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USDA loans offer zero down payment financing for eligible buyers. The catch: the property must sit in a USDA-designated rural or suburban zone.
Rancho Cordova is a developed Sacramento suburb. Most of the city falls outside USDA eligibility boundaries — that matters before you get attached to any listing.
0%
Down Payment
640
Min Credit Score
115% Area Median
Income Limit
30–45 Days
Est. Close Time
Lower Than FHA
Mortgage Insurance
USDA Loans in Rancho Cordova
USDA loans require a 640 credit score for automated approval. Below that, you need manual underwriting — slower and harder to get done.
Income limits apply. Your household income cannot exceed 115% of the area median income. This catches buyers who earn too much, not just too little.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Rancho Cordova.
USDA loans offer zero down payment financing for eligible buyers. The catch: the property must sit in a USDA-designated rural or suburban zone.
Rancho Cordova is a developed Sacramento suburb. Most of the city falls outside USDA eligibility boundaries — that matters before you get attached to any listing.
USDA loans require a 640 credit score for automated approval. Below that, you need manual underwriting — slower and harder to get done.
Not every lender offers USDA loans. Many retail banks don't bother because volume is low. You need a lender active in the USDA program.
At SRK CAPITAL, we work with 200+ wholesale lenders. We know which ones close USDA deals fast and which ones drag them out.
The biggest mistake I see: buyers fall in love with a home in Rancho Cordova, then discover it's not USDA-eligible. Run the address through the USDA map first.
USDA loans carry two mortgage insurance fees — an upfront guarantee fee and an annual fee. They're lower than FHA's MIP. That's a real cost advantage.
FHA loans require 3.5% down but work in any location. USDA beats FHA on monthly cost when the property qualifies — no down payment and lower insurance.
VA loans are zero down with no mortgage insurance at all. If you're a veteran, VA wins. USDA is the best zero-down option for non-veterans in eligible areas.
Sacramento County has pockets of USDA-eligible land. Some outer edges of the county qualify. Rancho Cordova's core neighborhoods typically do not.
As of April 2026, USDA boundary maps are subject to periodic revision. A property that was ineligible last year could qualify today — or vice versa. Verify current status.
Most of Rancho Cordova falls outside USDA-designated zones. Check each specific address on the USDA eligibility map before moving forward.
Lenders require a 640 score for automated underwriting. Below 640, manual underwriting applies and approval gets significantly harder.
Yes. Your total household income must stay below 115% of the area median income. Both borrower and co-borrower income count.
USDA's annual fee runs lower than FHA's monthly MIP. Over a 30-year loan, that difference adds up to real savings.
No. USDA loans are strictly for primary residences. You must intend to live in the home.
USDA loans typically take 30-45 days. Rural Development approval adds a step that conventional and FHA loans skip.