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Lodi sits in San Joaquin County's agricultural heartland. That geography works in your favor — parts of Lodi qualify for USDA financing.
USDA loans are zero down payment mortgages backed by the federal government. They're built for buyers in rural and suburban areas, and Lodi fits that profile.
0%
Down Payment
640 (most lenders)
Min Credit Score
Government-Backed
Loan Type
County-based limit
Income Limit
30–45+ days
Typical Close Time
USDA Loans in Lodi
USDA has two hard gates: property location and household income. The property must sit in an eligible area, and your total household income must fall under the county limit.
Credit requirements are more flexible than conventional loans. Most lenders want at least a 640 score for automated approval, though manual underwriting exists for lower scores.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Lodi.
Lodi sits in San Joaquin County's agricultural heartland. That geography works in your favor — parts of Lodi qualify for USDA financing.
USDA loans are zero down payment mortgages backed by the federal government. They're built for buyers in rural and suburban areas, and Lodi fits that profile.
USDA has two hard gates: property location and household income. The property must sit in an eligible area, and your total household income must fall under the county limit.
Not every lender offers USDA loans. Banks often skip them because the approval process runs longer than conventional deals.
As a broker with access to 200+ wholesale lenders, we can find USDA-approved lenders who actually close these loans — not just advertise them.
USDA eligibility maps get updated periodically. An address that qualified last year may not qualify today — always verify before you fall in love with a property.
The income limit counts everyone in your household, not just borrowers on the loan. A spouse's income counts even if they're not on the mortgage. That surprises a lot of buyers.
FHA requires 3.5% down. Conventional requires at least 3%. USDA is genuinely zero down — that's a real difference for buyers short on cash.
The tradeoff is geography. FHA and conventional work anywhere. USDA only works in eligible areas. If the property qualifies, USDA usually wins on monthly cost.
Lodi's outer neighborhoods and surrounding areas are worth checking on the USDA eligibility map. Inner Lodi near the city center typically does not qualify.
San Joaquin County income limits apply here. As of April 2026, verify current limits directly — they adjust annually and affect who can use this program.
Parts of Lodi do qualify — but not all of it. Check the USDA eligibility map for the specific address before moving forward.
Income limits change annually and vary by household size. Verify current San Joaquin County limits directly with your broker or at the USDA website.
Yes. No down payment is required. There is an upfront guarantee fee, but it can be rolled into the loan amount.
USDA requires zero down and has lower monthly fees than FHA. FHA works in any location — USDA is restricted to eligible areas only.
No. USDA loans are for primary residences only. You must live in the home.
USDA takes longer than conventional — often 30 to 45 days or more. The file goes through an extra USDA review after lender approval.