I try to keep my blog topics more universal and for all homeowners. Once in a while, I’ll give my home state of Washington a little extra love. As you’ve probably guessed by now, this is one of those times.
In a previous post, I explained the benefits of different USDA programs (you can find the original post HERE). I wanted to cover a few facts on the program as it applies to Washington state, including the most common areas this program is used. I hope you find it helpful, and I hope you find your dream home in an eligible area. It’s a great program.
King County
Here is a list of the most common USDA loan areas in King County:
- Maltby/Woodinville- This area usually has a Woodinville address. It’s in the northeast area of Woodinville in the general area of Highway 522 as it heads towards Monroe. If you’re at the Wellington Hills Golf Course or Northeast of there, you’re probably in a USDA eligible area.
- Duvall- A popular/rural area near the Microsoft campus, similar to Maltby. Virtually the entire city is in a rural area.
- Carnation- A little further from the Microsoft campus but still close enough, this city is also rural.
- Fall City- This is the closest city to Issaquah. A nice alternative to buyers who want to near Issaquah but need a zero down loan.
- Snoqualmie- This is one of the most popular cities for USDA loan in King County. The area is growing and is near tourist attractions, such as the Snoqualmie Casino, Salish Lodge and Snoqualmie Falls waterfall. Be mindful that the USDA has restrictions on areas in flood zones, so you’ll probably have to buy on the plateau.
- Northbend- This is a small town near Snoqualmie and at the county limits. It’s a small town you pass before going over the mountains and is known for their outlet mall.
- Maple Valley- This is definitely one of the most popular USDA cities in King County if not the most. The city is actually split with only half of it in the eligible USDA area. On the north side of Maple Valley above where Highway 18 meets Highway 169, any area that is east of Highway 18 is eligible. The middle and southside of Maple Valley is eligible if you’re east of Highway 169, which is the majority of the city. Many new builders have been building on the eastside of 169 since USDA loans are attractive to buyers. They may not be able to keep their eligibility status when the census is done.
- Black Diamond- A small, nice community just south of Maple Valley. Only the northwest section of Black Diamond isn’t eligible. The majority of the city sits in an eligible area.
- Auburn- A very small section of east Auburn is eligible, just near Black Diamond and Enumclaw
- Enumclaw- Like Maple Valley, Enumclaw is one of the most popular cities for USDA financing. The entire city sits in a USDA area
- Vashon Island- A small Island that is in the southwest area of King County, the entire island is eligible. Many homeowners will live on Vashon and take a ferry to Tacoma or Seattle.
- Maury Island- A small island near Vashon Island, the entire island is also eligible for USDA financing.
Pierce County
Here is a list of the most common USDA loan areas in Pierce County.
- Buckley- Buckley is connected to the south side of Enumclaw. The entire city is in an eligible area.
- Lake Tapps- Lake Tapps is a small community near Bonney Lake and east Auburn. The entire lake is eligible but the lines are close to the lake. The north and west side of the lake are close to the eligibility lines but the west and south side extend into Buckley and Bonney Lake
- Bonney Lake- Bonney Lake is one of the most popular USDA cities in Pierce County. The eligibility line starts right at the end of Sumner where the 410 highway heads up the hill towards Bonney Lake. If you have a Bonney Lake address, chances are your city is eligible for USDA financing.
- Prairie Ridge- A city just South of Bonney Lake, the entire town is eligible. Even though the whole city is eligible, less homebuyers buy in this area since its not near a highway, making commutes longer.
- Orting- Orting is a very popular city for USDA financing. The majority of the city lies between two rivers, which makes floods in the city a common problem. USDA financing have limitations related to flood zones, so be sure to check the property eligibility before making an offer in Orting while using USDA financing.
- Puyallup- Puyallup is a large city that is known for hosting the state’s largest fair. The majority of the town doesn’t sit in a USDA area but the city does have sections near Orting and Graham that are eligible.
- Graham- On the hill near south Puyallup, the entire city is eligible.
- Spanaway- Spanaway is a city south and east of Puyallup. Only the south side of the city is eligible.
- Eatonville- A small town right next to Mount Rainier. This small, quiet community sits entirely in the USDA eligible area.
- Dupont- A small town just east of Fort Lewis, this entire town is eligible for USDA financing.
- Gig Harbor- This city is also entirely in the USDA area. This is a nice community near the water.
- Fox Island- A small Island just south of Gig Harbor, the entire island is eligible for USDA financing.
- Anderson Island- This small Island is entirely eligible for USDA financing. A ferry connects the island and is near McNeil Island.
- McNeil Island- A small island near Anderson Island. The entire island is eligible but the island is owned by the county and is currently being used for a corrections center.
- Lakebay- Lakebay is a city near McNeil and Anderson Island. The entire city is eligible for USDA financing.
Snohomish County
Here is a list of the most common USDA loan areas in Snohomish County.
- Snohomish- This city sits along Highway 9. The entire east side of Highway 9 is USDA eligible all the way through Marysville. Once north of Marysville, the rest of the county is eligible until you get to the northern border.
- Lake Stevens- This city sits north of Snohomish. The eligibility is the same as the city of Snohomish. If you’re on the east side of Highway 9, you’re eligible
- Monroe- This city is southeast of Snohomish. The entire city is eligible as well as all the cities east of Monroe, such as Sultan and Gold Bar
- Granite Falls- This city is east of Marysville. The entire city is eligible.
- Marysville- The only area not eligible in Marysville is the land that sits between I-5 and Highway 9, which is on the east side of the city. If you are east of highway 9, you’re eligible. Any area west of I-5 is eligible.
Thurston County
Thurston is primarily a USDA eligible county. Only the central parts of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater are not eligible
San Juan Islands
All of the San Juan Islands are eligible for USDA financing
Kitsap County
- Bainbridge Island- Bainbridge island is in the peninsula just near Seattle. Like Vashon, many residents will live on Bainbridge and take the ferry to Seattle. The entire Island is eligible for USDA financing.
- Poulsbo- Just as you leave Silverdale heading north, you’ll reach a USDA eligible city of Poulsbo. The whole city is eligible for USDA.
Spokane, Vancouver, The Tri-cities of Pasco, Kennewick and Richland, Walla Walla, Longview, Pullman, central Yakima, Bellingham or Aberdeen are not eligible.
Outside these cities, virtually all other cities and counties in Washington are eligible including popular areas such as the Hood Canal, Ocean Shores, Long Beach, Lake Chelan, Moses Lake, Centralia, Chehalis, Anywhere near Mount St. Helens, Leavenworth, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg.
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