Different Types of Kentucky Home Loans

Understanding the Four Main Mortgage Loan Programs in Kentucky

When securing a mortgage loan in Kentucky, your loan will likely be backed by one of four major agencies: FHA, VA, USDA, or Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac (conventional loans). Each program has unique benefits and qualifications, tailored to different types of borrowers. Here's a breakdown to help you determine which program might be the best fit for you.

Conventional Loan

• At least 3%-5% down

• Closing costs will vary on which rate you choose and the lender. Typically, the higher the rate, the lesser closing costs due to the lender giving you a lender credit back at closing for over par pricing. Also, called a no-closing costs option. You have to weigh the pros and cons to see if it makes sense to forgo the lower rate and lower monthly payment for the higher rate and less closing costs.

Fico scores needed start at 620, but most conventional lenders will want a higher score to qualify for the 3-5% minimum down payment requirements Most buyers using this loan have high credit scores (over 720) and at least 5% down.

The rates are a little higher compared to FHA, VA, or USDA loan but the mortgage insurance is not for life of loan and can be rolled off when you reach 80% equity position in home.

Conventional loans require 4-7 years removed from Bankruptcy and foreclosure.

Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Program

If you meet income eligibility requirements and are looking to settle in a rural area, you might qualify for the KY USDA Rural Housing program. The program guarantees qualifying loans, reducing lenders’ risk and encouraging them to offer buyers 100% loans. That means Kentucky home buyers don’t have to put any money down, and even the “upfront fee” (a closing cost for this type of loan) can be rolled into the financing.

Fico scores usually wanted for this program center around 620 range, with most lenders wanting a 640 score so they can obtain an automated approval through GUS. GUS stands for the Guaranteed Underwriting system, and it will dictate your max loan pre-approval based on your income, credit scores, debt to income ratio and assets.

They also allow for a manual underwrite, which states that the max house payment ratios are set at 29% and 41% respectively of your income.

They loan requires no down payment, and the current mortgage insurance is 1% upfront, called a funding fee, and .35% annually for the monthly mi payment. Since they recently reduced their mi requirements, USDA is one of the best options out there for home buyers looking to buy in an rural area.

A rural area typically will be any area outside the major cities of Louisville, Lexington, Paducah, Bowling Green, Richmond, Frankfort, and parts of Northern Kentucky.

There is a map link below to see the qualifying areas.

USDA requires 3 years removed from bankruptcy and foreclosure.

There is no max USDA loan limit.

Kentucky FHA Loan

FHA loans are good for home buyers with lower credit scores and no much down, or with down payment assistance grants. FHA will allow for grants, gifts, for their 3.5% minimum investment with a 580-credit score or higher. And will go down to a 500-credit score with 10% down payment.

The current mortgage insurance requirements are kind of steep when compared to USDA, VA, but the rates are usually good so it can counteract the high mi premiums. As I tell borrowers, you will not have the loan for 30 years, so don’t worry too much about the mi premiums.

The mi premiums are for life of loan like USDA.

FHA requires 2 years removed from bankruptcy Chapter 7 and 1 year from a Chapter 13 plan and 3 years removed from foreclosure.

Kentucky VA Loan

VA loans are for veterans and active-duty military personnel. The loan requires no down payment and no monthly mi premiums, saving you on the monthly payment. 

It does have a funding fee like USDA, but it is higher starting at 2.3% for first time use, and 3.6% for second time use. The funding fee is financed into the loan, so it is not something you have to pay upfront out of pocket.

VA loans can be made anywhere, unlike the USDA restrictions, and there is no income household limit and NO max loan limits in Kentucky 

Most VA lenders I work with will want a 580-credit score even though VA does not require a minimum credit score per se on their written guidelines.

VA requires 2 years removed from bankruptcy or foreclosure.

Kentucky Down Payment Assistance

This type of loan is administered by KHC in the state of Kentucky. They typically have $10,000 down payment assistance year around, that is in the form of a second mortgage that you pay back over 10 years.

Sometimes they will come to market with other down payment assistance and lower market rates to benefit lower income households with not a lot of money for down payment.

