USDA Eyes Changes to Rural Home Loan Seller Concessions
Published Date: 4/20/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The USDA’s Rural Housing Service wants to change the rules for its Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program by saying real estate agent fees won’t count toward limits on what interested parties can give. This update affects homebuyers and sellers using these loans and could make deals smoother without extra cost limits. You’ve got until June 22, 2026, to share your thoughts before the rule is final.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Real-Estate Commissions Removed From 6% Cap
If you use the USDA Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program, real estate commission fees are excluded from the 6 percent interested‑party (seller concession) limit. That means the seller or other interested parties can still contribute up to 6 percent of the sales price for mortgage financing costs, closing costs, escrow accounts, furniture, or other giveaways, while the commission fee is not counted toward that 6 percent limit.
Buyers May Finance Commission If Customary
Under the proposed change, SFHGLP borrowers may finance real estate commission fees if the fee is 'normal and customary' under 7 CFR 3555.101(b)(6)(vii). The proposal aligns USDA practice with FHA, VA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac interpretations that can exclude reasonable commissions from seller concession calculations.
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