USDA Loans · Youngsville, Scott & Maurice
Zero-Down USDA Loans Around Youngsville, Scott & Maurice
If you're house-hunting near Youngsville, Scott, Maurice or Carencro, a USDA loan can mean buying with no down payment at all — but eligibility is tied to the exact address, not just the town name. This guide walks through how the program works locally so you know what to ask before you fall for a home outside the eligible area.
Before you read further Not lending advice
This page is for general information only. It is not legal, tax, insurance or lending advice, and it isn't a promise that any specific property or borrower qualifies. USDA program rules, income limits, loan limits and eligible-area maps change over time — always verify current details with a USDA-approved lender or directly through USDA Rural Development before making a financial decision.
The Basics
What is a USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan?
The USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program provides 100% financing with no down payment required for eligible rural homebuyers, per USDA Rural Development. Instead of requiring a down payment, USDA provides participating lenders a 90% loan note guarantee, which lowers the lender's risk on a fully financed loan (USDA Rural Development). The loans are structured as 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, and reasonable closing costs and customary purchase expenses can sometimes be rolled into the financing rather than paid out of pocket (USDA Rural Development).
Zero down payment
100% financing on the purchase price for eligible buyers and properties.
90% lender guarantee
USDA backs the loan for the lender, which is why no down payment is required.
30-year fixed rate
A standard fixed-rate structure, not an adjustable or balloon loan.
Closing costs may be included
Reasonable, customary closing costs can sometimes be financed into the loan.
Income & Loan Limits
Income limits that apply locally
USDA eligibility isn't just about the address — adjusted household income matters too. Limits vary by location and household size and are revised over time. Use USDA's official Income and Property Eligibility site, then have a USDA-approved lender confirm which income, deductions and underwriting rules apply to everyone in your household. The Section 502 Guaranteed Loan program covered here does not use the same published area loan-limit table as the separate Direct Loan program.
A separate USDA Direct loan program has different income and area-loan-limit rules. Ask USDA or an approved lender which program, if either, fits your situation.
Where It Applies
What a USDA loan actually costs
Zero down does not mean zero cost. USDA guaranteed loans carry two fees every buyer should budget for:
Upfront guarantee fee
A one-time fee (currently 1% of the loan amount) charged at closing — most buyers finance it into the loan rather than paying cash.
Annual fee
An ongoing fee (currently 0.35% of the remaining balance) paid as part of the monthly payment — and unlike conventional PMI, it lasts for the life of the loan.
Income ceiling
Household income must fall at or below 115% of the area median for your parish and household size — verified when you apply.
Fee rates are set by USDA and can change — confirm the current figures with a USDA-approved lender before you budget.
Where USDA financing applies around Youngsville, Scott, Maurice & Carencro
USDA eligibility is address-specific, not city-wide. Boundaries can split a community or change after federal map reviews, so a town name, ZIP code, listing badge or old eligibility result is not enough. Check the exact street address on USDA's official map before treating a property as eligible.
Scott
Check the exact address on USDA's current map.
Maurice
Check the exact address on USDA's current map.
Carencro
Check the exact address on USDA's current map.
Always verify the exact address
What: Property eligibility must be checked address-by-address on USDA's official eligibility map, not assumed from a town name (USDA eligibility map).
Why it matters: USDA completed a decennial census review that updated rural-area eligibility maps based on 2020 Census data (USDA Rural Development notice), so a street that once qualified — or a fast-growing edge of Youngsville or Scott — may no longer be eligible, or vice versa.
What to do: Before you get attached to a listing, ask Carrie to check the exact address against the current USDA map, or check it yourself before touring.
Who Qualifies
Credit, debt and property requirements
USDA and the lender evaluate credit history, repayment ability, household income, existing debts and whether the property meets program requirements. Lenders may apply their own underwriting standards in addition to federal program rules. These loans are for an owner-occupied primary residence, not an income-producing property. Have an approved lender review your actual file rather than relying on a generic score or debt-ratio cutoff.
Credit
The lender reviews your credit history and its current underwriting requirements.
Repayment ability
Income, recurring debts and other obligations are evaluated together.
Occupancy
Owner-occupied primary residence only — no investment or rental use.
Property types
Detached, attached, condo, PUD, modular and qualifying manufactured homes.
FAQ
Common questions about USDA loans in Acadiana
Can I use a USDA loan to purchase an investment property or rental home?
No. USDA Section 502 loans are for an owner-occupied primary residence only and cannot be used for investment or income-producing rental properties (Neighbors Bank).
What is the minimum credit score requirement for a USDA Section 502 guaranteed loan?
Do not rely on one universal number. The lender will review your credit history under USDA requirements and its own current underwriting standards.
How much do I need to save for a down payment with a USDA 502 loan?
Zero — the program provides 100% financing for eligible buyers and properties, and reasonable closing costs may sometimes be included in the loan (USDA Rural Development).
What are the income limits for USDA loans in Lafayette Parish and surrounding areas?
Limits vary by location and household size and change over time. Check USDA's official Income and Property Eligibility site, then have an approved lender confirm the current limit and how household income is calculated.
How is a property's eligibility for USDA financing determined, and where can I check my address?
Eligibility is address-specific and is checked on USDA's official eligibility map (USDA eligibility map), not assumed from a town or ZIP code. Ask Carrie to check a specific listing, or check it yourself before touring.
Can I use a USDA loan to purchase a manufactured or mobile home?
Manufactured homes are an eligible property type as long as they meet USDA standards, alongside detached, attached, condo, PUD and modular homes (USDA Rural Development).
What is the difference between USDA Section 502 guaranteed loans and direct loans?
This guide covers the Section 502 Guaranteed Loan program, which is originated through a USDA-approved private lender. USDA also offers a separate Direct Loan program with its own process; it's aimed at lower-income households and is applied for through USDA itself rather than a private lender — talk to a lender or your local USDA Rural Development office to find out whether a Direct loan might fit your situation.
How do census updates affect USDA property eligibility?
USDA periodically reviews rural-area eligibility maps against Census data — a decennial review updated maps based on 2020 Census data (USDA Rural Development notice). That means eligibility for a specific street can shift over time in growing areas like Youngsville and Scott, which is another reason to verify the current map rather than relying on an older list.
One more reminder Not lending advice
Everything above is general, informational content — not legal, tax, insurance or lending advice, and not a guarantee that any particular address or borrower qualifies. Confirm current income limits, loan limits, eligible areas and program terms with a USDA-approved lender or USDA Rural Development directly before making decisions.
Next Step
Want to know which homes on the market qualify?
Rather than guessing from a town name, ask Carrie to check specific listings near Youngsville, Scott, Maurice or Carencro against the current USDA eligibility map — and pair that with the first-time buyer guide if this is your first purchase.