Minimum down payment
0%. USDA is one of three major zero-down programs, alongside VA and some down payment assistance combinations. Eligible buyers can finance the full purchase price.
Loan Program · USDA · NMLS #278947
USDA loans: 0% down in the right zip code.
A USDA loan is a zero-down mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for buyers in qualifying rural and suburban areas. The catch is location: the property has to sit inside a USDA-eligible zone, and your household income has to stay under the county limit.
Parts of Clark County, Ridgefield, Washougal, and the edges of the Portland metro qualify. If your target neighborhood is on the map, USDA can put you in a home with nothing down and a fixed rate.
Minimum down payment
0%
Income limit (1-4 people)
$142,750
Typical credit score
640+
2026 Loan Limits
The 2026 numbers, county by county.
USDA sets household income limits, not loan limits, for its guaranteed program. For 2026, every county we serve sits in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro, so they share the same income limits:
County 2026 Limit
Clark County, WA $142,750
Multnomah County, OR $142,750
Washington County, OR $142,750
Clackamas County, OR $142,750
The 2026 USDA moderate-income limit for the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro is $142,750 for a 1 to 4 person household, and $188,450 for 5 to 8 people. The guaranteed program does not cap the loan by county; your loan size is driven by your income, your debt, and the property. USDA limits are updated each year, and I verify the current numbers against your household size.
Minimum Credit Score & Down Payment
What it takes to qualify.
Minimum credit score
The USDA does not publish a minimum credit score. Most lenders look for 640 or higher, and I match your file to a lender whose USDA guidelines fit your credit.
Guarantee fee
An upfront fee financed into the loan plus a small annual fee. It works like mortgage insurance but usually costs less, and it is in the numbers I show you.
Income limits
Your household income must stay under the county limit, and the calculation includes most income sources. I run the math before we go down the list.
Eligible areas
The property must sit in a USDA-eligible zone, which I can check against your exact address before you fall in love with a house.
FAQ · USDA
Questions buyers ask.
The questions people type into Google and AI before they call. If yours is not here, that is what the first call is for.
01 What is the 2026 USDA income limit in Clark County?
What is the 2026 USDA income limit in Clark County?
For 2026, the USDA income limit in Clark County is $142,750 for a 1 to 4 person household and $188,450 for 5 to 8 people. The limit is the same across the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro.
02 Do USDA loans require a down payment?
Do USDA loans require a down payment?
No. USDA loans offer 0% down for eligible buyers in qualifying areas, with a fixed rate and no cash required at closing for the down payment.
03 What credit score do I need for a USDA loan?
What credit score do I need for a USDA loan?
The USDA does not set a minimum. Most lenders look for 640 or higher, and I can tell you where you stand after a quick conversation.
04 Is my property in a USDA-eligible area?
Is my property in a USDA-eligible area?
USDA eligibility is address-specific. Parts of Clark County, Ridgefield, Washougal, and the edges of the Portland metro qualify. Send me the address and I will check it against the current USDA map.
05 Can I use a USDA loan for a second home?
Can I use a USDA loan for a second home?
No. USDA loans are for primary residences only, and the household must actually occupy the home.
Let's check your numbers.
Zero down is a real option if the address qualifies. Book a call and we will check your address and your income limits.
Loan limits, credit requirements, and program guidelines are set by the agencies and by each lender, and they change every year. The numbers on this page are the 2026 figures as published. Jeff verifies the current limits and requirements against your exact situation before you build a plan.