Tag: credit scores va loan

What is the minimum credit score I need to qualify for a Kentucky FHA, VA, USDA and KHC Conventional mortgage loan?


What is the minimum credit score I need to qualify for a Kentucky mortgage currently?

Question:
What is the current minimum credit scores needed to qualify for a Kentucky mortgage Loan?
Answer:
The minimum credit score needed to qualify for a Kentucky mortgage depends on the type of loan program you are looking to obtain, this could be the reason that you have received conflicting answers.
The most common types of mortgage are Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, and KHC mortgage loans in Kentucky. I’ll explain each briefly below and the minimum credit score needed to qualify for each loan program. Keep in mind these are continuously changing and can vary by lender do to credit overlays.
Kentucky Conventional or Fannie Mae  
Conventional loans make up the majority of mortgages in the US. They are also known as conforming loans, because they conform to specific guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
  • Minimum Credit Score is 620
  • What Are the Conforming Loan Limits for 2024?
    Property Type Minimum Conforming Loan Limit Maximum Conforming Loan Limit
    One-unit $766,550 $1,149,825
    Two-unit $981,500 $1,472,250
    Three-unit $1,186,350 $1,779,525
    Four-unit $1,474,400 $2,211,600

  • You can use a conventional loan to buy a primary residence, second home, or rental property
  • Conventional loans are available in fixed rates, adjustable rates (ARMs), and offer many loan terms usually from 10 to 30 years
  • Down payments as low as 3% and 5% depending on Home Ready or straight conventional loan.
  • No monthly mortgage insurance with a down payment of at least 20%
  • Max Debt to Income Ratio of 50%
KENTUCKY FHA MORTGAGE
An FHA loan is a mortgage issued by federally qualified lenders and insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). FHA loans are designed for low-to-moderate income borrowers who are unable to make a large down payment.
  • Minimum Credit Score is 500 with at least 10% down
  • Minimum Credit Score is 580 if you put less than 10% down
  • The maximum loan amount varies by Geographical Area, for 2024 is  $498,257
  • Upfront and Monthly Mortgage Insurance is required regardless of the Loan to Value
  • FHA Loans are only available for financing primary residences
  • Maximum Debt to Income Ratio of 50% (unless mitigating factors justify allowing a higher DTI) up to 57% in some instances with strong compensating factors.
KENTUCKY USDA RURAL HOUSING LOAN 
    • 100% Financing
    • Cities and towns located outside metro areas-see link (https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do?pageAction=sfp
    • Do NOT have to be a Kentucky First Time Home Buyer
    • No Down Payment
    • 30 year low fixed rate loans
    • No Prepayment Penalty
    • Great Low FIXED Interest Rates
    • No max loan limits, just income limits
    • Possible to Roll Closing Costs into Loan if Appraises Higher
    • No Cash Reserves Required
    • UNLIMITED Seller Contribution toward Closing Costs
    • 100% Gifted Closing Costs allowed
    • Primary Residents only (no rentals/investment properties)
    • Debt to income ratios no more than 45% with GUS approval and 29 and 41% with a manual underwrite.
    • Only Need a 580 Credit Score to Apply*** Most USDA loans need a 620 or score higher to get approved through their automated underwriting system called GUS. 640 usually required for an automated approval upfront.
    • No bankruptcies (Chapter 7) last 3 years and no foreclosure last 3 years. If Chapter 13 bankruptcy possible to go on after 1 year
     
  • KENTUCKY VA Mortgage
  • 100% Financing Available up to qualifying income and entitlement
  • Must be eligible veteran with Certificate of Eligibility. We can help get this for veterans or active duty personnel.
  • No Down Payment Required
  • Seller Can Pay ALL Your Closing Costs
  • No Monthly Mortgage Insurance
  • Minimum 580 typically Credit Score to Apply–VA does not have a minimum credit score but lenders will create credit overlays to protect their interest.
  • Active Duty, Reserves, National Guard, & Retired Veterans Can Apply
  • No bankruptcies or foreclosures in last 2 years and a clear CAVIRS
  • Debt to income ratios vary, but usually 55% back-end ratio with a fico score over 620 will get it done on qualifying income and if it is a manual underwrite, 29% and 41% respectively
  • Can use your VA loan guaranty more than once, and in some cases, can have two existing VA loans out at they same time. Call or email for more info on this scenario.
  • Cost of VA loan appraisal in Kentucky now costs a  minimum $605 with a termite report needed on all purchase and refinance transactions unless a condo.
  • 2 year work history needed on VA loans unless you can show a legitimate excuse, ie. off work due to injury, schooling, education etc.
  • You cannot use your GI Bill for income qualifying for the mortgage payment.
KENTUCKY HOUSING DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE 100 FINANCING 

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Down Payment:  There are still housing programs that exist for Kentucky home buyers whereas you can purchase a home with no down payment. You will need a 620 mid credit score to purchase a home using the KHC loan programs for their no down payment credit requirements.

