How we research

Where questions come from

Search suggestions show how people phrase their questions. We collect those for free, group them and answer the ones inside this site's scope.

Sources we rely on

Pages cite these primary sources, among others. Each guide lists the exact sources it used at the bottom of the page.

• USDA Rural Development: Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program
• USDA HB-1-3555 Guaranteed Loan Technical Handbook
• USDA Income and Property Eligibility site
• USDA Rural Development: State offices
• CFPB: Loan Estimate explainer
• CFPB: What is a Loan Estimate?
• CFPB: What is a Closing Disclosure?
• CFPB: What's the difference between a mortgage lender and a mortgage servicer?

How a page is checked

1. Each rule is checked against the current version of its source document.
2. Simplified explanations are reread against the original text.
3. A page shows a new review date only after it has been rechecked.

Pages written this way

• What is a USDA Streamlined-Assist refinance?
• USDA Streamlined-Assist seasoning and payment history
• USDA Streamlined-Assist net tangible benefit test
• No appraisal or DTI review on USDA Streamlined-Assist
• USDA refinance income limits: do they still apply?
• USDA Streamlined-Assist closing costs and guarantee fee
• Streamlined-Assist closing costs: what to expect
• How to find a USDA Streamlined-Assist lender

About the Assist Ready readiness check

The Assist Ready readiness check uses only what you type, works entirely in the browser and keeps nothing.