A Kentucky Mortgage Loan Officer that has closed over 600 home loans specializing in Kentucky First Time Homebuyer Loans to include the following FHA, VA, USDA, Rural Housing, Down Payment Assistance Loan from Kentucky Housing Corp or KHC and the Fannie Mae Home Path HUD $100 Down Mortgage Program in Kentucky. Call/Text 502-905-3708 with your mortgage questions or email kentuckyloan@gmail.com I try to respond to all requests within minutes during regular business hours. NMLS# 57916 Joel Lobb Loan Originator, American Mortgage Solutions NMLS ID. 1364 Equal Housing Lender
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
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 approval, nor 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).
Summary:
The Welcome Home Program in Kentucky offers grants up to $25,000 for military homebuyers and up to $20,000 for other eligible buyers to assist with down payment and closing costs. Eligible homebuyers must meet income criteria and other guidelines. Properties eligible for the grant must be the buyer’s primary residence and have a legally enforceable retention mechanism. Prospective homebuyers should contact an FHLB Cincinnati Member financial institution for more program information and eligibility details. Various other programs and grants are also available for first-time homebuyers in Kentucky. For further information, contact a Kentucky Mortgage Lender.
Kentucky Down payment assistance loans are available up to $20,000 for Mortgage with Welcome Home Grant 2024
Welcome Home Program Grant Program for Kentucky Home buyers in 2024
Information for Kentucky Homebuyers Welcome Home Program Grant Program for Kentucky Home buyers in 2024
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (FHLB Cincinnati) offers grants of up to $25,000 for honorably discharged veterans, surviving spouses of military personnel, and active duty military homebuyers and up to $20,000 for all other homebuyers to assist with down payment and closing costs for income eligible homebuyers through the Welcome Home Program (WHP).
Kentucky Homebuyers must apply and qualify for a mortgage loan with one of our Member financial institutions to utilize the grant.
Who are Eligible Homebuyers in Kentucky for the Welcome Grant?
A Kentucky homebuyer would be eligible for the Welcome Home grant if all of the following guidelines are met:
The total income for all occupants who will reside in the home is at or below 80 percent of the Mortgage Revenue Bond (MRB) limit for the county and state where the property is located; A fully executed (signed by buyer and seller) purchase contract on an eligible property is in hand; The homebuyer has at least $500 of their own funds to contribute towards down payment and/or closing costs; and, If a first-time homebuyer (typically anyone who has not owned a home in the last three years), a satisfactory homebuyer counseling course is completed prior to the loan closing. Note: Applicants do not have to be first-time homebuyers.
What is an Eligible Property?
A property would be eligible if all of the following guidelines are met:
The property will be the homebuyer’s primary residence; The property is a single family, townhome, condominium, duplex, multi-unit (up to four family units) or a qualified manufactured home. (Manufactured homes may be eligible if they are taxed as real estate and affixed to a permanent foundation); and, The property is subject to a legally enforceable five-year retention mechanism, included in the Deed or as a Declaration of Restrictive Covenants to the Deed, requiring the FHLB Cincinnati be given notice of any refinancing, sale, foreclosure, deed in-lieu of foreclosure, or change in ownership during the five year retention period.
How Do I Apply?
For more program information, homebuyers should contact a FHLB Cincinnati Member financial institution.
HUD HOME Program — Kentucky contacts: HUD provides grant money to communities designated as participating jurisdictions for assisting home buyers, rental assistance, and other housing initiatives
Habitat for Humanity: Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families
Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati: Serves Kentucky residents by offering various home buying assistance programs, including Welcome Home grants. For more information, you may call 1 (888) 345-2246
2024 Welcome Home Grant Program for Kentucky Home Buyers $20,000
Kentucky First Time Home Buyer Common Questions and Answers:
∘ WHAT KIND OF CREDIT SCORE DO I NEED TO QUALIFY FOR DIFFERENT FIRST TIME HOME BUYER LOANS IN KENTUCKY?
Answer. Most lenders will wants a middle credit score of 580 to 620 for KY First Time Home Buyers looking to go no money down. The two most used no money down home loans in Kentucky being USDA Rural Housing and KHC with their down payment assistance will want a 620 middle score on their programs.
