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Visalia sits in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. Much of Tulare County qualifies for USDA loan eligibility — that matters a lot for buyers here.
USDA loans require zero down payment. For buyers in Visalia's surrounding areas, that removes the biggest barrier to homeownership.
0%
Down Payment
640
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 Visalia
You need a 640 credit score for most USDA approvals. Some lenders go lower, but manual underwriting gets harder below that threshold.
Income limits apply. USDA sets caps based on household size and county. Tulare County limits are lower than coastal California — check your number before assuming you qualify.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Visalia.
Visalia sits in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. Much of Tulare County qualifies for USDA loan eligibility — that matters a lot for buyers here.
USDA loans require zero down payment. For buyers in Visalia's surrounding areas, that removes the biggest barrier to homeownership.
You need a 640 credit score for most USDA approvals. Some lenders go lower, but manual underwriting gets harder below that threshold.
Not every lender offers USDA loans. It's a smaller program, and many retail banks don't bother with the approval process.
Working with a broker gives you access to wholesale lenders who actively close USDA deals. That means faster approvals and fewer last-minute surprises.
The USDA guarantee fee acts like mortgage insurance. There's an upfront fee of 1% of the loan amount, plus 0.35% annually. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
One mistake I see often — buyers assume the home address in Visalia automatically qualifies. You must verify the property's eligibility on USDA's map. City limits and eligible zones don't always line up the way you'd expect.
FHA requires 3.5% down. USDA requires nothing. For a $350,000 home, that's over $12,000 you keep in your pocket.
VA beats USDA for eligible veterans — no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. But USDA serves buyers who don't have military service and can't scrape together a down payment.
Visalia's outer edges and unincorporated Tulare County areas often qualify for USDA. Properties closer to downtown Visalia may fall outside the eligible zone.
Tulare County's agricultural economy means many buyers here are self-employed or have seasonal income. USDA can work with that — but your income documentation needs to be tight.
Probably not. Dense urban areas within Visalia's core typically fall outside USDA eligibility. Use USDA's property eligibility map to confirm any specific address.
Limits vary by household size. Tulare County limits are set below coastal California metros. Check the current USDA income limit tool for your exact household number.
Yes, but lenders want two years of tax returns. Seasonal or variable income gets scrutinized closely under USDA guidelines.
USDA loans add a step — the file needs USDA approval after lender approval. Budget 30–45 days minimum, sometimes longer.
USDA doesn't set a hard loan limit. Your income and debt load determine how much you can borrow within program guidelines.
Not directly, but sellers can contribute up to 6% toward closing costs. You can also roll closing costs into the loan if the appraised value supports it.