A USDA loan is one of the few mortgage programs where the location of the home decides whether you can use it at all. USDA Rural Development backs these loans for properties in designated areas, and the household must fall within income limits set for the county. If you are shopping in or near Lantana, check each address on the USDA eligibility map before you get attached to a house in Florida.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about USDA loans in Lantana. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Lantana and USDA eligibility
Lantana has about 12,581 residents. USDA eligibility is set address by address, so part of the area may qualify while nearby blocks do not. HMDA data show 6 USDA-guaranteed home loans made in Palm Beach County in 2024.
Check the Address First
USDA eligibility starts with geography. USDA Rural Development publishes an online property eligibility map, and you can type in any address to see whether it falls inside an eligible area. Boundaries are based on population and other factors and are reviewed from time to time, so a neighborhood that qualified before may not qualify later.
Run each address before you schedule a showing. A home a few streets away can land on the other side of a boundary line. If the map shows a property as ineligible, a USDA loan is off the table for that home, and your lender can help you compare other loan types instead.
Start your application in a few minutes. A licensed loan officer reviews it and follows up with your options.
- Takes a few minutes
- Reviewed by a licensed loan officer
- No obligation to proceed
Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 912-6746. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.
Household Income Eligibility Near Lantana
USDA programs are designed for moderate-income households, so there is a ceiling on income as well as a test of your ability to repay. The limit is set by county and household size, and it counts the income of every adult in the home, not only the people on the loan. Certain deductions, such as for dependents or child care, may reduce the income that counts.
That differs from most mortgage programs, which look only at the borrowers. If a grown child or relative with a job lives with you, their earnings may be included. Your lender will calculate both household income and repayment income to see whether you may be eligible.
Who this tends to fit
- You plan to live in the home as your primary residence
- Your household income may fall within USDA limits for your county
- You are shopping in a small town, rural county or outer suburb
- You prefer a program that uses a guarantee fee instead of private mortgage insurance
- You want a modest single-family home rather than a farm or large estate
Local offices and Florida rules to know
- Deed and mortgage recording: Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County - Recording Department. Your mortgage is recorded here after closing.
Florida's state housing finance agency is Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing). Its homebuyer programs include Florida Hometown Heroes Housing (HTH) Program, Homeownership Pool (HOP) Program, Mortgage Credit Certificate. These programs work through participating lenders and have their own eligibility rules. See our Florida first-time buyer programs guide.
Primary Residence Rules and the Guarantee Fee
The program supports homeownership, not investing. You must occupy the home as your primary residence, and the property cannot be designed mainly to produce income. Existing homes, new construction and some manufactured homes that meet program rules may be eligible, depending on the lender and the property.
To keep the program funded, USDA charges a guarantee fee in two parts: one at closing, often rolled into the balance, and an annual fee spread across your monthly payments. These charges take the place of private mortgage insurance. Compare the full cost on your Loan Estimate with what a conventional or FHA loan would cost before you decide.
Before you call
- Your household size, including dependents
- Child care or dependent costs that may count as income deductions
- Bank statements showing funds for closing and any reserves
- Builder and lot details if you are buying new construction
- The exact addresses of homes you like, checked on the USDA eligibility map
Questions Lantana borrowers ask about USDA loans
Can I buy a newly built home with a USDA loan?
Yes, new construction may be eligible if the lot is in an eligible area and the home meets program standards. Lenders typically want a certificate of occupancy and may require builder warranties or specific inspections. Some lenders also offer USDA construction-to-permanent financing, though it is less common. Check the lot address on the eligibility map before you sign a builder contract.
Is this website part of USDA?
No. This website is an independent consumer information resource and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development or any government agency. Most USDA-backed home loans are made by private lenders that participate in the program. USDA also runs a separate direct loan program through local Rural Development offices for lower-income applicants. We explain the options and connect you with a licensed lender.
How does a USDA loan compare with an FHA loan?
Both can help buyers with limited savings, but they work differently. USDA limits where you can buy and how much household income you can have, while FHA has no location or household income test. Their insurance and fee structures differ, too. Many buyers in eligible areas ask a lender to compare both on side-by-side Loan Estimates, since the better fit depends on the home and the household.
Can I use a USDA loan for a second home or rental?
No. USDA loans are for primary residences only, so you must intend to live in the home as your main residence. Vacation homes, investment property and homes bought mainly to rent out are not eligible. If your plans change after you move in, talk with your servicer about the rules. For non-owner-occupied purchases, a lender can describe other loan types that may fit.
Get answers about USDA loans for a home in or around Lantana. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other loan options in Lantana
LendersCompaniesBrokersHome loansRefinanceCash-out refinanceHELOCHome equity loanFHAVAFirst-time buyerReverse mortgageConstructionRenovation
USDA Loans near Lantana
- USDA Loans in Palm Springs, FL (4 mi)
- USDA Loans in Palm Beach, FL (8 mi)
- USDA Loans in Westgate, FL (8 mi)
Related guides
- USDA Loan Eligibility: Property, Income and Residence
- How Mortgage Preapproval Works
- Documents Needed for a Mortgage
- First-Time Home Buyer Programs in Florida
USDA Loans across Florida · USDA Loans guide · Florida overview
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
- 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for Palm Beach County