5 POPULAR PROGRAMS THAT KENTUCKY HOME BUYERS USE TO PURCHASE THEIR FIRST HOME.
• At least 3%-5% down
Max Conventional loan limits are set at $647,200 for 2022 in Kentucky
New Income limits for most counties (*) in Kentucky are $91,900 for a 4 unit household and household families of five or more + can make up to $121,300.
The Northern Kentucky Counties (***) of Boon, Kenton, Campbell, Bracken, Gallatin, and Pendleton are $99,250 for a household of four or less and up to $130,000 for a family of five or more.
Remember, Jefferson County Kentucky, Fayette County Kentucky are not eligible for USDA loans.
There is no max USDA loan limit.
Maximum FHA loan limits in Kentucky are set at $420,680 for 2022…If you are looking at a larger loan amount, then you would need to look at doing a conventional loan which has a max loan amount of $647,200.00
VA Funding Fee
Generally, all Veterans using the VA Home Loan Guaranty benefit must pay a funding fee. This reduces the loan’s cost to taxpayers considering that a VA loan requires no down payment and has no monthly mortgage insurance. The funding fee is a percentage of the loan amount which varies based on the type of loan and your military category, if you are a first-time or subsequent loan user, and whether you make a down payment. You have the option to finance the VA funding fee or pay it in cash, but the funding fee must be paid at closing time.
You do not have to pay the fee if you are a:
- Veteran receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability, OR
- Veteran who would be entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability if you did not receive retirement or active duty pay, OR
- Surviving spouse of a Veteran who died in service or from a service-connected disability
The funding fee for second time users who do not make a down payment is slightly higher. Also, National Guard and Reserve Veterans pay a slightly higher funding fee percentage. As of January 1, 2020, the Blue Water Navy Veterans Act will impact the funding fee percentages depending on your category of service and loan type, please review the following to determine the path most beneficial to you moving forward:
FUNDING FEE TABLES The VA funding fee is calculated as a percentage of the total loan amount. It must be paid or rolled into the loan at closing time. VA strongly recommends that you verify with your lender that the funding fee matches your military service. In Public Law 116-23, Congress has established rates for loans closed on or after January 1, 2020, and before January 1, 2022 at the levels listed below: Purchase and Construction Loan Note: Reduced fees only apply to purchase loans with a down payment of at least 5 percent.
* If the Veteran’s only prior use of entitlement was for a manufactured home loan, the higher subsequent use fee does not apply.
** Active Duty includes Reserves and National Guard ordered to active service that meets the eligibility requirements for their era of service (https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/purchaseco_eligibility.asp). Active service does NOT include active duty for training.
Note: A list of Tribes participating in the NADL Program is at https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/nadl_mou.asp
The following do NOT pay the VA funding fee:
• Veteran receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability;
• Veteran entitled to receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability, but receives retirement pay or active service pay;
• Surviving spouse of a Veteran who died in active service or from a service-connected disability;
• Servicemember on Active Duty who provides, on or before date of loan closing, evidence of having been awarded the Purple Heart.
VA requires 2 years removed from bankruptcy or foreclosure.
Kentucky Down Payment Assistance
Kentucky Down payment assistance loans are available up to $7,500 for Mortgage
KHC recognizes that down payments, closing costs, and prepaids are stumbling blocks for many potential home buyers. Here are several loan programs to help.
Regular DAP
- Purchase price up to $346,644 with Secondary Market.
- Assistance in the form of a loan up to $7,500 in $100 increments.
- Repayable over a 10-year term at 3.75 percent.
- Available to all KHC first-mortgage loan recipients.
Affordable DAP
- Purchase price up to $346,644 with Secondary Market.
- Assistance up to $7,500.
- Repayable over a 10-year term at 1.00 percent.
- Borrowers must meet Affordable DAP income limits.
MORE ABOUT DOWN PAYMENT AND CLOSING COSTS
- No liquid asset review and no limit on borrower reserves.
- Specific credit underwriting standards may apply to down payment programs.
SECONDARY MARKET FUNDING SOURCE
- First-time and repeat homebuyers statewide
- 30-year fixed interest rate
- Principal residence ONLY
- Purchase Price Limit: $346,644
- Borrower must meet KHC’s Secondary Market Income Limits
- Minimum credit score of 660
- 3 percent down payment
- Monthly mortgage insurance (charter coverage)
- All KHC DAPs applicable
- No minimum borrower contribution
- No reserves required
- 80 percent AMI income
- Minimum credit score of 660
- 3 percent down payment
- Monthly mortgage insurance (standard coverage)
- All KHC DAPs applicable
- No minimum borrower contribution
- No reserves required
- Secondary Market Income limits apply
- Insured by the Federal Housing Administration
- 3.5 percent down payment
- All KHC DAPs applicable
- Upfront and monthly mortgage insurance
- Minimum credit score of 620
Refinance Options (Available only through Secondary Market)
- Credit qualifying Streamline Refinance and Rate/Term Refinance
- Insured by the Federal Housing Administration
- Cash back to borrower not to exceed $500
- Upfront and monthly mortgage insurance
- Minimum credit score of 620
- Guaranteed by the Veterans Administration for qualified military veterans
- No down payment if the property appraises for the sales price or greater
- All KHC DAPs applicable
- Minimum credit score of 620
- No monthly mortgage insurance payments
Refinance Options (Available only through Secondary Market)
- VA IRRRL
- 620 minimum credit score
- No appraisal required
- 30-year term
- VA existing loan
- Guaranteed by Rural Housing Services (RHS)
- Home must be located in a rural area as defined by RHS
- No down payment if the property appraises for the sales price or greater
- All KHC DAPs applicable
- Upfront and monthly mortgage insurance
- Minimum credit score of 620
Refinance Options (Available only through Secondary Market)
- RHS Streamlined-Assist Refinance Program
- 620 minimum credit score
- No appraisal required
- Must have made timely mortgage payments for the last 12 months
- 30-year term
- RHS existing 502 guaranteed loan
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?
∘ DOES IT COSTS ANYTHING TO GET PRE-APPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE LOAN?
∘ HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET APPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE LOAN IN KENTUCKY?
∘ ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL PROGRAMS IN KENTUCKY THAT HELP WITH DOWN PAYMENT OR NO MONEY DOWN LOANS FOR KY FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS?
∘ WHEN CAN I LOCK IN MY INTEREST RATE TO PROTECT IT FROM GOING UP WHEN I BUY MY FIRST HOME?
∘ HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED TO PAY TO CLOSE THE LOAN?
HOW LONG IS MY PRE-APPROVAL GOOD FOR ON A KENTUCKY MORTGAGE LOAN?
HOW MUCH MONEY DO I HAVE TO MAKE TO QUALIFY FOR A MORTGAGE LOAN IN KENTUCKY?
Customer Testimonials
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!
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 definetly recommend him. He got us 3.75% with just $900 in closing costs on our FHA Streamline loan.Kayle Griffin
“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
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
Text/call 502-905-3708
kentuckyloan@gmail.com