USDA Vs. FHA Pro and Con comparison in Athens, McMinn County, TN

In 2026, the USDA loan limit for Athens, in McMinn, TN, is $336,500, while the FHA limit for a single-family home is $472,030.

Use the Lendersa® USDA loan calculator to compare today’s USDA versus FHA top rates, determining the income, credit, reserves, and necessary documents needed to qualify. Our advanced mortgage calculator allows for a side-by-side comparison of USDA, FHA, Conforming, and VA options, helping you choose the best program for your financial situation in Alabama.

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2026 Loan Limits and Downpayment Requirements in Athens, McMinn, TN

Loan Type Loan Limit Down Payment
USDA $336,500 0%
FHA $472,030 3.5%
Conventional Conforming $726,200 3%

USDA and FHA Loan Options in Athens, TN

Lendersa® aims to quickly secure you the best USDA or FHA loan with minimal hassle. Choose one of three starting points to connect with appropriate lenders and USDA loan programs.

Lendersa USDA loan request and matching results

What are USDA Loans in TN?

The USDA home loan, or USDA rural development loan, is backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and available in rural areas only. Unlike FHA loans that need a minimum 3.5% down payment, USDA mortgages require none.

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



Athens Lenders

  • First Financial OF TENNESSEE HOME LOANS, LLC
  • 913 Congress Pkwy N, Suite 100, Athens, TN, 37303
  • Lends in Tennessee
  • First Financial OF TENNESSEE HOME LOANS, LLC, we understand that buying a new home or refinancing an existing mortgage is one of the most important decisions an individual or couple can make. That’s why it is our goal to serve communities by offering the best programs with the most competitive rates. Customer satisfaction is our number one goal.

  • Bowater Credit Union
  • 5123 Highway 11 S, Calhoun, TN, 37309
  • Lends in Tennessee
  • Our mission is to provide convenient, cost effective financial services by offering products that are efficient and responsive to our members’ changing needs. Our commitment is to operate in a financially sound manner with a staff dedicated to excellence. we seek to educate members to make better financial decisions.

  • OMC Employees Credit Union
  • 1186 Old Lower River Road NW, Charleston, TN, 37310
  • Lends in Tennessee
  • O.M.C. Employees Credit Union has been open since 1992. New member eligibility requires that the person be a permanent employee of Olin Corporation, Solenis, or the OMC Employees Credit Union. A member’s spouse, spouse’s parents, children*, children’s spouse, siblings, parents*, and grandchildren* are all eligible for membership.

  • Volunteer Federal Savings Bank
  • 108 Main Street, Madisonville, TN, 37354
  • Lends in Tennessee
  • Volunteer Federal Savings Bank will, both prudently and professionally, utilize its resources to ensure ongoing stability and fulfill the financial product needs and customer service expectations of individuals, families, businesses, and communities located within and around Monroe County, Tennessee.

  • Home Mortgage Solutions LLC
  • 31 Mouse Creek Rd Nw, Cleveland, TN, 37312
  • Lends in Tennessee
  • Home Mortgage Solutions LLC offers a variety of loan programs to meet your needs. We work with the leading lenders in the industry to provide: Residential investment property FHA loans on double-wide Manufactured Homes with land on a permanent foundation built after 1976. Conventional loans with min. 5% down on double-wide Manufactured.

  • USA Mortgage, Inc.
  • 4035 Keith St NW, Cleveland, TN, 37312
  • Lends in Tennessee
  • USA Mortgage is passionate about the mortgage lending process. We desire to exceed the expectations of our customers by holding their hand through the lending process and earning a lifetime friendship, not just a business relationship. The most valuable item to USA Mortgage is a return customer

  • Simply Bank
  • 420 Third Avenue, Dayton, TN, 37321
  • Lends in Tennessee
  • SimplyBank is a privately-owned community bank where local bankers make local decisions. Built on more than 130 years of service to East Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, we remain motivated to deliver simply exceptional experiences to every community we serve through seamless financial solutions.

  • Foothills Federal Credit Union
  • 956 Mulberry Street, Loudon, TN, 37774
  • Lends in Tennessee
  • Foothills Federal Credit Union was chartered as UC Employees Credit Union in 1962 to serve employees of the Union Carbide Company in Loudon, Tennessee. In 1983 we expanded our charter to include numerous employee groups. In 2001, we changed our name to Foothills Federal Credit Union to reflect our diverse groups of members. In November of 2005, we

  • Smart Choice Credit Union
  • 1075 Blythe Avenue SE, Cleveland, TN, 37311
  • Lends in Tennessee
  • Our mission is to offer financial services to members of our community with an emphasis on asset development and the achievement of long-term financial security. We specifically will strive to develop relationships with persons who previously have had no interaction with existing financial institutions.