USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan - Rural California
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan - Rural California is a first mortgage for homebuyers in California.
The program asks for
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- On credit: Minimum 640 FICO score required for all borrowers
- Residency: Primary residence in USDA-eligible rural area
- Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen
- Property must be in USDA-eligible rural area. No down payment required on USDA loan itself. DPA may be layered for closing costs. Annual guarantee fee applies.
- A home in California
It doesn’t cover
- Households above 115% of area median income
These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.
Income limit
115% of the area median income where the home is
HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.
Where it applies
California’s homesCalifornia’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 57% single-familysingle-family
- 7.4% townhousetownhouse
- 7.8% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 24.1% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 3.6% mobile & othermobile home & other
A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
$734,700
California median home value
56%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year.
How to apply
How to applyTwo steps, in this order
Contact the administering agency to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through Contact provider directly; subject to funding availability, and are subject to availability.
Work with a lender who handles the program
Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Questions about this program
What is USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan - Rural California?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan - Rural California is a first mortgage for homebuyers in California. 100% financing (no down payment) for eligible rural homebuyers in California. Available in rural areas of many CA counties including Plumas, Lassen, Modoc, Sutter, Yuba, Glenn, Colusa, Imperial, and more. 2026 income limit: $121,900 (1-4 persons), $160,950 (5+ persons). Up to 100.0% of purchase price in assistance. non-repayable grant. Funding comes from Federal USDA.
How much assistance does it provide?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan - Rural California provides assistance worth 100% of the purchase price, as set by the program. The program asks homebuyers to contribute 0% (USDA no down payment required). The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — the administering agency determines any individual award.
Do you have to pay it back?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan - Rural California is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by the administering agency. Repayment is triggered by Recapture if sold within 9 years. The assistance is recorded in First position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan - Rural California is open to homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. On credit, the program states: Minimum 640 FICO score required for all borrowers. Residency requirement: Primary residence in USDA-eligible rural area. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen. Property must be in USDA-eligible rural area. No down payment required on USDA loan itself. DPA may be layered for closing costs. Annual guarantee fee applies.
What are the income limits?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan - Rural California limits household income to 115% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. USDA Section 502 income limit is 115% of area median income and varies by county. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. The program lists a maximum household size of 8. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.
What kind of home can it be used for?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan - Rural California caps the purchase price as follows: Contact program for current purchase price limits. Eligible property types include Single-family residence in USDA-eligible rural area. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are eligible.
Where does it apply?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan - Rural California serves homebuyers purchasing anywhere in California.
How do you apply?
Applications for USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan - Rural California go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Contact provider directly; subject to funding availability. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Also for California homebuyersOther programs open to California homebuyers
- California Dream For AllUp to $150,000
- Bank of America Down Payment Grant - CaliforniaUp to $10,000
- Wells Fargo Homebuyer Access Grant - CaliforniaUp to $10,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 116 programs for CaliforniaProgram terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.