USDA Vs. FHA Pro and Con comparison in Story-City, Story County, IA

In 2026, the USDA loan limit applicable in Story-City, which is situated in the county of Story, IA, stands at $285,000. In contrast, for a single-family home, the FHA loan limit is established at $356,362.

Utilize the Lendersa® USDA loan calculator for a detailed comparison of today’s best rates between USDA and FHA, determining the necessary income, credit score, reserves, and documentation needed to qualify. With our advanced mortgage tools, you can evaluate USDA, FHA, Conforming, and VA options side by side, allowing you to choose which program in aligns best with your financial strategy and needs.

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2026 Loan Limits and Down Payment Requirements in Story-City, County of Story, IA

Loan Type Maximum Limit Down Payment
USDA $285,000 0%
FHA $356,362 3.5%
Conforming $548,250 3%

Exploring USDA and FHA Loan Options in Story-City, IA

The mission of Lendersa® is to swiftly connect you with the most favorable USDA or FHA loan, ensuring the process is seamless and efficient. Start by choosing one of three initial steps that will align your needs with lenders and USDA loan offerings.

Lendersa USDA loan request and matching results

What Constitutes a USDA Loan in IA?

A USDA home loan is a government-backed loan endorsed by the Department of Agriculture, also recognized as a USDA rural development loan or USDA mortgage. It is exclusively available in rural areas. Unlike FHA loans that require a minimum down payment of 3.5%, USDA loans require zero down payment, thereby offering significant advantages to qualified borrowers in rural communities.

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



Story-City Lenders

  • River Valley Credit Union IA
  • 2811 East 13th Street, Ames, IA, 50010
  • Lends in Iowa
  • 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, Ames, Iowa
  • 405 5th Street, Ames, IA, 50010
  • Lends in Iowa
  • 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.

  • Vision Bank of Iowa
  • 104 Chestnut, Ames, IA, 50010
  • Lends in Iowa
  • 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
  • 510 S. 17th St, Suite 101 D, Ames, IA, 50010
  • Lends in Iowa
  • 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.

  • Greater Iowa Credit Union
  • 801 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA, 50010
  • Lends in Iowa
  • 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.

  • Security State Bank
  • 207 Isabella Street, Radcliffe, IA, 50230
  • Lends in Iowa
  • 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.

  • Boone Bank & Trust Co.
  • 716 8th St, Boone, IA, 50036
  • Lends in Iowa
  • 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.

  • WCF Financial Bank
  • 401 Fair Meadow Dr, Webster City, IA, 50595
  • Lends in Iowa
  • WCF Financial Bank is a locally-committed community bank focused on providing exceptional customer service with quality products and services.
    After 80 years, WCF Financial Bank has built a reputation of being a locally-committed community bank with locations in Webster City and Independence providing exceptional customer service

  • Iowa Falls State Bank
  • 601 Washington Avenue, Iowa Falls, IA, 50126
  • Lends in Iowa
  • Iowa Falls State Bank was the first bank to reopen in Iowa Falls after the five banks in town were closed by the stresses of the Great Depression. It opened up for business on May 25,First Iowa Falls State Bank 1933, with a capital of $25,000 and a surplus of $5,000. On the first day the bank was opened, deposits of $25,000.