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
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- 4 Things Required for a KY Mortgage Loan Approval
- Credit Scores Required For A Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval in 2025
- Kentucky First-time Home Buyer Programs
- Kentucky FHA Mortgage Information
- Kentucky VA Mortgage Loan Information
- USDA Rural Housing Kentucky Loan Information
- Down Payment Assistance Kentucky 2025 Kentucky Housing Corporation KHC
- Zero Down Kentucky Mortgages
- First-time Home-buyers in Kentucky
- Documents Needed Mortgage Approval in Kentucky
- Free Credit Score For Mortgage Loan Approval
- Do's & Dont's before closing:
- Closing Costs Kentucky Mortgage
- Lock Kentucky Mortgage Loan Rate
- Home Inspections Kentucky Mortgage Loan
- Legal / Privacy Policy / Accessibility Statements
- Testimonials
- Mortgage Calculator
Kentucky FHA Mortgage Information

Kentucky FHA Loan Program
FHA Loan Requirements in Kentucky
Navigating the process of securing an FHA loan in Kentucky can be made simpler with the right information.
Navigating the process of securing an FHA loan in Kentucky can be made simpler with the right information.
Down Payment
Minimum 3.5% Down Payment of purchase price on a 580 credit score or higher
Minimum 10% Down payment on credit scores 500-579
Credit Score
- Borrowers must have a minimum credit score of 500-579 for maximum LTV of 90 percent with a minimum down payment of 10 percent. Most lenders will not go below 580 to 620 score, and very few lenders will go to 580 score. It's best to work on getting your scores up before you apply or work with a loan officer to improve them.
Debt-to-Income Ratio
Front-end: 45% max, Back-end: 50-56.99% max
Work History
2 years consistent employment preferred
Top 3 Benefits of Kentucky FHA Loans
Low Down Payment
Only 3.5% down payment required, which can be gifted from a relative, own funds, 401k, savings and checking account, no cash allowed. Secured asset can be used to borrow off for the donw payment. ie.. car, house, securities,
Flexible Credit
Credit scores as low as 500 with at least 10% down payment or equity position.
Seller-Paid Closing Costs
Sellers can pay up to 6% of the purchase price in closing costs.
FHA Loan Eligibility
Income Requirements
Your debt-to-income ratio must be within the limits of the FHA and your lender. There are both front-end and back-end DTI ratios to be considered. The front-end is capped at 45% and the back-end ratio is limited to 50-56.99% in most cases.
Credit Background
Your credit history will be reviewed, with most weighted over the last 2-3 years. Bankruptcies, foreclosures, collections, and pay history will be reviewed over the last two years.
Down Payment
You must be able to make a down payment and cover closing costs if the seller will not pay for it or it cannot be covered by lender credit. You must have your own down payment. The seller and lender cannot supply you with the down payment requirements for an FHA loan.
Maximum FHA Loan Amounts
County Limits
Maximum loan amount varies by county in Kentucky. All 120 counties have the same approval amount. And there are no income limits on FHA loans, just have to meet debt to income ratio requirement's.
Highest Limit
The highest maximum FHA loan in Kentucky is $524,225- see limits for Kentucky for 2025 below
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/lender/origination/mortgage_limits
Financing Percentage
Maximum financing is 96.5% of appraised value or selling price, whichever is lower.
Down Payment and Closing Costs
Minimum Investment
Buyers must invest at least 3.5% of the sales price for down payment and closing costs. if score is below 580, will need to 10% down payment. Minimum score is 500 for a FHA loan.
Acceptable Sources
Down payment can come from gifts, government agencies, or other approved sources.
Eligible Property Types
Single-Family Homes
Traditional detached houses qualify for FHA loans.
Condos
Approved condominium units are eligible if on HUD approved list. See list below
Multi-Unit Properties
1-4 family residences where the borrower occupies one unit.
Types of FHA Refinance Loans
Rate/Term Refinance
For borrowers with conventional mortgages wanting to switch to an FHA loan.
Cash-Out Refinance
Access home equity for homeowners whose property value has increased.
Streamline Refinance
Minimum Credit Score
General Requirement
A minimum credit score of 500 is required for FHA loans in Kentucky with some lenders requiring a 620. If below 580 and higher than 500, then you will need a 10% down payment.
Lower Score Option
Borrowers with credit scores between 500 and 579 may still qualify with a larger down payment of 10%.
Credit History
The FHA considers your payment history, credit utilization, and other factors when assessing your creditworthiness.
Down Payment Amounts
Standard Down Payment
The standard down payment for FHA loans in Kentucky is 3.5% of the purchase price.
Lower Credit Score
If your credit score falls between 500 and 579, you'll need a 10% down payment.
Gift Funds
Down payment funds can be gifted from family members or other eligible sources.
Debt-to-Income Ratio Limits
Understanding Debt-to-Income Ratio
The debt-to-income (DTI) ratio measures the percentage of your monthly income that goes towards debt payments.
- Mortgage payment
- Credit card payments
- Student loans
- Auto loans
FHA Loan DTI Limit
FHA loans in Kentucky generally have a maximum DTI limit of 50%, which means that your debt payments cannot exceed 50% of your monthly income.
Employment and Income Requirements
Stable Employment
FHA lenders typically require a minimum of two years of consistent employment history.
Verifiable Income
You'll need to provide documentation, such as pay stubs or tax returns, to verify your income.
Self-Employment
If you are self-employed, you may need to provide additional financial documentation, such as tax returns and bank statements.
Property Eligibility Criteria
Property Type | Eligibility |
Single-family homes | Eligible |
Condominiums | Eligible with certain restrictions |
Townhouses | Eligible |
Multi-family units | Not eligible for FHA financing |
Mortgage Insurance Premiums
Annual Premium
You'll pay an annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP) on your FHA loan.
Upfront Premium
An upfront MIP is also required at closing, typically 1.75% of the loan amount.
MIP Duration
The MIP can be paid for the life of the loan or for a set period of time depending on your down payment and loan term.
Applying for an FHA Loan in Kentucky
Credit Check
Your credit history is crucial for FHA loan approval.
Property Appraisal
An appraisal is conducted to determine the fair market value of the property.
Income Verification
You'll need to provide documentation to verify your income.
Loan Underwriting
The lender will review your application and make a decision on your loan.


Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer - Expert on Kentucky Mortgage Loans
Website: www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com
Address: 911 Barret Ave., Louisville, KY 40204
Evo Mortgage
Company NMLS# 1738461
Personal NMLS# 57916
For assistance with Kentucky mortgage loans, reach out via email, call, or text Joel Lobb directly.

How to Qualify For a Kentucky FHA Mortgage Loan
General Kentucky FHA loan requirements include:
- The loan must be for a property used for your primary residence.
- The property must be appraised by an FHA-approved appraiser.
- The property must be safe, sound and secure, in compliance with minimum property standards as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD.
- You must have a valid Social Security number and be a legal resident of the U.S.
- You must have a minimum credit score of 580 with a down payment of at least 3.5 percent, or a minimum credit score of 500 with a down payment of at least 10 percent.
- You may not have delinquent federal debt or judgments, or debt associated with past FHA loans.
- You must have steady employment history.
- You must make a down payment of at least 3.5 percent of the purchase price. If the down payment was gifted by a family member, documentation is required.
- You must have a DTI ratio that does not exceed limits.
- Any judgments or collections on the credit report must be resolved or satisfactorily explained.
- Any required waiting period has passed, as follows:
Event | Waiting period | Waiting period with extenuating circumstances (nonrecurring events beyond your control that result in sudden, significant, prolonged reduction in income or a catastrophic increase in financial obligations) |
Chapter 7 or 11 bankruptcy | Four years | Two years |
Chapter 13 bankruptcy | Two years from discharge, or four years from dismissal | Two years |
Multiple bankruptcies | Five years if more than one filing in last seven years. Most recent bankruptcy must have been caused by extenuating circumstances. | Three years from most recent discharge or dismissal |
Foreclosure | Seven years | Three years, with additional requirements after three years up to seven years: 90 percent maximum loan-to-value purchase, principal residence, limited cash-out refinance |
Deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, preforeclosure sale (short-sale), or charge-off of mortgage account | Four years | Two years |
Debt-to-Income Ratio Limits for Kentucky FHA Loans
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Applications for Kentucky FHA borrowers with lower salaries and higher DTIs are manually underwritten. Manual underwriting means that your lender assigns a person to review your loan application and documents, versus running your information through an automated underwriting system. Manually underwritten FHA loans allow for front- and back-end DTI ratios of up to 40 percent and 50 percent, respectively. To qualify for these higher DTI limits, you will need to meet other requirements.
Mortgage Loan Officer
email: kentuckyloan@gmail.com

