Highlights of the USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan Program   Loans may be for up to 100 percent of appraised value or for the acquisition cost, whichever is less. No downpayment is required; Mortgages are 30-year fixed rate at market interest rates; Loans may include funds for closing costs, guarantee fee, legal fees, title services, cost of establishing an escrow account and other prepaid items, if the appraised value is higher than sales price; Sellers may contribute to the buyer’s closing costs; Home buyers make application with participating lenders; Buyers must personally occupy the dwelling following the purchase; A one-time guarantee fee of 2 percent of the loan amount is charged to the lender, but may be passed on to the buyer; Closed loans have secondary market acceptability, including Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae pools, and many state housing finance agencies; Guaranteed loans are subject to the provisions of the Civil Rights statutes, including the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.