Kentucky USDA Mortgage Benefits for First Time Buyers in Kentucky
100% mortgage financing at competitive fixed interest rates with USDA home loans Credit score requirements (620 to 640) are less restrictive than most conventional home loan programs.
Kentucky USDA loans also offer a single upfront mortgage insurance premium which may be financed. Currently only 1% of the loan and a monthly mi premium of .35% which is very cheap considering the lower credit score requirements and no money down financing. The mortgage insurance is the same for everyone, does not matter what your credit score is or how much down payment you have.
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You may qualify if your Chapter 7 bankruptcy was discharged three years prior.
USDA loans can be used to finance most types of single family properties although some exception may apply. Homes must be used as borrowers’ primary residences and not used as second homes or rental properties.
Farms and commercial properties are not eligible through USDA Rural Housing Development Guaranteed Loans.
In many cases USDA permits sellers to contribute borrowers’ closing costs and can be financed up to the appraised value if home appraises for more.
Here are the highlights of USDA Mortgages
. Down Payment: 0% down payment
Closing Costs: up to 6%
. Credit Score: Minimum none–but lenders create overlays..typically 640 to get a GUS Automated approval
. Lower monthly mortgage insurance costs (PMI) versus FHA
. There is NO maximum set loan amount limit with USDA Rural Housing.
. No large savings are needed to qualify for USDA loans.
The debt to income, or DTI is limited to 45% – lower than most other loan programs.
The location of the home determines if it will be a USDA loan.
. The home can be a regular sale, short sale, foreclosure home or bank owned home single family, townhome or approved condo.
Mobile/Manufactured homes and “build on your own land” not available.
. Applies for First-time home buyers, or move-up buyers.
No special first-time buyer’s class, down payment assistance, or bond money is needed.
A Kentucky USDA home loan is a zero-dollar-down mortgage option provided by USDA’s Department of Rural Development.
This government-backed loan program comes in two types: direct loan, which is reserved for lower-income households and issued by USDA, and the guaranteed loan, which is reserved for low- to moderate-income families. The guaranteed loan is funded by private lenders, and USDA guarantees a portion of the loan against default.
The KY USDA home loan program is generally more beneficial to rural families than a conventional lending program, particularly for first-time homebuyers with lower- to median-level incomes.
Some of the benefits of Kentucky Rural Housing USDA loans include: • zero down payment • competitive interest rates • lower-than-average monthly mortgage insurance • relaxed credit requirements versus conventional loans
• no loan limits
How do I determine eligibility for a Kentucky Rural Housing USDA loan? To be eligible for a USDA home loan, borrowers must meet the program’s basic eligibility requirements. These requirements are relaxed compared to other mortgage options and are in place to ensure borrowers can make their monthly mortgage payments.
Here are a few of the basic Kentucky RHS USDA eligibility requirements:
• Income. Applicants must not have annual adjusted income greater than 115% of the median household income for the area. Check your county’s USDA income limit. This called compliance income.
• Credit. USDA’s guaranteed underwriting credit requirements. However, most lenders will want a 620 or preferably to get an Automated Approval 640 is the magic number in most cases. With regards to bankruptcy, 3 years is usually the date needed to lapse since your discharge. They actually require no minimum score but no lenders that I know of will do a no score loan.
• Employment. Applicants must have proof of two years of stable income and employment.
: Income: They will take your gross monthly income and develop two ratios for you: The front end ratio, which is called your housing ratio, and then the back-end ratio or total debt ratio is the house payment plus the total monthly payments listed on the credit report. If you pay child support, this is included in the qualifying ratios but utility bills, car insurance, cell phone bills, water bills etc, is not included. Typically 28% is used for the housing ratio, and
Student Loans: They are pretty tough on student loans and qualifying with your current student loan debts. They will make us use 1% of your outstanding balance on student loans, so sometimes this will cause the loan to get denied because your debt to income ratio is too high. If they are in an Income-Based repayment plan they will still make us use the .5% balance so keep this in mind. For example, let’s say you owe $50k in outstanding student loans, and your IBR plan calls for a $50 monthly payment. RHS will make us use $250, not the $50 IBR payment so you can see where this will cause issue on higher debt to income ratios on some loans.**********
If you are a Kentucky USDA Mortgage applicant who has student loan calculations will be changed to the following Fixed Payment Loans:
A permanent amortized, fixed payment may be used when it can be documented that the payment is fixed, the interest rate is fixed, and the repayment term is fixed.
