Using Section 538 to buy and rehab a Section 515 property
How 515 transfers work with a 538 guarantee in 2026, the same-day application rule, the reduced fees, and what USDA's preservation pilot changes.
Guides
USDA Section 538 rural eligibility checks, 538 income limits by area and a guaranteed loan sizer.
USDA Section 538 loan terms for 2026: loan-to-cost, DSCR, fees, term
The current Section 538 guaranteed loan rules from 7 CFR 3565 and USDA's 2024-2026 notices, with a worked fee example and what changed in fall 2026.
Section 538 vs Section 515: USDA's two rural rental programs
Section 515 is USDA's direct loan; Section 538 is a guarantee on a private loan. How they differ on tenants, rents, rate and who you deal with.
USDA rural area eligibility for Section 538, explained
How section 520's population tests become USDA's eligibility map, why a town over 20,000 can still qualify, and what the proposed 2020-census map changes.
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