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Hollister sits in San Benito County — and much of the area qualifies for USDA financing. That means zero down payment for eligible buyers.
USDA eligibility is tied to location and income, not just credit. Hollister's semi-rural character makes it a strong fit for this program.
640 (most lenders)
Min Credit Score
0%
Down Payment
Can roll into loan
Upfront Guarantee Fee
Primary residence only
Occupancy
Lower than FHA MIP
Annual Insurance Fee
USDA Loans in Hollister
USDA loans require a 640 credit score with most lenders. Below that, manual underwriting is possible but harder to get approved.
Income limits are set by household size and county. San Benito County limits are higher than many rural counties — but you can still exceed them.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Hollister.
Hollister sits in San Benito County — and much of the area qualifies for USDA financing. That means zero down payment for eligible buyers.
USDA eligibility is tied to location and income, not just credit. Hollister's semi-rural character makes it a strong fit for this program.
USDA loans require a 640 credit score with most lenders. Below that, manual underwriting is possible but harder to get approved.
Not every lender offers USDA loans. Big retail banks often skip them — the volume isn't there. Wholesale lenders are where USDA programs actually live.
At SRK CAPITAL, we work with 200+ wholesale lenders. We know which ones price USDA loans competitively and close them on time.
The biggest mistake I see: buyers assume they don't qualify because Hollister feels close to the Bay Area. USDA eligibility is set by census tract, not vibes.
USDA also has two mortgage insurance fees — an upfront guarantee fee and an annual fee. Both are lower than FHA's. That matters for monthly cash flow.
FHA requires 3.5% down. Conventional needs at least 3%, and PMI stacks on if you're under 20%. USDA is the only program with true zero down for non-veterans.
VA beats USDA if you've served — no mortgage insurance at all. But for civilian buyers in Hollister, USDA is hard to compete with on upfront costs.
San Benito County is largely agricultural and rural. That geography is exactly what USDA was designed for. Hollister buyers often have an edge here.
As of April 2026, confirm your property address on the USDA eligibility map before writing an offer. Boundaries get updated — don't rely on old info.
Much of Hollister and surrounding San Benito County qualifies. Run the property address through the USDA eligibility map to confirm.
USDA sets limits by household size and county. San Benito County limits are relatively generous — check the USDA website for your household size.
No. USDA is a zero down payment program. The upfront guarantee fee can also be rolled into your loan amount.
USDA charges a lower annual fee than FHA's mortgage insurance premium. Over time, that saves real money on your monthly payment.
No. USDA loans are for primary residences only. Investment properties and vacation homes don't qualify.
Most USDA lenders require a 640 score. Below that, manual underwriting is an option but approval is harder. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.