How to get approved for a Kentucky Mortgage Loan in 2024


To determine if you can get approved for a Kentucky mortgage, several factors need to be considered, including your credit score, income, employment history, debt-to-income ratio, and down payment. Here’s a general overview of what lenders typically look for:

  1. Credit Scores : Most Kentucky Mortgage  lenders prefer a credit score of 620 or higher for conventional loans. FHA loans may accept lower credit scores, starting around 500, but a higher score (typically 580 or above) can improve your chances and offer better terms.

    Here are the general credit score requirements for FHA, VA, USDA, and Fannie Mae mortgage loans in Kentucky:

    Loan Program Minimum Credit Score Requirement Additional Notes
    FHA Loan 500 to 580 A credit score of 500 to 579 requires a 10% down payment; a score of 580 or higher requires a 3.5% down payment.
    VA Loan No minimum score VA lenders are more flexible with credit scores, but most lenders prefer a score of 620 or higher.
    USDA Loan no minimum score USDA lenders  typically require a minimum credit score of 640 or higher.
    Fannie Mae Loan 620 or higher Fannie Mae loans generally require a credit score of 620 or higher.
  2. Income and Employment History: Lenders evaluate your income stability and 2 year employment history to ensure you have a reliable source of income to make mortgage payments. Consistent employment and sufficient income are crucial.

    Here’s a chart outlining the employment and work history requirements for Kentucky FHA, VA, USDA, and Fannie Mae mortgage loans:

    Loan Program Employment History Work History Guidelines
    Kentucky FHA Loan 2 years of consistent employment with steady income 2 years of stable employment, including gaps explained Employment can include salaried, self-employed, or contract positions. Gaps in employment may require explanations and documentation.
    Kentucky VA Loan Stable income with continuous employment Stable work history with no significant gaps VA loans focus on the stability of income rather than specific employment duration. Military service may fulfill employment requirements.
    Kentucky USDA Loan 2 years of stable employment with reliable income 2 years of continuous employment, including explanations for gaps USDA loans prioritize consistent income and employment history. Gaps may require explanations and additional documentation.
    Fannie Mae Loan 2 years of employment with steady income and job stability 2 years of stable employment, including explanations for gaps Fannie Mae loans emphasize a stable work history with a focus on income stability. Gaps in employment may need explanations and additional documentation.

    These guidelines provide an overview of the employment and work history requirements for FHA, VA, USDA, and Fannie Mae mortgage loans. Lenders may have specific criteria and may consider factors such as income stability, type of employment, gaps in employment, and documentation of income sources. Borrowers should consult with a mortgage professional or lender to understand the detailed employment and work history requirements for their loan application.

  3. Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio: This ratio compares your monthly debt payments to your gross monthly income. Lenders typically prefer a DTI ratio of 31% to 45% on front end ratio and up to 55% on the back-end ratio, although some may accept higher ratios with compensating factors.

    Here’s a chart comparing the debt ratio requirements forKentucky FHA, VA, USDA, and Fannie Mae mortgage loans:

    Loan Program Front-End DTI Ratio Back-End DTI Ratio Guidelines
    Kentucky FHA Loan Up to 45% Up to 56.99% Front-end DTI includes housing-related expenses (mortgage, taxes, insurance). Back-end DTI includes all monthly debts.
    Kentucky VA Loan 41% or higher  41% or higher  VA guidelines do not have specific DTI ratio limits but focus on residual income after accounting for housing and debt costs.
    Kentucky USDA Loan Up to 33% Up to 45% Front-end DTI includes housing expenses. Back-end DTI includes all monthly debts.
    Kentucky Fannie Mae Loan Up to 40% Up to 50% Front-end DTI includes housing expenses. Back-end DTI includes all monthly debts.
  4. Down Payment: The amount of your down payment can also impact your approval chances. A larger down payment can lower your loan-to-value ratio (LTV) and reduce the lender’s risk.

    Here’s a down payment chart for Kentucky  FHA, VA, USDA, and Fannie Mae mortgage loans:

    Loan Program Minimum Down Payment Down Payment Source
    Kentucky FHA Loan 3.5% of purchase price Can be from personal savings or gift funds
    Kentucky VA Loan 0% (No down payment) N/A (VA loans offer 100% financing)
    Kentucky USDA Loan 0% (No down payment) N/A (USDA loans offer 100% financing)

    Kentucky Fannie Mae Loan

    3% to 5% of purchase price Can be from personal savings or gift funds

     

  5. Other Factors: Lenders may also consider your savings and assets, existing debts, credit history, and the type of mortgage you’re applying for (e.g., FHA, VA, USDA, conventional).