If you have access to 3.5% down payment, you can go FHA and secure a 30 year fixed rate mortgage with some lenders with a 580 credit score. Even though FHA on paper says they will go down to 500 credit score with at least 10% down payment, you will find it hard to get the loan approved because lenders will create overlays to protect their interest and maintain a good standing with FHA and HUD.
Another popular no money down loan is VA. Most VA lenders will want a 580 middle credit score but like FHA, VA on paper says they will go down to a 500 score, but good luck finding a lender for that scenario.
A lot of times if your scores are in the high 500’s or low 600’s range, we can do a rapid rescore and get your scores improved within 30 days.
∘ DOES IT COSTS ANYTHING TO GET PRE-APPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE LOAN?
Answer: Most lenders will not charge you a fee to get pre-approved, but some lenders may want you to pay for the credit report fee upfront. Typically costs for a tri-merge credit report for a single borrower runs about $50 or less. Maybe higher if more borrowers are included on the loan application.
∘ HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET APPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE LOAN IN KENTUCKY?
Answer: Typically if you have all your income and asset documents together and submit to the lender, they typically can get you a pre-approval through the Automated Underwriting Systems within 24 hours.
They will review credit, income and assets and run it through the different AUS (Automated Underwriting Systems) for the template for your loan pre-approval. Fannie Mae uses DU, or Desktop Underwriting, FHA and VA also use DU, and USDA uses a automated system called GUS. GUS stands for the Guaranteed Underwriting System.
If you get an Automated Approval, loan officers will use this for your pre-approval. If you have a bad credit history, high debt to income ratios, or lack of down payment, the AUS will sometimes refer the loan to a manual underwrite, which could result in a longer turn time for your loan pre-approval answer
∘ ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL PROGRAMS IN KENTUCKY THAT HELP WITH DOWN PAYMENT OR NO MONEY DOWN LOANS FOR KY FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS?
Answer: There are some programs available to KY First Time Home Buyers that offer zero down financing: KHC, USDA, VA, Fannie Mae Home Possible and HomePath, HUD $100 down and City and Welcome Grants are all available to Kentucky First Time Home buyers if you qualify for them.
∘ WHEN CAN I LOCK IN MY INTEREST RATE TO PROTECT IT FROM GOING UP WHEN I BUY MY FIRST HOME?
Answer: You typically can lock in your mortgage rate and protect it from going up once you have a home picked-out and under contract. You can usually lock in your mortgage rate for free for 90 days, and if you need more time, you can extend the lock in rate for a fee to the lender in case the home buying process is taking a longer time.
The longer the term you lock the rate in the future, the higher the costs because the lender is taking a risk on rates in the future.
Interest rates are kind of like gas prices, they change daily, and the general trend is that they have been going up since the Presidential election in November 2016.
∘ HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED TO PAY TO CLOSE THE LOAN?
Answer: Depending on which loan program you choose, the outlay to close the loan can vary. Typically you will need to budget for the following to buy a home: Good faith deposit, usually less than $500 which holds the home for you while you close the loan. You get this back at closing; Appraisal fee is required to be paid to lender before closing. Typical costs run around $500-$650 for an appraisal fee; home inspection fees.
Even though the lender’s programs don’t require a home inspection, a lot of buyers do get one done. The costs for a home inspection runs around $300-$400. Lastly, termite report. They are very cheap, usually $50 or less, and VA requires one on their loan programs. FHA, KHC, USDAS, Fannie Mae does not require a termite report, but most borrowers get one done.
There are also lender costs for title insurance, title exam, closing fee, and underwriting fees that will be incurred at closing too. You can negotiated the seller to pay for these fees in the contract, or sometimes the lender can pay for this with a lender credit. The lender has to issue a breakdown of the fees you will incur on your loan pre-approval.
HOW LONG IS MY PRE-APPROVAL GOOD FOR ON A KENTUCKY MORTGAGE LOAN?
Answer: Most lenders will honor your loan pre-approval for 60 days. After that, they will have to re-run your credit report and ask for updated pay stubs, bank statements, to make sure your credit quality and income and assets has not changed from the initial loan pre-approval.
