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Lathrop sits in San Joaquin County, and parts of it fall within USDA-eligible zones. That means zero down payment financing is a real option here.
This isn't a loan most buyers hear about first. But for the right borrower in the right area, it's one of the strongest programs available.
0%
Down Payment Required
640 (typical)
Min Credit Score
1% of loan amount
Upfront Guarantee Fee
0.35% of balance
Annual Fee
30-45 days
Typical Close Time
USDA Loans in Lathrop
USDA loans have two hard requirements: the property must be in an eligible area, and your household income must fall under the local limit.
Most lenders want a 640 credit score for automated approval. Below that, manual underwriting is possible but much harder to get done.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Lathrop.
Lathrop sits in San Joaquin County, and parts of it fall within USDA-eligible zones. That means zero down payment financing is a real option here.
This isn't a loan most buyers hear about first. But for the right borrower in the right area, it's one of the strongest programs available.
USDA loans have two hard requirements: the property must be in an eligible area, and your household income must fall under the local limit.
Not every lender offers USDA loans. Banks and credit unions often skip this program entirely. You need a lender approved by USDA's Rural Development office.
At SRK CAPITAL, we work with 200+ wholesale lenders. Several specialize in USDA and know how to move these files without the usual delays.
The biggest mistake I see? Buyers assume their address qualifies without checking. USDA eligibility maps are updated, and boundaries shift.
Run the address before you fall in love with the home. The USDA site has a property eligibility tool — use it on day one, not after you're in contract.
FHA requires 3.5% down. Conventional loans without PMI need 20%. USDA is the only standard program that offers true zero down for non-military buyers.
The tradeoff is income and location restrictions. VA beats USDA if you've served. But if you don't qualify for VA, USDA is hard to beat in eligible areas.
Lathrop has grown fast. Newer developments on the city's edges may still fall within USDA-eligible boundaries — but always confirm with the current map.
San Joaquin County income limits apply here. If your household earns more than the USDA threshold for this county, you're out regardless of location.
Parts of Lathrop qualify, parts don't. You must check the specific property address on the USDA eligibility map before assuming it works.
USDA sets limits by county and household size. Check the current USDA Rural Development site — limits update and vary based on how many people live in the home.
Yes. USDA charges an upfront guarantee fee and an annual fee. Both are lower than FHA mortgage insurance over the life of the loan.
Yes, USDA allows new construction in eligible areas. The process takes longer and requires additional documentation — budget extra time.
Expect 30-45 days minimum. USDA files sometimes require a second review by the Rural Development office, which adds time.
Yes, but both must pass inspection. USDA is common in rural areas — lenders expect well and septic and know how to handle them.