Kentucky FHA loans


Home Loan Programs for Kentucky First-Time Homebuyers


Are you a first-time homebuyer in Kentucky looking to navigate the world of home loans? Understanding the various types of home loan programs available to you can help you make informed decisions about financing your dream home. In this article, we’ll explore different home loan programs, including their credit score requirements, down payment requirements, bankruptcy considerations, debt-to-income ratio requirements, loan limits, and income limits.

Kentucky FHA Loans

Kentucky FHA Credit Score Requirements:

  • Minimum credit score typically ranges from 500 to 580, depending on the lender.

Kentucky FHA Down Payment Requirements:

  • A down payment as low as 3.5% of the purchase price is required. 10% down payment required for scores below 580

Kentucky FHA Bankruptcy Requirements:

  • Chapter 7 bankruptcy: Generally, two years must have passed since the discharge date.
  • Chapter 13 bankruptcy: Typically, one year of on-time payments and approval from the bankruptcy court are required.

Kentucky FHA Debt-to-Income Ratio Requirements:

  • Front-end ratio (housing expenses): Up to 31% of gross monthly income.
  • Back-end ratio (total monthly debt payments): Up to 43% of gross monthly income.
  • Up to 45% and 56% respectively for borrowers with higher credit scores, down payment and reserves along with good residual income

Kentucky FHA Loan Limits and Income Limits:

  • Loan limits vary by county and property type. Currently $498,257 in all Kentucky Counties
  • Income limits—-No income limits just loan limits.

Kentucky VA Loans

Kentucky VA Credit Score Requirements:

  • While there is no official minimum credit score requirement, most lenders prefer a score of 580 to 620 or higher.

Kentucky VA Down Payment Requirements:

  • No down payment is required for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and certain spouses.

Kentucky VA Bankruptcy Requirements:

  • Chapter 7 bankruptcy: Generally, two years must have passed since the discharge date.
  • Chapter 13 bankruptcy: Typically, one year of on-time payments and approval from the bankruptcy court are required.

Kentucky VA Debt-to-Income Ratio Requirements:

  • Flexible debt-to-income ratio requirements, with consideration given to residual income.

Kentucky VA Loan Limits and Income Limits:

  • VA loan limits do not apply, but lenders may have their own limits.
  • No specific income limits, but income must be sufficient to cover monthly expenses.

Kentucky USDA Loans

Kentucky USDA Credit Score Requirements:

  • No minimum score, but credit score typically ranges from 580 and above, depending on the lender.

Kentucky USDA Down Payment Requirements:

  • No down payment is required for eligible properties in designated rural areas.

Kentucky USDA Bankruptcy Requirements:

  • Chapter 7 bankruptcy: Generally, three years must have passed since the discharge date.
  • Chapter 13 bankruptcy: Typically, one year of on-time payments and approval from the bankruptcy court are required.

Kentucky USDA Debt-to-Income Ratio Requirements:

  • Maximum total debt-to-income ratio is usually 45%.

Kentucky USDA Loan Limits and Income Limits:

  • Loan limits vary by county.
  • Income limits are based on area median income and household size.

Kentucky Conventional Loans

Kentucky Conventional Credit Score Requirements:

  • Minimum credit score typically ranges from 620 to 680, depending on the lender and loan type.

Kentucky Conventional Down Payment Requirements:

  • Down payment requirements can range from 3% to 20% or more, depending on the loan type and borrower qualifications.

Kentucky Conventional Bankruptcy Requirements:

  • Chapter 7 bankruptcy: Generally, four years must have passed since the discharge date.
  • Chapter 13 bankruptcy: Typically, two years of on-time payments and approval from the bankruptcy court are required.

Debt-to-Income Ratio Requirements:

  • Maximum total debt-to-income ratio is typically 43% to 50%, depending on the loan type and borrower qualifications.

Loan Limits and Income Limits:

  • Loan limits vary by property type and location.
  • No specific income limits, but income must be sufficient to qualify for the loan amount.

