USDA and FHA Pro and Con in Shafter, Kern County, CA

For the current year, 2026, the USDA loan limit for Shafter, situated in the county of Kern, CA, is set at $345,100. By comparison, the FHA limit for a single-family home stands at $472,030.

Utilize Lendersa® USDA loan calculator to comprehensively compare today's top USDA and FHA rates. This tool helps you determine the required income, credit score, reserves, and documents to qualify. See a detailed comparison of USDA, FHA, Conforming, and VA options side-by-side with our advanced mortgage calculator. This will assist you in selecting the best program for your financial needs in Alabama.

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2026 Loan Limits and Down Payment Requirements in Shafter, Kern, CA

Loan Type Loan Limit Down Payment
USDA $345,100 0%
FHA $472,030 3.5%
Conventional Conforming $726,200 3%

Exploring USDA and FHA Loan Choices in Shafter, CA

The aim of Lendersa® is to ensure you receive the most suitable USDA or FHA loan swiftly and without hassle. Choose one of three starting paths that match you with lenders offering USDA loan programs.

Lendersa USDA loan request and matching results

Defining the USDA Loan in CA

The USDA home loan, also called a USDA mortgage or USDA rural development loan, is government-backed by the Department of Agriculture, available solely in rural areas. Unlike FHA loans, which mandate a 3.5% minimum down payment, USDA loans offer a zero down payment alternative.

Enter your location to find out if it qualifies for USDA rural housing loan?



  • New America Realty
  • 1750 S Broadway, Suite J, Santa Maria, CA, 93454
  • New America Realty is a local and friendly real estate company that specializes in real estate purchase and sales, loans, property management and finance. With great experience as a Santa Maria Realtor and as a Realtor servicing all areas in Santa Barbara County, CA such as Lompoc, Guadalupe, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Arroyo Grande.
  • Novel Home Loans
  • 722 East Main Street, Suite 105, Santa Maria, CA, 93454
  • The Novel Home Loans team is committed to providing clients with the highest quality financial services combined with the lowest rates available in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Our outstanding mortgage professionals here will work with you one on one to ensure that you get a financial solution.
  • Greater Mortgage Solutions
  • 124 W. Main St, Suite A, Santa Maria, CA, 93454
  • We have been serving the Central Coast for over 10 years. We were here before the market crash and have been here since. We help clients get qualified for a home loan. Whether they be first time home buyers or investors. We do loans from FHA to VA as well as conventional loans. We can do loans that big banks cannot do give us a call
  • Paul Blanco and Associates Inc.
  • 1619 South Broadway, Santa Maria, CA, 93454
  • PB & Associates strives to bring the best possible experience as well as exposure and are active members of their local and state real estate MLS associations. In addition, our website is linked nationally and provides a simplified approach to guide our clients through the home selling and buying processes.
  • Heritage Financial of Ventura
  • 403 West Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA, 93023
  • Heritage Financial was established in 1990 on the same ethics and standards that keep their doors open today. We are a locally owned and staffed mortgage brokerage with an amazing team of professionals that have the experience and knowledge to get the job done right. We believe in education, not only for our clients but also our company.
  • Real Estate Lenders
  • 705 Alomar Street, Ojai, CA, 93023
  • I have been involved in real estate for over 35 years. My vast experience has provided me with extensive knowledge of the entire loan process. Today, as a licensed Mortgage Broker and Loan Officer, I am able to provide a wealth of information to my clients. As a true mortgage professional, I’m looking to build relationships so my clients
  • New Era Services, Inc
  • 1340 Sierra Street, Suite 300, Kingsburg, CA, 93631
  • New Era Services Inc. We are a full-service mortgage company based in Kingsburg, CA. We specialize in FHA loans, VA loans, and USDA loans in Kingsburg. We also serve the surrounding cities in Fresno County. Whether you are buying a home or Refinancing in the zip code of 93631, we can help you realize your dream of homeownership or save you money.
  • Gold Standard Mortgage
  • 937 Sierra Street, Kingsburg, CA, 93631
  • "Gold Standard Mortgage is a family founded business with the vision of delivering THE DREAM of homeownership to local families. We wanted to bring the “old fashion” customer service back to the mortgage industry. Relying on our core values and service to develop relationships to bring a professional and personal experience to Home Buyers"
  • Santa Barbara County Federal Credit Union
  • 2623 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105
  • The mission of the Santa Barbara County Federal Credit Union is to provide competitive, cost-effective, economically feasible services to our members, while emphasizing convenience and personal attention. You can join SBCFCU if you work for one of our sponsors or have an immediate family member with an account with us.
  • Ranch & Coast Mortgage Group, Inc.
  • 2000 State St, Suite A, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105
  • Ranch & Coast Mortgage Group, Inc. understands the importance of finding the right mortgage loan that fits your exclusive needs and situations. Our team’s extensive knowledge of the mortgage and financial market, coupled with our years of experience, allow us to find you the lowest rate with the best possible terms.
  • Vanguard Hard Money
  • 351 Hitchcock Way, Ste. 230-B, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105
  • Vanguard Hard Money, is a direct lender specializing in financing for fix & flip rehab development loans. We provide investors with hard money loans to facilitate the purchase, rehabilitation and sale of single family homes, multi-family, and commercial properties. We strive to be the best.
  • Commercial Loan Express
  • 351 Hitchcock Way, Ste. B-230, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105
  • Commercial Loan Express Headquartered in Santa Barbara, California the president, Peter De Witte formed his team in 2004. Commercial Loan Express is a hard money lender that specializes in lending to investors who profit from house flipping. The loans are underwritten and funded in-house, thereby enabling swift decisions, flexible lending solutions