Rural home buyers can now get more help with closing costs

The US Department of Agriculture is changing rules for its rural home loan program. It will now allow real estate agent commissions to be paid by interested parties, like sellers, without counting against limits on other closing cost help.

This change means that people buying homes in rural areas can get more financial assistance with their closing costs. Previously, if a seller paid the real estate agent's commission, that amount counted against a cap on how much other help a buyer could receive. Now, buyers can get help with agent fees and still have room for other costs like appraisal fees or title insurance, making homeownership more accessible in these areas.