Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Mortgage Lender: KENTUCKY USDA MORTGAGE LOANS (2024)

KENTUCKY USDA MORTGAGE LOANS KENTUCKY USDA Loans are issued by qualified lenders and are guaranteed by the United States Departme...

  • Borrowers that do not have a credit score may be eligible with additional requirements.
  • Kentucky USDA Rural Housinghas aHousehold income limits apply.
  • The base USDA income limits are for most Kentucky counties below:

    Kentucky USDA Mortgage Limitsfor Households with 1-4 members have different limits as households with 5-8. Similarly, applicants living in high-cost counties will have a higher income limit than those living in counties with a more average cost of living.

    The base USDA income limits are formostKentucky counties below:

    Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Mortgage Lender: KENTUCKY USDA MORTGAGE LOANS (1)

    New Income limits for most counties (*) in Kentucky are $103,500 for a household family of four and household families of five or more can make up to $136,600 with the new changes for

    2022 Kentucky USDA Income limits, the Jefferson County Louisville, KY Metro area (**) saw an increase of$103,500for a family of four and up to $136,600 for a family of five or more. The metro area surrounding counties of Jefferson County includes Oldham, Bullitt, Spencer are included in these higher income limits for USDA loans.

    Remember, the entire Jefferson County and Fayette County Kentucky counties are not eligible for USDA loans. Along with parts of the following counties Daviess (Owensboro), Mccracken (Paducah), Madison County, (Richmond), Clark County (Winchester), Warren (Bowling Green), Hardin (Fort Knox and Radcliff), Bullitt(Hillview, Maryville, Zoneton, Fairdale, Brooks), Franklin, (Frankfort), Henderson (Henderson City Limits)…

  • Generally easier to qualify for than a Conventional mortgage and much cheaper mortgage insurance thanFHA loans in Kentucky!
  • Property must be located in an eligible rural area as designated by map below
  • No maximum loan amount unlike FHA and Conventional loans.
  • Eligible Property Types:
    • 1 unit properties only and must meet HUD FHA minimum standards
    • HUD Approved Condos
    • New Manufactured Homes (*There is currently a pilot program in KENTUCKY only that allows for existing homes built after Jan. 2006)

    Credit Accounts and Adverse Credit

    • Authorized user accounts do not require a monthly payment be included in the debt ratio.

    However, lenders may include a payment at their discretion.

    Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

    • A Chapter 7 bankruptcy that is discharged or dismissed more than 36 months at the time of loan

    application is not considered adverse credit.

    • If the bankruptcy is less than 36 months, a credit exception is required if the GUS underwriting

    recommendation is a “Refer” or “Refer with Caution” or the file is a manually underwritten file.

    • If the bankruptcy included a mortgage, the lender must include any debt that the applicant may still be liable for such as real estate taxes and home owners insurance.


    Chapter 12 or 13 Bankruptcy

    • When there is a Chapter 12 or 13 Bankruptcy plan in progress and the GUS loan receives an “Accept” recommendation, the lender must confirm all payments are included on the Assets and Liabilities application page.

    • Neither a GUS downgrade nor a credit exception are required.

    • If the loan receives a “Refer” or “Refer with Caution” underwriting recommendation or is a

    manually underwritten loan, the lender must retain the bulleted list of items shown on this slide.

    • If the plan has been completed for 12 months prior to loan application, nothing further is

    required regardless of underwriting recommendation.


    Charge‐Offs

    • If there are charge‐offs, the lender’s underwriter must determine if the credit risk is acceptable.

    • Charge‐offs are not required to be paid; however, if there is a repayment plan in place, the

    payment must be included.

    Collections

    • The lender’s underwriter must review all collection accounts and determine if it is an acceptable

    credit risk regardless of the GUS underwriting recommendation.

    • If the cumulative total of all non‐medical collections exceeds $2000, the lender must:

    1. Require payment in full of these accounts prior to closing

    2. Use an existing repayment agreement amount OR

    3. Include five percent of the outstanding balance.

    • All open collections must be listed on the Asset and Liabilities GUS page and noted and marked

    • A credit exception is not required for collection accounts regardless of the GUS underwriting

    recommendation.


