA beats USDA if you're military-eligible—no funding fee on disability ratings. Conventional 3% down programs offer faster closing but require PMI until 20% equity.
USDA shines when you're stretching to buy and willing to live farther out. Zero down payment preserves cash for furniture, repairs, and emergency reserves that new homeowners actually need.
Los Angeles County income limits get reviewed annually. A household making $115k might not qualify next year if limits drop. Lock your eligibility before limits change if you're close to the cap.
Property types matter—USDA doesn't finance condos in most cases. You're buying single-family detached homes or approved townhomes. Appraisals check for basic functionality like working HVAC and a sound roof, similar to FHA standards.
No. Long Beach proper doesn't qualify—too dense. USDA works in northeastern LA County areas like Palmdale and Lancaster where population density drops below program limits.
Limits vary by household size, currently around $110,000 for four people. Limits adjust annually based on county median income, so check current caps before application.
Expect 35-45 days from application to closing. USDA adds a government review step that FHA and conventional loans skip, which extends timeline versus other programs.
Rarely. USDA primarily finances single-family detached homes. Some attached townhomes qualify if they meet ownership and structural requirements, but traditional condos typically don't work.
640 gets you automated underwriting approval. Below that, manual underwriting is possible with strong compensating factors like low debt ratios or significant cash reserves.