Category: Homes for Sale (Foreclosures owned by USDA/RHS KY

USDA Loans in Kentucky: New Income Thresholds Explained


USDA Loans in Kentucky

What is KY USDA Rural Development Guarantee in Kentucky?

Kentucky USDA Rural Development Guarantee USDA loans offer 100% financing options on home purchases in rural areas.  Properties though can be located within city limits and in subdivisions depending on population density of that area.
The RDG loan program is primarily used to help low to moderate income individuals or households to purchase homes and the applicants need to be within 115% of the median income for the area. Most Kentucky Counties are 90,300  for a household family incomes of four or less, and up to $119,200 for a family of five or more in the household income
Some highlights of the are:
  • 100% financing on purchases and 100%  Zero Money Down
  • Low 30 year fixed rates on all loans. They don’t offer any other terms or offer cash-out refinancing.
  • A small Rural Housing monthly guarantee fee or sometimes called annual fee of .35% of the loan amount divide by 12 months to get total monthly mi payment.
  • Upfront Rural Housing funding fee of 1% of the loan amount and is financed into new loan
  • Minimum credit scores of 581, but helpful to have 640 and get an automated underwriting approval thru Rural Housing’s underwriting engine – GUS–GUS stands for the Guaranteed Underwriting System to pre-approval all Kentucky USDA loans.
  • No rental verification needed with GUS approval if Approved Eligible Findings.
  • Flexible trade line requirements with GUS approval with only 1 trade line needed on credit for 12 months
  • No foreclosures in the last 36 months, but need explanation if < 36 months
  • Bankruptcy discharged at least 36 months
For a Kentucky USDA Rural Housing  property and income eligibility searchplease click HERE.

Issues to avoid or be aware of with Rural Housing property search:

  • Avoid homes with any income producing activities such as working farms, detached buildings with offices or car lifts for auto repairs, or anything else related to income producing activities.

USDA Rural Housing Loans in Kentucky


USDA Rural Housing Loans in Kentucky

Best for buyers in rural areas with moderate incomes.

  • Down Payment: 0%
  • Credit Score: 620 to 640+ preferred
  • Income Limits: Varies by household size and county
  • Location: Must be USDA-eligible rural area
  • Mortgage Insurance: Annual guarantee fee required

Pros:

  • No money down
  • Low monthly mortgage insurance

Cons:

  • Location and income limits apply
  • Slower processing due to USDA approval layer

If you have questions about qualifying as a first-time home buyer in Kentucky, please call, text, or email. You can also fill out a free prequalification below for your next mortgage loan pre-approval.

 

 

Joel Lobb
Senior  Loan Officer

(NMLS#57916)

Text/call: 502-905-3708

email:
 kentuckyloan@gmail.com

http://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/

NMLS 57916  | Company NMLS #173846

The view and opinions stated on this website belong solely to the authors, and are intended for informational purposes only. The posted information does not guarantee approvalnor does it comprise full underwriting guidelines. This does not represent being part of a government agency. The views expressed on this post are mine and do not necessarily reflect the view of my employer. Not all products or services mentioned on this site may fit all people.
NMLS ID# 57916, (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

kentucky usda mortgage lender bad credit no money down first time home buyer kentucky

$0 Down, 100% Financing for Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Loans


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Out of Pocket Costs
$0 Down, 100% Financing for Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Loans

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Home Qualifications
Single & Multi-Family Rural Homes and Condos that meet FHA Guidelines or Fannie Mae Guidelines

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Competitive Interest Rates
Often Lower than Conventional Loans with lower mortgage insurance requirements than FHA and Fannie Mae.

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Flexible Credit Guidelines
640 Credit Score Requirement* Can go lower possibly if the loan meets credit and debt to income ratio requirements. 

*Scores below 640 may be eligible via manual underwriting. 

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Eligibility
USDA Defined Rural & Suburban Areas See may below for approved areas in Kentucky for USDA loans. 👇 click on link

https://kentuckyruralhousingusdaloan.blogspot.com/p/usda-property-eligibility-text.html

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Closing Cost Opportunities
Roll Closing Costs into Mortgage and seller can pay for your closing costs and prepaids or if home appraises for more, can lump in the costs to higher appraised value. 

Kentucky USDA Loan Eligibility Requirements

As with any loan, you must meet certain requirements to confirm USDA loan eligibility. To be an eligible candidate for a USDA loan, consider these general requirements:

Be a legal U.S. resident.
Show two years of income history.
Demonstrate a willingness to repay the loan as proven by no late payments or collections within the prior 12 months.
Have an acceptable debt ratio.
Possess an adjusted annual income of no more than 115% above the median income for the area as related to family size.
Be interested in a property in an area certified by USDA loan agreements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a government-backed mortgage?

