Conventional vs. FHA vs. VA loans in Kentucky
I will outline below the credit score, loan limits, down payment and mortgage insurance requirements for FHA, VA and Conventional Mortgage Loans in Kentucky!
Upfront funding fee of 1.4% to 3.6% |
I specialize in Kentucky First Time Homebuyers FHA, VA, USDA & Rural Housing, KHC and Fannie Mae mortgage loans. I have helped over 1300 Kentucky families buy their first home or refinance their current mortgage for a lower payment; Kentucky First time buyers we still how available down payment assistance with KHC. Free Mortgage applications/ same day approvals. Web site is not endorsed by the FHA, VA, USDA govt agency. Text/call 502-905-3708 kentuckyloan@gmail.com NMLS 57916 NMLS 1738461
Conventional vs. FHA vs. VA loans in Kentucky
I will outline below the credit score, loan limits, down payment and mortgage insurance requirements for FHA, VA and Conventional Mortgage Loans in Kentucky!
Upfront funding fee of 1.4% to 3.6% |
✓ | Verification of Foster-Care Income |
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Verify the foster-care income with letters of verification from the organizations providing the income. | |
Document that the borrower has a two-year history of providing foster-care services. If the borrower has not been receiving this type of income for two full years, the income may still be counted as stable income if
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Different loan programs have different rules for foster care income. Below is a comparison table summarizing how each major loan type treats this income, plus their documentation and gross-up allowances:
Loan Program | Use of Foster Care Income | Required History | Continuance Required | Documentation Needed | Gross-Up (Non-Taxable) |
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FHA (HUD) | Allowed if stable and ongoing. Counts in DTI. | 2 years providing care. Less if strong case rarely. | Must be “reasonably likely to continue” (no fixed 3-year proof, just no evidence of stopping). | Letter from agency verifying 2-year history & payments. | Up to 15% increase (if tax-free). |
Conventional (Fannie Mae) | Allowed if stable. Counts in DTI. | 2 years history OR 12+ months if ≤30% of total income. | No need to document 3-year continuance explicitly. | Letters from paying organization verifying income. | Up to 25% increase (standard for non-taxable income). |
Conventional (Freddie Mac) | Allowed if stable. Counts in DTI. | 2 years consistent receipts (no short history exception mentioned). | Should likely continue 3+ years (no lender proof required unless doubts). | Agency letters; potentially proof of continued foster placement if available. | Up to 25% increase (standard for non-taxable income). |
USDA (Rural) | Not allowed as qualifying income for loan repayment. | N/A – income not counted. | N/A – income not counted. | N/A – they exclude foster payments entirely. | N/A (income can’t be used, so gross-up doesn’t apply). |
VA (Veterans) | Not counted toward DTI; used only to offset foster care expenses. | No specific requirement (generally needs consistent history if considered for offset). | N/A for DTI (but must show current foster placement to offset dependents). | Possibly agency letter if using to offset residual requirement. | Generally 25% if used for ratios (but main income listed as net). |
Legend: DTI = Debt-to-Income ratio (used for loan qualifying ratios).
It’s generally the stipend paid by a state or county agency to you for providing care to a foster child or adult. This income is typically non-taxable (it won’t show up on your tax returns). Lenders can count it only if it’s stable and likely to continue, and they may even “gross it up” (increase it) since it’s tax-free.
History of Income: Most programs want a track record (often 12–24 months) of you providing foster care and receiving payments.
Documentation: You’ll need official verification, usually letters from the agency that pays you.
Continuance: Lenders want to know the income is likely to keep coming. Some require proof it will continue for 3 more years, while others are satisfied if no evidence suggests it will stop.
Portion of Total Income: If foster payments are a small part of your total income, some rules are more flexible. For example, Fannie Mae will allow just 12 months of history if foster income is ≤30% of your total income.
Loan Type | Agency | Minimum History | Continuance | Documentation | Additional Notes |
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VA, USDA | N/A | Not Allowed | N/A | N/A | Foster income cannot be considered for qualification. |
Conventional | Freddie Mac | 2 years | 3 years likely | 1099s for 2 years, 24-month average for calculation | Must be from state/county-sponsored organization. |
Conventional, FHA | Fannie Mae | 12 months (if ≤30% of total gross income) or 2 years | Likely to continue | Letter from organization, verification of 2 years receipt | If 12 months, income must not exceed 30% of total gross income for qualification. |
FHA | N/A | 24 months (averaged like commission) or 2 years | Likely to continue | Letter from organization, verification of receipt, state agency guidelines, age of children | Same as Fannie Mae for 12 months/2 years, must verify stability and continuance. |