Conclusion

As a first-time homebuyer in Kentucky, you have several home loan programs to choose from, each with its own requirements and benefits. Whether you opt for an FHA loan, VA loan, USDA loan, or conventional loan, it’s essential to understand the credit score requirements, down payment requirements, bankruptcy considerations, debt-to-income ratio requirements, loan limits, and income limits associated with each program. Working with a knowledgeable lender can help you navigate the process and find the best loan program for your financial situation and homeownership goals.

Joel Lobb  Mortgage Loan Officer

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle
Louisville, KY 40223
Company NMLS ID #1364

Text/call: 502-905-3708
fax: 502-327-9119
email:
 kentuckyloan@gmail.com

http://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/

NMLS 57916  | Company NMLS #1364/MB73346135166/MBR1574The view and opinions stated on this website belong solely to the authors, and are intended for informational purposes only. The posted information does not guarantee approvalnor does it comprise full underwriting guidelines. This does not represent being part of a government agency. The views expressed on this post are mine and do not necessarily reflect the view of my employer. Not all products or services mentioned on this site may fit all people.
NMLS ID# 57916, (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).


Top 4 reasons why mortgage applications are denied



1. Debt-to-income ratio

Whether you go through a traditional bank or a mortgage lender, your debt-to-income ratio is one of the most important elements of your mortgage application. This ratio is a simple measure of how much debt you carry expressed as a percentage of the amount of money you earn before taxes and deductions each month.

To figure out your debt-to-income ratio, add up all of your monthly debts (including student loans, car payments, credit card bills, and other loans with fixed payments, but not including utilities bills and other variable monthly expenses) and divide it by your gross—or pre-tax—monthly earnings. Most mortgage lenders are looking for a debt-to-income ratio that doesn’t exceed 45 to 50 %, and that includes the mortgage payment you are applying to take on.

If your debt-to-income ratio is too high to consider taking out a mortgage at the moment, that’s a good sign that it’s time to focus on paying down debt before doing any serious house-hunting.”


There are some exceptions to the 45% to 50% rule, but in general, this is the number you want to keep in mind when you do your initial debt-to-income ratio calculations. Not only does this tell you whether you are carrying more debt than most lenders are willing to work with, it will also tell you how much mortgage you can realistically hope to borrow. By paying off any one (or more) of your debts, you’d free up more money to go toward a potential mortgage.

If your debt-to-income ratio is too high to consider taking out a mortgage at the moment, that’s a good sign that it’s time to focus on paying down debt before doing any serious house-hunting.

2. Credit score

This is another biggie. As you probably know, credit scores are used by lending institutions to assess each individual’s creditworthiness based on their financial history, including payment history (on-time versus late or missed payments), total amount of debt, length of credit history, and other factors. Credit scores, which are measured slightly differently across three major reporting agencies, range from 300 to 850 and are considered to be an at-a-glance measure of the trustworthiness of individual borrowers.

In general, credit scores below 620 are typically considered subprime and may make it more challenging to get a mortgage, especially with the most competitive interest rates. (If your credit score is in the subprime category, you aren’t alone: as of 2015, a little over half of American consumers—56%—were found to have subprime scores.)

Those with lower credit scores may still be able to get a mortgage—it will likely just require more shopping around (and having more cash on hand for a down payment is helpful, too). While Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac each require a minimum credit score of 620, the FHA has more forgiving parameters, making FHA loans a better bet if you are in credit-repairing mode.

FHA loans were created in the 1930s to make homeownership more widely accessible, and their guidelines stipulate that credit scores as low as 500 may be accepted with a 10% down payment. Credit scores of 580 or above, meanwhile, may be eligible with as little as 3.5% down. Remember, though, that you will need to identify lenders that don’t apply additional credit score overlays on top of these minimum requirements in order to actually score a mortgage with the lowest required scores.

