Ames USDA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats
AMES, IA
USDA loans are zero-downpayment loans targeted towards lower-income households in rural areas. They can be made directly by the US Department of Agriculture or through a participating lender-- and they typically to borrowers with credit scores over 640. They can have subsidized rates, making them very competitive in terms of cost, but they have more stringent standards on who is eligible as well as specific covenants such as only being available in rural areas and limits on home size.
Ames's 17 lenders originated 28 USDA loans during 2024. The total origination value was $5,120,000, with an average USDA loan value of $182,857.
Ames USDA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates
30 Year USDA mortgages in Ames
averaged
6.35%
for the week of 2025-07-11, compared to the national average (all USDA variants) of
6.449% for the same period.
Ames's average USDA mortgage closing costs are $4,291.
The average rate for the prior week (2025-07-04) was
6.56% and
one month ago for the week of 2025-06-06, the
average rate was 6.46%.
The average rate one year ago was 6.94%.
For refis of the same type during the week of 2025-07-11, the average rate
was 6.08%.
Ames USDA Loan Lenders by Rates & Fees
The below table looks at the average fees/closing costs and rates for USDA 30 Year Fixed Rate (purchase, first lien) mortgages originated by each lender at the Ames level.
| Name | # of Loans | 2024 Avg. 30yFix Rate | 2024 Avg. Closing Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY | 5 | 6.63% | $5,592 |
| IOWA BANKERS MORTGAGE CORPORATION | 4 | 6.53% | $3,678 |
| AMERICAN PACIFIC MORTGAGE CORPORATION | 4 | 6.75% | $5,359 |
| FIRST COMMUNITY MORTGAGE, INC. | 2 | 5.88% | $9,441 |
| CARDINAL FINANCIAL | 1 | 5.75% | $6,420 |
| Flagstar Bank, FSB | 1 | 7.25% | $6,787 |
| Fortress Bank | 1 | 6.50% | $5,172 |
| GERSHMAN INVESTMENT CORP. | 1 | 6.25% | $4,461 |
| HOMESERVICES LENDING, LLC | 1 | 6.62% | $4,550 |
| HOMESIDE FINANCIAL, LLC | 1 | 6.75% | $4,560 |
| Plains Commerce Bank | 1 | 6.13% | $4,394 |
| STOCKTON MORTGAGE CORPORATION | 1 | 5.88% | $5,938 |
| The Central Trust Bank | 1 | 6.38% | $6,352 |
| TOWNE MORTGAGE COMPANY | 1 | 5.75% | $5,031 |
| Bank Iowa | 1 | 5.63% | $5,137 |
| Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A. | 1 | 6.25% | $8,399 |
| BROKER SOLUTIONS, INC. | 1 | 6.38% | $5,298 |
The top Ames USDA lender as defined by loan originations is GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY, with
5 USDA loans originated. Their average total fees are
$5,592, which is $1,914
higher than the next largest lender,
IOWA BANKERS MORTGAGE CORPORATION.
The lowest fee Ames USDA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are
.
The lowest rate Ames USDA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are
.