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USDA loans offer zero down payment financing for eligible buyers in qualifying areas. Parts of Solano County fall within USDA-eligible zones — but you need to verify each address.
Fairfield sits between major Bay Area metros, which creates interesting eligibility pockets. Some neighborhoods qualify; others don't. Always check the USDA property eligibility map before assuming.
0%
Down Payment
640
Min Credit Score
1% of loan
Upfront Guarantee Fee
0.35% of loan
Annual Fee
41%
Max DTI (Back End)
USDA Loans in Fairfield
USDA loans have two hard requirements: the property must be in an eligible area, and your income must fall below the program limit. In Solano County, income limits vary by household size.
Most lenders want a 640 credit score for automated approval. Below that, manual underwriting kicks in — slower and stricter. Debt-to-income ratios typically need to stay under 41% on the back end.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Fairfield.
USDA loans offer zero down payment financing for eligible buyers in qualifying areas. Parts of Solano County fall within USDA-eligible zones — but you need to verify each address.
Fairfield sits between major Bay Area metros, which creates interesting eligibility pockets. Some neighborhoods qualify; others don't. Always check the USDA property eligibility map before assuming.
USDA loans have two hard requirements: the property must be in an eligible area, and your income must fall below the program limit. In Solano County, income limits vary by household size.
Not every lender offers USDA loans. Many retail banks skip the program entirely. Brokers with wholesale access can shop across lenders who actually specialize in USDA approvals.
USDA loans run through two channels: the guaranteed loan program (through approved lenders) and the direct loan program (through USDA itself). Most buyers use the guaranteed program. It's faster and more widely available.
The biggest USDA mistake I see: buyers fall in love with a house, then find out it's not in an eligible zone. Confirm eligibility on the address first — before the offer, before the inspection.
USDA loans carry a guarantee fee — 1% upfront, 0.35% annually. The upfront fee rolls into the loan. It's still cheaper than most PMI scenarios on conventional loans with low down payments.
FHA loans need 3.5% down. VA loans need zero — but only for veterans. USDA is the only zero-down option for non-military buyers who qualify by location and income.
Conventional loans require PMI without 20% down. USDA's annual fee is typically lower than conventional PMI at similar loan sizes. For income-qualifying buyers in eligible areas, USDA usually wins on monthly cost.
Fairfield's outer edges and unincorporated Solano County patches are more likely to qualify for USDA than central Fairfield neighborhoods. Rural pockets near Travis AFB perimeter and outlying areas are worth checking.
As of April 2026, buyers using USDA in this region compete against VA and FHA offers. Sellers know government loans. A clean pre-approval letter and fast close timeline matter more than the loan type.
Parts of Fairfield and surrounding Solano County do qualify. Eligibility is address-specific — use the USDA property eligibility map to confirm before making an offer.
USDA income limits vary by household size and county. Check the current USDA income eligibility tool for Solano County figures — they update periodically.
Correct — zero down payment required. You still pay closing costs, though some can be rolled in or covered by seller concessions.
Expect 30-45 days. USDA loans require an extra approval step through the agency, which adds time. Plan accordingly if competing with conventional buyers.
No. USDA is for single-family primary residences only. Investment properties and duplexes don't qualify.
Guaranteed loans go through approved lenders like us — faster and more flexible. Direct loans come from USDA itself and target very low-income buyers.