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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 afirst 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 calculatordepending 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.
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.
Why use USDA financing for your next home purchase in Kentucky?
There are very few ways to purchase a home these days in Kentucky without a typical 3.5% down payment that is required for an FHA loans in Kentucky. Many home buyers in Kentucky are surprised to find that a USDA Home Loan offers a lower payment than an FHA loan, even with NO DOWN PAYMENT! “How can this be?” you ask. The reason is because a Kentucky USDA home loan requires much lower MORTGAGE INSURANCE.
Kentucky FHA Loan vs. Kentucky USDA Loan Comparison
FHA
USDA
$150,000 purchase price
$150,000 purchase price
4.75% 30 year fixed rate
4.75% fixed rate
1.75% up front mortgage insurance (financed)
1.0% Guarantee Fee (financed)
.85% month mi premium
.35% monthly mi premium
$871.19 P&I monthly payment with monthly mortgage insurance (not including taxes and insurance)
$826.86 P&I monthly payment (not including taxes and insurance
$5250.00 required down payment
$0 down payment
A rural housing USDA loan saved this client $46.74 per month and they made NO DOWN PAYMENT!
Other benefits of Kentucky USDA Home Loans
Low up front closing costs
In some cases closing costs can be financed if home appraises for more than purchase price
Minor credit problems OK with a minimum credit score of 581***Most lenders will want a 620 or 640 score or higher.
No maximum loan amounts just household income limits based on which Kentucky County you are buying a home.
Fixed Rates Only for 30 years with no prepay penalty
A Kentucky USDA rural housing loan strive to find anyway possible to approve your loan, however there are some cases where a USDA Loan is not an option;
a previous bankruptcy must be discharged 3 years,
you must occupy the home being purchased as your primary residence,
the home may not be used for income producing purposes (farm, rental, etc.),
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/
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.
Kentucky Rural Housing USDA Implements Immediate Measures to Help Rural Housing Loan Program Affected by COVID-19
WASHINGTON, April 1, 2020 – USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Rural Development will keep our customers, partners, and stakeholders continuously updated as more actions are taken to better serve rural America.
* Visit www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus for information on Rural Development loan payment assistance, application deadline extensions, and more.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF
* Rural Development Guaranteed Loan Programs
Effective immediately until September 30, 2020, lenders may offer 180-day loan payment deferrals without prior agency approval for Business and Industry Loan Guarantees, Rural Energy for America Program Loan Guarantees, Community Facilities Loan Guarantees, and Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees. For additional information, see page 17721 of the March 31, 2020, Federal Register.
Rural Housing Service
Single-Family Housing
Effective March 19, borrowers with USDA single-family housing Direct and Guaranteed loans are subject to a moratorium on foreclosure and eviction for a period of 60 days. This action applies to the initiation of foreclosures and evictions and to the completion of foreclosures and evictions in process.
Direct Loan Program:
• USDA has waived or relaxed certain parts of the application process for Single-Family Housing Direct Loans, including site assessments, and has extended the time period that certificates of eligibility are valid.
• A Direct Loan borrower who is experiencing a reduction of income by more than 10 percent can request a Payment Assistance package to see if he/she is eligible for payment assistance or for more assistance than currently received.
• Moratorium Assistance is available for Direct Loan borrowers experiencing medical bill expenses (not covered by insurance) or job loss because of COVID-19. Qualifying borrowers can receive a moratorium on house payments for a period of time, repaid at a later date.
• Direct Loan questions should be directed to USDA’s Customer Service Center at 800-414-1226 (7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Eastern Time Monday-Friday) or https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/loan-servicing. Call volume and wait times are high at this time.
Guaranteed Loan Program:
• Guaranteed Loan borrowers who are in default or facing imminent default due to a documented hardship can have payments reduced or suspended by their lender for a period not to exceed 12 months delinquency. Once the hardship is resolved, the lender can modify the loan to cure the delinquency or make up the missed payments based on the borrower’s individual circumstances.
•*USDA is granting lenders temporary exceptions pertaining to appraisals, repair inspections and income verification for the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. Effective immediately, the following exception sto Agency guidance found atHB-1-3555 are in effect for a period of 60-days.
*Residential Appraisal Reports–Existing Dwelling: For purchase and non-streamlined refinance transactions, when an appraiser is unable to complete an interior inspection of an existing dwelling due to concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, an “Exterior-Only Inspection Residential Appraisal Report”, (FHLMC 2055/FNMA 2055) will be accepted. In such cases, appraisers are not required to certify that the property meets HUD HB 4000.1 standards. The appraisal must be completed in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Practice (USPAP) and the Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD).This exception is not applicable to new construction properties or construction-to-permanent loans. As a reminder, appraisals are not required for streamlined and streamlined-assist refinance transactions.
*Repair Inspections–Existing Dwelling: For loans for which a completion certification is not available due to issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, a letter signed by the borrower confirming that the work was completed is permitted. Lenders must also provide further evidence of completion, which may include photographs of the completed work, paid invoices indicating completion, occupancy permits or other substantially similar documentation. All completion documentation must be retained in the loan file. This exception is not applicable to rehabilitation and repair loans noted in section 12.28 of HB-1-3555.
*Verbal Verification of Employment: Lenders must document and verify the borrower’s annual and repayment income in accordance with Agency regulations. Lenders should use due diligence in obtaining the most recent income documentation to re-verify the borrower’s repayment ability prior to closing. When the lender is unable to obtain a Verbal Verification of Employment(VVOE)within 10 business days of loan closing due to a temporary closure of the borrower’s employment, alternatives should be explored. For example, email correspondence with the borrower’s employer is an acceptable alternative to a VVOE. If the lender is unable to obtain a VVOE or acceptable alternative, the requirement will be waived when the borrower has a minimum of two months cash reserves. In the case of a reduction of income, the borrower’s reduced income must be sufficient to support the new loan payment and other non-housing obligations. Borrowers with no income at the time of closing are not eligible for SFHGLP loans regardless of available cash reserves.
Kentucky USDA Mortgage Lender for Rural Housing Loans 