    Consumer Credit Counseling Debt Management Plans

    • Lenders must include the monthly payment amount in the monthly liabilities and must retain the bulleted list of items shown on this slide.

    Delinquent Court Ordered Child Support

    • Applicants currently delinquent on court ordered child support are ineligible unless they have an approved repayment agreement and have made 3 timely, consecutive payments.

    Delinquent Federal Non‐Tax Debt

    • Applicants with delinquent Federal non‐tax debt are ineligible until the debt is paid in full or a

    release of liability is documented.


    Federal Taxes

    • Applicants currently delinquent on federal tax debt are ineligible for a guaranteed loan unless

    they have a repayment plan approved by the IRS or pay the total delinquent amount in full prior to closing.

    • A minimum of 3 timely, consecutive payments must have been made and the applicant

    cannot prepay a lump sum at one time to equal 3 monthly payments.

    • An IRS approved extension to file a tax return does not grant the applicant additional time to pay their taxes that are due.

    • Applicants must pay their estimated income taxes due by the filing date or they are considered delinquent.


    Deed‐in‐Lieu, Foreclosures, and Short Sales

    • Lenders must ensure the Declarations in the GUS are completed accurately.

    • A deed‐in‐lieu recorded, foreclosure discharged, or short sale closed 36 months prior to the date of loan application is not adverse credit.

    • If the loan receives a GUS “Accept” underwriting recommendation, neither a GUS downgrade nor a credit exception is required.

    • A credit exception is required if a deed‐in‐lieu, foreclosure, or short sale occurred within the

    past 36 months and the GUS underwriting recommendation is a “Refer” or “Refer with

    Caution”.

    • A deed‐in‐lieu, foreclosure, or short sale that occurred post divorce or legal separation and the home was awarded to the other party will not count adversely against the applicant if

    documentation evidences the debt was current at the time the home was awarded to the other


    Previous USDA Loss

    • A lender cannot waive adverse credit for an applicant whose previous Rural Development Direct or Guaranteed home loan resulted in a loss to the agency. Only a Rural Development official may grant this exception.

    • Rural Development will perform its review after the lender’s underwriter has approved the loan and has processed the final GUS submission.

    • The applicant and lender must provide a letter of explanation and supporting documentation as required


    Rent/Mortgage Payment History

    • An applicant’s current rent or mortgage payment history is a good indicator of the probability of their future mortgage payments.

    • A GUS “Accept” file does not require a verification of rent or mortgage.

    • A GUS “Refer”, “Refer with Caution”, or manually underwritten loan may require a verification of rent or mortgage. The lender will refer to their GUS Underwriting Findings Report to determine if it is required.

    • If a full 12 month verification is not available, the lender may utilize the time period that is

    available.

    • One rent or mortgage payment that was 30 or more days late in the past 12 months is significant derogatory credit and will require a credit exception from the lender’s underwriter.

    25

    Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Mortgage Lender: KENTUCKY USDA MORTGAGE LOANS (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the income limit for a USDA loan in Kentucky? ›

    Kentucky USDA Loans

    For a family of 1-4 in Kentucky, the average household income limit for a USDA loan is about $110,650; for a family of 5 or more, the limit can be as high as $153,500. Don't hesitate to contact one of our USDA loan specialists to learn how that new Kentucky home can be yours.

    What credit score is needed to buy a house in KY? ›

    Here are some general FHA loan requirements for Kentucky. A credit score of 580 or higher: A lender may accept credit scores of 500-579 under certain conditions. A credit score lower than 580 will require a larger down payment. Minimum of two years employment: Must have verifiable, steady, and consistent income.

    What is the difference between a FHA loan and a USDA loan is that the USDA loan requires? ›

    One of the biggest differences between a USDA loan and an FHA loan is the down payment requirement. In short, you can get a USDA loan without making a down payment. The loan program is designed to make homeownership an option for buyers who would otherwise be excluded from the process.