KHC offers FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional loans with their minimum credit scores being set at 620 for all programs. The conventional loan requirements at KHC requires 660 credit score.

The max debt to income ratios is set at  50% respectively.

1 -  Email - kentuckyloan@gmail.com 

2.   Call/Text - 502-905-3708

Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer - Expert on Kentucky Mortgage Loans

 Website: www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com
 Address: 911 Barret Ave., Louisville, KY 40204

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Evo Mortgage
Company NMLS# 1738461
Personal NMLS# 57916

For assistance with Kentucky mortgage loans, reach out via email, call, or text Joel Lobb directly.

Medical Debt Collections being Removed from Credit Reports

Medical Collections on Credit Report

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finalized a rule January 7, 2025 that will remove $49 billion in medical debt from credit reports, helping 15 million Americans! 

Here’s what’s changed: 

• Medical bills are no longer on credit reports – They won’t hurt your score anymore. 
• Lenders can’t use medical info in loan decisions. 
• Credit scores could rise – Many people will see a boost of points
•  More mortgage approvals

1 -  Email - kentuckyloan@gmail.com 

2.   Call/Text - 502-905-3708

Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer - Expert on Kentucky Mortgage Loans

 Website: www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com
 Address: 911 Barret Ave., Louisville, KY 40204

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Evo Mortgage
Company NMLS# 1738461
Personal NMLS# 57916

For assistance with Kentucky mortgage loans, reach out via email, call, or text Joel Lobb directly.

Kentucky Local Home Loan Lender Services

 First-Time Home Buyers Welcome
 FHA, Rural Housing (USDA), VA, and Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) Loans
 Conventional Loan Options Available
 Fast Local Decision-Making
 Experienced Guidance Through the Home Buying Process

How does consumer credit counseling effects things on a Kentucky FHA or USDA loan in Kentucky ?

 KENTUCKY FHA GUIDELINES FOR CONSUEMR CREDIT COUNSELING

(J) Credit Counseling/Payment Plan (APPROVE/ELIGIBLE)Participating in a consumer credit counseling program does not require a downgrade to a manual underwriting.No explanation or other documentation is needed.

 

(K) Credit Counseling/Payment Plan (MANUAL UW) Participating in a consumer credit counseling program does not disqualify a Borrower from obtaining an FHA-insured Mortgage, provided the Mortgagee documents that:

• one year of the payout period has elapsed under the plan;
• the Borrower’s payment performance has been satisfactory and all required payments have been made on time; and
• the Borrower has received written permission from the counseling agency to enter into the mortgage transaction.

 

 

KENTUCKY RURAL HOUSING USDA GUIDELINES FOR CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELING 

CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELING - DEBT MANAGEMENT PLANS

Credit counseling provides guidance and support to consumers which may include assistance to negotiate with creditors on behalf of the borrower to reduce interest rates, late fees, and agree upon a repayment plan. The credit score will reflect the degradation of credit due to participation in this plan. Credit accounts that are included in the repayment plan may continue to report as delinquent or as late pays. This is typical and will not be considered as recent adverse credit. Lenders must retain documentation to support the accounts included in the debt management plan and the applicable monthly payment. Lenders must include the monthly payment amount due for the counseling plan in the monthly liabilities. GUS Accept/Accept with Full Documentation files: No credit exception is required. GUS Refer, Refer with Caution, and manually underwritten files: The following must be documented and retained in the lender’s permanent loan file: •One year of the payment period of the debt management plan has elapsed; •All payments have been made on time; and •Written permission from the counseling agency to recommend the applicant as acandidate for a new mortgage loan debt. •No credit exception is required

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Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer

Individual NMLS ID #57916

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.

10602 Timberwood Circle 

Louisville, KY 40223

Company NMLS ID #1364

click here for directions to our office

Text/call:      502-905-3708

fax:            502-327-9119
email:          kentuckyloan@gmail.com

https://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/

Disputes on Credit Report and Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval?

Applying for a Kentucky Mortgage Soon?

Don't Dispute that Account

     Sounds counterintuitive, I'm sure ...

     But until you've talked to me (or your own local Mortgage Originator), don't even think about disputing an account found on your Credit Report.

