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Yucaipa sits in San Bernardino County's USDA-eligible zone, where a $200,000 purchase at 5.625% runs $1,151 monthly for principal and interest alone. Zero-down financing opens the door for buyers who qualify on income.
USDA loans don't require a down payment or PMI, which saves thousands upfront compared to conventional financing. The tradeoff is an annual fee of 0.35% on the loan balance, plus a 1% upfront fee rolled into the mortgage.
5.625%
Interest Rate
$1,151
Monthly P&I
740
FICO Minimum
$0
Down Payment
0.35%
Annual USDA Fee
USDA Loans in Yucaipa
USDA loans require a 740 FICO minimum (though some lenders go as low as 680 with compensating factors). You must have zero down payment — that's the whole point.
Debt-to-income ratio typically maxes at 41-43% with USDA, meaning your total monthly debt payments can't exceed that percentage of your gross income.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Yucaipa.
Yucaipa sits in San Bernardino County's USDA-eligible zone, where a $200,000 purchase at 5.625% runs $1,151 monthly for principal and interest alone. Zero-down financing opens the door for buyers who qualify on income.
USDA loans don't require a down payment or PMI, which saves thousands upfront compared to conventional financing. The tradeoff is an annual fee of 0.35% on the loan balance, plus a 1% upfront fee rolled into the mortgage.
USDA loans require a 740 FICO minimum (though some lenders go as low as 680 with compensating factors). You must have zero down payment — that's the whole point.
USDA loans are backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, so the rules are federal and consistent across lenders. California brokers and banks originate them regularly, but not every lender maintains active USDA pricing.
Closing timelines for USDA loans run 30-45 days because the USDA guarantee process adds a verification step that conventional loans skip. Brokers can often close faster than retail banks by shopping multiple USDA-approved lenders.
USDA makes sense in Yucaipa when you have stable income under the 115% median threshold and can't save 20% down. At $200,000, the zero-down structure saves you $40,000 in down payment cash.
USDA doesn't work if your income exceeds the limit or you're buying an investment property. The program is primary-residence only. If you're above the income cap or need to buy a rental, conventional or FHA becomes your path instead.
Conventional loans at 20% down ($40,000) have no PMI and no annual fee, but you need the cash upfront. USDA requires zero down and no PMI, but you pay 0.35% annually forever. If you have $40K saved, conventional pencils better over 10+ years.
FHA loans also go zero-down (3.5% minimum) but carry lifetime mortgage insurance if you put less than 10% down. USDA's annual fee is lower than FHA's lifetime MIP, making USDA the cheaper choice for borrowers who qualify on income.
Yucaipa's location in San Bernardino County's USDA-eligible zone is the primary local factor. The county's median household income of $82,184 determines your eligibility threshold.
The Yucaipa area has seen steady residential growth, with homes in the $200K-$300K range attracting first-time buyers and families. USDA's zero-down structure makes that entry point accessible without waiting years to save a down payment.
Yes — zero down is the defining feature of USDA loans. You cannot put down 5% or 10% and get a better rate. The program is designed for borrowers with no down payment savings.
Principal and interest run $1,151 monthly at 5.625% (as of April 19, 2026). Add property taxes, homeowners insurance, and the 0.35% annual USDA fee (roughly $70/month), and your total housing payment lands around $1,400-$1,500 depending on your...
No — USDA loans are primary residence only. You must occupy the property as your main home. If you're buying a rental or second home, you'll need conventional, FHA, or portfolio lending instead.
Your household income must be at or below 115% of the county median. San Bernardino's median is $82,184, so the limit is roughly $94,512 for a household of four. Exact limits vary by family size — call to verify your specific household.
No — it's cheaper. The 0.35% annual fee ($70/month on a $200K loan) is lower than PMI on a conventional 95% LTV loan, which typically runs $150-$250/month. USDA's fee never cancels, but it's still the better deal if you can't put 20% down.