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
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.
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
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%.
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
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 620 to 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 620 to 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, USDA, 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 you know! The max house payment you would qualify would be the $890, because it is the lowest payment of the two ratios.
10 mortgage facts will give you an advantage when shopping for a home loan in KY!
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.
What income can be used for a Mortgage Loan Approval in Kentucky?
Income is one of the most important variables a lender will examine because it is used to repay the loan. Income is reviewed for the type of work, length of employment, educational training required, and opportunity for advancement. An underwriter will look at the source of income and the likelihood of its continuance to arrive at a gross monthly figure.
Salary and Hourly Wages – Calculated on a gross monthly basis, prior to income tax deductions.
Part-time and Second Job Income – Not usually considered unless it is in place for 12 to 24 straight months. Lenders view part-time income as a strong compensating factor.
Commission, Bonus and Overtime Income – Can only be used if received for two previous years. Further, an employer must verify that it is likely to continue. A 24-month average figure is used.
Retirement and Social Security Income – Must continue for at least three years into the future to be considered. If it is tax free, it can be grossed up to an equivalent gross monthly figure. Multiply the net amount by 1.20%.
Alimony and Child Support Income – Must be received for the 12 previous months and continue for the next 36 months. Lenders will require a divorce decree and a court printout to verify on-time payments.
Self Employment Income – Lenders are very careful in reviewing self-employed borrowers. Two years minimum ownership is necessary because two years is considered a representative sample. Lenders use a 2-year average monthly income figure from the Adjusted Gross Income on the tax returns. A lender may also add back additional income for depreciation and one-time capital expenses. Self-employed borrowers often have difficulty qualifying for a mortgage due to large expense write offs. A good solution to this challenge used to be the No Income Verification Loan, but there are very few of these available any more given the tightened lending standards in the current economy. NIV loan programs can be studied in the Mortgage Program section of the library.
Real Customer Testimonials
We just moved here the first of January in 2017 from Ohio to the Louisville, KY area and we found Joel’s website online. He was quick to respond to us and got back the same day on our loan approval. He was very knowledgeable about the local market and kept us up-to date throughout the loan process and was a pleasure to meet at closing. Would recommend his services.
Angela Forsythe
“We were searching online for mortgage companies in Louisville, Ky locally to deal with and found Joel’s website, and it was a godsend. He was great to work with, and delivered on everything he said he would do. I ended up referring my co-worker at UPS, and she was very pleased with his service and rates too. Would definitely vouch for him.” September 2016
Monica Leinhardt
“We contacted Joel back in July 2011 to refinance our Mortgage and he was great to work with. We contacted several lenders locally and online, and most where taking almost 60 days to close a refinance, Joel got it done in 23 days start to finish,I would definitely recommend him. He got us 3.75% with just $900 in closing costs on our FHA Streamline loan.
Kayle Griffin
“Joel is one of the best Mortgage Brokers I have ever worked with in my sixteen years in the real estate and mortgage business.” May 25, 2010
Tim Beck
“Joel has always worked very hard to keep his word and to work out seasonable solutions to difficult problems. He is truly an expert in FHA and other type loans.” September 1, 2010
Nancy Nalley
“I have worked with Joel since 1998. He is a great loan professional.” I refer most of my Louisville, Kentucky area home buyers to him and he always take special care of them. August 23, 2012
Jon ClarK
“Joel Lobb is a real professional in the lending industry, with many years of experience, he is the one to go to for any mortgage lending needs.” August 22, 2011
RICHARD VOLZ , Residential Sales , Remax Foursquare Realty
“When looking to purchase our new home in 2006, I had the pleasure of meeting Joel Lobb. Not only was he personable and easy to reach, he was extremely knowledgable in his field and made sure to find us the best rate and a top notch mortgage company. We were able to complete the process in less than 3 weeks with his expertise. I find Joel to have the utmost high integrity and I recommend him to anyone who say’s they are need of mortgage assistance. He is also fantastic and keeping everyone up to date on the latest in the housing industry through his twitter posts. He provided great results for our family and we still communicate to this day!” August 21, 2010
Stacie Drake
“We first use Joel on our new home purchase in 2007 in St Matthews, Kentucky area and he was great to work with. We have since refinanced our home with him in 2010 when rates got really low and he has always delivered on what he says. I could not imagine using anyone else.”