     Why?  Unknowingly, you can be creating real problems for your Mortgage Application and Approval. 

     Consider this:  A creditor can refuse to change their disputed rating.  Too many disputed accounts on a Credit Report may result in your loan being denied.

     Is that a really a risk you want to run at such an important time?

     A formal dispute placed on a car loan, student loan, credit card, collection ... or even worse, a mortgage loan ... can cause havoc for your new Mortgage Application.  So ...

     Slow down.  Contact me ... and let's talk.  We'll analyze all your options and see what action is appropriate and in your best interest.  

     What is not commonly known:  Credit Bureaus and Automated Underwriting systems now reflect an evolution that has taken place over the last few years regarding credit disputes.  

     Both the Bureaus and Underwriting systems have been re-worked to recognize disputes as a negative impact and rating on a Borrower's "approvability" or "credit-worthiness".  

     But these changes have taken place without much fanfare and public recognition.  And because of that, hopeful Borrowers have all too often been contributing to the issues faced within their Mortgage Process later.     

     Prospective Mortgage Applicants (and the public in general) must be educated to this fact.  The temptation to dispute an account must be avoided, if hoping to finance a home via a Mortgage Loan soon.       

     If a Creditor offers-up a path to formally dispute your account ... just say no!  At least prior to our talking.

     There may be a better course of action available to you.  During our conversation we'll weigh your options and best course as it pertains to your Mortgage and your Approval.  

     But providing solid, written proof and evidence regarding your stance on the account in question, WITHOUT placing a formal "dispute" on said account is often the most prudent course of action ... 

     Remember:  You must have legitimate data and written proof in order to accomplish your goal successfully.  But when you have that proof, your account can be "re-rated" or the derogatory rating can be deleted from your Credit Report. 

     Any "correction" should come from the Creditor (Credit Card company/bank/etc.) and immediately sent to each of the 3 Credit Bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax).  

     This final step trips-up way too many, as it's assumed that the Creditor(s) will share the new updated information with the 3 Credit Bureaus.  They may or may not.  

     Bottomline:  It remains YOUR responsibility to inform each of the 3 Bureaus.  

     Play it safe and follow through with this important task, as it's in your best interest to see that it's successfully done.   

     When a correction is reported to the Bureaus, they will, in turn, update your Credit Report.  While each case is different (and I do not represent that all results will be successful or as hoped for) ... you may head off potential issues with your Mortgage Approval by acting pro-actively.  Consult with a Credit Repair Specialist if uncertain of corrective steps to be taken.

     In the modern Mortgage Process, the experience level of the Mortgage Originator you choose can't be understated.  Successful navigation through the steps of addressing credit disputes and credit analysis is just one example of this fact.

Equifax, Experian and TransUnion will also no longer include medical collection debt under at least $500 on credit reports

 Consumer Reporting Agencies to Remove Most Medical Debt From Credit Reports

The three nationwide credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, announced that effective July 1, 2022, they will no longer include medical debt that was paid after it was sent to collections on consumer credit reports.

The companies’ CEOs provided a joint statement on the decision to change their approach to medical collection debt reporting:

“Medical collection debt often arises from unforeseen medical circumstances. These changes are another step we’re taking together to help people across the United States focus on their financial and personal wellbeing,” said Mark W. Begor, CEO Equifax; Brian Cassin, CEO Experian; and Chris Cartwright, CEO TransUnion. “As an industry we remain committed to helping drive fair and affordable access to credit for all consumers.”

The time period before unpaid medical collection debt would appear on a consumer’s report will be increased from 6 months to one year, according to a press release, “giving consumers more time to work with insurance and/or healthcare providers to address their debt before it is reported on their credit file.”

In the first half of 2023, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion will also no longer include medical collection debt under at least $500 on credit reports.

The changes will remove nearly 70% of medical debt in collections accounts from consumer credit reports.

How do collections and charge offs on the credit report affect a Kentucky VA Mortgage Loan Approval?