HOW MUCH MONEY DO I HAVE TO MAKE TO QUALIFY FOR A MORTGAGE LOAN IN KENTUCKY?
Answer: The general rule for most FHA, VA, KHC, USDA and Fannie MAe loans is that we run your loan application through the Automated Underwriting systems, and it will tell us your max loan qualifying ratios.
There are two ratios that matter when you qualify for a mortgage loan. The front-end ratio, is the new house payment divided by your gross monthly income. The back-end ratio, is the new house payment added to your current monthly bills on the credit report, to include child support obligations and 401k loans.
Car insurance, cell phone bills, utilities bills does not factor into your qualifying rations.
If the loan gets a refer on the initial desktop underwriting findings, then most programs will default to a front end ratio of 31% and a back-end ratio of 43% for most government agency loans that get a refer. You then take the lowest payment to qualify based on the front-end and back-end ratio.
So for example, let’s say you make $3000 a month and you have $400 in monthly bills you pay on the credit report. What would be your maximum qualifying house payment for a new loan?
Take the $3000 x .43%= $1290 maximum back-end ratio house payment. So take the $1290-$400= $890 max house payment you qualify for on the back-end ratio.
Then take the $3000 x .31%=$930 maximum qualifying house payment on front-end ratio.
So now your know! The max house payment you would qualify would be the $890, because it is the lowest payment of the two ratios.
Kentucky Welcome Home Grant 2024 Income Limits for the $20,000 Grant.
see below:👇 hit link for Welcome Home Grants Program 2024
NMLS 57916 | Company NMLS #1364/MB73346135166/MBR1574
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 approval, nor 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).
What credit score do you need for a Kentucky mortgage loan approval in 2024
There’s no universal minimum credit score needed for a mortgage, but a better credit score will give you more options. (iStock)
If you’re trying to get a mortgage, your credit score matters. Mortgage lenders use credit scores — as well as other information — to assess your likelihood of repaying a loan on time.
Because credit scores are so important, lenders set minimum scores you must have in order to qualify for a mortgage with them. Minimum credit score varies by lender and mortgage type, but generally, a higher score means better loan terms for you.
Let’s look at which loan types are best for different credit scores.
Credit score needed to buy a house
Mortgage lending is risky, and lenders want a way to quantify that risk. They use your three-digit credit score to gauge the risk of loaning you money since your credit score helps predict your likelihood of paying back a loan on time. Lenders also consider other data, such as your income, employment, debts and assets to decide whether to offer you a loan.
Different lenders and loan types have different borrower requirements, loan terms and minimum credit scores. Here are the requirements for some of the most common types of mortgages.
Conventional loan
Minimum credit score: 620
A conventional loan is a mortgage that isn’t backed by a federal agency. Most mortgage lenders offer conventional loans, and many lenders sell these loans to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac — two government-sponsored enterprises. Conventional loans can have either fixed or adjustable rates, and terms ranging from 10 to 30 years.
You can get a conventional loan with a down payment as low as 3% of the home’s purchase price, so this type of loan makes sense if you don’t have enough for a traditional down payment. However, if your down payment is less than 20%, you’re required to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI), which is an insurance policy designed to protect the lender if you stop making payments. You can ask your servicer to cancel PMI once the principal balance of your mortgage falls below 80% of the original value of your home.
FHA loan
Minimum credit score (10% down): 500
Minimum credit score (3.5% down): 580
FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), a part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The FHA incentivizes lenders to make mortgage loans available to borrowers who might not otherwise qualify by guaranteeing the federal government will repay the mortgage if the borrower stops making payments. This makes an FHA loan a good option if you have a lower credit score.
FHA loans come in 15- or 30-year terms with fixed interest rates. Unlike conventional mortgages, which only require PMI for borrowers with less than 20% down, all FHA borrowers must pay an up-front mortgage insurance premium (MIP) and an annual MIP, as long as the loan is outstanding.
VA loan
Minimum credit score: N/A
VA loans are mortgages backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA guarantees loans made by VA-approved lenders to qualifying veterans or service members of the U.S. armed forces, or their spouses. This type of loan is a great option for veterans and their spouses, especially if they don’t have the best credit and don’t have enough for a down payment.