How the Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) Works

 Down payment assistance loans are available up to $10,000 and is paid back over a period of ten years at a current rate of 3.75%.

Regular DAP

  • Purchase price up to $481,176 with Secondary Market​ or Mortgage Revenue Bond (MRB) income limits.
  • Assistance in the form of a loan up to $10,000 in $100 increments.
  • Repayable over a 10-year term at 3.75 percent.
  • Available to all KHC first-mortgage loan recipients
If you have questions about qualifying as first time home buyer in Kentucky, please call, text, email or fill out free prequalification below for your next mortgage loan pre-approval.

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 views of my employer. Not all products or services mentioned on this site may fit all people

What credit score do you need for a mortgage?

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

Text/call: 502-905-3708

email: kentuckyloan@gmail.com

https://kentuckyloan.blogspot.com/

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.

MINIMUM CREDIT SCORES REQUIRED FOR KENTUCKY FHA, VA, USDA MORTGAGE LOANS


KENTUCK YFHA/VA/USDA LENDER
FHA 620+ MIN FICO –
 NO OVERLAYS!!!!

FHA CREDIT SCORES IN KENTUCKY CURRENTLY
· Minimum credit score
· 620 AUS approved
· 640 manual
· Non-Credit Qualifying Streamline refinances allowed
· Gift funds allowed for down payment and closing costs
· Cash out 80% LTV

VA CREDIT SCORES IN KENTUCKY CURRENTLY
· Minimum credit score
· 620 AUS approved
· 640 manual/640 High BA
· Cash-out up to 90% LTV
· Foreclosure/Short Sale/Bankruptcy <2 years allowed with AUS Approval

USDA CREDIT SCORES IN KENTUCKY CURRENTLY
· Minimum credit score: 640
· 100% maximum LTV
· Manual Underwrites
· No maximum loan amount
· USDA Streamlined, Streamlined-Assist, and Rate/Term refinances allowed

Louisville Kentucky Mortgage Lender for FHA, VA, KHC, USDA and Rural Housing Kentucky Mortgage: WHAT IS THE MINIMUM CREDIT SCORE FOR A KENTUCKY FHA MORTGAGE HOME LOAN APPROVAL?

What are the Kentucky FHA Credit Score Requirements for 2020 Mortgage Loan Approvals?


If you are looking to refinance your mortgage loan, you’ll want to be prepared to meet your lender’s criteria and educate yourself about your FICO® Scores as they are the credit scores most commonly used in the mortgage refinancing process.

As there are different versions of the FICO Score, it’s important that you focus on the FICO Score versions used in mortgage lending. It’s highly likely that the following FICO Score versions will be pulled on all mortgage loan applicants and from all three credit bureaus:

FICO Score 5 based on Equifax data
FICO Score 2 based on Experian data
FICO Score 4 based on TransUnion data
You can access the scores along with the top reasons why the scores are not higher at myFICO. Focusing your credit actions on these top reasons could help you to understand your scores and gain access to more attractive rates.

You can now focus on those mortgage-related versions in your FICO Score explanation report with confidence knowing they are the same versions your mortgage lender will likely access in the refinance loan review process.

1. Based on $300,000 mortgage loan with fixed interest rate of 4.5% and 30-yr term

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Louisville Kentucky Mortgage Loans

via What are the Kentucky FHA Credit Score Requirements for 2020 Mortgage Loan Approvals?

If you are looking to refinance your mortgage loan, you’ll want to be prepared to meet your lender’s criteria and educate yourself about your FICO® Scores as they are the credit scores most commonly used in the mortgage refinancing process.

As there are different versions of the FICO Score, it’s important that you focus on the FICO Score versions used in mortgage lending. It’s highly likely that the following FICO Score versions will be pulled on all mortgage loan applicants and from all three credit bureaus:

FICO Score 5 based on Equifax data
FICO Score 2 based on Experian data
FICO Score 4 based on TransUnion data
You can access the scores along with the top reasons why the scores are not higher at myFICO. Focusing your credit actions on these top reasons could help you…

View original post 60 more words

HOW DO I GET MY CREDIT SCORE THAT MATTERS


Source: HOW DO I GET MY CREDIT SCORE THAT MATTERS

 

What factors influence how long it takes to repair your credit?

When a new client comes into our office to first go over their credit repair plan, they always ask the question, “How long will it take to bring my score back up?”