Melody Glasscock March 2014
Absolutely Amazing!! I emailed Joel after I had just got a denial from a bank and just thought i would try to get some advice on what my next steps would be to get a house. I honestly didn’t expect to even get a reply because my credit is not great. That was about a week and a half ago. I just signed a contract on a house last night. ONLY because of Joel Lobb. He even worked with us throughout the weekend, which shocked me. Best decision I have ever made. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WORKING WITH US THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PROCESS. Cee Bellisle August 2018
Contacted him about buying a home and he was great to work with. I was moving to Louisville Ky to take a new job and he walked me through the entire process. He explained to me all the different options for FHA, VA, USDA mortgage loans and credit score requirements versus Fannie Mae. Since I was a first time home buyer I needed alot of help and guidance. I would definitely recommend him. Fast to respond and available to answer questions that I or my realtor had after hours.
Anderson Johnson April, 2018
We moved from Michigan to Northern Kentucky area and we were really impressed. We got a USDA loan no money down and closed in less than 3.5 weeks. We shopped around online with other lenders but Joel was always first to respond and his rates were just a little better than other lenders. He kept us informed through the process along with our realtor and there was absolutely no surprises like we heard from other co-workers and friends that they experienced in their loan process. We have already referred another co-worker to Joel . He’s AWESOME
Betty Parsons
Wow, what a great loan officer. I was referred to him by our agent and he was great to work with. We used him for a USDA no money down loan in Shelby County and we were really impressed. We were afraid we could not buy a home since we did not have money saved for a down payment, but Joe l was able to get us a zero down loan and we even got our appraisal fee and good faith deposit back at closing. We actually got money back at closing!!! I Can’t think him enough. Our family moved from our apartment in the south end of town to get our own home with 5 acres for our kids and 2 dogs, at a payment that is equal to our rent payment also. .Thanks Again Joel. May god bless you
Patty Locker
We contacted Joel about buying a house on our move from Ohio for my husband’s job transfer with Ford. We put a lot of trust in him since we were new to the area and first time home buyers in the Louisville KY market, and he always delivered on what he said. It took us a while to find a home due to the lack of homes, but once we got one, he was always quick to respond our questions via text or email ,and kept us informed through the process. We got to meet him at the closing and he was super nice and even got us a closing gift for our home which we didn’t expect at all. Super nice guy 😀!!! I would definitely recommend him for a local Home loan in the Louisville area.
Pam Dolby
I got a VA loan with Joel and he was great. He is an ex-army guy so he could relate to my past experiences of being a veteran and moving around the country a lot. I had some credit issues that required a little extra work but Joel was able to find A VA lender to approve my situation as far as having past bad credit problems and a lower credit score. We closed yesterday on our home here in Louisville and we could not be happier. We finally have a home of our own thanks to Joel . I would definitely recommend him for a mortgage loan. Great experience and closed 8 days before expected close date so we were able to move in early.
John Sanger
I contacted Joel about the $10,000 KY Housing Grant last month and we were able to get it and I just closed on my home. He was great to work with and if you are a first time home buyer here in Louisville, I would definitely contact him. I met him at his office and he was very nice and knowledgeable and kept me informed through the process. No surprises either so I was very happy. I am new homeowner thanks to Joel . Chelsea Martin Mortgage Video Below with a Summary of First Time Home Buyer Programs in Kentucky
Mortgage Application Checklist of Documents Needed below 👇
W-2 forms (previous 2 years) Paycheck stubs (last 30 days – most current) Employer name and address (2 year history including any gaps) Bank accounts statement (recent 2 months – all pages Statements for 401(k)s, stocks and other investments (most recent) federal tax returns (previous 2 years) Residency history (2 year history) Photo identification for applicant and co-applicant (valid Driver’s License
Joel Lobb (NMLS#57916)
Senior Loan Officer
American Mortgage Solutions, Inc. 10602 Timberwood Circle Suite 3 Louisville, KY 40223
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/
While Kentucky FHA and conventional, PMI-backed loans are appealing options for cash-strapped buyers, some borrowers may be eligible for mortgages with no down payment at all. The Veterans Affairs, or VA, loan program is one such option, although you have to be a veteran or active member of the military to take advantage (spouses of a service member who died or was disabled while on duty also qualify).
There’s no minimum credit score required to obtain a VA loan, and you don’t have to pay mortgage insurance on the loans, which are backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Instead, borrowers pay a one-time funding fee. You’d pay 2.15 percent of the mortgage amount if your loan covers 100% of the sale, although the fee is lower when you make a down payment.
Like VA loans, those offered by the United States Department of Agriculture also forgo the down payment requirement. Because the program is billed as a way to help families in rural areas, it’s easy to dismiss these loans out of hand. But the reality is, a lot of suburbs fall within the geographical boundaries established by the USDA. In fact, well over 90 percent of the land in the U.S. is eligible (you can do an easy address search here to find out).
As if the zero-down policy wasn’t enough, USDA mortgages also offer attractive interest rates and lower insurance premiums than FHA and conventional loans. You don’t need particularly high credit score to qualify, either – a FICO north of 580 is typically all you need.
