USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Delaware)
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Delaware) is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Delaware, administered by USDA Rural Development – Rural Housing Service (Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program).
The program asks for
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- On credit: Program has no fixed credit-score requirement; applicants must demonstrate willingness and ability to manage debt (lender overlays may apply).
- Citizenship or immigration status: Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. non-citizen national, or qualified alien.
- Not a stand-alone DPA – this is a guaranteed first-mortgage product (included per the research scope's federal/state-administered category). Property must be in a USDA-eligible rural area. Upfront and annual guarantee fees apply. Phone number is the general Delaware RD office; the Guaranteed program is accessed via approved lenders, not directly through USDA. County income limits apply (consult USDA eligibility site).
- A home in Delaware
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
Delaware’s homesDelaware’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 59.1% single-familysingle-family
- 15.5% townhousetownhouse
- 3.8% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 14.5% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 7.1% 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.
$352,000
Delaware median home value
41.9%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year.
How to apply
How to applyTwo steps, in this order
Contact USDA Rural Development – Rural Housing Service (Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program) to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through Applications accepted on an ongoing basis (Oct 1 – Sep 30) through USDA-approved lenders., 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 Program (Delaware)?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Delaware) is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Delaware, administered by USDA Rural Development – Rural Housing Service (Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program). The USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program enables approved private lenders to offer 100% financing (no down payment) to low- and moderate-income buyers purchasing a primary residence in eligible rural areas of Delaware. USDA provides a 90% loan note guarantee to reduce lender risk. Income cannot exceed 115% of area median income, and the loan is a 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage. 100% financing – no down payment required. 30-year fixed rate. No fixed minimum credit score (lender overlays may apply). Closing costs may be included in the loan. Can be combined with state/local DPA. Funding comes from Federal loan guarantee program under Section 502(h) of the Housing Act of 1949 (7 CFR Part 3555); USDA provides a 90% loan note guarantee to approved private lenders.
Do you have to pay it back?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Delaware) is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by USDA Rural Development – Rural Housing Service (Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program). 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 Program (Delaware) is open to homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. On credit, the program states: Program has no fixed credit-score requirement; applicants must demonstrate willingness and ability to manage debt (lender overlays may apply). Citizenship or immigration status: Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. non-citizen national, or qualified alien. Not a stand-alone DPA – this is a guaranteed first-mortgage product (included per the research scope's federal/state-administered category). Property must be in a USDA-eligible rural area. Upfront and annual guarantee fees apply. Phone number is the general Delaware RD office; the Guaranteed program is accessed via approved lenders, not directly through USDA. County income limits apply (consult USDA eligibility site).
What are the income limits?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Delaware) limits household income to 115% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Adjusted household income cannot exceed 115% of the area median household income for the county (per the USDA Guaranteed income-eligibility tables / eligibility site). The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. 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 Program (Delaware) can be used for Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, and Manufactured. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are eligible.
Where does it apply?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Delaware) serves homebuyers purchasing anywhere in Delaware.
How do you apply?
Applications for USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Delaware) go through USDA Rural Development – Rural Housing Service (Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Applications accepted on an ongoing basis (Oct 1 – Sep 30) through USDA-approved lenders. 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 Delaware homebuyersOther programs open to Delaware homebuyers
- First Front Door (FFD)Up to $15,000
- First Front Door Keys (Keys)Up to $15,000
- Bank of America Community Homeownership Commitment (Down Payment Grant & America's Home Grant)Up to $10,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 78 programs for DelawareProgram terms are set by USDA Rural Development – Rural Housing Service (Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.