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

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

How long is my pre-approval good for on a Kentucky Mortgage Loan?

Shopping for a Kentucky Mortgage Loan?

1. Mortgage Rates Change

Just like the stock market, mortgage rates change throughout the day. Mortgage rates you see today may not be available tomorrow. If you are in the market for a mortgage loan, be sure to check the current rates being offered by lenders. If you have already done your research and have found your dream home consider locking in your rate as soon as possible.

2. Different Lenders Charge Different Fees

Don’t expect every lender to charge the same fees for a mortgage loan. Every lender structures their fees differently, which is why it is important to shop with at least 3 lenders to compare. Next time you apply for a mortgage loan pay attention to the rates, points being charged and closing costs.

3. Lenders Can Sell Your Loan to Another Bank

Many borrowers have experience getting a mortgage loan with a certain lender only to find out that the loan has been sold to another bank. This occurs because lenders need to free up their liabilities in order to make room to give out more loans. This does not affect your mortgage whatsoever, but it’s important to pay close attention to your mortgage statement and any correspondence you receive in the mail to make sure you do not make payments to the wrong bank.

4. Your Middle Credit Score Matters

When you apply for a mortgage loan, the lender will pull your credit scores from three credit bureaus (Transunion, Equifax and Experian) to help them determined if you are credit worthy. Your middle score of the three is what lenders will use for loan qualification. However, the underwriter will review all three scores as part of the loan underwriting process. If you pull your own credit score through a website online, the credit scores displayed to you may be different than what lenders use because they use different reporting systems.

5. You Can Refinance Your Home Loan Anytime

You can refinance your mortgage anytime, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Think about why you want to refinance. Is because you want to lower your monthly payments, to change the type of loan you are in or to take cash out from your equity? Whatever the reason is, make sure that it makes financial sense.

6. You Can Get a Mortgage Loan After a Foreclosure

Many homeowners have experienced a foreclosure after the recent mortgage crisis. There is good news for these borrowers because they can get a mortgage loan after foreclosure. There are waiting periods involved, for example, to apply for an FHA loan you must wait three years after foreclosure to apply. If you want to get a conventional loan the waiting period is seven years from foreclosure. For those seeking a VA loan, the waiting period is two-years.

There are exceptions to the waiting periods, but you have to show the lender that your foreclosure was caused by an event outside your control, such as losing your job or being seriously ill.

8. Good Credit Allows you to Get Better Mortgage Rates

Good credit scores mean a better rate in any type of loan, especially a mortgage loan. Your credit heavily impacts the type mortgage loan you will qualify for. To maintain a good credit report, make sure you monitored it closely. One of the advantages to good credit is that more banks will want to compete for your business, therefore giving you leverage to negotiate the closing costs.

9. Know Your Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

Knowing your APR will allow you see the true cost of your loan. While the interest rate shows the annual cost of your loan, the APR includes other fees such as origination points, admin fees, loan processing fees, underwriting fees, documentation fees, private mortgage insurance and escrow fees.

There may be more or less fees included in the ARP from what we mentioned. To be sure what fees are included in the APR, ask your lender to give you a breakdown of the closing costs included.

10. You Can Always Reduce Closing Costs

One way to reduce closing costs is to have the sellers contribute towards the closing costs when purchasing your home. This can be negotiated between the buyer and the sellers in the purchase contract. The amount the seller can contribute will depend on the type of loan. Another way to save on closing costs is to have the lender give you a credit to cover out of pocket loan costs.

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

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Kentucky First Time Home Buyer Mortgage Guide

There are several alternative mortgage options
available if you don’t have a down payment,
haven’t established a strong credit history,
or are unable to supply documentation for a
“traditional” mortgage. Some options include:

DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE (DPA) by KHC

These programs often come from states and
municipalities allowing you to purchase a
home with a smaller down payment. Many
DPA programs come in the form of a repayable
second mortgage or a deferred or forgiven
grant

Kentucky FHA (FEDERAL HOUSING ADMINISTRATION)

An FHA loan is insured by the Federal
Housing Administration and is ideal for low-
or moderate-income individuals or families,
or borrowers with past credit problems or
limited down payment resources.

