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Credit Score Requirements for First-Time Homebuyers in Kentucky

 Credit Score Requirements for First-Time Homebuyers in Kentucky

Obtaining a mortgage pre-approval is a crucial initial step in the home buying journey for Kentucky first-time homebuyers. 

Credit score is a significant factor lenders consider during the pre-approval process. Here's a breakdown of credit score requirements for various mortgage programs in Kentucky:

Credit Score Requirements for First-Time Homebuyers in Kentucky



* Kentucky Conventional Loans: Offered by private lenders, these loans typically require a minimum credit score of  620.

* Kentucky FHA Loans: Insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), FHA loans cater to borrowers with lower credit scores. A minimum credit score of 580 is required with a down payment of at least 3.5% and a 500 credit score and up to 580 will need a 10% down payment. 

* Kentucky VA Loans: Exclusive to veterans and active service members meeting eligibility criteria, VA loans don't have a minimum credit score requirement.

* Kentucky USDA Loans: Backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for rural properties, USDA loans often have a minimum credit score requirement around 620 with no down payment needed.

* Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) Loans: Offered by the state housing authority, KHC loan programs may have varying minimum credit score requirements, but they're often around 620.

While these are the minimum credit score requirements, remember that a higher credit score typically translates to a more favorable interest rate. Consider consulting a mortgage professional to discuss strategies to improve your credit score and obtain the best possible mortgage terms for your Kentucky home purchase.

Credit Score Requirements for First-Time Homebuyers in Kentucky


Joel Lobb  Mortgage Loan Officer

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle
Louisville, KY 40223
Company NMLS ID #1364

Text/call: 502-905-3708
fax: 502-327-9119
email:
 kentuckyloan@gmail.com

http://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/


Understanding Credit Score Requirements for Mortgage Loans in Kentucky

Credit Score Requirements in Kentucky

Securing a mortgage loan is a crucial step in the homebuying process, and one of the key factors lenders evaluate is your credit score. Understanding the credit score requirements for mortgage loan approval in Kentucky can help you prepare and improve your chances of securing financing for your dream home.

Importance of Credit Scores for a Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval.

Your credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness based on your credit history. Lenders use this score to assess the risk of lending to you. A higher credit score typically indicates lower risk to lenders, making you more likely to qualify for a mortgage loan and secure better terms and interest rates.



Credit Score Requirements in Kentucky

While specific credit score requirements can vary among lenders and mortgage programs, there are some general guidelines to consider when applying for a mortgage loan in Kentucky.

  1. Conventional Loans: Conventional mortgage loans are not insured or guaranteed by the government. Many lenders prefer borrowers to have a credit score of at least 620 to qualify for a conventional loan. However, some lenders may require higher scores, especially for competitive interest rates.

  2. FHA Loans: The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers loans with more lenient credit score requirements compared to conventional loans. In Kentucky, borrowers may be eligible for an FHA loan with a credit score as low as 500, provided they can make a 10% down payment. A credit score of 580 or higher may qualify for a lower down payment option of 3.5%.

  3. VA Loans: If you're a veteran, active-duty service member, or eligible spouse, you may qualify for a VA loan guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans typically have more flexible credit score requirements, and some lenders may consider borrowers with lower credit score. VA does not have a minimum credit score, but most lenders will want a 620 credit score...

  4. USDA Loans: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers loans to eligible rural and suburban homebuyers with low to moderate incomes. Credit score requirements for USDA loans in Kentucky can vary, but many lenders prefer scores of 640 or higher, however, on paper they don't have a minimum credit score requirement

Credit Score Requirements in Kentucky




Tips for Improving Your Credit Score for a Kentucky Mortgage Loan

If your credit score is below the desired threshold for a mortgage loan, don't despair. There are steps you can take to improve your creditworthiness over time:

  • Check Your Credit Report: Obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—and review them for errors or discrepancies.
  • Pay Bills on Time: Your payment history is one of the most significant factors affecting your credit score. Make sure to pay all your bills, including credit cards, loans, and utilities, on time.
  • Reduce Credit Card Balances: Aim to keep your credit card balances low relative to your credit limits. High credit utilization can negatively impact your credit score.
  • Avoid Opening New Credit Accounts: While having a mix of credit accounts can be beneficial, opening multiple new accounts within a short period can lower your credit score.


Conclusion

In Kentucky, credit score requirements for mortgage loans can vary depending on the type of loan and lender you choose. While higher credit scores generally improve your chances of loan approval and favorable terms, there are loan programs available for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit.

