Category: Current USDA and RHS Guidelines

Generally, these areas are outside of major metropolitan areas of Kentucky to include Jefferson County, Fayette County, and parts of Northern Kentucky are not eligible.  

Credit score over 680: 

Perform a basic level of underwriting to confirm the
applicant has an acceptable credit reputation. Perform additional analysis if the
applicant’s credit history has indicators of unacceptable credit as noted in Paragraph 10.7
of this Chapter.

Credit score 679 to 640:

 Perform a comprehensive level of underwriting.
Underwrite all aspects of the applicant’s credit history to establish the applicant has an
acceptable credit reputation. Credit scores in this range indicate the applicant’s
reputation is uncertain and will require a thorough analysis by the underwriter of the
credit to draw a logical conclusion about the applicant’s commitment to making
payments on the new mortgage obligation. The applicant’s credit history should
demonstrate his or her past willingness and ability to meet credit obligations.

Credit score less than 640:

 Perform a cautious level of underwriting. Perform a
detailed review of all aspects of the applicant’s credit history to establish the applicant’s
willingness to repay and ability to manage obligations as agreed. Unless there are
extenuating circumstances documented in accordance with this Chapter, a credit score in
this range is generally viewed as a strong indication that the applicant does not have an
acceptable credit reputation.

Little or no credit history: The lack of credit history on the credit report may be
mitigated if the applicant can document a willingness to pay recurring debts through
other acceptable means such as third party verification or cancelled checks. Due to
impartiality issues, third party verification from relatives of household members are not
permissible. Lenders can develop a Non-Traditional Credit Report for applicants who
do not have a credit score in accordance with Paragraph 10.6 of this Chapter.

An applicant with an outstanding judgment obtained by the United States in a
Federal court, other than the United States Tax Court, is not eligible for a guarantee
unless otherwise stated in this Chapter. 

Validating the Credit Score. 

Two or more eligible trade lines are necessary to validate
an applicant’s credit report score. Eligible trade lines consist of credit accounts
(revolving, installment etc.) with at least 12 months of repayment history reported on the
credit report. At least one applicant whose income or assets are used for qualification
must have a valid credit report score. 

Confirm the applicant has at least two eligible tradelines reported to the credit bureau.
The tradeline may be open, closed and/or paid in full by the applicant. Eligible tradelines
include:

 Loan (secured or unsecured);
 Revolving (generally a credit which is not repaid by a certain number of
installments);
 Installment credit (generally repaid through a specified number of
installments such as automobile, recreational vehicle, or student loans);
 Credit card (offered by banking institutions, commercial enterprises and
individual retail stores. Consumers make purchases on credit and if payment
is made within a stipulated period of time, no interest is charged);
 Collection (an account whereby an original creditor transfers an unpaid,
delinquent balance to a collection agency to retrieve any monies owed);
 Charge-off (is the declaration by a creditor that an amount of debt is unlikely
to be collected)
 Authorized user accounts may not be considered in the credit score and credit
reputation analysis unless the applicant provides documentation that they have
made payments on the account for the previous 12 months prior to

application. 

Indicators of unacceptable credit.

 Foreclosure within 3 years:
 Including pre-foreclosure activity, such as a pre-foreclosure sale or short sale
in the previous 3 years\
 Bankruptcy within 3 years:
 Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharged in the previous 3 years;
 An elapsed period of less than 3 years, but not less than 12 months, may
be acceptable if the applicant meets the criteria of Section 10.8 of this
Chapter.
 Chapter 13 bankruptcy that has yet to complete repayment (repayment plan in
progress) or has completed payment in the most recent 12 months.
 Plans that are completed for 12 months or greater do not require a credit
exception in accordance with Section 10.8;
\

On average it takes 30-45 days to close a USDA loan in Kentucky, so about the same as any other government-backed mortgage loan like FHA, VA KHC etc.