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Gustine sits in Merced County's agricultural heartland. Home prices here run well below coastal California, which works in a VA borrower's favor.
VA loans have no down payment requirement. In a town like Gustine, that means veterans can buy without years of saving first.
0%
Down Payment
620 (typical)
Min Credit Score
None
Mortgage Insurance
~2.15%
Funding Fee (1st Use)
Up to 4%
Seller Concessions
VA Loans in Gustine
You need a valid Certificate of Eligibility from the VA. Most lenders also want a 620 credit score, though some go lower.
VA loans require a funding fee — typically 2.15% for first-time use. Disabled veterans are exempt from this fee.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect va loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Gustine.
Gustine sits in Merced County's agricultural heartland. Home prices here run well below coastal California, which works in a VA borrower's favor.
VA loans have no down payment requirement. In a town like Gustine, that means veterans can buy without years of saving first.
You need a valid Certificate of Eligibility from the VA. Most lenders also want a 620 credit score, though some go lower.
Most retail banks in rural Merced County offer VA loans, but their rates and overlays vary more than you'd expect.
At SRK CAPITAL, we shop VA programs across 200+ wholesale lenders. Rural markets like Gustine need lenders who understand agricultural property types.
VA appraisals in rural areas get strict. If the home has issues — peeling paint, broken windows, deferred maintenance — the appraiser will flag them.
Get a pre-inspection before you make an offer. VA buyers in Gustine lose deals over appraisal conditions that could've been caught early.
FHA loans need 3.5% down and charge mortgage insurance for the life of the loan. VA has no monthly mortgage insurance at all.
USDA loans also offer zero down in eligible rural zones — Gustine may qualify. But USDA has income caps. VA does not.
Gustine has a mix of single-family homes and agricultural parcels. VA loans only cover owner-occupied residential properties.
Homes with large lots or outbuildings are common here. VA appraisers will value only the residential portion — not farm equipment or working land.
Yes, but the VA appraisal values only the residential portion. Large lots or agricultural land won't increase your appraised value.
Parts of Merced County may qualify for USDA rural designation. We can check both VA and USDA eligibility for your specific address.
No. VA loans require zero down payment for eligible borrowers. That's one of the biggest advantages over every other loan type.
Most lenders want 620 or higher. Some VA lenders go down to 580, but options narrow and rates rise below 620.
Yes. Unmarried surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability are eligible for VA loans.