But here’s the rub: You do have to meet the program’s goal of serving “low- to moderate-income households.” In practical terms, that means your family can’t bring in more than 115% of the median income in your region. For those who fall within those somewhat narrow guidelines, it’s a tough one to beat.
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/
— Some products and services may not be available in all states. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. The content in this marketing advertisement has not been approved, reviewed, sponsored or endorsed by any department or government agency. Rates are subject to change and are subject to borrower(s) qualification.
USDA Rural Housing Loans in Kentucky Cannot Be Closed Currently!
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will not issue new Kentucky USDA Direct Loans or Kentucky Guaranteed Loans 502.
Current Scheduled closings of Kentucky Direct Rural Housing Loans are being canceled and unless your guarantee was previously issued for a Guaranteed Loan, those may or may not be closed, depending on the lender.
Check with your USDA lender immediately if you’re getting a USDA loan or had planned to use the program to buy a home; you might have to put off your purchase until the shutdown is resolved.
What is Debt to Income Ratio for a mortgage loan approval in Kentucky?
If you are looking to purchase your first home in Kentucky, A key term you will need to know about is your “debt-to-income ratio,” which refers to the figure you get when you add up all your monthly debt payments and then divide that number by your monthly income.
The debt-to-income ratio gives potential mortgage lenders an idea of how much your expenses are each month in comparison to how much you actually earn.
Depending on where you are in the home-buying process, you may have a good idea of where your credit score lands. As important as a strong credit score is, however, a favorable debt-to-income ratio is arguably of equal importance, and it may be just as closely scrutinized by any potential mortgage lenders.
Front-end ratios vs. back-end ratios
When you try and obtain a loan, expect possible lenders to review two types of debt-to-income ratio. The front-end ratio, or “housing” ratio, gives them an idea of what percentage of your monthly income would have to go toward home-related expenses, such as the mortgage, associated taxes and any additional fees, such as homeowner’s association expenditures, that may apply.
The back-end ratio, on the other hand, takes a more cumulative approach and compares your monthly income to all your expenses, from the housing-related ones to school tuition, child support, car payments and any other financial obligations you may have.
What income is used to qualify your debt to income ratios for a Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval?
paystubs
Tips and bonuses
Pension
Child support
Alimony
Social Security
What type of debts are used in your debt to income ratio?
debts listed on credit report
child support payment
alimony payment
house payment to include pi, taxes, home insurance and mi
401k loans against retirement account
Monthly bills such as your current rent, car insurance, cell phone bill, utilities bills are not included in your debt to income ratio to qualify for a new mortgage loan
The ideal debt-to-income ratio for Kentucky FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional Mortgage Loans are as follows below:
The exact percentage your lender will look for will likely vary based on factors such as your credit score, how much you have in your savings account and how much you have to put down for your down payment. Most standard lenders, however, prefer to see something in the ballpark of 31 percent for a front-end ratio. For a back-end ratio, they will likely look for a percentage that does not exceed 45 to 50 percent. Federal Housing Authority lenders typically look for a front-end ratio of about 31 percent and a back-end ratio that does not exceed 55 percent, while conventional loans will center around a back-end ratio of 45% to 50% so you can get mortgage insurance through the private market.
On Kentucky VA loans, I have seen approvals as high as 65% on higher credit scores, but if you have lower credit scores, say under 680, then the debt to income ratio will be lowered to compensate for the risk of a past bad credit history.
On Kentucky USDA Loans, they are much more strict on debt to income ratios whereas they will not go past 45% on the back-end ratio, and usually the front end ratio can be no more than 28%
Higher ratios may be accepted with compensating factors: low loan value, large cash reserves after closing, high credit scores, etc,
What is your debt-to-income ratio?
Commonly referred to as your “DTI,” your debt-to-income ratio is a personal finance benchmark that relates your monthly debt payments to your monthly gross income.
As an example… Let’s say that your gross monthly salary is $5,000 and you are spending $2,800 of it toward monthly debt payments. In that case, your DTI would be an unhealthy 56%.
This version of your DTI is sometimes referred to as your “back-end” DTI. This is often broken down further to give a front-end debt-to-income ratio, which is a component of your back-end DTI.
How to calculate your front-end DTI for a Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval
Your front-end DTI is calculated by dividing your monthly housing costs by your monthly gross income. Front-end DTI for renters is simply the amount paid in rent, whereas for homeowners it is the sum of mortgage principal, interest, property taxes, and home in
Think back to the last time you financed a purchase — be it a home, automobile, or what have you… You may remember having heard the term “debt-to-income ratio.” Today I want to spend some time going over exactly what this ratio is, and to also touch on how it can effect your personal finances.
What is your debt-to-income ratio?
