CrossCountry Mortgage is recognized as one of the top lenders for USDA mortgages.When it comes to mortgage types, USDA loans can be an attractive option. These loans have many benefits, including lower interest rates and no down payment requirement. To get the most out of a USDA loan, it’s important to find the right USDA mortgage lenders. The right lender can help you save money and make the process of purchasing your next home as smooth as possible. Quick Look: Best USDA Mortgage LendersBest for Personalized Service: CrossCountry MortgageBest for Educational Resources: PNC BankBest for Military Families: Veterans UnitedBest for Customer Support: New American FundingUSDA mortgages are common, so there are plenty of lenders to choose from. Remember that each lender must abide by the USDA’s requirements for the mortgage and may add additional requirements as well, as per their needs. 1. Best for Personalized Service: CrossCountry MortgageGood Fit For:Self-employed BorrowersVIEW PROS & CONS:securely through CrossCountry Mortgage's websiteCross-country Mortgage is a lender that offers a wide variety of purchase and refinance loans, including USDA home loans and USDA Rural Streamline Finance loans. You can apply for either loan on the CrossCountry Mortgage website. The application guides you through the steps and you’ll be given loan options and personalized rates based on your information. If you receive preapproval, the company will also guide you through the closing process.Why We Like It: We love CrossCountry Mortgage for its personalized customer service and dedicated loan officers to help with each application. Cross-country Mortgage also operates in all 50 states and has hundreds of branches nationwide, making it an accessible option.2. Best for Educational Resources: PNC BankGood Fit For:Discounted RatesVIEW PROS & CONS:PNC Bank is another lender that offers a wide variety of loan types. It primarily focuses on jumbo loans but also offers USDA loans and other mortgage options for low-to-moderate-income borrowers. You can start the preapproval process for a mortgage from this lender online or schedule an appointment with a mortgage officer at an in-person location.Why We Like It: PNC's website shares current interest rates. The lender also offers online tools, including estimated monthly payments, a mortgage scenario builder and more. 3. Best for Military Families: Veterans UnitedGood Fit For:Current Service MembersVIEW PROS & CONS:Veterans United is a lender dedicated to helping Veterans and military families achieve ownership. This lender primarily offers VA loans and conventional, FHA and USDA loans. Veterans United typically requires a credit score of at least 620 to qualify for a loan. Why We Like It: We love Veterans United for its dedication to military families and Veterans. The company offers quick and easy online quotes and personalized customer support. Veterans United has a team of Home Loan Specialists available 24/7 to answer any questions about its loans and loan programs. 4. Best for Customer Support: New American FundingGood Fit For:A Variety of OptionsVIEW PROS & CONS:securely through New American Funding Purchase's websiteNew American Funding offers a diverse array of products and competitive pricing to all of its borrowers. For USDA loans, the lender requires a minimum credit score of 580. Borrowers can request a quote online to start the process.Why We Like It: We love New American Funding for its strong reputation for providing stellar customer support. We also love the lender’s rate transparency and the wealth of information on its website. What Is a USDA Mortgage Loan?A USDA loan is a government-backed loan designed to help low-to-moderate-income borrowers achieve homeownership in rural areas. The USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) sets the eligibility requirements and assigns the areas in which properties are eligible for USDA loans. These are fixed-rate loans, and there is no down payment requirement on these loans.USDA Guaranteed LoansUSDA Guaranteed Loans are when a lender partners with the USDA to issue the mortgage and the USDA backs it. These loans work similarly to VA and FHA loans. The lender is in charge of underwriting the loan, but they can offer lower interest rates, and the USDA will approve the loan. USDA Direct LoansUSDA Direct Loans are issued directly to the borrower from the USDA, cutting out the lender as the middleman. These loans are designed specifically for low-income households and can offer very low interest rates, some as low as 1%.How Does a USDA Mortgage Work?USDA loans are only available for homebuyers in eligible areas as defined by the USDA. The properties are located within communities defined as rural by the USDA. The USDA reassesses the areas every three to five years to determine whether they are still eligible. There are certain criteria that the USDA uses to define whether an area meets its definition of “rural” — this includes the population of the area as well as the median income of the population. Pros and Cons of USDA MortgagesThere are many benefits to a USDA mortgage. However, there are some downsides to consider as well.