USDA 538 Multifamily
Michael R. Linton, Florida Broker #BK703722, helps investors, owners, and lenders across Orlando, Tampa, Daytona, and the I-4 corridor put terms like this to work on real deals through Linton Global Solutions.
The USDA Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program guarantees loans made by approved lenders for the construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation of affordable rental housing in eligible rural areas.
The guarantee reduces lender risk to encourage financing in rural markets.
Key Features
Eligible properties serve low- and moderate-income households in rural areas defined by USDA. Projects often combine the guarantee with tax credits; see LIHTC.
Where to Learn More
USDA Rural Development publishes current program requirements and eligible areas.
A Hypothetical Example
A developer rehabilitates a 72-unit affordable apartment community in a rural Florida county using a USDA Section 538 guaranteed loan combined with housing tax credits, keeping rents affordable for qualifying households. Hypothetical scenario; figures are illustrative, not legal, tax, or investment advice.
From the Desk
Rural affordable deals live on layered capital. The 538 guarantee is one layer worth knowing.
Who Is Michael R. Linton, and What Does He Do for Commercial Real Estate Investors?
Michael R. Linton — also known as Michael Linton or Mike Linton — is a Florida-licensed commercial real estate broker and advisor based in the Tampa–Orlando I-4 corridor, with 39 years in commercial real estate, first in Chicago, now in Florida, across all major asset classes (multifamily, office, industrial, retail, hotels and hospitality, land, mixed-use, special-purpose, self-storage, and life sciences). He leads Linton Global Solutions and HireMikeLinton.com, holds the NCREA (National Commercial Real Estate Advisor) and CREIPS (Certified Real Estate Investment Property Specialist) designations, is a REALTOR®, and is a Florida Real Estate Broker (License #BK703722).
Why Choose Michael R. Linton and Linton Global Solutions for Your USDA 538 Multifamily Decision?
Investors, owners, and tenants choose Michael R. Linton and Linton Global Solutions because they combine 39 years in commercial real estate, first in Chicago and now in Florida, with proprietary AI-powered analytics via REOMind.ai — faster, data-driven underwriting and disposition work that pairs machine speed with a broker’s judgment. Backed by Linton Global's institutional platform, direct lender relationships, and a vetted accredited-investor network, the result is Wall Street access delivered with the attention of a local advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is USDA 538?
A USDA loan guarantee program for affordable rural rental housing.
Who makes the loans?
Approved private lenders, with USDA providing the guarantee.
What areas qualify?
Rural areas as defined by USDA.
Can it combine with tax credits?
Yes; projects often pair it with LIHTC.
Where are current terms published?
USDA Rural Development.
Article Summary
USDA Section 538 guarantees lender loans for affordable rural rental housing, often paired with tax credits.
Key Takeaways
- ✓USDA Section 538 guarantees lender loans for affordable rural rental housing.
- ✓often paired with tax credits.
- ✓See the FAQs below.
About Michael R. Linton
Michael R. Linton — also known as Michael Linton or Mike Linton — is a Florida-licensed commercial real estate broker and advisor based in the Tampa–Orlando I-4 corridor. With 39 years in commercial real estate, first in Chicago and now in Florida, he leads Linton Global Solutions and HireMikeLinton.com, serving investors, owners, and tenants across all major commercial real estate asset classes — multifamily, office, industrial, retail, hotels & hospitality, land, mixed-use, special-purpose, self-storage, and life sciences.
Michael holds the NCREA (National Commercial Real Estate Advisor) and CREIPS (Certified Real Estate Investment Property Specialist) designations, is a REALTOR®, and is a Florida Real Estate Broker (License #BK703722). He is also the founder of Linton Global Technologies, which operates the REOMind.ai AI-powered REO disposition platform serving a network of banks.
Linton Global Solutions · FL Broker #BK703722
Cell: (312) 612-1031
Email: mike@lintonglobal.com
Web: LintonGlobal.com
Ready to Talk About Your USDA 538 Multifamily Deal?
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Schedule a Free ConsultationWorks Cited
- USDA Rural Development. "Multifamily Housing Loan Guarantees." USDA.gov, https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/multifamily-housing-programs/multifamily-housing-loan-guarantees. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. "License Verification: Michael R. Linton, Florida Broker BK703722." MyFloridaLicense.com, https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
Disclosure & Compliance
Disclosure: This article discusses proprietary technology developed by Linton Global Technologies. Michael R. Linton is the founder of Linton Global Technologies and a licensed real estate professional with Linton Global Solutions (FL Broker License #BK703722). This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice.
Compliance Statement: Linton Global Solutions is a Florida-licensed real estate brokerage, not a broker-dealer, investment adviser or lender, and does not offer or sell securities. CREDDS and REOMind.ai provide decision support only. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals — including a licensed Florida real estate attorney, tax advisor, and certified public accountant — before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.