Loading
Loading
Graeagle sits in Plumas County's rural footprint, where USDA-eligible properties open zero-down financing to buyers who meet income limits. A $200,000 purchase at 5.625% runs $1,151 monthly for principal and interest alone.
The county's median household income of $64,946 qualifies most local buyers for USDA loans here. That income ceiling stretches to roughly $149,376 for a family of four—well above what most Graeagle buyers earn.
5.625%
Interest Rate
$1,151
Monthly P&I
$200,000
Loan Amount
740
Min. FICO
$0
Down Payment
30 days
Lock Period
USDA Loans in Graeagle
USDA loans require 740 FICO minimum and zero down payment on USDA-eligible rural properties. Income limits cap at 115% of area median income—roughly $74,689 for a single borrower in Plumas County.
The county's $64,946 median household income means most local families qualify comfortably. Debt-to-income ratio typically maxes at 41-43%, so a $64,946 income supports roughly $23,000-28,000 in total monthly debt.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Graeagle.
Graeagle sits in Plumas County's rural footprint, where USDA-eligible properties open zero-down financing to buyers who meet income limits. A $200,000 purchase at 5.625% runs $1,151 monthly for principal and interest alone.
The county's median household income of $64,946 qualifies most local buyers for USDA loans here. That income ceiling stretches to roughly $149,376 for a family of four—well above what most Graeagle buyers earn.
USDA loans require 740 FICO minimum and zero down payment on USDA-eligible rural properties. Income limits cap at 115% of area median income—roughly $74,689 for a single borrower in Plumas County.
USDA loans in California move through a smaller lender pool than conventional or FHA. Most brokers source USDA through correspondent lenders who specialize in rural financing and handle USDA's guarantee paperwork.
Underwriting typically takes 30-45 days once the property appraisal clears. USDA requires the property to sit in an eligible rural area—Graeagle qualifies—and the lender verifies income limits before closing.
USDA makes sense in Graeagle when a buyer earns under $75,000 and wants to avoid PMI or down-payment savings. At $200,000, zero down eliminates the need to scrape together $40,000-60,000 for a conventional down payment.
It doesn't pencil when income exceeds the limit or when a buyer has 20% down saved. Conventional at 20% down carries no PMI and often runs a lower rate than USDA's 5.625%.
Conventional loans at 20% down carry no PMI and no annual fees, but require $40,000 saved on a $200,000 purchase. USDA asks for nothing down and no insurance—just an annual 0.35% fee on the loan balance.
If you have the down payment saved, conventional wins on cost over 30 years. If you don't, USDA's zero-down structure is the only path that avoids PMI entirely.
Graeagle's rural setting is exactly why USDA loans exist. The program targets properties outside metro areas where traditional financing is harder to find and down-payment savings matter most to local families.
Plumas County's small population of 19,607 means fewer competing buyers and often longer market times. That slower pace gives USDA borrowers room to close without the pressure of bidding wars.
No. USDA loans require zero down payment on eligible rural properties. You finance 100% of the purchase price, which is the core advantage over conventional loans that typically require 5-20% down.
At 5.625% interest, the principal and interest payment is $1,151 per month on a $200,000 loan. Add property taxes, insurance, and the annual 0.35% USDA fee to get your total housing cost.
Income must stay under 115% of area median—roughly $74,689 for a single borrower. Plumas County's median household income is $64,946, so most local families qualify comfortably.
No PMI. Instead, USDA charges an annual fee of 0.35% of the loan balance. Over 30 years, that's cheaper than conventional PMI, which cancels at 78% LTV.
740 FICO is the minimum. Some lenders go as low as 680 with compensating factors, but 740 is the standard floor for the best rates and fastest approval.