These mortgage loans are insured by an agency of the federal government, protecting the lender in the event a borrower can’t repay the debt. This significantly reduces the risk to the lender and may make it easier for borrowers to take out a loan by offering more lenient credit guidelines, interest rates, and down payment options.

What’s the difference between Kentucky USDA loans and other types of government-backed mortgage loans like Kentucky FHA loans?

While both are government-backed mortgages, Kentucky USDA loans are run by a different government agency than Kentucky FHA loans and has different application, underwriting, appraisal, lending amount, and mortgage insurance requirements. To be eligible for a Kentucky Rural Housing USDA loan, borrowers must be purchasing or refinancing property in rural areas that the USDA has defined as eligible.

Do I have to be a farmer or rancher to get a Rural Kentucky USDA loan?

No, despite what the name implies. As long as you meet the property and eligibility qualifications for a Rural Kentucky USDA loan, you can apply.

How do I know if a home is eligible for a USDA loan?

You can navigate to the link here👉  Rural Development Kentucky USDA’s eligibility website and type in the exact address of the home you want to purchase to find out if it’s in an approved area.

Are there maximum lending amounts for KY Rural Development USDA mortgage loans?

There are no set loan limits for USDA loans in Kentucky, but the maximum amount is set based on your ability to qualify for a USDA loan based on borrower’s income and work history over the last two years. and debt to income ratios. The max back-end debt ratio on USDA loans is set at 45.9% of a borrower’s gross monthly income while the front-end debt ratio centers around 28% to32% depending on credit score, ratios, assets. 

Do USDA loans require private mortgage insurance (PMI)?

Yes, Kentucky USDA mortgage loans have an upfront funding fee of 1% currently with a monthly mortgage insurance premium of .35%– mortgage insurance is required by the USDA and pays your lender if you default on your loan.

What’s a USDA guarantee fee and annual fee?

These are fees involved during the USDA home loan process. The upfront guarantee fee is normally equal to 1% of the loan amount. It’s usually added to the initial loan amount and paid at closing. The annual fee is normally equal to 0.35% of the loan amount and some is financed into your loan.

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Have Questions or Need Expert Advice? Text, email, or call me below:

Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer

Individual NMLS ID #57916

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle
Louisville, KY 40223
Company NMLS ID #1364

Text/call: 502-905-3708
fax: 502-327-9119
email:
 kentuckyloan@gmail.com

http://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/

Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Loans Direct Programs Interest Rates


What is the interest rate and payback period?

  • Effective January 1, 2024, the current interest rate for Single Family Housing Direct home loans is 5.125% for low-income and very low-income borrowers.
  • Fixed interest rate based on current market rates at loan approval or loan closing, whichever is lower
  • Interest rate when modified by payment assistance, can be as low as 1%
  • Up to 33 year payback period – 38 year payback period for very low income applicants who can’t afford the 33 year loan term
  • Fixed interest rate based on current market rates at loan approval or loan closing, whichever is lower
  • Interest rate when modified by payment assistance, can be as low as 1%
  • Up to 33 year payback period – 38 year payback period for very low income applicants who can’t afford the 33 year loan term

Not the same as the USDA Rural Housing Guaranteed Program. These rates follow the secondary market and change daily like FHA, VA, Conventional Mortgage Loans and set by individual lenders based on lock period, credit score, loan amount, state, and other incentives

the current interest rate for Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans

The USDA 502 Direct Loan Program helps low- and very-low-income applicants in federally-determined rural areas of the state obtain decent, safe and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas by providing payment assistance to increase an applicant’s repayment ability. This payment assistance is a type of subsidy that reduces the mortgage payment. The amount of assistance is determined by the adjusted family income.

A number of factors are considered when determining an applicant’s eligibility for this loan. At a minimum, applicants interested in obtaining a direct loan must have an adjusted income that is at or below the applicable low-income limit for the area where they wish to buy a house and they must demonstrate a willingness and ability to repay debt.

This is a zero down payment loan.