Non-Fixed Payment Loans (i.e. deferred, income based, graduated, adjustable, etc.): The payment should be calculated as the greater of 0.5% of the loan balance or the actual payment reflected on the credit report. No additional documentation is required.
• Property location. Homes must be located within a rural area, as defined by USDA. Rural areas are any that have a population less than 35,000 depending on the area’s designation. Use this tool from USDA to determine if a specific address is eligible.
• Physical property. Homes must be the borrower’s primary residence, have direct access to a street, and have adequate utilities and water and wastewater disposal, among other things No working fams allowed or properties that income producing livestock or crops.
For those with lower incomes, a USDA direct loan provides greater opportunities for lending, as its credit and income requirements are more lax than the guaranteed loan option.
Disclaimer: No statement on this site is a commitment to make a loan. Loans are subject to borrower qualifications, including income, property evaluation, sufficient equity in the home to meet Loan-to-Value requirements, and final credit approval. Approvals are subject to underwriting guidelines, interest rates, and program guidelines and are subject to change without notice based on applicant’s eligibility and market conditions. Refinancing an existing loan may result in total finance charges being higher over the life of a loan. Reduction in payments may reflect a longer loan term. Terms of any loan may be subject to payment of points and fees by the applicant Equal Opportunity Lender. NMLS#57916http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/
No, you do not have to be a first time home buyer. The USDA Loan program has no restrictions that prevent previous homeowners from using the program.
What is the maximum amount that I can borrow?
There isn’t a limit to the amount a homeowner can borrow
How much are the closing costs for a USDA mortgage?
Closing costs vary from lender to lender and state to state. The charges from the USDA are a Guarantee fee of 1% of the loan amount. Additionally, there is a monthly mortgage insurance factor of .35% of the principal balance.
Can closing costs be financed into a USDA Loan?
Yes! The USDA home loan has the ability to finance closing costs up to the appraised value or to get a 6% seller contribution to closing costs from sellers on the contract.
What are USDA eligibility requirements?
USDA requires that the borrower demonstrates a reasonable ability and willingness to repay the mortgage loan. USDA lenders will view your credit history, income, and assets to verify your ability to repay the mortgage.
What is the USDA’s minimum credit requirement?
The USDA has no minimum score required; however, most lenders require a minimum credit score of 640 or sometimes 620 to obtain financing. Exceptions can be made and you should talk to a loan specialist about this.
Can you qualify for a USDA loan if your credit score is below 640?
Many lenders do require a 640 minimum Fico score to be eligible for a USDA home loan, however, exceptions can be made. It is important to note that the derogatory credit is temporary in nature, beyond the applicant’s control, and the circumstances that caused the adverse credit are no longer a factor.
What does the USDA require for employment eligibility?
You must have established employment to be eligible for a USDA Loan. Almost all lenders will require a minimum of two years of steady employment or schooling prior to your current employment if less than 2 years. If you are self-employed, you are eligible but will be required to provide two years of federal tax returns to verify your income.
Do USDA home loans have PMI?
USDA mortgages do have a guarantee fee and monthly PMI. The rate for the mortgage insurance is .35% of the outstanding principal balance and the current guarantee fee is 1% of loan amount. For example, if you borrowed a full $150,000 from your lender, the guarantee fee would be $1,500, which you can finance into your mortgage. The monthly PMI would be about 44.00 dollars a month on a 151,500 loan amount. (which includes the guarantee fee of 1%)
Can I get a USDA Mortgage after bankruptcy?
Yes, the USDA Loan Program requires the bankruptcy to be discharged for at least 3 years for a CH 7 and at least 12 months of on time payments on a CH 13. You can be in a CH 13 currently as long as 12 months of on-time payments have been made and verified.
How soon can you qualify for a mortgage after foreclosure?
VA Loans: 2 years after foreclosure
USDA Loans: 3 years after foreclosure (Exceptions are possible!)