Keep in mind, also, that anytime you apply for a new loan, you’ll typically accrue a “hard inquiry” on your credit report as your potential lender checks out your credit history. Too many hard inquiries can negatively impact your credit score, so if you know you will be applying for a mortgage soon—or if you’ve already been pre-approved for a mortgage—you’ll want to avoid applying for any other loans (like credit cards or car loans) until after you’ve secured your mortgage.

3. Employment history

Your employment history is another major factor when it comes to your mortgage application. In general, most lenders want to see at least two years of consistent of employment history at the time you apply for your mortgage.

Requirements may differ depending on whether you are paid a salary versus hourly wages, work part-time versus full-time, and whether you are employed or self-employed. Note, too, that different lenders may handle income from things like a second job and overtime differently; these sources of income may not always be allowed to count toward your overall income on your mortgage application. Given these variables, you should be sure to tell potential lenders the details of your employment situation at the outset to make sure you don’t hit any unforeseen bumps in the road.

If, after approaching a handful of lenders, you find that your employment history is a little too spotty, now may be the time to focus on remaining consistently employed for a year or two before applying for a mortgage.

4. Appraisal issues

Occasionally, a mortgage application may be denied because of issues with the property itself and how it is valued rather than your own personal information.

Remember that the sale price of a home may not always correspond with the appraised value of the home. The appraised value is based on local comps, or other comparable houses that have recently sold in the same area, and other factors. Because the house you are buying will be used as collateral against your home loan, lenders use appraisals to confirm that the mortgage amount you are requesting is in line with the actual value of the house. If the appraised value is significantly lower than the agreed-upon sale price, you’ll either need the seller to come down off their price, or you would need to pay the difference out of pocket.

Note that especially unique properties—think geodesic domes and other, less striking examples—may come up against appraisal issues because of a lack of relevant comps.




Have Questions or Need Expert Advice? Text, email, or call me below:

Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer

Individual NMLS ID #57916

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle
Louisville, KY 40223
Company NMLS ID #1364

Text/call: 502-905-3708
fax: 502-327-9119
email:
 kentuckyloan@gmail.com

http://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/

The view and opinions stated on this website belong solely to the authors, and are intended for informational purposes only. The posted information does not guarantee approvalnor does it comprise full underwriting guidelines. This does not represent being part of a government agency. The views expressed on this post are mine and do not necessarily reflect the view of my employer. Not all products or services mentioned on this site may fit all people.
NMLS ID# 57916, (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

Kentucky FHA Loan Requirements


Kentucky FHA Loan Requirements

The requirements for Kentucky FHA loans are set by HUD.

  • Borrowers must have a steady employment history of the last two years within the same industry or line of work. Recent college graduates can use their transcripts to supplant the 2-year work history rule as long as it makes sense.
  • Self-Employed will need a 2-year history of tax returns filed with IRS. They will take a 2-year average.
  • FHA requires a 3.5% down payment. Can be gifted from family member or from retirement savings plan, or money saved-up. Any type of cash deposits is not allowed for down payments. No exceptions to this rule!! This is one of the biggest issues I see in FHA underwriting nowadays.
  •  FHA loans are for primary residence occupancy. Not rental houses.
  • Borrowers must have a property appraisal from a FHA-approved appraiser.
  • Borrowers’ front-end ratio (mortgage payment plus HOA fees, property taxes, mortgage insurance, homeowners’ insurance) needs to be less than 31 percent of their gross income, typically. You may be able to get approved with as high a percentage as 43 percent. If the Automated Underwriting System gives you an Approved Eligible you can go higher on the debt ratios
  • Borrowers must have a minimum credit score of 580 for maximum financing with a 3.5% down payment
  • Borrowers must have a minimum credit score of 500-579 for maximum LTV of 90 percent with a minimum down payment of 10 percent. Most lenders will not go below 580 to 620 score, and very few lenders will go to 580 score. It’s best to work on getting your scores up before you apply or work with a loan officer to improve them.
  • 2 years removed from Chapter 7 is required with good pay history after bankruptcy
  • 1 year removed from Chapter 13 is okay with an excellent pay history with the Chapter 13 plan and permission from trustee. You will need to qualify with the Chapter 13 payment along with new house payment. Again, scores will play into your loan pre-approval.
  • Typically, borrowers must be three years out of foreclosure and have re-established good credit. Exceptions can be made if there were extenuating circumstances and you’ve improved your credit. If you were unable to sell your home because you had to move to a new area, this does not qualify as an exception to the three-year foreclosure guideline.


