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in Cotati, CA
Cotati sits in a unique spot in Sonoma County. Depending on the street, a buyer here may qualify for USDA — or they may not.
Both loans require low or zero down. But they have very different eligibility rules. Picking the wrong one wastes time.
FHA loans work in any location. Buy in downtown Cotati or anywhere else in California — no geographic restrictions apply.
You need a 580 credit score for the 3.5% down option. Drop below 580 and lenders require 10% down. FHA also carries mortgage insurance for the life of the loan.
USDA loans offer zero down payment for buyers in eligible areas. Parts of Sonoma County qualify — but confirm Cotati's specific address before counting on it.
Income limits apply. USDA is designed for moderate-income buyers. Exceed the limit for your household size and you're out, regardless of credit or property.
Local decision guide
Use this comparison to weigh FHA Loans and USDA Loans through local payment fit, eligibility, documentation, and timing before choosing a path in Cotati.
Cotati sits in a unique spot in Sonoma County. Depending on the street, a buyer here may qualify for USDA — or they may not.
Both loans require low or zero down. But they have very different eligibility rules. Picking the wrong one wastes time.
FHA loans work in any location. Buy in downtown Cotati or anywhere else in California — no geographic restrictions apply.
The biggest difference is down payment. USDA is zero down. FHA is 3.5% minimum. On a $600,000 home, that gap is $21,000 out of pocket.
USDA mortgage insurance costs less than FHA over time. But USDA eligibility can disqualify you before rates even matter. FHA doesn't have that problem.
If the Cotati address you want qualifies for USDA and your income is under the limit, take a hard look at USDA first. Zero down is hard to beat.
If the property doesn't qualify — or your income is close to the cap — go FHA. It's more flexible and won't fall apart over an eligibility map.
Parts of Sonoma County are USDA-eligible, but Cotati's status depends on the specific address. Check the USDA eligibility map or ask us to run it.
You need at least 580 for the 3.5% down option. Scores between 500-579 require 10% down.
Yes. USDA income limits vary by household size and county. Sonoma County limits are higher than most California counties due to area median income.
USDA's annual fee is typically lower than FHA's monthly MIP. FHA mortgage insurance also never drops unless you refinance.
FHA has a 203k rehab program for fixer-uppers. USDA has limited repair options and requires the home to meet condition standards at closing.
FHA typically closes faster. USDA requires an extra approval step through the USDA office, which can add one to three weeks.