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in Fairfax, CA
Both FHA and USDA loans offer low or no down payment options. But they work very differently — and only one is realistically available in Fairfax.
USDA loans require the property to sit in an eligible rural or suburban zone. Fairfax is a Marin County town. Most of it does not qualify for USDA.
FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Lenders require a 580 credit score for 3.5% down. Drop below 580 and you need 10% down.
You pay mortgage insurance on every FHA loan — an upfront premium plus monthly charges. That cost doesn't disappear until you refinance out of FHA.
USDA loans offer zero down payment. The USDA backs these loans for buyers in designated rural and suburban areas who fall under income caps.
The annual mortgage insurance rate on USDA is lower than FHA. But the property must pass USDA's geographic eligibility check first.
Local decision guide
Use this comparison to weigh FHA Loans and USDA Loans through local payment fit, eligibility, documentation, and timing before choosing a path in Fairfax.
Both FHA and USDA loans offer low or no down payment options. But they work very differently — and only one is realistically available in Fairfax.
USDA loans require the property to sit in an eligible rural or suburban zone. Fairfax is a Marin County town. Most of it does not qualify for USDA.
FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Lenders require a 580 credit score for 3.5% down. Drop below 580 and you need 10% down.
The biggest difference is access. FHA works anywhere in Marin County. USDA requires the property to be in an approved area — Fairfax rarely qualifies.
FHA has no income ceiling. USDA caps your household income based on county and family size. In Marin, those caps can disqualify many buyers.
For most Fairfax buyers, FHA is the practical choice. USDA eligibility in Marin County is limited. Don't build a strategy around a program that may not apply.
If you're buying in an outlying part of Marin and your income is below the USDA limit, it's worth running the address through the USDA map. Zero down is hard to beat when it's available.
Most of Fairfax does not qualify for USDA. Run the specific address through the USDA property eligibility map to confirm.
Lenders require a 580 score for 3.5% down. You can go lower, but then you need 10% down.
Yes. USDA sets household income caps by county and family size. Marin's high incomes push many buyers over the limit.
USDA mortgage insurance runs lower than FHA. But if the property isn't USDA-eligible, that comparison doesn't matter.
FHA works on approved condo projects. USDA has stricter property type rules and rarely covers condos.
No. Both programs require owner-occupancy. You must intend to live in the home as your primary residence.