EPISODE · Jul 30, 2026 · 16 MIN
USDA Loans Explained: How to Buy a Home With No Down Payment
from Mortgage Research Network Podcast · host Mortgage Research Network
In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Ashley Harris (NMLS # 1106948), Director of Homebuyer Education at Neighbors Bank (NMLS # 491986), about how USDA loans can help eligible buyers purchase a home without a down payment. Ashley explains who may qualify, how USDA property eligibility works, why the program is not limited to isolated rural areas, and how household income limits can affect approval.The conversation also covers how USDA loans compare with FHA and conventional financing, including debt-to-income limits, guarantee fees, closing timelines, and the potential impact on a homebuyer’s offer. Ashley explains why lender experience matters, how buyers can strengthen an offer through faster timelines, and why a property’s exact address should be checked on the USDA eligibility map rather than relying only on the ZIP code.Ashley also clarifies that a loan requiring no down payment does not mean a buyer will have no upfront expenses. Earnest money, inspections, appraisals, closing costs, prepaid expenses, and other fees may still apply. However, she explains that strategies such as negotiating seller credits and using down payment assistance programs may help reduce some of those costs. She closes by encouraging first-time homebuyers to compare all available mortgage options before deciding which financing structure best fits their budget and goals.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: Had you heard of USDA home loans before this episode, and would you consider using one if you were eligible?Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetworkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnewsWebsite: MortgageResearch.comConnected with Ashley Harris:Website: https://www.neighborsbank.com/authors/ashley-harris/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyharrisnb/NeighborsBank.com | 800-220-0600 | 3621 Discovery Parkway, Suite 115, Columbia, MO 65201. Member FDIC. NMLS # 491986 (nmlsconsumeraccess.org) Equal Housing Lender.Neighbors Bank (NMLS #491986) is a Columbia, Missouri-based national lender. Equal Housing Opportunity. Neighbors Bank is an affiliate of Three Creeks Media, which operates this channel.First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: https://bit.ly/4w8CiVMHomebuyer Calculators: https://bit.ly/4n0hDPvConnect With a Lender: https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:50 – How USDA Loans Work3:13 – USDA Income Limits Explained3:51 – USDA Loans vs. FHA Loans5:26 – Can a USDA Loan Weaken Your Offer?6:25 – How to Make a USDA Offer More Competitive7:09 – Checking Property and Income Eligibility8:21 – Credit Requirements and Lender Overlays9:08 – Why Keeping Savings May Matter11:05 – How to Choose a USDA Lender12:47 – Upfront Costs Beyond the Down Payment14:22 – Ashley’s Advice for First-Time Homebuyers16:17 – Other Programs That May Help With Closing Costs16:40 – Outro------#usdaloans #firsttimehomebuyer #homebuyingtips
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USDA Loans Explained: How to Buy a Home With No Down Payment
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