How to Qualify For a Kentucky FHA Mortgage Loan

FHA CHANGES TO HANDLING OF COLLECTIONS, JUDGEMENTS AND DISPUTED ACCOUNTS ON CREDIT REPORT
- Applicable to Manually Underwritten Loans: The lender must document reasons for approving a mortgage when the borrower has collection accounts or judgments.
- The borrower's disregard for financial obligations;
- The borrower's inability to manage debt; or
- Extenuating circumstances.
- Applicable to Loans Run Through TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard: TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard Accept/Approve - There are no documentation or letter of explanation requirements for loans with collection accounts or judgments run through TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard receiving an "Accept/Approve" despite the presence of collection accounts or judgments. These accounts have been already taken into consideration in the borrower's credit score. If TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard generates a"Refer," the lender must manually underwrite the loan in accordance with the guidance above applicable to manually underwritten loans with collection accounts and judgments.
- At the time of or prior to closing, payment in full of the collection account (verification of acceptable source of funds required).
- The borrower makes payment arrangements with the creditor. If the borrower has entered into a payment arrangement with the creditor, a credit report or letter from the creditor verifying the monthly payment is required. The monthly payment must be included in the borrower's debt-to-income ratio.
- If evidence of a payment arrangement is not available, the lender must calculate the monthly payment using 5% of the outstanding balance of each collection, and include the monthly payment in the borrower's debt-to-income ratio.
Disputed Derogatory Credit Accounts greater than or equal to $1,000
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If the cumulative outstanding balance of disputed derogatory credit accounts of all borrowers is equal to or greater than $1,000, the mortgage application must be downgraded to a"Refer" and a Direct Endorsement underwriter is required to manually underwrite the loan as described above.
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Disputed Derogatory Credit Accounts less than $1,000
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If the cumulative outstanding balance of disputed derogatory credit accounts of all borrowers is less than $1,000, a downgrade is not required.
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Excluded Accounts
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- disputed charge-off accounts,
- disputed collection accounts, and
- disputed accounts with late payments in the last 24 months.
- disputed accounts with zero balance,
- disputed accounts with late payments aged 24 months or greater, and
- disputed accounts that are current and paid as agreed.
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Fill out my form for mortgage pre-approval by clicking this link!

Mortgage Loans In Kentucky for Conventional, FHA, and VA Mortgages for 2020
- Qualifying credit: 620-740
- Loan terms: 15 or 30 years
- 3% Down Payment minimum
- Qualifying credit: 500 minimum with 10% down payment and 580 score higher 3.5% down payment
- Qualifying credit: No minimum Credit score for va loans
- Outstanding debt---debt ratios usually around 45% on the backend
- Credit background-----looking at last 2-4 years mostly in regards to bankruptcies, foreclosures, short-sales,
- Employment history--2 year work history not really the same job but same line of work and pay being consistent.