Program Fact Sheet

Program Forms & Resources

Click here for the current rate for the USDA 502 Direct Loan Program

Kentucky USDA Underwriting Guideline Mortgage Changes for Income, Credit, Work History and Assets


Rural Development Kentucky Underwriting Guideline Mortgage Changes for Income, Credit, Work History and Assets

Chapter 9 – Income Analysis

  • Paragraph 9.3 is being revised as follows:
    o To clarify that lenders must verify the income of each adult household member for the previous 2
    years, which is consistent with the requirements in 7 CFR 3555.
    o To clarify under “full income documentation”, the lender must obtain W-2s or IRS Wage and Income
    transcripts, in addition to paystubs.
    o To change the term “streamlined documentation” to “alternative income documentation” to remove
    confusion with the streamlined refinance product.
    o To clarify under “self-employed income documentation” that if ownership interest is less than
    25%, neither the “Business Owner” or “Self-Employed” options should be selected in GUS.
    o To clarify the Verbal Verification of Employment must be obtained within 10 business days of loan
    closing and confirmation a self-employment business remains operational must be obtained within 30
    days of loan closing, which may differ than the note date that is currently referenced.
  • Paragraph 9.8 is being revised to clarify it is the lender’s responsibility to review gaps in
    employment and determine if the income is stable and dependable. In addition, this paragraph is
    being revised to clarify a business loss from a closed business may be removed from consideration
    under the same circumstances that self-employment income from a closed business can be removed from
    consideration.
  • Attachment 9-A is being revised as follows:
    o Revising “Automobile Allowance” and “Expense Allowance” guidance to allow the full expense
    allowance to be included as repayment income and the full debt counted in DTI, as well as updating
    the required history to two years.
    o To clarify that “Boarder Income” refers to rental income received from an individual renting
    space inside the dwelling, making the property income producing and therefore ineligible.
    o Revising “Bonus” and “Overtime” income to clarify the one year history must be in the same or
    similar line of work.
    o Revising the “Child Support” and “Separate Maintenance/Alimony” guidelines to simplify the
    guidance, remove inconsistencies within the current guidance, and clarify that income that meets
    the minimum history, but the payment amounts are not consistent, must use an average consistent
    with the payor’s
    current ability/willingness to pay for repayment income.
    o To clarify that employer-provided fringe benefits that are reported as taxable income may be
    included in repayment income.
    o Simplifying the guidance on considering mileage deductions, referring to IRS guidance when a
    mileage deduction is claimed on income tax returns.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
o Removing the requirement to obtain a copy of the IRS W-4 document when using a Mortgage Credit
Certificate as income.
o Revising “Secondary Employment” guidance to clarify that the applicant must have a one year
history of working the primary and secondary jobs concurrently to be considered for repayment
income.
o Revising “Section 8 Housing Vouchers” to permit Section 8 vouchers to be treated as a reduction
of the PITI when the benefit is paid directly to the servicer, rather than solely an addition to
repayment income. Subsequently, provided clarification that a manual file submission is required in
this instance and clarified that when lenders use the benefit as a reduction of the PITI, they must
maintain documentation in their permanent loan file to support the benefit is paid directly to the
servicer.
o Revising the “Unreimbursed Employee or Business Expenses” guidance to reflect instances where the
IRS continues to allow these deductions.
o Adding categories providing guidance on Guardianship/Conservatorship Income, Individual
Retirement Account (IRA) Distributions, and Variable Income.
o Revising guidance for sourcing deposits in depository accounts to simplify the process and become
more consistent with the lending industry. Clarified that all recurring deposits, as well as
non-recurring deposits greater than $1,000, need to be reviewed to confirm the deposits are not
from undisclosed income
sources.
o To clarify that gift funds applied as Earnest Money should not be entered on the “Loan and
Property Information” GUS application page.
o Adding a category providing guidance on “Lump Sum Additions.”
o To clarify in the “Retirement” section that funds borrowed against retirement accounts (e.g.
401(k), IRA, etc.) are eligible for funds to close, but are not considered in reserves.

  • Attachment 9-E is being revised to reflect a two year required history for “Capital Gain or
    Loss” to be consistent with the current guidance in Attachment 9-A.

Chapter 15 – Submitting the Application Package

  • Attachment 15-A is being revised as follows:
    o Removing the requirement to submit evidence of qualified alien requirements on page 1, as it is
    not required to be submitted to the Agency on GUS Accept files.
    o To change the term “streamlined documentation” to “alternative income documentation” on page 2,
    to remove confusion with the streamlined refinance product.
    o Rent is required for manually underwritten loans less than 680.




Have Questions or Need Expert Advice? Text, email, or call me below:

Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer

Individual NMLS ID #57916

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle
Louisville, KY 40223
Company NMLS ID #1364

Text/call: 502-905-3708
fax: 502-327-9119
email:
 kentuckyloan@gmail.com

http://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/

The view and opinions stated on this website belong solely to the authors, and are intended for informational purposes only. The posted information does not guarantee approvalnor does it comprise full underwriting guidelines. This does not represent being part of a government agency. The views expressed on this post are mine and do not necessarily reflect the view of my employer. Not all products or services mentioned on this site may fit all people.
NMLS ID# 57916, (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).