Brevard County · Buying
Buying with a USDA loan in Brevard County
Which areas and incomes qualify, and the steps for a USDA loan.
Free · Agents who know Brevard County · Every step in one app
If you are looking at a USDA loan, you may have heard that you can buy a home with no down payment, and you may also have heard a lot of rules that sound confusing. Maybe you have been saving for years and still feel far from a big down payment. Maybe you are not sure if the home you like is in the right area, or if your income is too high or too low. Those worries are very common.
Here is the good news. A USDA loan has a short list of clear rules: the home has to be in an eligible area, it has to be your main home, and your household income has to be under a set limit. You can check the area and the income limit yourself on USDA’s own website, for free, before you talk to anyone.
This page walks you through how it works, what to gather, and the questions to ask. You do not need to know it all today. You just need the next step.
What’s different for you
- Check the area. The home must be in a USDA-eligible area and be your main home.
- Check the income limit. Household income up to 115% of the area’s middle income.
- Know the fees. 1% upfront and 0.35% a year, and usually no down payment.
When you start in CloseHive from this page, your plan already includes these steps, along with the usual ones for buying in Brevard County. You always see what to do next, and your agent handles the how.
What to know
What a USDA guaranteed loan is
It is a home loan made by a regular lender that USDA Rural Development has approved. USDA backs (guarantees) the loan, which lets the lender offer up to 100% financing, so most buyers need no down payment. The loan is a 30-year fixed rate only. The lender sets the interest rate, so it is worth comparing more than one approved lender.
The home must be in an eligible area
USDA only allows this loan for homes in areas it marks as eligible. Some parts of a county can be eligible while nearby parts are not, so you check the exact street address, not just the town. USDA’s Income and Property Eligibility website has a map and an address search. Your lender will check the address again before you sign a contract.
The household income limit
Your household income can be up to 115% of the area’s median (middle) income. USDA counts the income of every adult who will live in the home, not just the people on the loan. Some costs are subtracted first, such as $480 for each eligible dependent and some childcare and medical costs. Because these limits are set by law, USDA says there are no exceptions.
It has to be your main home
You must live in the home as your primary residence. USDA’s program guide says you need to move in within 60 days of closing. It cannot be a rental property, a vacation home or a home that earns income.
The fees
For USDA’s fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027), there is an upfront guarantee fee of 1.00% of the loan and an annual fee of 0.35%. The upfront fee can be added to the loan. The annual fee is split into your monthly payment. You will still have normal closing costs, and USDA allows those reasonable costs to be part of the deal.
How lenders decide how much you can borrow
There is no set maximum price. The amount is based on what you can repay. USDA’s standard guide is a housing payment up to 29% of your monthly income and total monthly debts up to 41%. Files that go above that need a waiver from the lender, which has its own rules.
The home itself has to meet standards
The home must appraise for at least the loan amount and meet HUD’s minimum property standards. Condos are allowed only if they are approved. New homes, townhomes and some manufactured homes can also qualify. If the appraiser finds a problem, it may need to be fixed before closing.
There is also a direct USDA loan
USDA has a second program, the direct loan, for households under 80% of the area’s median income. It is handled by USDA itself, not a private lender, and payment help may be available based on income. If your income is lower, ask USDA Rural Development about it.
Your options
What to gather
- Check each home’s exact address on USDA’s eligibility website before you fall in love with it
- Add up the yearly income of every adult who will live in the home
- Last two years of W-2s or tax returns for each person on the loan
- Pay stubs from the last 30 days
- Your two most recent bank statements
- A photo ID and Social Security number for each person on the loan
- A list of your monthly debts (car, cards, student loans, child support)
- Ask two or three USDA-approved lenders for a Loan Estimate to compare
- Plan to move in within 60 days of closing
Mistakes to avoid
- Falling for a home before checking the area. Check the address on USDA’s map first. It takes a minute and saves heartbreak.
- Counting only your own income. USDA counts every adult in the household. Add everyone in before you check the limit.
- Thinking “no down payment” means no cash needed. You may still need money for the deposit, inspection, appraisal and some closing costs. Ask your lender for a full estimate.
- Skipping the home inspection. The appraisal is not an inspection. Hire your own inspector so you know the home’s condition.
- Opening new credit before closing. New loans or cards can change your approval. Wait until after closing.
Brevard County in numbers
- The typical home in Brevard County is worth about $339,600, and 77% of homes are lived in by their owners.
- Typical rent here is about $1,556 a month, including utilities.
Free help
Questions people ask
Where can I use a USDA loan?
In areas USDA marks as eligible; your lender checks the exact address.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer for a USDA loan?
USDA’s program page does not list first-time buying as a rule. The main rules are the area, the income limit, and that the home is your main home. Your lender can confirm your situation.
Is there really no down payment?
The guaranteed loan offers up to 100% financing, so most buyers do not need a down payment. You will still have closing costs and fees, and some can be included in the loan.
How do I know if a home in Brevard County is eligible?
Type the exact address into USDA’s Income and Property Eligibility website. Eligibility is set by area, so two homes a few miles apart can get different answers. Your lender also checks it.
What are the USDA fees right now?
For fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027), the upfront fee is 1.00% and the annual fee is 0.35%. USDA can change these each year, so ask your lender for the current numbers.
Whose income counts?
The income of all adults who will live in the home counts toward the limit, even if they are not on the loan. Only the people on the loan count when the lender checks if you can repay.
Can I use a USDA loan for a condo?
Yes, but the condo must be approved. Ask your lender to check the building early.
Is there a credit score minimum?
USDA’s program guide says there is no minimum score set by USDA, but lenders can set their own. Ask each lender what they require.
How long do I have to move in?
USDA’s program guide says you must move in as your main home within 60 days of closing.