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Calistoga sits at the northern tip of Napa Valley. That location matters for USDA eligibility.
Many parts of Calistoga and surrounding Napa County fall within USDA-designated rural zones. That means zero down financing is on the table.
0%
Down Payment
640 (recommended)
Min Credit Score
Government-Backed
Loan Type
1% guarantee fee
Upfront Fee
30–45 days
Typical Close Time
USDA Loans in Calistoga
USDA loans have two hard requirements: the property must be in an eligible area, and your income must stay under the local limit.
Most lenders want a 640 credit score for automated approval. Below that, manual underwriting applies and approval gets harder.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Calistoga.
Calistoga sits at the northern tip of Napa Valley. That location matters for USDA eligibility.
Many parts of Calistoga and surrounding Napa County fall within USDA-designated rural zones. That means zero down financing is on the table.
USDA loans have two hard requirements: the property must be in an eligible area, and your income must stay under the local limit.
Not every lender offers USDA loans. Many retail banks skip them entirely. That limits your options if you go direct.
As a broker with access to 200+ wholesale lenders, we find the USDA-approved lenders competing for your loan — not just one bank's sheet.
The biggest mistake I see: borrowers assume Calistoga qualifies without checking. USDA maps update periodically. Always verify the address.
Income limits in Napa County run higher than many rural counties. That helps buyers here. But go over the cap by a dollar and you're out.
FHA requires 3.5% down. Conventional is 3-20%. USDA is zero. For buyers with good income but limited savings, that gap is huge.
The tradeoff is mortgage insurance. USDA charges an upfront guarantee fee plus an annual fee. Run the numbers against FHA before you decide.
Calistoga is a small town. Inventory is tight and homes move. USDA loans can close competitively — the zero-down stigma is mostly a myth.
Napa Valley properties can carry premium price tags. Make sure the home you want stays within USDA loan limits for Napa County before you fall in love with it.
Many areas in and around Calistoga qualify. Eligibility is property-specific, so verify your address on the USDA map before anything else.
Limits vary by household size and are set by USDA annually. Napa County limits tend to be higher than most rural counties in California.
No. USDA is a true zero-down program. You may still need to cover closing costs unless the seller agrees to contribute.
USDA charges a 1% upfront guarantee fee and a 0.35% annual fee. Both are lower than FHA mortgage insurance premiums.
No. USDA requires the property to be your primary residence. Investment and vacation properties don't qualify.
Expect 30-45 days. USDA loans require a lender approval plus a USDA conditional commitment, which adds time.