United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Loans

The USDA helps create jobs and stimulates rural economies by providing financial backing for rural businesses and properties. Its primary purpose is to create and maintain employment and improve the economic climate in rural communities. USDA Loan proceeds may be used for working capital, machinery and equipment, real estate, and certain types of debt refinancing. This is achieved by expanding the lending capability of private lenders in rural areas and helping them service quality loans that provide lasting community benefits. This program represents a true private-public partnership.

Loan Features

Term Length and Amortization: USDA term length and amortization depends on the product as well as the underwriting guidelines of the conventional partner. Terms and amortizations can go up to 40 years in some limited circumstances, but are typically between 5 and 30 years.

Recourse: USDA Loans are almost always recourse, which means that a personal guaranty for the repayment of the loan is required. Full recourse loans make the sponsors guarantying the loan responsible for any and all shortfalls between the loan balance and sales price in the event of default and foreclosure as well as any applicable legal and ancillary fees.

Prepayment Penalty: Prepayment structures can vary greatly, depending on the how the conventional partner structures the loan and what USDA program is guarantying the loan.

Lending Areas: USDA guaranties are only available in rural areas (Less than 50,000 population).

Loan Servicing

USDA Loans are typically serviced by the conventional partner or a third party. The Master Servicer is responsible for day-to-day loan servicing practices including collecting loan payments, managing escrow accounts, analyzing financial statements inspecting collateral and reviewing borrower consent requests. All non-performing mortgages are usually sent to the special servicer. The special servicer is responsible for preforming customary work-out related duties including extending maturity dates, restructuring loans, appointing receivers, foreclosing the lender’s interest in a secured property, managing the foreclosed real estate and selling the real estate. Under some situations, master servicers subcontract some of their responsibilities to a primary or sub servicer in order to uphold the servicing standard when they need additional assistance.