Commonly referred to as your “DTI,” your debt-to-income ratio is a personal finance benchmark that relates your monthly debt payments to your monthly gross income.
As an example… Let’s say that your gross monthly salary is $5,000 and you are spending $2,800 of it toward monthly debt payments. In that case, your DTI would be an unhealthy 56%.
This version of your DTI is sometimes referred to as your “back-end” DTI. This is often broken down further to give a front-end debt-to-income ratio, which is a component of your back-end DTI.
How to calculate your front-end DTI for a Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval
Your front-end DTI is calculated by dividing your monthly housing costs by your monthly gross income. Front-end DTI for renters is simply the amount paid in rent, whereas for homeowners it is the sum of mortgage principal, interest, property taxes, and home insurance (i.e., your PITI) divided by gross monthly income.
From above, if that $2,800 in debt payments is attributable to $1,500 in housing costs and $1,300 in non-housing costs, then your front-end DTI is $1,500/$5,000 = 30% (and your back-end ratio is still 56%, as calculated above).
How lenders use your DTI for a Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval
Kentucky Mortgage lenders typically use DTI (along with other variables) to determine whether or not you qualify for a loan, and to help determine your Kentucky mortgage rate. A high front-end DTI raises red flags with lenders because it is commonly associated with borrower default. In fact, reducing front-end DTI to reduce the risk of homeowner default was one of the main objectives of the loan modification programs introduced by the government in 2009.
There are specific limits for DTI that are used as cut-off points when evaluating borrowers. Current DTI limits for conventional conforming mortgage loans are typically 28% on the front end and 36% on the back end, though these limits are slightly higher for government subsidized Kentucky FHA loans.
Lower a high ratio
Simply put, the most effective way to lower a high debt-to-income ratio and therefore make yourself more appealing to lenders is to pay off some of your debt. If you have a cosigner who may be willing to help you out with a loan, that could serve as an additional method of getting around a high ratio.
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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/
— Some products and services may not be available in all states. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. The content in this marketing advertisement has not been approved, reviewed, sponsored or endorsed by any department or government agency. Rates are subject to change and are subject to borrower(s) qualification.
General Requirement. Standard Income. Minimum of 12 months (may include training or related experience) Overtime or Part-time. Minimum of 2 years. 2nd Job Income. Public Assistance. That it will continue for at least 3 more years. Workers Compensation. That it will continue into the foreseeable future. Seasonal Income. Carefully document the past history and provide evidence that it will continue into the foreseeable future. VA Educational Allowance. Can not be used as a source of income.
Special Funding, for active or non-active duty veterans at a 2 percent interest rate, fixed for 30 years.
Operation KY Home – MRB Special Funding Program
Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) has $3 million available in MRB, Special Funding, for active or non-active duty veterans at a 2 percent interest rate, fixed for 30 years. This special funding program is available on a first-come, first-served basis starting today,Wednesday, September 6, 2017, with new reservations beginning at10 a.m.
This program is targeted to:
Households whose gross annual income does not exceed $40,000.
An existing or new construction property (purchase price limit $130,000).
620 minimum credit score.
FHA, VA or RHS first mortgage options.
Households who include active or non-active duty veterans. Documentation may include but not limited to:
Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
DD214 – Discharge from Active Duty
VA Award Letter
Must meet insuring agency guidelines.
Available statewide.
Both Regular and Affordable DAP are available.
Home Loans for Kentucky’s Military Veterans
Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) has $3 million available in Mortgage Revenue Bond (MRB), special funding, for active or non-active duty veterans at 2 percent interest rate, fixed for 30 years. This special funding program is available on a first-come, first-served basis starting Wednesday, September 6, 2017, with new reservations.
Households whose gross annual income does not exceed $40,000.
An existing or new construction property (purchase price limit $130,000).
620 minimum credit score.
FHA, VA, or RHS first mortgage options.
Households who include active duty or non-active duty veterans. Documentation may include but not limited to:
Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
DD214 – Discharge from Active Duty
VA Award Letter
Must meet insuring agency guidelines.
Available statewide.
Down payment Assistance Programs (DAP) available up to $6,000. Qualifications apply.
How to Apply
For all KHC loans, a home buyer must apply through a KHC-approved lender. We partner with approved lenders across the state to provide you with the best mortgage loan options. By doing this, the buyer will know how much house they can afford based on income and debts. KHC’s loans are subject to certain restrictions that the lender will see if meet the qualifying guidelines. Additionally, the lender will be able to recommend any KHC down payment assistance for which you may qualify.
APR 3.058% – based on $130,000 FHA loan at 2% interest rate.
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.
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.
Kentucky First-Time Homebuyer Loan Programs for FHA, VA, KHC and USDA Mortgage Loans in Kentucky 