Of course, it’s an important thing to know, but the answer has a lot to do with a multitude of factors. The good news is that you can control most of these factors by employing a responsible and effective credit repair with Blue Water Credit. Together, we can make sure that we bring your FICO to top form as quickly as possible!

Before we dig into these factors, let’s take a look at what we do know for sure. According to Vantage Score, here are some general timelines for how long it typically takes to improve your credit score after certain events or items report. Of course, individual cases may vary.

 

Applying for new credit

Average recovery time: 3 months

Negative impact on your credit score: Light

 

Closing an existing account

Average recovery time: 3 months

Negative impact on your credit score: Light

 

Maxing out your credit card

Average recovery time: 3 months

Negative impact on your credit score: Medium

 

Missing payments/defaulting

Average recovery time: 18 months

Negative impact on your credit score: Heavy

 

Chapter 7 or 11 Bankruptcy

Average recovery time: 6-7 years

Negative impact on your credit score: Heavy

 

Here are some factors that help determine the timeframe for credit repair:

 

  1. The severity of the damage

Of course, different negative items that hit your credit report hold different weight, lowering your score accordingly. For instance, one late payment on a credit card will ding your score far less than a collection, foreclosure, or bankruptcy. The bigger the damage to your score, the longer it may take to bring it back up to your previous high.

 

  1. How you handle your credit repair (and WHO is handling it!)

Fixing your credit is all based on disputing negative items, duplicates, incorrect information, mistakes, and anything else that’s acting like an anchor. The process involves writing and submitting formal dispute letters, and you have to do that with each of the credit bureaus for each negative item you want to flag. Once those disputes are registered, the credit bureaus are mandated to get back to you within a certain timeframe, either with evidence that the credit item is accurate, or to remove it. Therefore, you need to be incredibly organized, diligent, and persistent when handling your credit repair in order for it to move as quickly and efficiently as possible. Too many people try to do it on their own, only to fall off very quickly and see no progress (or even hurt their credit more!) Using a reputable and established credit repair company like Blue Water Credit is the best path to a better credit score!

 

  1. How many accounts you need to repair

If you have one negative account on your report, you’ll probably be able to repair your credit and improve your score much faster than if you have two, five, or even ten negative items to dispute. Not only is it more work, but we may have to resubmit dispute letters more than once for some accounts, which stretches out the timeline.

 

  1. Your credit score when you start

The higher your score when the negative reporting hits, the more difficult it is to recover, and therefore takes longer.) FICO offers some useful information regarding how long it may take to rebuild your credit score based on where it started:

 

Late payment on mortgage

Starting score:

780 FICO 3-7 years

720 FICO 3 years

680 FICO 9 months

 

Short sale of home

Starting score:

780 FICO 7 years

720 FICO 7 years

680 FICO 3 years

 

Foreclosing on home

Starting score:

780 FICO 7 years

720 FICO 7 years

680 FICO 3 years

 

Chapter 7 or 11 Bankruptcy

Starting score:

780 FICO 7 to 10 years

720 FICO 7 to 10 years

680 FICO 5 years

 

  1. Doing everything right during the process

You may think it goes without saying, but you’ll have to make manage your credit correctly during the repair process to avoid adding any other black marks on your report. For instance, you should pay all of your payments on time without fail and avoid maxing out credit cards or opening new accounts that may hurt you. Why is this so important? These days, identity theft, data hacks, and financial fraud affects about one out of every seven people, so you’ll want to monitor your credit and protect your score from sinking like a stone because of foul play.

 

  1. Your ability (and desire) to pay down debt

Your credit utilization makes up about 30% of your FICO score, which is just the ratio of debt you owe versus your total available balance (second only to payment history at 35%). So, you should pay down your credit cards and revolving accounts, optimally to about 10% of your total balance if you want to improve your score (but at least below 30%). However, be careful not to pay off certain accounts completely, close older accounts that are helping you, or pay off collections – all of which will hurt your score.

 

  1. Adding new positive tradelines

When we open some credit files, we see that consumers actually need more credit. Keeping a good mix of revolving, installment, and mortgage debts accounts for about 10% of your score, so we will advise you what you need to optimize that factor and improve your score as quickly as possible. Additionally, some people who have seen their score bottom out need to add new accounts using secured credit cards just to get started and become creditworthy again.

More Information below about Credit Scores and Qualifying for a Mortgage Loan in Kentucky below:

 

see links

 

 


I can answer your questions and usually get you pre-approved the same day. 


Call or Text me at 502-905-3708 with your mortgage questions.
Email Kentuckyloan@gmail.com








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


 
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). I lend in the following states: Kentucky