Don’t overlook USDA home loans

Always wanted to buy a home? JUST can’t save enough for a down payment?

Own a home that needs repairs? JUST can’t afford to do the repairs?

There JUST may be a solution to your housing challenges. USDA Rural Development provides loans to assist low-income families in rural Iowa achieve their dream of home ownership. USDA also have loans for home repairs.  

Sounds too good to be true? JUST need more information?

In Greene County, a family of one to four can make up to a $58,000 yearly income for a (RD 502) home loan. Family of five to eight income is $76,550 yearly.

Need home repairs? Income levels for a (504) home repair loan for a family of one to four is $36,250 yearly income, and five to eight is $47,850.

If you are 62 or older there are grants up to $10,000 available for you.

When I was talking to someone about low-income housing they said, “We don’t need those kind of people here.” Yes, we do. Where would Jefferson/Greene County be without retail employees, servers and business owners? 

In a survey dated 2015-19 (in 2019 dollars) for Greene County, the median household income was $53,050. The per capita income for the same dates was $28,451. With these numbers, most Greene County residents would qualify for one of these loans.

Still think low income is JUST for “those kind of people”?  

Actually, my husband and I were “those kind of people” when we moved, with our two teenage daughters, to Harlan. My husband was transferred there to manage a Wheeler’s Farm and Home Supply Store. That is how we bought our first home. I was so impressed with the loan when I became a real estate broker in Harlan, I helped people that didn’t qualify for conventional loans obtain what was then known as Farmers Home Loans, now USDA.

Interested in a loan? Send inquiries, program questions and applications by email to IowaHomeLoans@usda.gov or call 515-284-4444.

One more JUST? I just don’t have a computer.

The Jefferson Library has four computers available for your use. You can set up a personal email and do your application on them.

If you aren’t a computer wiz, someone at the library will help you. The library suggested you call for an appointment to use their computers. Their phone number is 515-386-2835.

Ione LeMay is a Jefferson resident.