Who qualifies for a USDA loan in Louisiana?

Eligible properties are in USDA-approved rural or suburban areas. Household income must be under the USDA limit for your parish and household size. The home must be a primary residence.

Do USDA loans require a down payment?

No. USDA Rural Development loans offer 100% financing with $0 down for qualifying buyers and properties.

What fees do USDA loans charge?

USDA includes a 1% upfront guarantee fee (often financed) and a 0.35% annual fee added to the monthly payment. These are typically lower than FHA’s insurance costs.

Can I buy in Baton Rouge with a USDA loan?

Many core Baton Rouge addresses are ineligible, but nearby areas in Ascension, Livingston, West Baton Rouge, and other parishes often qualify. We can check any address for you.

How do I check if a home and my income are eligible?

Send us the property address and your household details. We’ll verify the USDA map and the current income limits for your parish and get you an answer quickly.

USDA/Rural Development Loans in Louisiana

$0 down payment financing for eligible homes in USDA-approved areas across Louisiana parishes. Parish Lending helps verify property and income eligibility, compare costs, and get you to closing smoothly.

Get Pre-Approved Schedule 15-min Call Call (225) 900-7447 Email Erica

What is a USDA/RD Loan?

USDA Rural Development (RD) loans are government-backed mortgages offering 0% down for eligible buyers purchasing a primary residence in approved rural areas. Parish Lending works with the USDA Guaranteed program (through approved lenders), not the separate USDA Direct program.

Benefits

$0 down payment (subject to eligibility)
Competitive fixed rates
Low monthly mortgage insurance via annual guarantee fee
Flexible credit relative to many conventional options
Seller concessions allowed (subject to program limits)

Typical Costs

USDA loans include two program fees:

Upfront Guarantee Fee — typically financed into the loan
Annual Guarantee Fee — built into your monthly payment

We’ll calculate your exact fees and compare them with FHA/Conventional so you can pick the best value.

Louisiana-Specific Notes

Parish-based income limits: eligibility depends on household size and the parish where the home is located.
Geographic eligibility: many suburban and rural parts of Louisiana are USDA-eligible; dense urban cores typically are not.
Flood zones: properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas require acceptable flood insurance to meet program rules.
Water/sewer: private systems must meet health/safety standards; we’ll coordinate with appraisers and title.

What Are Today’s USDA Rates?

Rates vary with credit profile and market conditions. The fastest way to see your numbers is a quick pre-approval—no obligation.

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Basic USDA Requirements

Income: household income within program limits for your parish/household size
Property: must be in a USDA-eligible area and meet RD property standards; primary residence only
Credit/DTI: flexible; full file review required

Documents You’ll Need

Copy of your valid ID (Driver’s License, Passport, Green Card, etc.)
Paystubs covering the most recent 30-day period with YTD totals
2 years W-2s
2 years signed/filed Federal Tax Returns (all pages/schedules)
2 months most recent bank statements — all pages

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FAQs

How do I know if a property is USDA-eligible?

Tell us the address and household size—we’ll verify geographic and income eligibility for your parish and send you a quick answer.

Can I use USDA for a second home or investment?

No. USDA is for owner-occupied primary residences only.

Can sellers help with closing costs?

Yes—seller concessions are allowed within program limits. We’ll structure your offer to make the most of them.

Do USDA loans really have $0 down?

Yes—qualified buyers and properties can finance 100% of the purchase price. Closing costs/prepaids still apply.

Is USDA cheaper than FHA?

Often, yes. USDA’s annual guarantee fee is typically lower than FHA’s mortgage insurance. We’ll compare side-by-side for your file.

Check Eligibility & Get a Custom Quote

Answer a few quick questions and we’ll confirm Louisiana USDA/RD eligibility, estimated payment, and next steps.

Buying in a Louisiana USDA-eligible area?

We’ll confirm eligibility, compare USDA vs. FHA/Conventional, and map the fastest path to approval.

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