Guides
Short, honest guides on how USDA rural home programs work and how to plan a budget that can support one.
How to build a food budget you can actually stick to
A simple way to set a monthly food budget that holds up in real life, using the USDA low-cost food plan as a starting point.
What USDA looks at when you apply to buy a home
A plain-language tour of the main things USDA Rural Development checks on a Section 502 direct home loan application.
Home repairs after 65: loans, grants, and how they differ
USDA's Section 504 program has both a loan and a grant for rural homeowners with a low income. Here is what each one does.
Credit basics before you apply
How USDA reads a credit report, and things you can fix before you apply.
Finding a rural rental that is safe and affordable
How USDA rural rental programs work, and what to expect when you apply.
Why a small savings cushion changes what you can borrow
Savings are one of the things USDA looks at when deciding your loan. Here is how to build them.
What closing costs look like on a USDA direct loan
The fees you can expect, and how the USDA direct loan program keeps them low.
Basic renter rights everyone should know
Fair housing, repairs, deposits, and notice, based on HUD's renter rights guide.
The first 90 days of a new budget
How to test a budget in real life before it becomes the number on a loan application.