VA loans are fixed-rate mortgages with 10-, 15-, 20- or 30-year terms.
Most VA loans don’t require a down payment or monthly mortgage insurance premiums. However, they do require a one-time VA funding fee, that ranges from 1.4% to 3.6% of the loan amount.
USDA loan
Minimum credit score: N/A
The U.S. Department of Agriculture guarantees loans for borrowers interested in buying homes in certain rural areas. USDA loans don’t require a minimum down payment, but you have to meet the USDA’s income eligibility limits, which vary by location.
All USDA mortgages have fixed interest rates and 30-year repayment terms.
USDA-approved lenders must pay an up-front guarantee fee of up to 3.5% of the purchase price to the USDA. That fee can be passed on to borrowers and financed into the home loan. If the home you want to buy is within an eligible rural area (defined by the USDA) and you meet the other requirements, this could be a great loan option for you.
What else do mortgage lenders consider?
Your credit score isn’t the only factor lenders consider when reviewing your loan application. Here are some of the other factors lenders use when deciding whether to give you a mortgage.
Debt-to-income ratio — Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is the amount of debt payments you make each month (including your mortgage payments) relative to your gross monthly income. For example, if your mortgage payments, car loan and credit card payments add up to $1,800 per month and you have a $6,000 monthly income, your debt-to-income ratio would be $1,800/$6,000, or 30%. Most conventional mortgages require a DTI ratio no greater than 36%. However, you may be approved with a DTI up to 45% if you meet other requirements.
Employment history — When you apply for a mortgage, lenders will ask for proof of employment — typically two years’ worth of W-2s and tax returns, as well as your two most recent pay stubs. Lenders prefer to work with people who have stable employment and consistent income.
Down payment — Putting money down to buy a home gives you immediate equity in the home and helps to ensure the lender recoups their loss if you stop making payments and they need to foreclose on the home. Most loans — other than VA and USDA loans — require a down payment of at least 3%, although a higher down payment could help you qualify for a lower interest rate or make up for other less-than-ideal aspects of your mortgage application.
The home’s value and condition — Lenders want to ensure the home collateralizing the loan is in good condition and worth what you’re paying for it. Typically, they’ll require an appraisal to determine the home’s value and may also require a home inspection to ensure there aren’t any unknown issues with the property.
How is your credit score calculated?
Most talk of credit scores makes it sound as if you have only one score. In fact, you have several credit scores, and they may be used by different lenders and for different purposes.
The three national credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — collect information from banks, credit unions, lenders and public records to formulate your credit score. The most common and well-known scoring model is the FICO Score, which is based on the following five factors:
Payment history (35%) — A history of late payments will drag your score down, as will negative information from bankruptcies, foreclosures, repossessions or accounts referred to collections.
How much you owe (30%) — Your credit utilization ratio is the amount of revolving credit you’re using compared to your total available credit. For example, if you have one credit card with a $2,000 balance and a $4,000 credit limit, your credit utilization ratio is 50%. Credit scoring models view using a larger percentage of your available credit as risky behavior, so high balances and maxed-out credit cards will negatively impact your score.
Length of credit history (15%) — This factor considers the age of your oldest account, newest account and the average age of all your credit accounts. In general, the longer you’ve been using credit responsibly, the higher your score will be.
Types of accounts (10%) — Credit scoring models favor people who use a mix of credit cards, installment loans, mortgages and other types of credit.
Recent credit history (10%) — Lenders view applying for and opening several new credit accounts within a short period as a sign of financial trouble and it’ll negatively impact your score.
Ready to shop around for a mortgage?If you want a personalized answer for your unique situation call, text, or email me or visit my website below:
Joel Lobb Mortgage Loan Officer Individual NMLS ID #57916
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Most lenders want a 580 to 620 credit score nowadays with no bankruptcies in the last 2 years and no foreclosures in the last 3 years. You have three fico scores from Experian, Equifax and Transunion credit reporting agencies and the lenders will throw out the high and low score and take the middle score of the borrower(s).