FHA loans are popular for Kentucky first-time home buyers because they
offer down payment options as low as 3.5% and
an upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP)
financed into your loan amount. 100% of the
money needed at closing is allowed to be a gift.

FHA also allows a “streamline” refinance when
rates go down to lower your interest rate.

Kentucky VA (VETERAN’S ADMINISTRATION)

If you have served or are currently serving in
the U.S. military, we thank you for your service!
The VA loan program offers low rates and low-
or no-money-down payment options. VA loans
do not require mortgage insurance, and also
offer a low-cost Interest Rate Reduction Loan
(IRRL) program allowing you to refinance and
lower your mortgage payment. The maximum
VA loan amount varies, so check with your
Mortgage Professional for
up-to-date information.

Kentucky USDA Mortgage Loans

If you plan to live in a more rural area, the USDA
(United States Department of Agriculture) has
a variety of loans to help low- or moderate
income individuals and families buy, repair
or renovate a home. USDA loans often carry
lower interest rates and do not require a cash
down payment. Not all properties qualify, so
check with your

KENTUCKY HOME PURCHASE DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

l. INCOME
SALARY/HOURLY
„„ Most recent 30 days of pay stubs
„„ Last 2 years of W2s
„„ Most recent tax return (pages 1 and 2)
SELF EMPLOYED (all schedules)
„„ 2 years personal tax returns
„„ 2 years business tax returns
„„ P&L and balance sheet through most recent
quarter (FHA & Jumbo required)
OTHER (Social Security/Pension/Annuity)
„„ 2 years 1099s
„„ Awards letter

ASSETS (every page)

„„ Most recent 2 months bank statements
„„ Most recent quarterly statement for 401K,
Retirement, Profit Sharing accounts

PROPERTY

„„ Purchase Contract: disclosures, addendums,

copy of Earnest Money check

„„ Homeowner’s Insurance: Agent name and

MISCELLANEOUS (if applicable)
„„ Divorce Decree
*These documents may
„„ Child support order
upon receipt of fully ex
„„ Bankruptcy documents with discharge
„„ VA: Certificate of Eligibility (COE) / DD-214 Papers

OTHER PROPERTIES OWNED:
„„ Mortgage Statement
„„ Proof of Insurance
„„ Proof of any association fees

GIFT LETTER:
„„ Evidence of transfer/deposit (Conventional)
„„ Evidence of transfer/deposit and document donor ability to gift (FHA)

THE 8 STEPS OF HOMEOWNERSHIP
There are several events that will occur throughout your new home purchase process.
This guide will help you fully understand the process to eliminate stress:

1. Save for Down Payment & Credit Scores
2. Apply for Pre-Approval
3. Determine Housing Criteria & Neighborhood
4. Hire an Agent & Start Your Home Search
5. Complete the Loan Application
6. Move Through the Loan Process
7. Set a Closing Date
8. Understand Monthly Mortgage Payments
   STEP 1: SAVE FOR
   DOWN PAYMENT & CREDIT SCORES
   Buying a home requires some upfront cash, including your down payment and closing costs.
   Financial experts typically recommend a down payment of 20% of the purchase price. However,
   you can purchase a home with a down payment as little as 0-3% of the purchase price.
   While you’re working on saving for your down payment, keep an eye on your credit score. Your
   credit score is a number that indicates how much of a credit risk you pose when you borrow
   money and helps determine your interest rate. Typically, the higher your score, the lower your rate.
   There are three different credit scores agencies: Equifax (BEACON),
   Experian (FICO Risk Model), and TransUnion (FICO Risk Score, Classic).
   Credit scores range from 300-850. Each credit reporting agency gives
   you different scores, but all three should be pretty similar.
   Your credit score is divided into five factors:
   10%
   10%
   35%
   „„ Payment History……………………………………………………. 35%
   „„ Amounts Owed……………………………………………………… 30%
   „„ Length of Credit History………………………………………. 15%
   „„ Inquiries……………………………………………………………………. 10%
   „„ Type of Credit Used………………………………………………. 10%
   15%
   30%
   Often, when you’re shopping for a mortgage, you may look for the best rate from multiple lenders.
   Each lender may pull your credit report which is typically bad for your score. However, credit
   reporting agencies distinguish a single loan search from a search for many new credit lines by the
   length of time the inquiries occur. Avoid lowering your score by completing your rate shopping
   within a short period of time, such as 14 days.

