Athens USDA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats
ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GA
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.
Athens's 15 lenders originated 18 USDA loans during 2024. The total origination value was $5,060,000, with an average USDA loan value of $281,111.
Athens USDA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates
30 Year USDA mortgages in Athens
averaged
0.29%
for the week of 2025-06-20, compared to the national average (all USDA variants) of
0% for the same period.
Athens's average USDA mortgage closing costs are $5,735.
The average rate for the prior week (2025-06-13) was
6.69% and
one month ago for the week of 2025-05-16, the
average rate was 6.45%.
The average rate one year ago was 6.88%.
For refis of the same type during the week of 2025-06-20, the average rate
was 0.12%.
Athens 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 Athens level.
| Name | # of Loans | 2024 Avg. 30yFix Rate | 2024 Avg. Closing Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION | 2 | 7.00% | $8,897 |
| Magnolia Bank | 2 | 6.00% | $5,934 |
| UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC | 2 | 5.75% | $8,184 |
| Ameris Bank | 1 | 6.25% | $7,473 |
| BANKSOUTH MORTGAGE COMPANY, LLC | 1 | 6.00% | $10,549 |
| BROKER SOLUTIONS, INC. | 1 | 6.25% | $12,825 |
| Colony Bank | 1 | 6.00% | $9,239 |
| 1ST SIGNATURE LENDING, LLC | 1 | 6.50% | $11,554 |
| Flagstar Bank, FSB | 1 | 6.63% | $11,681 |
| Loan Simple, Inc. | 1 | 6.75% | $21,986 |
| Regions Bank | 1 | 5.75% | $8,082 |
| Synovus Bank | 1 | 5.63% | $9,911 |
| EVERETT FINANCIAL, INC. | 1 | 6.50% | $15,385 |
| AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC. | 1 | 6.50% | $6,707 |
| AMERICAN PACIFIC MORTGAGE CORPORATION | 1 | 6.75% | $11,003 |
The top Athens USDA lender as defined by loan originations is FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION, with
2 USDA loans originated. Their average total fees are
$8,897, which is $2,962
higher than the next largest lender,
Magnolia Bank.
The lowest fee Athens USDA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are
.
The lowest rate Athens USDA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are
.