The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Home Loan program is still available in parts of Olive Branch, MS, including Grant & Company’s Maplebrook, Forest Hill and Trinity Park communities. However, this mortgage finance program may be winding down in DeSoto County, giving potential home buyers just three more months to buy a new house on its generous terms. The USDA’s Rural Development Loan was created to assist moderate income buyers in eligible rural areas to buy a home. One of the key perks of the program is that it offers 100 percent financing for those who don’t have the funds for a down payment but who are credit worthy buyers. Income limits and other criteria apply, so home buyers are urged to speak with a Grant Preferred Lender for details. “This is the best loan out there, especially for first time buyers,” said Martha Fondren, Director of Sales and Marketing for Grant & Company. “I think we are taking for granted that this program will last forever, but all indications are that it will end soon for home buyers in most areas of DeSoto County.” She said Grant & Company has helped hundreds of first-time buyers get a home through the USDA’s program using Grant’s Preferred Lenders like Community Mortgage. The USDA identifies areas and towns that are rural using Census data. For more than a decade, this has included several areas in DeSoto County, MS. Thanks to the unprecedented growth of DeSoto County, many areas in Olive Branch may be ineligible beginning September 30. The USDA announced plans to pull funding for the program last year in several areas of Olive Branch, but extended it through this fall. Time is of the essence as the USDA’s processing time can take several weeks once an application is submitted. Grant & Company is one of the few new home builders in the Mid-South with homes under construction now that are eligible for the program and and can close before September 30.