Credit scores range from 334 to 850, the higher the score the better. The Fico Versions used for mortgage credit scores are Version, 2,4 and 5 models for Experian, Equifax and Transunion. They’re a lot of different scoring models out there and I can walk you through that once I pull your credit.
For example if you have a 598, 625, 604 on each of the main three reporting agencies, then your qualifying fico score would be 604.
They always take the lowest middle score of both borrowers, so keep that in mind too if there is a co-borrower. So if your mid score is 616, and your co-borrower is 638, and we used both of your incomes, then the score used to qualify would be the 616 score.
Once I get the credit report, I can analyze your scores, If the scores are okay, then we can proceed with pre-approval. If we need to work on them, I can help do that too.
If you’re trying to get a mortgage, your credit score matters. Mortgage lenders use credit scores — as well as other information — to assess your likelihood of repaying a loan on time.
Because credit scores are so important, lenders set minimum scores you must have in order to qualify for a mortgage with them. Minimum credit score varies by lender and mortgage type, but generally, a higher score means better loan terms for you.
Let’s look at which loan types are best for different credit scores.
Credit score needed to buy a house
Mortgage lending is risky, and lenders want a way to quantify that risk. They use your three-digit credit score to gauge the risk of loaning you money since your credit score helps predict your likelihood of paying back a loan on time. Lenders also consider other data, such as your income, employment, debts and assets to decide whether to offer you a loan.
Different lenders and loan types have different borrower requirements, loan terms and minimum credit scores. Here are the requirements for some of the most common types of mortgages.
Conventional loan
Minimum credit score: 620
A conventional loan is a mortgage that isn’t backed by a federal agency. Most mortgage lenders offer conventional loans, and many lenders sell these loans to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac — two government-sponsored enterprises. Conventional loans can have either fixed or adjustable rates, and terms ranging from 10 to 30 years.
You can get a conventional loan with a down payment as low as 3% of the home’s purchase price, so this type of loan makes sense if you don’t have enough for a traditional down payment. However, if your down payment is less than 20%, you’re required to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI), which is an insurance policy designed to protect the lender if you stop making payments. You can ask your servicer to cancel PMI once the principal balance of your mortgage falls below 80% of the original value of your home.
FHA loan
Minimum credit score (10% down): 500
Minimum credit score (3.5% down): 580
FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), a part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The FHA incentivizes lenders to make mortgage loans available to borrowers who might not otherwise qualify by guaranteeing the federal government will repay the mortgage if the borrower stops making payments. This makes an FHA loan a good option if you have a lower credit score.
FHA loans come in 15- or 30-year terms with fixed interest rates. Unlike conventional mortgages, which only require PMI for borrowers with less than 20% down, all FHA borrowers must pay an up-front mortgage insurance premium (MIP) and an annual MIP, as long as the loan is outstanding.
VA loan
Minimum credit score: N/A
VA loans are mortgages backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA guarantees loans made by VA-approved lenders to qualifying veterans or service members of the U.S. armed forces, or their spouses. This type of loan is a great option for veterans and their spouses, especially if they don’t have the best credit and don’t have enough for a down payment.
VA loans are fixed-rate mortgages with 10-, 15-, 20- or 30-year terms.
Most VA loans don’t require a down payment or monthly mortgage insurance premiums. However, they do require a one-time VA funding fee, that ranges from 1.4% to 3.6% of the loan amount.
USDA loan
Minimum credit score: N/A
The U.S. Department of Agriculture guarantees loans for borrowers interested in buying homes in certain rural areas. USDA loans don’t require a minimum down payment, but you have to meet the USDA’s income eligibility limits, which vary by location.
All USDA mortgages have fixed interest rates and 30-year repayment terms.
USDA-approved lenders must pay an up-front guarantee fee of up to 3.5% of the purchase price to the USDA. That fee can be passed on to borrowers and financed into the home loan. If the home you want to buy is within an eligible rural area (defined by the USDA) and you meet the other requirements, this could be a great loan option for you.
What else do mortgage lenders consider?
Your credit score isn’t the only factor lenders consider when reviewing your loan application. Here are some of the other factors lenders use when deciding whether to give you a mortgage.