Joel Lobb (NMLS#57916)

Senior Loan Officer

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle Suite 3
Louisville, KY 40223

Company ID #1364 | MB73346

Text/call 502-905-3708

kentuckyloan@gmail.com

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation, or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for a loan, please contact us at 502-905-3708.

Disclaimer: No statement on this site is a commitment to make a loan. Loans are subject to borrower qualifications, including income, property evaluation, sufficient equity in the home to meet Loan-to-Value requirements, and final credit approval. Approvals are subject to underwriting guidelines, interest rates, and program guidelines and are subject to change without notice based on applicant’s eligibility and market conditions. Refinancing an existing loan may result in total finance charges being higher over the life of a loan. Reduction in payments may reflect a longer loan term. Terms of any loan may be subject to payment of points and fees by the applicant Equal Opportunity Lender. NMLS#57916http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/

NMLS Consumer Access for Joel Lobb

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Joel Lobb, American Mortgage Solutions (Statewide)

Joel has worked with KHC for 12 of his 20 years in the mortgage lending business. Joel said, “A lot of my clients would not have been able to purchase a home of their own or possibly delayed their purchase due to lack of down payment but with the $6,000 DAP loan program, this gets them into a house sooner and starts their path to homeownership while building equity instead of throwing their money away.”

When you’re ready to purchase a home in Joel’s area, contact him at:
Phone: 502-905-3708
Email: Kentuckyloan@gmail.com
Website: www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com

Mortgage Rates Drop for Fourth Straight Week for Kentucky Mortgage Loans

30 year and 15 year fixed rate Mortgage Loans in Kentucky

Mortgage rates continue to decline while lowering borrowing costs for home buyers this spring.

“Mortgage rates fell for the fourth consecutive week and continued the medium-term trend of lower rates since late 2018,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “The drop in mortgage rates is causing purchase demand to rise, and the mix of demand is skewing to the higher end as more affluent consumers are typically more responsive to declines in rates.”

Freddie Mac reports the following national averages with mortgage rates for the week ending May 23:

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.06%, with an average 0.5 point, falling from last week’s 4.07% average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 4.66%.
• 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.51%, with an average 0.4 point, falling from a 3.53% average last week. A year ago, 15-year rates averaged 4.15%.
• 5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 3.68%, with an average 0.4 point, rising from last week’s 3.66% average. A year ago, 5-year ARMs averaged 3.87%.

Source:

Freddie Mac

The decrease is particularly enticing to higher-end buyers who are rushing to lock in the low rates.

Source: Mortgage Rates Drop for Fourth Straight Week

Kentucky First Time Home Buyer Questions to Ask Your Lender?

 

Kentucky First Time Home Buyer Questions to Ask Your Lender?

∘ 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 640 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 640 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 620 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 Grants are all available to Kentucky First Time Home buyers if you qualify for them. Ask your loan officer about these programs
∘ 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 kinda 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 $400-$450 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joel Lobb
Senior  Loan Officer

(NMLS#57916)

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.

10602 Timberwood Circle, Suite 3

Louisville, KY 40223

text or call my phone: (502) 905-3708
email me at kentuckyloan@gmail.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 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). Mortgage loans only offered in Kentucky.

All loans and lines are subject to credit approval, verification, and collateral evaluation and are originated by lender. Products and interest rates are subject to change without notice. Manufactured and mobile homes are not eligible as collateral.

 

 

 

 

 

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