I am permanantly disabled and inder 65. I have been approved for a usda/rural development loan but i cant find anything to which fits the requirements and mortgage amount. I could apply for comstruction to permament mortgage loan. No one seems to want to help me. It is available in all states from what i have read on rural development site. And the office i am applying with says they dont process those loans. I am required to use a HUD certified buying agent with 2 years experience. Could someone please help me i have until aug. 23 to get it done. Thank you very much. P.s. i could also use some help applying for grants for nonelderly disabled persons. I am already approved for housing choice voucher and receive it. I now qualify for homebuyers voucher same pha. Ill get a minimum of $505/month assistance from HUD. And I have a C.O.E. OF $117330. I would be endebted forever as it may be my only option left to own a home in my life as i am 52. Could use any help whatsoever. Thank you and have a great holiday weekend and be safe. Thank you for your time, again!!
Asked by Brent Licciardi | Crystal City, MO| 05-26-2024| 530 views|Affordable Housing|Updated 1 year ago
You have put together a strong stack of resources and you deserve to get this across the finish line. Here is where to focus given your timeline.
For the HUD certified buyer's agent requirement, go to hud.gov/housingcounseling or call 800-569-4287. Ask specifically for a housing counselor who works with Housing Choice Voucher homebuyers and USDA loans. These counselors know the exact agent requirements and can often refer you directly to agents in your area who meet the two year experience threshold.
On the USDA construction to permanent loan, you are right that it exists nationally. The issue is that not every USDA office processes them and not every lender offers them. Call the USDA national office directly at 800-414-1226 and ask to be connected to a state office that actively processes construction to permanent loans. You can also search for USDA approved lenders at rd.usda.gov who specialize in this product.
For the nonelderly disabled grants, contact your local Center for Independent Living and your state's housing finance agency. Both specifically administer programs for disabled homebuyers under 65 and can connect you with grants that stack on top of what you already have approved.
You have the voucher, the certificate of eligibility, and the USDA approval. The pieces are there. Do not give up and do not let one uncooperative office stop you from reaching out to others.
Hi Brent,
While I'm not a lender or attorney, I can share some general information that may help. USDA Rural Development loans have strict property requirements, and not every lender is set up to do the construction‑to‑permanent version. The Rural Development office in your state can provide a list of approved lenders and builders who work with their Single Family Housing program. If the local office you’ve spoken with doesn’t process construction loans, it may be worth calling the state USDA office directly to ask which lenders in your area offer that option.
HUD doesn’t require you to use a special “HUD‑approved” real estate agent to buy a home, but they do certify housing counseling agencies. A HUD‑certified housing counselor can explain the programs you mentioned (USDA loans, Housing Choice/Homeownership Vouchers and any grants for people with disabilities) and help you put together a plan. You can search for counselors by state on HUD’s website. Your Public Housing Authority should also be able to connect you with the Homeownership Voucher program and local down‑payment assistance resources.
Because you’re on a tight timeline and have a specific loan amount, I would recommend meeting with a lender experienced with USDA loans and a local real‑estate professional who can show you properties that meet the guidelines. They can also advise whether a construction‑to‑permanent loan makes sense or if existing inventory might work better.
Best of luck with your home search.
HUD does not certify real estate agents for buyers. When you hear about “HUD‑certified agents,” they are usually housing counselors approved by HUD to help consumers understand home buying and financing, or brokers who have registered to sell HUD‑owned properties. As a buyer you can work with any licensed real estate agent, but if you want to purchase a HUD home you must use a broker who is registered with HUD on the HUDHomeStore. You can search for HUD‑registered brokers on hudhomestore.gov or ask local real estate offices if they are registered.
If you need help understanding financing options or grants for people with disabilities, contact a HUD‑approved housing counseling agency. Housing counselors are trained and certified by the government to help you assess your financial situation, explain programs like USDA Rural Development or FHA loans, and make a plan【487213393507761†screenshot】. You can find local counselors and other assistance programs through your state housing agency or by calling the HUD Housing Counseling Hotline (800‑569‑4287). They can also tell you about grants or vouchers for non‑elderly disabled persons. Hope this helps!
You should be able to find an agent on here with the agent section. Best of luck with your search!
Keith Jean-Pierre
Managing Principal
The Dapper Agents
Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA
For most traditional purchases, you do not need a HUD approved agent. HUD approval only applies when buying HUD owned properties. For regular sales, any licensed real estate agent can help you.