USDA Vs. FHA your options comparison in Ames, Story County, IA
In 2026, the USDA loan ceiling for Ames, within the bounds of Story county, IA, is $336,500. Comparatively, the FHA cap for a single-family home is $472,030.
Utilize the Lendersa® USDA loan calculator to assess today’s leading USDA and FHA rates, establishing the income, credit score, reserves, and documentation required for qualification. Our sophisticated mortgage calculator offers a side-by-side view of USDA, FHA, Conforming, and VA loans, aiding your decision on the optimal program for your financial needs in .
2026 Loan Ceilings and Down Payment Essentials in Ames, Story County, IA
Loan Type
Loan Ceiling
Initial Payment
USDA
$336,500
0%
FHA
$472,030
3.5%
Conventional Conforming
$726,200
3%
Exploring USDA and FHA Loan Paths in Ames, IA
The objective of Lendersa® is to help you secure the most suitable USDA or FHA loan swiftly and with ease. Choose from three initial approaches that align you with lenders and USDA loan options.
A USDA home loan, guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is frequently referred to as a USDA rural development mortgage and is exclusively available in rural locations. Unlike FHA loans requiring at least a 3.5% down payment, a USDA mortgage needs no down payment.
We're a community credit union in Iowa serving people who live or work in Story county and the surrounding counties. We first opened in Ames, Iowa in October of 1961, and since then have grown to serve over 5,800 members with greater than $91 million in assets.We invite you to help us grow even more by opening YOUR membership today!
First National Bank began as the Ames Savings Bank in 1903, located at 216 Main Street. In 1913, the bank received a National Charter and began its dual operation as Ames National Bank and Ames Trust & Savings Bank. The bank moved into a new home at the southeast corner of Main and Kellogg in 1914.
VisionBank is dedicated to creating meaningful relationships with customers in each community and helping each community be the best that it can be. The bank offers full service retail, mortgage, consumer, commercial, commercial real estate, and agricultural deposit and lending products and services.
Howell Investment Finance will help you navigate the loan process to achieve the most rewarding outcome. To get the best deal on property financing, you need access to a wide variety of mortgages. Howell Investment Finance will connect you with choices such as HUD, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, conduit loans, bridge loans, and construction loans.
GICU is a proud credit union organized differently than banks and other financials. We're not-for-profit, member-owned and return net earnings to our members through higher yields, lower rates and greater overall returns on your hard-earned money.At GICU, about helping our members reach their financial goals and want to see them succeed.
Boone Bank & Trust Co. is owned by Ames National Corporation (ANC) and is the largest locally owned bank in Boone County. The bank first began in 1883 making us one of the oldest banks within the ANC organization. In 1883 the bank was organized under the name of Boone County Bank. The bank operated until 1911 when it was sold.
Security State Bank (SSB) is one of the oldest banks in Iowa. On July 1, 1884 the Bank of Radcliffe was the 1st Bank to be established in Radcliffe, Iowa. In 1914, the bank was incorporated & the name was changed to Security State Bank. We are proud to be celebrating over 135 years of community service to the Hardin, Hamilton, & Story County areas.
Community Choice, we UNbank. That means doing things the big banks won’t. We’re a member-owned cooperative that was established and continues to operate on the principal of members helping members. We’re not owned by a holding company or some crazy, faceless conglomerate. We’re owned by over 50, 000 Iowans that are just like you.
In 2009, PLA began building its partnerships with credit unions throughout the Midwest. We are wholly owned by a credit union to serve our partnering financial institutions and their members. PLA is an Iowa mortgage CUSO providing mortgage loan products and services to credit unions .