Debt-to-income ratio — Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is the amount of debt payments you make each month (including your mortgage payments) relative to your gross monthly income. For example, if your mortgage payments, car loan and credit card payments add up to $1,800 per month and you have a $6,000 monthly income, your debt-to-income ratio would be $1,800/$6,000, or 30%. Most conventional mortgages require a DTI ratio no greater than 36%. However, you may be approved with a DTI up to 45% if you meet other requirements.
Employment history — When you apply for a mortgage, lenders will ask for proof of employment — typically two years’ worth of W-2s and tax returns, as well as your two most recent pay stubs. Lenders prefer to work with people who have stable employment and consistent income.
Down payment — Putting money down to buy a home gives you immediate equity in the home and helps to ensure the lender recoups their loss if you stop making payments and they need to foreclose on the home. Most loans — other than VA and USDA loans — require a down payment of at least 3%, although a higher down payment could help you qualify for a lower interest rate or make up for other less-than-ideal aspects of your mortgage application.
The home’s value and condition — Lenders want to ensure the home collateralizing the loan is in good condition and worth what you’re paying for it. Typically, they’ll require an appraisal to determine the home’s value and may also require a home inspection to ensure there aren’t any unknown issues with the property.
How is your credit score calculated?
Most talk of credit scores makes it sound as if you have only one score. In fact, you have several credit scores, and they may be used by different lenders and for different purposes.
The three national credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — collect information from banks, credit unions, lenders and public records to formulate your credit score. The most common and well-known scoring model is the FICO Score, which is based on the following five factors:
Payment history (35%) — A history of late payments will drag your score down, as will negative information from bankruptcies, foreclosures, repossessions or accounts referred to collections.
How much you owe (30%) — Your credit utilization ratio is the amount of revolving credit you’re using compared to your total available credit. For example, if you have one credit card with a $2,000 balance and a $4,000 credit limit, your credit utilization ratio is 50%. Credit scoring models view using a larger percentage of your available credit as risky behavior, so high balances and maxed-out credit cards will negatively impact your score.
Length of credit history (15%) — This factor considers the age of your oldest account, newest account and the average age of all your credit accounts. In general, the longer you’ve been using credit responsibly, the higher your score will be.
Types of accounts (10%) — Credit scoring models favor people who use a mix of credit cards, installment loans, mortgages and other types of credit.
Recent credit history (10%) — Lenders view applying for and opening several new credit accounts within a short period as a sign of financial trouble and it’ll negatively impact your score.
What Fico Score is Used for a Mortgage Loan Approval
Which Lenders Use Which FICO Scores?
With the exception of the mortgage market, which is heavily regulated, lenders can generally choose which FICO score they use when doing a credit check. However, they tend to use certain versions depending on the kind of credit for which you’re applying. Here’s a look at the most common FICO scores used for each type of credit.
Mortgages
When you’re taking out a mortgage, there’s a good chance that the loan will end up being bought by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As with many other aspects of the housing market, these massive government-backed mortgage companies dictate which FICO scores can be used by home lenders. Here are the FICO scores used in credit reports generated by the three credit bureaus (as well as the alternative names the bureaus use to advertise them):9
Experian: FICO Score 2 (Experian/Fair Isaac Risk Model V2SM)
The reason mortgage lenders use older FICO Scores is because they don’t have a choice. They are essentially forced to use them.
Unlike every other industry, mortgage lenders don’t have the flexibility to choose the scoring model brand or generation they want to use. Mortgage lenders must follow the direction of the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as it pertains to scoring models.
The GSEs play an important role in mortgage lending. These publicly traded companies buy mortgages from banks, bundle them together, and sell them to investors. This frees up funds so that banks can offer new mortgages to additional homebuyers.
For a bank to sell a mortgage to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, the loan has to meet certain guidelines. Some of these guidelines require borrowers to have a minimum credit score under specific FICO Score generations.
If a lender uses a different scoring model other than what the GSEs approve when it underwrites a mortgage, it probably won’t be able to sell that mortgage after it issues the loan. This limits the lender’s ability to write new loans because it will have less money available to lend to future borrowers.
Ready to shop around for a mortgage?