    What is the USDA rural development loan? ›

    Also known as the Section 502 Direct Loan Program, this program helps low- and very-low-income applicants buy decent, safe, and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas by providing payment assistance to increase their applicant's repayment ability.

    What are the debt to income requirements for a USDA loan? ›

    USDA Loan Approval

    The standard debt to income (DTI) ratios for the USDA home loan are 29%/41% of the gross monthly income of the applicants. The maximum DTI on a USDA loan is 34%/46% of the gross monthly income. USDA will allow these DTI ratios with compensating factors.

    What is the threshold for USDA? ›

    The current standard USDA loan income limit for 1-4 member households is $110,650, up from $103,500 in early 2023. The 2024 limit for 5-8 member households is $146,050, up from $136,600.

    What credit score do I need to buy a $250000 house? ›

    You typically need at least a 620 credit score to qualify for a conventional loan. Though, the higher your score, the better your chances of getting approved for the best rates.

    How much of a loan can I get with a 620 credit score? ›

    You can borrow anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $100,000+ with a 620 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.

    What is a good FICO score for a mortgage? ›

    It's recommended you have a credit score of 620 or higher when you apply for a conventional loan. If your score is below 620, lenders either won't be able to approve your loan or may be required to offer you a higher interest rate, which can result in higher monthly mortgage payments.

    What are the disadvantages of a USDA loan? ›

    USDA Loan Disadvantages: What are the downsides of a USDA loan?
    • Income Limits. To qualify for a USDA loan, your household income must fall within 115% of the local median household income. ...
    • Property Restrictions. ...
    • Occupancy Requirements. ...
    • USDA Program Fees. ...
    • Longer Underwriting Timeline.
    Jan 26, 2024

    Are USDA loans worth it? ›

    Along with no need for a down payment, USDA loans have another advantage: You could qualify for a low, fixed interest rate if you have low income. Some drawbacks, though, are that the property must be located in a USDA-approved area, and borrowers cannot exceed income limits.

    Are USDA loan payments cheaper? ›

    Outside of the down payment, one of the biggest appeals of a USDA loan is that it's offered at a low interest rate. In many cases, interest rates for USDA loans are lower than rates for conventional loans. The government backing of USDA loans typically means that lenders can issue them with competitive interest rates.

    How long does it take the USDA to approve a loan? ›

    All in all, in the best-case circ*mstances, you can expect the USDA home loan process to last anywhere from 30 to 60 days—or longer if there are hiccups such as missing paperwork. The availability of government funding for these loans might also lengthen the process, in some cases up to three months.

    What does USDA look for when giving a loan? ›

    The applicant must: Have the legal capacity to enter into a loan agreement; • Have the financial resources to repay the loan; • Have an acceptable credit history; and • Meet the specific requirements for participation in the program, such as eligibility based on income and citizenship status.

    What is the difference between a USDA loan and a USDA direct loan? ›

    Guaranteed loans are made by private lenders such as banks, whereas direct loans are made by USDA. Borrowers with incomes up to 115% of U.S. median income can qualify for guaranteed loans, while direct borrowers have incomes not more than 80% of area median.

    What is a good enough credit score to buy a house? ›

    Some types of mortgages have specific minimum credit score requirements. A conventional loan requires a credit score of at least 620, but it's ideal to have a score of 740 or above, which could allow you to make a lower down payment, get a more attractive interest rate and save on private mortgage insurance.

    What is the minimum credit score for a home loan? ›

    Credit score and mortgages

    The minimum credit score needed for most mortgages is typically around 620. However, government-backed mortgages like Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans typically have lower credit requirements than conventional fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).

    How much can I borrow with a 780 credit score? ›

    You can borrow over $100,000 with a 780 credit score if you get a mortgage or a home equity loan. Keep in mind, the exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors in addition to your credit score, such as your income, your employment status and even the lender.

    What is the FHA loan limit in Kentucky? ›

    2024 FHA loan limits for single-family homes range from $498,257 in most counties to $1,149,825 for pricier metro areas.

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