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USDA loans offer zero down payment financing for eligible buyers in qualifying areas. The catch: not all of Fontana qualifies.
San Bernardino County has pockets of USDA-eligible territory. Check eligibility before falling in love with a specific address.
0%
Down Payment
640
Min Credit Score
1% of loan
Upfront Guarantee Fee
0.35%
Annual Fee
Primary only
Occupancy
30-45 days
Est. Close Time
USDA Loans in Fontana
Most lenders want a 640 credit score for USDA loans. Below that, manual underwriting is possible but rare.
Income limits are set by household size and county. San Bernardino County limits are moderate — many working families qualify.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Fontana.
USDA loans offer zero down payment financing for eligible buyers in qualifying areas. The catch: not all of Fontana qualifies.
San Bernardino County has pockets of USDA-eligible territory. Check eligibility before falling in love with a specific address.
Most lenders want a 640 credit score for USDA loans. Below that, manual underwriting is possible but rare.
Not every lender does USDA. Many banks skip it because volume is low and the process takes longer than conventional.
At SRK CAPITAL, we work with lenders who actually specialize in USDA. That matters when your file needs manual review.
The biggest USDA mistake I see: buyers assume their target neighborhood qualifies. Always verify the address first.
USDA also has an upfront guarantee fee and annual fee. They're lower than FHA mortgage insurance, but budget for them.
FHA requires 3.5% down. USDA requires nothing. For buyers short on cash, that difference is significant.
VA beats both — no down payment, no mortgage insurance. But VA is only for veterans. USDA is open to any qualifying buyer.
Fontana is a developed city. Dense urban neighborhoods near the 210 and 10 freeways typically don't qualify for USDA.
Outer edges of Fontana and nearby unincorporated San Bernardino County areas may still qualify. Your broker should pull the USDA eligibility map before you write an offer.
Parts of Fontana may qualify. Check the USDA eligibility map by address — city name alone won't tell you.
Limits vary by household size. A family of four has a higher limit than a single buyer. We verify this at intake.
No. USDA is for primary residences only. Investment properties and multi-unit rentals are not eligible.
Expect 30-45 days with a lender experienced in USDA. Files routed to lenders unfamiliar with the program take longer.
USDA has a 1% upfront guarantee fee and a 0.35% annual fee. It's not called PMI, but it works similarly.
Most USDA lenders require 640. Some allow lower with manual underwriting, but approval is harder to get.