USDA Tweaks Rural Home Loan Rules: Agent Fees Get a Pass
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 pay. This update mainly affects home buyers, sellers, and agents involved in these loans. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until June 22, 2026, to comment before the rule is finalized.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Commissions Removed From 6% Cap
The USDA proposes that real estate commission fees will be excluded from the 6 percent interested‑party (seller concession) limit in the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. That means the 6 percent cap on seller or other interested party contributions would not include customary real estate commission fees.
Buyers May Finance Agent Fees
The proposal notes that SFHGLP borrowers may finance real estate commission fees if the fee is considered normal and customary under 7 CFR 3555.101(b)(6)(vii). In practice, that lets a borrower roll the commission into the guaranteed loan when the fee meets the program's normal/customary test.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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