In order to get approved for a Kentucky VA loan with outstanding collections and charge offs listed on

the credit report, the VA underwriter will want to know the following about them:

Collections & Charge Offs are two different things.  Below is what VA saying about them:

 

Collection Accounts

Isolated collection accounts do not necessarily have to be paid off as a condition for loan approval. A credit report may show numerous satisfactory accounts and one or two unpaid medical (or other) collections. In such instances, while it would be preferable to have collections paid, it would not necessarily be a requirement for loan approval.

However, collection accounts must be considered part of the borrower's overall credit history and unpaid collection accounts should be considered open, recent credit.

Borrowers with a history of collection accounts should have re-established satisfactory credit in order to be considered a satisfactory credit risk.

While VA does not require that collection accounts be paid-off prior to closing if the borrower's overall credit is acceptable, an underwriter must address the existence of the collection account(s) with an explanation on VA Form 26-6393, Loan Analysis, for excluding the negative credit history they represent.

If the collection account is listed on the credit report with a minimum payment, then the debt should be recognized at the minimum payment amount.

Charged off Accounts

These accounts are typically collections in which the creditor is no longer pursuing collection of the account. The underwriter must address the circumstances regarding the negative credit history when reviewing the overall credit of the borrower(s).

 

 
2 different topics best if you can send me credit to review. 

 

·         Charged off accounts generally ignored

·         Collection accounts on Federal debt are a big issue so we careful there

·         Collections not required to be paid off unless they are extremely high

·         Manual Underwrite we do require an LOE from Veteran for collections

·         What happened, what they did to resolve, what are they doing in the future to either resolve or to prevent this from happening and finally if they are going to enter into a payment plan or not.  Ultimately on the resolution of the collection the UW does not care but VA requires that as part of LOE.

 

Hope this helps send me credit for full evaluation.

 

The VA underwriter will want to verify the Kentucky Mortgage Veteran has the ability to pay these items or will want to know how they were paid off before closing.

Any collection or charge off showing as a judgement or lien on the VA mortgage applicant's credit report, must be paid before closing. These affect the title and must be paid before the mortgage is recorded.

Joel Lobb (NMLS#57916)
Senior  Loan Officer
502-905-3708 cell
kentuckyloan@gmail.com
http://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/

This website is not affiliated with any government agencies, including the VA. NMLS ID #57916 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)

FHA CHANGES TO HANDLING OF COLLECTIONS, JUDGEMENTS AND DISPUTED ACCOUNTS ON CREDIT REPORT

FHA CHANGES TO HANDLING OF COLLECTIONS

AND DISPUTED ACCOUNTS

FHA recently released Mortgagee Letters 2013-24 and 2013-25, to amend guidance on collections and disputed accounts and to clarify guidance on judgments. These changes will become effective for all case numbers assigned on or after October 15, 2013. This will apply to all FHA programs, with the exception of non-credit qualifying streamline refinances and Home Equity Conversion Mortgages. The changes are found below. Should you have any questions, please contact your Account Manager.

1.           Credit Analysis of Collections and Judgments. Collections and judgments may indicate a borrower's disregard for credit obligations and must be considered in the creditworthiness analysis. The guidance below applies to loans with collection accounts and all judgments. Medical collections and charge off accounts are excluded from this guidance.

• Applicable to Manually Underwritten Loans: The lender must document reasons for approving a mortgage when the borrower has collection accounts or judgments.

Regardless of the amount of outstanding collection accounts or judgments, the lender must determine if the collection account or judgment was a result of:

• The borrower's disregard for financial obligations;
•  The borrower's inability to manage debt; or
• Extenuating circumstances.

The borrower must provide a letter of explanation with supporting documentation for each outstanding collection account and judgment. The explanation and supporting documentation must be consistent with other credit information in the file.

• 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. 

All medical collections and charge off accounts are excluded from this guidance and do not require resolution.

2.           Capacity Analysis of Collections and Judgments.

Collections - FHA does not require collection accounts to be paid off as a condition of mortgage approval. However, FHA does recognize that collection efforts by the creditor for unpaid collections could affect the borrower's ability to repay the mortgage. To mitigate this risk, FHA is requiring a capacity analysis of collection accounts with an aggregate balance equal to or greater than $2,000, as described below.

