What is a USDA loan and can I use it in Washington State?

A USDA loan is a zero-down-payment mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, designed for buyers in eligible rural and suburban areas. Washington has significant USDA-eligible territory — including communities outside major metro areas in King, Snohomish, Pierce, Thurston, Spokane, and Eastern Washington counties. Eligibility is property-specific, not just county-wide, so a property just outside city limits may qualify even if nearby homes don't.