Before applying for a mortgage loan, it's essential to review your credit report, understand your credit score, and take steps to improve it if necessary. By demonstrating responsible financial behavior and maintaining a good credit history, you can increase your likelihood of securing a mortgage loan and achieving your homeownership goals in Kentucky.


Joel Lobb  Mortgage Loan Officer

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle
Louisville, KY 40223
Company NMLS ID #1364

Text/call: 502-905-3708
fax: 502-327-9119
email:
 kentuckyloan@gmail.com

http://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/



NMLS 57916  | Company NMLS #1364/MB73346135166/MBR1574

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).


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The Credit Report and Credit Scores Used For A Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval FHA, USDA, Fannie Mae and VA



A lot of buyers are hesitant about having their credit pulled because they think it will go down, whereas in most cases, scores are really the same with most mortgage lenders. Below I will try to explain to you what mortgage lenders use for credit qualifying scores and why you may have a different credit score and why some lenders may require a higher score than other lenders.

Lastly, each lender must pull their own credit report and cannot use another lender's credit report or the consumer's credit report. I will explain the reasoning below. 

Does shopping around for a mortgage hurt my credit?



No. Within a 45-day window, multiple credit checks from mortgage lenders are recorded on your credit report as a single inquiry. This is because other lenders realize that you are only going to buy one home. 

The impact on your credit is the same no matter how many lenders you consult, as long as the last credit check is within 45 days of the first credit check. Even if a lender needs to check your credit after the 45-day window is over, shopping around is usually still worth it. The effect of an additional inquiry is small, while shopping around for the best deal can save you a lot of money in the long run.


Why do some mortgage lenders require a certain credit score whereas other mortgage lenders may not?



One Word Mortgage Overlays. Some lenders will institute a higher credit score than the minimum below to lessen their risk of having to buy the loan back from the government agencies if they get too many mortgage defaults. In order to protect their lending portfolio and hedging their risk, they will require say a 640 credit score or higher for a FHA loan, whereas the guidelines clearly state you can do a FHA loan with a minimum credit score of 580 To understand mortgage overlays, it helps to have a foundation of how the mortgage approval process works. Mortgage lenders always have underwriting guidelines—standards to determine the amount and terms you qualify for.

Credit Score Minimum guidelines are typically set based on the mortgage program, e.g., FHA, VA, or USDA. FHA, --

👇

How Credit Scores Affect your Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval Chances




What score does the Mortgage Lender Use? Why may it be different than the one you are seeing?




The reason mortgage lenders use older FICO Scores is because they don’t have a choice. They are essentially forced to use them.

For a bank to sell a mortgage to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, FHA VA, USDA, Etc, the loan has to meet certain guidelines. Some of these guidelines require borrowers to have a minimum credit score under specific FICO Score generations.

If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, be aware that the credit score you see on your application might differ slightly from the one you’re used to.

It might even be different than what comes up when you monitor your credit, or even when you apply for a car loan.

Banks use a slightly different credit score model when evaluating mortgage applicants. Below, we go over what you need to know about credit scores you’re looking to buy a home.

The scoring model used in mortgage applications

While the FICO® 8 model is the most widely used scoring model for general lending decisions, banks use the following FICO scores when you apply for a mortgage:

FICO® Score 2 (Experian)
FICO® Score 5 (Equifax)
FICO® Score 4 (TransUnion)

As you can see, each of the three main credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) use a slightly different version of the industry-specific FICO Score. That’s because FICO tweaks and tailors its scoring model to best predict the creditworthiness for different industries and bureaus. You’re still evaluated on the same core factors (payment history, credit use, credit mix and age of your accounts), but the categories are weighed a little bit differently.

The FICO 8 model is known for being more critical of high balances on revolving credit lines. Since revolving credit is less of a factor when it comes to mortgages, the FICO 2, 4 and 5 models, which put less emphasis on credit utilization, have proven to be reliable when evaluating good candidates for a mortgage.

Mortgage lenders pull all three reports, from all three bureaus, but they only use one when making their final decision.

“A bank will use all three bureaus,”--- “It’s called a tri-merge.”

If all three of your scores are the same, then their choice is simple. But what if your scores are different?

And if you are applying for a mortgage with another person, such as your spouse or partner, each applicant’s FICO 2, 4 and 5 scores are pulled. The bank identifies the median score for both parties, then uses the lowest of the final two.


How Credit Scores Affect your Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval Chances



How do you increase your score to qualify for a Kentucky Mortgage Loan


By paying down your credit card balances (credit utilization) and having a good pay history (payment history) ,this is the best way to raise your score. 