If the total outstanding balance of all collection accounts for all borrowers is equal to or greater than $2,000, the lender must perform a capacity analysis as detailed below. Unless excluded under state law, collection accounts of a non-purchasing spouse in a community property state are included in the cumulative balance.

All medical collections and charge off accounts are excluded from this guidance and do not require resolution.

Capacity analysis includes any of the following actions:

• 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.

TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard Accept/Approve/Refer - Regardless of the Accept/Approve/Refer recommendation by TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard, the lender must include the payment amount in the calculation of the borrower's debt-to-income ratio.

               Judgments - FHA requires judgments to be paid off before the mortgage loan is eligible for FHA insurance. An exception to the payoff of a court ordered judgment may be made if the borrower has an agreement with the creditor to make regular and timely payments. The borrower must provide a copy of the agreement and evidence that payments were made on time in accordance with the agreement, and a minimum of three months of scheduled payments have been made prior to credit approval.

Borrowers are not allowed to prepay scheduled payments in order to meet the required minimum of three months of payments. Furthermore, lenders are instructed to include the payment amount in the agreement in the calculation of the borrower's debt-to-income ratio.

FHA requires judgments of a non-purchasing spouse in a community property state to be paid in full, or meet the exception guidance for judgments above, unless excluded by state law.

    3.           Handling of Disputed Accounts - The existence of potentially inaccurate information on a borrower's credit report resulting in a dispute must be reviewed by an underwriter. Accounts that appear as disputed on the borrower's credit report are not considered in the credit score utilized by TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard in rating the application. Therefore, FHA requires the lender to consider them in the underwriting analysis as described below.

With this ML, FHA is revising policy on manual downgrades for applications with disputed accounts to reflect the risk associated with derogatory and non-derogatory disputed accounts for factors such as age and size of outstanding balance.

Disputed Derogatory Accounts Indicated on the Credit Report - If the credit report utilized by TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard indicates that the borrower is disputing derogatory credit accounts, the borrower must provide a letter of explanation and documentation supporting the basis of the dispute. The lender must analyze the documentation provided for consistency with other credit information in the file to determine if the derogatory credit account should be considered in the underwriting analysis.

Guidance for TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard Accept/Approve loans with disputed accounts.

Disputed Derogatory Credit Accounts greater than or equal to $1,000	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.
Disputed Derogatory Credit Accounts less than $1,000	If the cumulative outstanding balance of disputed derogatory credit accounts of all borrowers is less than $1,000, a downgrade is not required.
Excluded Accounts	Disputed medical accounts are excluded from the $1,000 limit and do not require documentation. Disputed derogatory credit accounts resulting from identity theft, credit card theft, or unauthorized use are also excluded from the $1,000 limit. However, the lender must provide in the case binder a credit report, letter from the creditor, or other appropriate documentation to support the dispute, such as a police report disputing the fraudulent charges.

Disputed derogatory credit accounts are defined as follows:

• disputed charge-off accounts,
• disputed collection accounts, and
• disputed accounts with late payments in the last 24 months.

Disputed derogatory credit accounts of a non-purchasing spouse in a community property state are not included in the cumulative balance for determining if the mortgage application is downgraded to a "Refer".

Non-derogatory disputed accounts are excluded from the $1,000 cumulative total.

Non-Derogatory Disputed Accounts and Disputed Accounts Not Indicated on the Credit Report - Non-derogatory disputed accounts include the following types of accounts:

• 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.

 If a borrower is disputing non-derogatory accounts, or is disputing accounts which are not indicated on the credit report as being disputed, the lender is not required to downgrade the application to a "Refer." However, the lender must analyze the effect of the disputed accounts on the borrower's ability to repay the loan. If the dispute results in the borrower's monthly debt payments utilized in computing the debt-to-income ratio being less than the amount indicated on the credit report, the borrower must provide documentation of the lower payments.

If you have loans pending that these changes will affect, be sure to order the FHA case number prior to October 15, 2013.

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Joel Lobb (NMLS#57916)
Senior  Loan Officer
502-905-3708 cell
kentuckyloan@gmail.com

Fill out my form for mortgage pre-approval by clicking this link!