Joel Lobb Mortgage Loan Officer Individual NMLS ID #57916
American Mortgage Solutions, Inc. 10602 Timberwood Circle Louisville, KY 40223 Company NMLS ID #1364
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, Title 18, United States Code, §§ 2510-2521. This e-mail and any attached files are deemed privileged and confidential, and are intended solely for the use of the individual(s) or entity to whom this e-mail is addressed. If you are not one of the named recipient(s) or believe that you have received this message in error, please delete this e-mail and any attached files from all locations in your computer, server, network, etc., and notify the sender IMMEDIATELY at 502-327-9770. Any other use, re-creation, dissemination, forwarding, or copying of this e-mail and any attached files is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Receipt by anyone other than the named recipient(s) is not a waiver of any attorney-client, work product, or other applicable privilege. E-mail is an informal method of communication and is subject to possible data corruption, either accidentally or intentionally. Therefore, it is normally inappropriate to rely on legal advice contained in an e-mail without obtaining further confirmation of said advice.
What credit score do you need for a mortgage in Kentucky for FHA, VA, USDA and Fannie Mae Home Loans?
There’s no universal minimum credit score needed for a mortgage, but a better credit score will give you more options.
If you’re trying to get a mortgage, your credit score matters. Mortgage lenders use credit scores — as well as other information — to assess your likelihood of repaying a loan on time.
Because credit scores are so important, lenders set minimum scores you must have in order to qualify for a mortgage with them. Minimum credit score varies by lender and mortgage type, but generally, a higher score means better loan terms for you.
Let’s look at which loan types are best for different credit scores.
Credit score needed to buy a house
Mortgage lending is risky, and lenders want a way to quantify that risk. They use your three-digit credit score to gauge the risk of loaning you money since your credit score helps predict your likelihood of paying back a loan on time. Lenders also consider other data, such as your income, employment, debts and assets to decide whether to offer you a loan.
Different lenders and loan types have different borrower requirements, loan terms and minimum credit scores. Here are the requirements for some of the most common types of mortgages.
Conventional loan
Minimum credit score: 620
A conventional loan is a mortgage that isn’t backed by a federal agency. Most mortgage lenders offer conventional loans, and many lenders sell these loans to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac — two government-sponsored enterprises. Conventional loans can have either fixed or adjustable rates, and terms ranging from 10 to 30 years.
You can get a conventional loan with a down payment as low as 3% of the home’s purchase price, so this type of loan makes sense if you don’t have enough for a traditional down payment. However, if your down payment is less than 20%, you’re required to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI), which is an insurance policy designed to protect the lender if you stop making payments. You can ask your servicer to cancel PMI once the principal balance of your mortgage falls below 80% of the original value of your home.
FHA loan
Minimum credit score (10% down): 500
Minimum credit score (3.5% down): 580
FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), a part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The FHA incentivizes lenders to make mortgage loans available to borrowers who might not otherwise qualify by guaranteeing the federal government will repay the mortgage if the borrower stops making payments. This makes an FHA loan a good option if you have a lower credit score.
FHA loans come in 15- or 30-year terms with fixed interest rates. Unlike conventional mortgages, which only require PMI for borrowers with less than 20% down, all FHA borrowers must pay an up-front mortgage insurance premium (MIP) and an annual MIP, as long as the loan is outstanding.
VA loan
Minimum credit score: N/A
VA loans are mortgages backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA guarantees loans made by VA-approved lenders to qualifying veterans or service members of the U.S. armed forces, or their spouses. This type of loan is a great option for veterans and their spouses, especially if they don’t have the best credit and don’t have enough for a down payment.
VA loans are fixed-rate mortgages with 10-, 15-, 20- or 30-year terms.
Most VA loans don’t require a down payment or monthly mortgage insurance premiums. However, they do require a one-time VA funding fee, that ranges from 1.4% to 3.6% of the loan amount.
USDA loan
Minimum credit score: N/A
The U.S. Department of Agriculture guarantees loans for borrowers interested in buying homes in certain rural areas. USDA loans don’t require a minimum down payment, but you have to meet the USDA’s income eligibility limits, which vary by location.