 The credit bureaus don't update immediately, so I would not add to the balance or open any new bills or have any other lender do an inquiry on your credit report while we wait for the scores to hopefully go up in the next 30 days. Try to keep everything status quo and make your payments on time and keep your balances low or lower than what is now reporting on the credit report. 

How Credit Scores Affect your Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval Chances

How Credit Scores Affect your Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval Chances







How to improve your credit score!

Pay Every Single Bill on Time, or Early, Every Month

Please understand one thing; paying your bills on time each month is the single most important thing you can do to increase your credit scores.

Depending on the credit bureau, there are 4 or 5 main items that determine everyone’s credit score. Of those items, your history of paying bills makes up about 35% of the score. THIS IS HUGE!

Paying your bills on time shows lenders that you are responsible. It will also spare you from paying late fees whether it is a charge from a credit card or an added fee from your landlord.

Use a calendar, or a phone app, or some other organized system to make sure that you pay your bills on time every single month.

MAIN TIP: Do not pay ANY bill late!

Credit Cards: Lower Balances Are Always Better 

Another big factor in calculating a credit score is the amount of credit card debt. Credit bureaus look at two things when analyzing your credit cards.

First, they look at your available credit limit. Second, they look at the existing balance on each card. From these two figures an available ratio is developed. As the ratio goes higher, so too will your credit score increase.

Here is one simple example. Suppose a person has the following credit cards, corresponding balances, and credit limits

Credit CardCurrent BalanceCredit Limit
Chase Visa$105$1,000
Mastercard from local bank$236$1,500
BP MasterCard$87$500
Totals$428$3,000

From these numbers, we get the following calculation

$428/$3,000 = 14%

In other words, the person is using 14% of their available credit and they have 86% available credit. The closer that ratio is to 100%, the better the credit score will be.


MAIN TIP:
 Keep all credit card balances as low as possible.In this particular example, if they had a problem with their car, or needed medical attention or some other emergency, the person would have the money necessary to handle the situation without incurring new debt. This is wise on the consumer’s part and lenders like to see this kind of money management.

Credit Cards Part 2: 1 or 2 is Better Than a Wallet Full

The previous example showed a person that utilized just three credit cards. This is much better than someone who has 5+ credit cards, all with available balances. Why? Lenders do not like to see someone that has the potential to get too far in debt in a short amount of time.

Some people have 5, 10 or more credit cards and they use many of them. This shows a lack of restraint and control. It is much better, and neater, to have only 2 or 3 cards with low rates that handle all of your transactions. A lower number of cards are easier to manage and it does not give a person the temptation to go on a huge shopping spree that could take years to payoff.

MAIN TIP: Try to limit yourself to no more than 2-3 credit cards.


Keep the Good Stuff Right Where it is

Too many people make the mistake of paying off old debts, such as old credit cards, and then closing the account. This is actually a bad idea.

A small part of the credit score is based on the length of time a person has had credit. If you have a couple of credit cards with a long track history of making payments on time and keeping the balance at a manageable level, it is a bad idea to close out the card.

Similarly, if you have been paying on a car or motorcycle for a long time, do not be in a hurry to pay off the balance. Continue to make the payments like clockwork each month.

An account that has a good record will help your scores. An account that has a good record and multiple years of use will have an even better impact on your score.

MAIN TIP: Keep old accounts open if you have a good payment history with them.

Stop Filling Out Credit Applications


Multiple credit inquiries in a short amount of time can really hurt your credit scores. Lenders view the various inquiries as someone that is desperate and possibly on the verge of making a bad financial choice.Too many people make the mistake of getting more credit after they are approved for a loan. For example, if someone is approved for a new credit card, they feel good about their finances and decide to apply for credit with a local furniture store. If they get approved for the new furniture, they may decide to upgrade their car. This requires yet another loan. They are surprised to learn that their credit score has dropped and the interest rate on the new car loan will be much higher. What happened?

If you currently have 2 or 3 credit cards along with either a car loan or a student loan, don’t apply for any more debt. Make sure the payments on your current debt are all up to date and focus on paying them all down.

In a few months of making timely payments your scores should noticeably go up.

MAIN TIP: Limit your new loans as much as possible





Joel Lobb  Mortgage Loan Officer

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle
Louisville, KY 40223
Company NMLS ID #1364

Text/call: 502-905-3708
fax: 502-327-9119
email:
 kentuckyloan@gmail.com

http://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/



How Credit Scores Affect your Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval Chances



NMLS 57916  | Company NMLS #1364/MB73346135166/MBR1574


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 approvalnor 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).


 


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