Category: Debt Ratio and Deferred Student Loans
Who is eligible for a Rural Housing Loan in Kentucky?
Rural Housing Loan in Kentucky
Kentucky USDA loans are loans offered by the United States Department of Agriculture to those looking to buy homes in rural areas of Kentucky.
There are a few requirements and restrictions associated with this type of loan however, if you are a first time home buyer in Kentucky with a limited income, no down payment and are looking to live in a rural part of Kentucky, this may be a good option for you to purchase a home going no money down and getting a 30 year fixed rate loan.
Income Requirements for USDA Loans in Kentucky
The Rural Housing USDA website provides an income eligibility calculator depending on where you are looking for housing in the state of Kentucky. Because it is a nationally funded loan by the United States Government, the income restrictions will vary county-by-county but the loan recipient cannot make more than 115% of the median income for the area in which they are applying. There is also a chart you can consult that provides Kentucky USDA county income limits depending on the number of people in your home. Most Kentucky Counties will allow up to $90,200 for a household family of four or less, and up to $119,350 for a household of five. The Northern Kentucky Counties of Kenton, Bracken, Boone, Gallatin, Campbell allow for more. See Chart below
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.
Kentucky Score Requirements for a USDA Loan in Kentucky
Borrowers in Kentucky are required to have a FICO minimum credit score of 581 or higher. However, most USDA lenders will create a credit overlay where they will want a minimum credit score of 640 in order to get a GUS approval.
If the potential borrower has declared bankruptcy or foreclosure within the last 36 months, they would be ineligible for this type of loan.
If the mortgage was included in the Bankruptcy, sometimes the 36 month hold is ignored and you just have to make sure the property is out of your name before applying for a USDA loan
Can you get a USDA loan in Kentucky with a Previous Bankruptcy?
Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the bankruptcy must have been discharged at least 3 years prior to becoming eligible for a Kentucky USDA home loan.
Borrowers must be in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy for a minimum of 12 months, with documentation of 12 months of on time payments and a letter of authorization from the bankruptcy trustee authorizing you to enter into new debt.
In order to qualify for a USDA home loan after filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, additional documentation may be requested/required stating that the reason for the Chapter 13 filing was due to extenuating circumstances beyond the borrower’s control, temporary in nature and not likely to re-occur.
Home must be primary Residence.
Recipients must be U.S. Citizens, U.S. non-citizen nationals or Qualified Aliens to apply for this program. They must also agree to use the home as their primary residence and not as a rental property.
The property must be for a family including townhouses, single family homes, condominiums (FHA Approved), new construction or new mobile homes.
What areas of Kentucky Qualify for the USDA Loan Program?
The USDA provides a map of the where you can apply a USDA loans are eligible in Kentucky. The major metro areas of Jefferson County and Fayette County Kentucky are not eligible for Rural Housing Loans in Kentucky, along with some parts of Northern Kentucky next to Cincinnati; parts of Owensboro, Paducah, Bowling Green, Richmond, Frankfort, Winchester, Radcliff, Hopkinsville and Henderson Kentucky are not eligible.
If you have a property in mind, you can head over to the eligibility map to see if the home you are considering qualifies.
What are the advantages of USDA loans in Kentucky?
For many people in a low to middle-income bracket, saving for a down payment can be difficult. A USDA loan does not require the purchaser to put any money down toward the purchase price of a home. The government insures the loan in this case, should the borrower default, therefore the borrower is required to carry mortgage insurance during the life of the loan. The mortgage insurance for the USDA loan is provided at a more discounted rate than that required by traditional loans.
On USDA loans the mortgage insurance is 1% upfront, called a guarantee fee, and .35% monthly called an annual mortgage insurance fee to USDA. The beauty of USDA, is that it does not matter if you have a credit score of 640, or a credit score of 740, everyone pays the same premiums, unlike conventional loans.
They only offer 30 year fixed rates with no prepayment penalty, and usually the rates are very low and compare to FHA rates and much lower than conventional loans.
USDA loans take on average about 30 days to close, and the appraisal must meet FHA requirements. Home inspections are not required, and only new mobile homes are allowed on this home loan program.

Joel Lobb (NMLS#57916)
Senior Loan Officer
American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle Suite 3
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#57916 http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/
— Some products and services may not be available in all states. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. The content in this marketing advertisement has not been approved, reviewed, sponsored or endorsed by any department or government agency. Rates are subject to change and are subject to borrower(s) qualification.
Kentucky Rural Housing Loan Program Update for 2021 Single Family Housing USDA Guaranteed Loan
Student Loan Changes to Kentucky Rural Housing Loans Approvals
RHS temporarily modified the calculation of non-fixed student loan payments for purposes of determining debt-to-income ratios. Per the modified requirements, lenders must now use the higher of .50% of the loan balance or the actual payment reflected on the credit report as the monthly payment (rather than 1% of the loan balance). The modified requirements went into effect September 23, 2019 and will be permanently incorporated into Chapter 11 of the Single Family Housing Loan Program Technical Handbook (HB-1-3555) in the near future.
BIG change announced for Kentucky Rural Housing USDA loans today regarding how minimum payments on your Student Loans are calculated. Reach out to see if you qualify for this awesome loan!
Have you or someone you know been turned down for a USDA loan recently because of student loans?
New guidelines effective today may allow you to qualify (or qualify for a little higher loan amount)
**This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. All loans must satisfy company underwriting guidelines. Information and pricing are subject to change at any time and without notice. Not all applicants will qualify for all loan products offered. This is not an offer to enter into a rate lock agreement under any applicable law. Not endorsed or part of USDA Federal Government Agency.
Kentucky USDA Rural Development Loans

Frequently Asked Questions
Are only first-time homebuyers eligible?
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.
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Senior Loan Officer





