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Winters is a small agricultural city in Yolo County — and that geography matters. USDA eligibility is tied to rural designation, and Winters qualifies.
Zero down payment is the headline benefit. For buyers stretched thin by California living costs, that alone changes what's possible.
640
Min Credit Score
0%
Down Payment
115% of Area Median
Income Limit
Primary Residence Only
Property Use
30-45 Days
Est. Closing Time
USDA Loans in Winters
USDA loans have two hard requirements: location and income. The property must be in an eligible rural area. Winters clears that bar.
Income limits apply. Your household income cannot exceed 115% of the area median income for Yolo County. All household members' income counts — not just borrowers on the loan.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Winters.
Winters is a small agricultural city in Yolo County — and that geography matters. USDA eligibility is tied to rural designation, and Winters qualifies.
Zero down payment is the headline benefit. For buyers stretched thin by California living costs, that alone changes what's possible.
USDA loans have two hard requirements: location and income. The property must be in an eligible rural area. Winters clears that bar.
Not every lender offers USDA loans. Big retail banks often skip them. The approval process runs through USDA's Rural Development office, which adds a layer most lenders don't want to deal with.
As a broker with access to 200+ wholesale lenders, we can place USDA files where they actually get approved — with lenders who know the program's quirks.
The income calculation trips people up constantly. A borrower's spouse, adult children living at home — their income counts toward the household limit even if they're not on the loan.
USDA has two loan options: a guaranteed loan through approved lenders and a direct loan from USDA itself. Most buyers use the guaranteed program. Direct loans are for very low-income households and have their own process.
FHA loans require 3.5% down and have no income ceiling. If you're over the USDA income limit, FHA is the natural backup for low-down-payment financing in Winters.
Conventional loans need at least 3% down and stronger credit. VA loans beat USDA on terms — but only for veterans. If you served, VA wins. If you didn't, USDA's zero-down benefit is hard to match in a rural market like Winters.
Winters sits at the edge of the Sacramento Valley, surrounded by farmland. That rural character is what keeps it USDA-eligible — but eligibility can change when USDA redraws its maps.
Yolo County has a mix of eligible and ineligible cities. Woodland and Davis do not qualify. Winters does. That makes it a real opportunity for buyers priced out of larger nearby markets.
Yes, Winters is designated as a USDA-eligible rural area. Nearby cities like Davis and Woodland are not eligible.
Household income must stay at or below 115% of the Yolo County area median income. All household members' income is counted.
No. USDA loans are for primary residences only. The property must be your main home, not a rental or farm operation.
USDA charges an upfront guarantee fee and an annual fee — not traditional PMI. The upfront fee can be rolled into your loan amount.
Expect 30-45 days minimum. USDA requires lender approval plus a separate sign-off from the Rural Development office.
Most USDA lenders require a 640 minimum. Some lenders will go lower, but manual underwriting kicks in and approval gets harder.