Rural 1st® Home Loans

Specialized financing for country living.

Whatever rural life you envision, Rural 1st® financing can make it happen.

Farm Credit Services of America is proud to offer home lending through Rural 1st®. Get financing for any type of move in the country – from existing country homes and acreages, to buying land and constructing a home, to expanding, adding outbuildings and making improvements over time. Rural 1st is here to help for the long haul.

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Why Finance With Rural 1st®

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Unique Lending Options

Get custom financing to meet the specific needs of your rural property purchase or construction project.

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Rural Expertise

Rural 1st has the experience and focus on rural lending to offer loans and financing packages tailored to your specific needs.

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Streamlined Loan Process

With highly skilled team members and efficient systems, you can expect a streamlined loan process.

Rural 1st® is a tradename and Rural 1st, the Rolling Hills Window icon, Rural Logic, and Closer to What Matters are exclusive trademarks of Farm Credit Mid-America, NMLS 407249. Rural 1st products are available to consumers within the territories of participating Farm Credit System Associations, including Farm Credit Services of America (NMLS ID #579135)

Home Loan Payment Calculator

This is an estimate of payments for various loan types including home loans, construction loans, lot loans, recreational land loans and home equity loans. 

"Traditional lenders generally don't understand the needs of a rural property. If you're looking to make the move to the country, I would highly recommend you choose Rural 1st."

Country Financing Options

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Home Loans

Purchase or refinance your country home with a variety of fixed- and adjustable-rate options. Choose the down payment that fits your needs.

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Construction Loans

Purchase or refinance your country home with a variety of fixed- and adjustable-rate options. Choose the down payment that fits your needs. Learn more about construction loans.

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Home Equity Loans

When you’re ready to buy more land, build a barn or outbuilding or make property improvements, Rural 1st can help.

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Land Loans

When you own your own bare land, you have the freedom to use it how you want. Rural 1st has lending solutions to make it happen.

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Lot Loans

Get a fixed- or adjustable-rate loan on bare land and choose the term and down payment that’s right for you.

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Ag-friendly Land Loans.

Finance or refinance farmland, pasture or acreages with long-term fixed rates and flexible payment structures built for agriculture. Work with a local financial officer or apply online. 

Living Rural Podcast

Our Rural 1st experts explore topics related to buying, building and financing homes in rural areas. Our consumer lending team understands agriculture and the unique lending needs of self-employed borrowers.

Preparing to Build Your Custom Dream Home

There are several things to consider when building a custom home. In this episode of Living Rural, Michelle Sandin talks to Kenan Davis about building custom homes. Together they discuss what you can expect through various stages of building your dream home.

Home Loan Frequently Asked Questions

1

Farm Credit Services of America is proud to offer home lending through Rural 1st. Rural 1st can finance every phase of your move to country living – from buying land and constructing your home, to expanding, adding outbuildings and making improvements over time. Rural 1st offers home loans, lot loans, recreational land loans, construction loans and home equity loans.

2

Rural 1st provides custom financing for rural property purchases and construction projects and has the experience and focus on rural lending to offer loans and financing packages tailored to your specific needs. With highly skilled team members and efficient systems, you can expect a streamlined loan process.

3

Yes. At Rural 1st, you can go from construction to permanent financing with one simple loan package – refinancing is not required when the project is complete. The land you’re building on rather than only the dwelling value can be used as equity for your down payment**, so you can maximize the amount of your financing. And during the construction process you have the option to lock in your loan with variable- to adjustable- or fixed-rate financing.***

**Subject to review and approval. All loans are subject to credit approval and eligibility.
***There is a $750 fee for a one-time close conversion to permanent fixed rate financing. Fee is subject to change without notice.

4

Yes. Choosing a contractor is your decision, and Rural 1st will work with your choice. If you have experience and well-documented plans, you can even be your own self-contractor.****

And you can take up to one year to complete your project. Many lenders require you to finish building within a six-month window. At Rural 1st you can take up to a full year to complete your project – allowing time for weather and schedule delays.

****Subject to restrictions.

5

Rural 1st lends on bare land for recreational purposes with a minimum of 10 acres that includes at least five acres of cleared land or 20 acres of wooded land.

Rural 1st offers the security of a fully fixed-rate loan, as well as adjustable-rate options to choose from. Loans are truly amortized with no balloon payments, and you can choose the term and down payment that are right for you.

6

When you’re ready to buy more land, build a barn or outbuilding or make home improvements, Rural 1st can help with a home equity loan. We make the process as simple as possible. Once your loan has closed, it’s easy to access your funds with convenient drafts and online transfers.

Rural 1st offer flexible payment options, so you can make interest-only payments or principal and interest payments any time – without pre-payment penalties or fees. And as you repay your loan balance, your credit line is replenished, so you can keep using it for additional expenses.

Get Started

Contact us if you have questions or need more information.