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Alturas is the county seat of Modoc County — one of California's most rural areas. That geography works in your favor with USDA loans.
Most of Alturas qualifies for USDA rural designation. That means zero down payment financing is available here when it isn't in most California cities.
0%
Down Payment
640 (most lenders)
Min Credit Score
Fixed 30-year
Rate Type
1% guarantee fee
Upfront Fee
0.35% of loan balance
Annual Fee
USDA Loans in Alturas
USDA loans require stable income, a 640 credit score for most lenders, and household income under the county limit. Modoc County limits are set for lower-cost rural markets.
Your debt-to-income ratio — monthly debts divided by gross income — generally needs to stay under 41%. Some lenders go higher with strong compensating factors.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Alturas.
Alturas is the county seat of Modoc County — one of California's most rural areas. That geography works in your favor with USDA loans.
Most of Alturas qualifies for USDA rural designation. That means zero down payment financing is available here when it isn't in most California cities.
USDA loans require stable income, a 640 credit score for most lenders, and household income under the county limit. Modoc County limits are set for lower-cost rural markets.
USDA loans come in two types: the Guaranteed Loan through private lenders, and the Direct Loan from USDA itself. Most buyers use the Guaranteed program.
Not every lender offers USDA. Shopping across multiple wholesale lenders — rather than walking into one bank — makes a real difference on rate and approval odds.
The biggest mistake I see: buyers assume they don't qualify because of household size. USDA income limits scale up with household members. A family of five has a higher limit than a single buyer.
USDA also has an upfront guarantee fee and an annual fee — similar to FHA mortgage insurance. Run the full payment comparison before assuming USDA is always cheapest.
FHA requires 3.5% down. VA requires zero down but only for veterans. USDA is the only zero-down option available to non-veterans who meet income and location requirements.
Conventional loans in Alturas need at least 3-5% down plus private mortgage insurance below 20%. USDA's annual fee is often lower than conventional PMI for qualified buyers.
Modoc County is one of California's least populated counties. That keeps home prices lower — which helps buyers stay under USDA income limits more easily.
As of April 2026, Alturas remains an eligible USDA rural area. Eligibility can change when census data updates, so confirm the property address before you fall in love with a listing.
Yes. Alturas falls within USDA-eligible rural territory as of April 2026. Always verify the specific property address on the USDA eligibility map.
USDA sets income limits by county and household size. Modoc County uses rural-area benchmarks — check current limits with your lender before assuming you don't qualify.
No. USDA Guaranteed loans require zero down payment. Closing costs may still apply, though some can be rolled into the loan or covered by seller concessions.
Most lenders require a 640 minimum. Some lenders will go below that with manual underwriting, but options get limited fast below that threshold.
USDA wins on down payment — zero versus 3.5% for FHA. If your income is within limits and the property qualifies, USDA is usually the stronger choice.
Some manufactured homes qualify, but the property must meet USDA condition standards and be permanently affixed to a foundation. Not all lenders approve these.