USDA Loans in New Jersey
The USDA Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program allows eligible buyers to purchase with no down payment in USDA-designated rural areas — and more of New Jersey qualifies than most people expect.
No down payment
USDA guaranteed loans allow financing up to 100% of the appraised value for eligible borrowers.
Guarantee fee, not PMI
USDA charges an upfront guarantee fee and an annual fee instead of conventional private mortgage insurance.
Government-backed
The loan is guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and funded by an approved lender.
Wide eligible geography
Much of western, northwestern and southern New Jersey sits inside USDA-designated rural areas.
What is a USDA loan, and who can use one in NJ?
A USDA loan is a mortgage guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under its Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. You apply through an approved lender — as a licensed New Jersey mortgage broker, Ai Remco LLC submits the file to a wholesale lender that participates in the program — and the USDA guarantee is what allows zero-down financing.
There are two gates: the property has to be in an area the USDA designates as rural, and household income has to fall within the USDA's limit for that county and household size. Both the eligible-area maps and the income limits are published by the USDA and updated periodically, so eligibility should always be verified for the specific address at the time you apply rather than assumed from a town name.
USDA financing is for primary residences. It is not used for investment property or second homes, and the property must generally be modest, decent, safe and sanitary in USDA's terms — which in practice means the appraisal matters and homes needing significant repair may not qualify without a different program.
Which New Jersey counties commonly qualify
Large portions of Warren, Sussex, Salem, Cumberland, Gloucester and Hunterdon counties fall in USDA-eligible areas, along with parts of Burlington, Atlantic, Ocean and Cape May counties. Eligibility is address-specific — neighboring streets can differ — so we check the USDA map for the exact property.
Guarantee fees
USDA charges an upfront guarantee fee, which can typically be financed into the loan, plus an annual fee collected monthly. Both are set by the USDA and can change between program years; we quote the current figures when we price your scenario.
Income limits
USDA income limits are based on total household income, county and household size, and they are adjusted periodically. Some deductions apply. Because the limits are household-based rather than borrower-based, they can include income from people not on the loan.
USDA requirements and who benefits
General requirements
- Property in a USDA-designated rural area (verified by address)
- Household income within the current USDA limit for the county and household size
- Property must be your primary residence
- Property must meet USDA condition standards at appraisal
- Lender credit and debt-to-income guidelines apply
- Upfront and annual USDA guarantee fees apply
Who benefits most
- Buyers with limited savings for a down payment
- First-time buyers in Warren, Sussex, Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester counties
- Households at or below the USDA income limit for their county
- Buyers comparing USDA against FHA on total monthly cost
- Buyers moving from a rental into a rural or semi-rural New Jersey home
Questions, answered
New Jersey counties where borrowers use this program
Ai Remco LLC is a licensed New Jersey mortgage broker serving borrowers throughout the state. These county pages explain how this program fits local property types, price ranges and municipalities.
- Mortgage broker in Warren County, NJ
Much of Warren County outside the boroughs is USDA-eligible — a zero-down-payment path for qualifying buyers and incomes.
- Mortgage broker in Hunterdon County, NJ
Some western and southern Hunterdon addresses fall inside USDA-eligible areas.
See the full New Jersey mortgage broker hub for all 21 counties.
Find out whether your New Jersey address is USDA-eligible
Send us the property address and we'll check the current USDA eligibility map and income limit for that county before you make an offer.
USDA program rules, eligible-area maps, guarantee fees and income limits are set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and change over time; current details are published at rd.usda.gov. Verified against USDA program guidance as of September 2026. This is not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to credit approval, underwriting and property appraisal.
Ai Remco LLC, NMLS #2560393. Licensed mortgage broker. This page is for general information only and is not a commitment to lend. All loan applications are subject to credit approval, property appraisal, income and employment verification, and underwriting. Rates, terms, and availability are subject to change without notice and vary by borrower. Equal Housing Opportunity. See our Licensing & Disclosures page.