FHA Loans: 3 years after foreclosure
Conventional Loans (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac): 7 years after foreclosure
Can I use a USDA Loan on investment property or Second Home?
No, the USDA Rural Housing Program is for primary residences only. Furthermore, any property that is income producing (farms, multi-family, over 30 acres, etc.) cannot qualify for the 502 Guaranteed Rural Home Loan.
Can a USDA loan finance a condominium?
Yes, you can use a USDA loan to finance a condo; however, there are requirements that will need to be met.
Does a USDA home loan finance modular or manufactured homes?
Modular and manufactured homes can be considered a USDA eligible property, but additional appraisal requirements will apply. Most lenders do not offer Section 502 USDA loans on manufactured homes; however, they do finance modular homes. The difference between a modular and manufactured is how and where the home is constructed. A manufactured home is already fully built and put on a foundation and modular homes are built in pieces, and then taken to the site to be constructed.
How fast can you close a USDA loan?
USDA loans have a 2 prong process. The loan is first approved by the lender and then sent to the local USDA field office to be insured. Depending on the turn-times at the local USDA office, closing can be as fast as 20 days or up to 60 days.
Kentucky USDA Rural Development Loans
Looking for 100% Financing without the Military Service Requirement?
Tired of Sourcing Funds for a Down Payment?
Need a New Product Niche Designed Specifically for Purchases?
100% Financing – If your borrower wants low down payment options, Kentucky USDA Rural Housing is the only widely available zero-down loan (other than VA which includes military service requirements). Plus – reduced MI and no cash reserve requirements! *
Not a Farm Loan – It takes just a few minutes to check property eligibility – moving to a farm isn’t required – in fact, many suburban and rural parts of the country are eligible. Visit the USDA Mapping Tool Site (for residential properties only).
Program
Minimum Down
Payment
Conventional
3%
FHA
3.5%
USDA
0%
VA
0%
Kentucky USDA Mortgage Lender for Rural Housing Loans
If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation, or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for a loan, please contact us at 502-905-3708.
Disclaimer: No statement on this site is a commitment to make a loan. Loans are subject to borrower qualifications, including income, property evaluation, sufficient equity in the home to meet Loan-to-Value requirements, and final credit approval. Approvals are subject to underwriting guidelines, interest rates, and program guidelines and are subject to change without notice based on applicant’s eligibility and market conditions. Refinancing an existing loan may result in total finance charges being higher over the life of a loan. Reduction in payments may reflect a longer loan term. Terms of any loan may be subject to payment of points and fees by the applicant Equal Opportunity Lender. NMLS#57916http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/
One borrower must have 3 tradelines that have existed for 12 months. If this requirement cannot be met, an accept decision must be downgraded to a refer and treated as a manual underwrite.
VERIFICATION OF RENT:
Scores 680 and above OR GUS accept = No VOR required.
Scores 679 and below = VOR required.
COLLECTIONS:
Determine if the total outstanding balance of all collections accounts and charge offs of all applicants is equal to or greater than $2,000. Unless excluded by state law, collection accounts and charge offs of a non-purchasing spouse in a community property state are included in the cumulative balance of all collections and charge offs.
Remove all medical collections and medical charge off accounts from the total balance. Medical collections and medical charge off accounts must be clearly identifiable on the credit report.
If the remaining outstanding balance of collection accounts and charge offs are equal to or greater than $2,000, any of the following actions will apply:
Payment in full of all collection accounts and charge offs at or prior to closing.
Payment arrangements are made with each creditor for each collection account and charge offs remaining outstanding. A letter from the creditor or evidence on the credit report is required to validate the payment arrangements. The agreed upon monthly payment for each outstanding collection account and charge off will be included in the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio.
In the absence of a payment arrangement, the lender will utilize in the debt-to-income ratio a calculated monthly payment. For each collection and charge off utilize 5% of the outstanding balance to represent the monthly payment.
Criteria for USDA loan approvals state that if you have been discharged from a Chapter 7 bankruptcy for three years or more, you are eligible to apply for an USDA mortgage. If you are in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy and have made all court approved payments on time and as agreed for at least one year, you are also eligible to make an Kentucky USDA loan application.
Kentucky USDA Mortgage Lender for Rural Housing Loans 