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Davis sits inside Yolo County, but USDA eligibility depends on specific census tract boundaries — not just county lines.
Parts of Davis may qualify. But many core neighborhoods near UC Davis don't. You need to check the USDA property map before you go further.
0%
Down Payment
640
Min Credit Score
Government-Backed
Loan Type
County-Based Cap
Income Limit
30-45 Days
Est. Close Time
USDA Loans in Davis
USDA loans require a 640 credit score with most lenders. Below that, you'll need manual underwriting — fewer lenders do it.
Your household income must fall under the USDA limit for Yolo County. That means everyone living there, not just the borrowers on the loan.
Most retail banks offer USDA in name only. In practice, few close them smoothly. USDA loans require a separate government approval layer that slows things down.
We work with wholesale lenders who close USDA deals regularly. That experience matters when the file hits USDA's Rural Development office for final sign-off.
The biggest mistake I see: buyers fall in love with a property, then discover it's ineligible after wasting two weeks.
Run the USDA eligibility map on day one. If the address passes, we move fast. If it doesn't, we pivot to FHA or a Community Mortgage — both work well in Davis.
FHA needs 3.5% down. Conventional needs 3-5% minimum. USDA is the only standard program with true zero down.
The tradeoff is eligibility friction. Property must be in an approved area. Income can't exceed the cap. Those two filters cut out a lot of Davis addresses.
Davis is a college town. Many buyers here are first-time purchasers with solid income but limited savings. USDA's zero-down structure fits that profile well — when the property qualifies.
Yolo County's income limits are set regionally. Davis incomes run higher than rural Yolo towns, so dual-income households should verify limits early. One extra earner can push you over.
Parts of Davis may qualify — it depends on the specific address. Check the USDA eligibility map before making any offer.
USDA sets income limits by county and household size. Check current Yolo County limits directly with us or on the USDA website.
Typically 30-45 days. USDA loans require a separate Rural Development approval, which adds time compared to FHA or conventional.
Condos are rarely USDA-eligible. The property type and location both have to qualify — most Davis condos won't pass both filters.
Most USDA lenders want 640 or higher. Below that requires manual underwriting, which fewer lenders offer.
If the property qualifies, USDA usually wins — zero down and a lower annual fee. But FHA covers far more Davis addresses.