FHA 

Low Down Payment which can be 100% gift from family member or Grant Program
Seller can pay closing costs-Maximum 6% of purchase price
There is maximum mortgage amount for each county. Check FHA loan limit for your county.
Non-occupant co-signers are allowed on this program.
FHA Approved Condos-Single family home-2-4 unit properties, and PUDs are eligible.
Fast automated underwriting approval available. Also, the file can be manually underwritten by a live person to get loan approval if you do not receive approval through automated underwriting system.

FHA Foreclosure Program 

Must be HUD Owned property or FHA Foreclosure in HUD Participating Communities
$100 Down Payment than standard FHA program
580 minimum credit score
Single family, 1-4 unit properties, HUD approved condominiums, and PUDS eligible

Repossession on a credit report for FHA Loan

How to handle a Repossession on a credit report for FHA Loan Approval?


How to handle a Repossession on a credit report for FHA Loan Approval?

Q: How should evidence of a previous repossession being on a Borrower’s credit report for an FHA loan be handled?

A: A Borrower can still owe money after a car or other property has been repossessed by a lender. The loan should be documented with evidence that any outstanding debt that may have resulted from the repossession is included in the qualifying DTI.

Documentation must be included in the loan file by either the borrower or from a credit supplement verifying whether or not any debt was left outstanding after the repossession.

If there is any debt outstanding after the repossession the terms of repayment must be provided and the debt must be included in the DTI.
If the remaining debt has gone into collections or been charged off ensure all FHA collection and/or charge-off requirements are met.

Does FHA require collections to be paid off for a borrower to be eligible for FHA financing?
A Collection Account refers to a Borrower’s loan or debt that has been submitted to a collection agency by a creditor.

If the credit reports used in the analysis show cumulative outstanding collection account balances of $2,000 or greater, the lender must:

•     verify that the debt is paid in full at the time of or prior to settlement using an acceptable source of funds;
•     verify that the Borrower has made payment arrangements with the creditor and include the monthly payment in the Borrower’s Debt-to-Income ratio (DTI); or
•      if a payment arrangement is not available, calculate the monthly payment using 5 percent of the outstanding balance of each collection and include the monthly payment in the Borrower’s DTI.

Collection accounts of a non-borrowing spouse in a community property state must be included in the $2,000 cumulative balance and analyzed as part of the Borrower’s ability to pay all collection accounts, unless excluded by state law.

Unless the lender uses 5 percent of the outstanding balance, the lender must provide the following documentation:

•     evidence of payment in full, if paid prior to settlement;
•     the payoff statement, if paid at settlement; or
•     the payment arrangement with creditor, if not paid prior to or at settlement.

For manually underwritten loans, the lender must determine if collection accounts were a result of:

•     the Borrower’s disregard for financial obligations;
•     the Borrower’s inability to manage debt; or
•     extenuating circumstances.

The lender must document reasons for approving a mortgage when the Borrower has any collection accounts. The Borrower must provide a letter of explanation, which is supported by documentation, for each outstanding collection account. The explanation and supporting documentation must be consistent with other credit information in the file.

For additional information see Handbook 4000.1 II.A.4.b.iv(M); II.A.5.a.iii(D), II.A.5.a.iv(O)  at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/administration/hudclips/handbooks/hsgh

All policy information contained in this knowledge base article is based upon the referenced HUD policy document. Any lending or insuring decisions should adhere to the specific information contained in that underlying policy document.
Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer
Individual NMLS ID #57916
 
American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
 

Text/call:      502-905-3708

fax:            502-327-9119
email:
          kentuckyloan@gmail.com