All USDA mortgages have fixed interest rates and 30-year repayment terms.
USDA-approved lenders must pay an up-front guarantee fee of up to 3.5% of the purchase price to the USDA. That fee can be passed on to borrowers and financed into the home loan. If the home you want to buy is within an eligible rural area (defined by the USDA) and you meet the other requirements, this could be a great loan option for you.
What else do mortgage lenders consider?
Your credit score isn’t the only factor lenders consider when reviewing your loan application. Here are some of the other factors lenders use when deciding whether to give you a mortgage.
Debt-to-income ratio — Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is the amount of debt payments you make each month (including your mortgage payments) relative to your gross monthly income. For example, if your mortgage payments, car loan and credit card payments add up to $1,800 per month and you have a $6,000 monthly income, your debt-to-income ratio would be $1,800/$6,000, or 30%. Most conventional mortgages require a DTI ratio no greater than 36%. However, you may be approved with a DTI up to 45% if you meet other requirements.
Employment history — When you apply for a mortgage, lenders will ask for proof of employment — typically two years’ worth of W-2s and tax returns, as well as your two most recent pay stubs. Lenders prefer to work with people who have stable employment and consistent income.
Down payment — Putting money down to buy a home gives you immediate equity in the home and helps to ensure the lender recoups their loss if you stop making payments and they need to foreclose on the home. Most loans — other than VA and USDA loans — require a down payment of at least 3%, although a higher down payment could help you qualify for a lower interest rate or make up for other less-than-ideal aspects of your mortgage application.
The home’s value and condition — Lenders want to ensure the home collateralizing the loan is in good condition and worth what you’re paying for it. Typically, they’ll require an appraisal to determine the home’s value and may also require a home inspection to ensure there aren’t any unknown issues with the property.
How is your credit score calculated?
Most talk of credit scores makes it sound as if you have only one score. In fact, you have several credit scores, and they may be used by different lenders and for different purposes.
The three national credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — collect information from banks, credit unions, lenders and public records to formulate your credit score. The most common and well-known scoring model is the FICO Score, which is based on the following five factors:
Payment history (35%) — A history of late payments will drag your score down, as will negative information from bankruptcies, foreclosures, repossessions or accounts referred to collections.
How much you owe (30%) — Your credit utilization ratio is the amount of revolving credit you’re using compared to your total available credit. For example, if you have one credit card with a $2,000 balance and a $4,000 credit limit, your credit utilization ratio is 50%. Credit scoring models view using a larger percentage of your available credit as risky behavior, so high balances and maxed-out credit cards will negatively impact your score.
Length of credit history (15%) — This factor considers the age of your oldest account, newest account and the average age of all your credit accounts. In general, the longer you’ve been using credit responsibly, the higher your score will be.
Types of accounts (10%) — Credit scoring models favor people who use a mix of credit cards, installment loans, mortgages and other types of credit.
Recent credit history (10%) — Lenders view applying for and opening several new credit accounts within a short period as a sign of financial trouble and it’ll negatively impact your score.
Ready to shop around for a mortgage?
Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer Individual NMLS ID #57916
American Mortgage Solutions, Inc. 10602 Timberwood Circle Louisville, KY 40223 Company NMLS ID #1364
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, Title 18, United States Code, §§ 2510-2521. This e-mail and any attached files are deemed privileged and confidential, and are intended solely for the use of the individual(s) or entity to whom this e-mail is addressed. If you are not one of the named recipient(s) or believe that you have received this message in error, please delete this e-mail and any attached files from all locations in your computer, server, network, etc., and notify the sender IMMEDIATELY at 502-327-9770. Any other use, re-creation, dissemination, forwarding, or copying of this e-mail and any attached files is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Receipt by anyone other than the named recipient(s) is not a waiver of any attorney-client, work product, or other applicable privilege. E-mail is an informal method of communication and is subject to possible data corruption, either accidentally or intentionally. Therefore, it is normally inappropriate to rely on legal advice contained in an e-mail without obtaining further confirmation of said advice.
Kentucky First-Time Homebuyer Loan Programs for FHA, VA, KHC and USDA Mortgage Loans in Kentucky 