To get a more accurate assessment of your mortgage approval chances, it’s best to consult with a mortgage lender or broker. They can review your financial situation, credit history, and specific loan requirements to determine your eligibility and help you navigate the mortgage approval process.

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/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 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).

 

Comparison chart explaining the different credit score requirements for FHA, VA, USDA, and Fannie Mae loans in Kentucky

comparison chart explaining the different credit score requirements for FHA, VA, USDA, and Fannie Mae loans in Kentucky


Here’s a comparison chart explaining the different credit score requirements for FHA, VA, USDA, and Fannie Mae loans in Kentucky for a home loan:

Table

 
Loan Type FHA Loan VA Loan USDA Loan Fannie Mae Loan
Minimum Credit Score 500 (10% down) or 580 (3.5% down) no minimum score no minimum score 620
Down Payment 10% (with credit score 500-579) or 3.5% (with credit score 580+) No down payment required No down payment required Varies based on loan type- 3% minimum

Please note that these are general guidelines and the exact requirements can vary by lender and other factors. It’s always best to consult with a mortgage advisor for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

 
 

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/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 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 Bad Credit Mortgage Lenders


How Credit Scores Affect your Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval Chances


A lot of Kentucky homebuyers are hesitant about having their credit pulled because they think it will go down, whereas in most cases, scores are really the same with most Kentucky mortgage lenders. Below I will try to explain to you what mortgage lenders use for credit qualifying scores and why you may have a different credit score and why some lenders may require a higher score than other lenders.
Lastly, each lender must pull their own credit report and cannot use another lender’s credit report or the consumer’s credit report. I will explain the reasoning below. 
Does shopping around for a mortgage hurt my credit?

No. Within a 45-day window, multiple credit checks from mortgage lenders are recorded on your credit report as a single inquiry. This is because other lenders realize that you are only going to buy one home. 

The impact on your credit is the same no matter how many lenders you consult, as long as the last credit check is within 45 days of the first credit check. Even if a lender needs to check your credit after the 45-day window is over, shopping around is usually still worth it. The effect of an additional inquiry is small, while shopping around for the best deal can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Why do some mortgage lenders require a certain credit score whereas other mortgage lenders may not?

One Word Mortgage Overlays.

Some Kentucky Mortgage lenders will institute a higher credit score than the minimum below to lessen their risk of having to buy the loan back from the government agencies if they get too many mortgage defaults. In order to protect their lending portfolio and hedging their risk, they will require say a 640 credit score or higher for a FHA loan, whereas the guidelines clearly state you can do a FHA loan with a minimum credit score of 580 To understand mortgage overlays, it helps to have a foundation of how the mortgage approval process works. Mortgage lenders always have underwriting guidelines—standards to determine the amount and terms you qualify for.

The credit score minimum guidelines for mortgage programs such as FHA, VA, or USDA are crucial factors to consider when applying for a home loan. Each program has its own set of requirements, with the FHA, for instance, having distinct guidelines that applicants must meet. These guidelines are typically based on the specific program’s criteria and are important for potential homebuyers to understand in order to assess their eligibility for the respective mortgage programs. Understanding these credit score minimum guidelines is essential for individuals seeking to navigate the process of securing a mortgage and purchasing a home.

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Credit Scores for Kentucky Mortgages

What score does the Mortgage Lender Use? Why may it be different than the one you are seeing?

The reason mortgage lenders use older FICO Scores is because they don’t have a choice. They are essentially forced to use them.

For a bank to sell a mortgage to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, FHA VA, USDA, Etc, 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 you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, be aware that the credit score you see on your application might differ slightly from the one you’re used to.

It might even be different than what comes up when you monitor your credit, or even when you apply for a car loan.

Banks use a slightly different credit score model when evaluating mortgage applicants. Below, we go over what you need to know about credit scores you’re looking to buy a home.

The scoring model used in mortgage applications

While the FICO® 8 model is the most widely used scoring model for general lending decisions, banks use the following FICO scores when you apply for a mortgage:

FICO® Score 2 (Experian)
FICO® Score 5 (Equifax)
FICO® Score 4 (TransUnion)

As you can see, each of the three main credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) use a slightly different version of the industry-specific FICO Score. That’s because FICO tweaks and tailors its scoring model to best predict the creditworthiness for different industries and bureaus. You’re still evaluated on the same core factors (payment history, credit use, credit mix and age of your accounts), but the categories are weighed a little bit differently.

