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USDA loans offer zero down payment for eligible buyers. But Brea sits in Orange County — one of California's most developed metros.
Most of Brea's residential areas are not USDA-eligible. The program targets rural and semi-rural zones, and Brea simply doesn't qualify in most cases.
0%
Down Payment
620 (typical)
Min Credit Score
0.35% of loan
Annual Fee
1% of loan
Upfront Fee
30-45 days
Est. Close Time
USDA Loans in Brea
USDA requires the property to sit in an approved rural zone. Run any Brea address through the USDA eligibility map before going further.
Income limits apply too. Your household income must fall below the USDA cap for Orange County. Over that cap, you're out regardless of credit.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Brea.
USDA loans offer zero down payment for eligible buyers. But Brea sits in Orange County — one of California's most developed metros.
Most of Brea's residential areas are not USDA-eligible. The program targets rural and semi-rural zones, and Brea simply doesn't qualify in most cases.
USDA requires the property to sit in an approved rural zone. Run any Brea address through the USDA eligibility map before going further.
Few lenders actively push USDA in Orange County. Most pivot buyers toward FHA or conventional the moment they see a Brea address.
We work with 200+ wholesale lenders. We know which ones actually close USDA loans in California when an address does qualify.
In 13 years of brokering in California, USDA deals in Orange County are rare. That's not a knock on the program — it's just geography.
If your Brea address doesn't map as eligible, FHA gets you within 3.5% down. That's the fastest pivot most buyers make.
USDA beats FHA on one thing: no down payment. FHA requires 3.5%. On a $700K home that's $24,500 out of pocket.
But USDA has an annual fee — 0.35% of the loan balance. FHA charges 0.55% annually. USDA is cheaper long-term if you qualify. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
Brea is a fully built-out Orange County city. The USDA program wasn't designed for suburbs like this — it was built for agricultural and rural communities.
Buyers set on zero down in Brea should look at VA loans if they've served, or ask about down payment assistance programs layered with FHA.
Most of Brea is not USDA-eligible due to its urban density. Check the USDA property eligibility map for your specific address.
USDA sets household income limits by county. Orange County limits are relatively low given local salaries — verify your limit at usda.gov.
Condos face dual hurdles: USDA zone eligibility and project approval. In Brea, most condos won't clear the location test.
VA loans are the strongest zero-down option for eligible veterans. Non-veterans should explore FHA plus down payment assistance programs.
Yes. USDA charges a 1% upfront guarantee fee and a 0.35% annual fee. Both are lower than FHA's equivalent costs.
USDA loans often take 30-45 days. Rural Development offices add a review step that conventional loans skip entirely.