The FICO 8 model is known for being more critical of high balances on revolving credit lines. Since revolving credit is less of a factor when it comes to mortgages, the FICO 2, 4 and 5 models, which put less emphasis on credit utilization, have proven to be reliable when evaluating good candidates for a mortgage.

Mortgage lenders pull all three reports, from all three bureaus, but they only use one when making their final decision.

“A bank will use all three bureaus,”— “It’s called a tri-merge.”

If all three of your scores are the same, then their choice is simple. But what if your scores are different?

And if you are applying for a mortgage with another person, such as your spouse or partner, each applicant’s FICO 2, 4 and 5 scores are pulled. The bank identifies the median score for both parties, then uses the lowest of the final two.

Social_Mortgage_Scores.jpg

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/

Here are action steps you can take right now to buy a home in Kentucky in 2024

If you’re planning to buy a home in Kentucky in 2024, here are some essential steps to consider:

1. Focus on improving your credit score to qualify for a mortgage with a low interest rate.
2. Manage your debt-to-income ratio by repaying existing debt, increasing your income, or both.
3. Ensure timely payments on all accounts to maintain a good credit score.
4. Get pre-approved for a mortgage before searching for a home to know your affordability.
5. Keep credit card utilization below 30% and seek down payment assistance programs if needed.


Here are action steps you can take right now to buy a home in Kentucky in 2024

1. Focus on your credit score

FICO credit scores are among the most frequently used credit scores, and range from 350-800 (the higher, the better). A consumer with a credit score of 750 or higher is considered to have excellent credit, while a consumer with a credit score below 620 is considered to have poor credit.

To qualify for a mortgage and get a low mortgage rate, your credit score matters.

Each credit bureau collects information on your credit history and develops a credit score that lenders use to assess your riskiness as a borrower. If you find an error, you should report it to the credit bureau immediately so that it can be corrected.

2. Manage your debt-to-income ratio

Many lenders evaluate your debt-to-income ratio when making credit decisions, which could impact the interest rate you receive.

A debt-to-income ratio is your monthly debt payments as a percentage of your monthly income. Lenders focus on this ratio to determine whether you have enough excess cash to cover your living expenses plus your debt obligations.

Since a debt-to-income ratio has two components (debt and income), the best way to lower your debt-to-income ratio is to:

  • repay existing debt;
  • earn more income; or
  • do both

3. Pay attention to your payments

Simply put, lenders want to lend to financially responsible borrowers.

Your payment history is one of the largest components of your credit score. To ensure on-time payments, set up autopay for all your accounts so the funds are directly debited each month.

FICO scores are weighted more heavily by recent payments so your future matters more than your past.

In particular, make sure to:

  • Pay off the balance if you have a delinquent payment
  • Don’t skip any payments
  • Make all payments on time

4. Get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start shopping for a home loan.

Too many people find their home and then get a mortgage.

Switch it.

Get pre-approved with a lender first. Then, you’ll know how much home you can afford.

To get pre-approved, lenders will look at your income, assets, credit profile and employment, among other documents.

5. Keep credit utilization low on your credit cards

Lenders also evaluate your credit card utilization, or your monthly credit card spending as a percentage of your credit limit.

Ideally, your credit utilization should be less than 30%. If you can keep it less than 10%, even better.

For example, if you have a $10,000 credit limit on your credit card and spent $3,000 this month, your credit utilization is 30%.

Here are some ways to manage your credit card utilization:

  • set up automatic balance alerts to monitor credit utilization
  • ask your lender to raise your credit limit (this may involve a hard credit pull so check with your lender first)
  • pay off your balance multiple times a month to reduce your credit utilization

6. Look for down payment assistance in Kentucky

There are various types of down payment assistance, even if you have student loans.

Here are a few:

  • FHA loans – federal loan through the Federal Housing Authority
  • USDA loans – zero down mortgages for rural and suburban homeowners
  • VA loans – if military service
  • Kentucky Housing Down Payment Assistance of $10,000

There are federal, state and local assistance programs as well so be on the look out.



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

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

Text/call: 502-905-3708

email: kentuckyloan@gmail.com

https://kentuckyloan.blogspot.com