I am a Kentucky based USDA Mortgage Lender that has originated over 300 KY Rural Housing Mortgage Loans in Kentucky
Category: USDA /Rural Housing Loan Offices in Ky
| 2013 Credit Requirements for A Kentucky Rural Housing RHS Mortgage Loan | ![]() |
| REQUIREMENTS |
1. Equifax Beacon 5.0 2. Transunion FICO Risk Score, Classic 04 3. Experian/Fair Isaac Risk Model V2.
TRADELINE REQUIREMENTS: GUS Approved: Each credit report must contain 2 acceptable tradelines with at least 12 month history and last active within the last 24 months (see below regarding acceptable tradelines). Manual Underwrite: As determined acceptable by the underwriter. |
| CREDIT SCORE |
o Middle of 3 o Lower of 2 o If only one score is provided, that score is the qualifying credit score for that borrower. Minimum credit score for:
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LIABILITIES & CREDIT HISTORY |
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| H | |
| OPEN CHARGE ACCOUNTS | |
| ALIMONY, CHILD SUPPORT, OR SEPARATE MAINTENANCE |
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| CONTINGENT LIABILITIES |
PREVIOUS MORTGAGE:
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| DEFERRED INSTALLMENT DEBT | May not be omitted from debt ratio. If the credit report does not reflect a monthly payment due at the end of the deferment period, the lender may request a copy of the applicant’s payment letter, or utilize the industry standard of estimating student loan payments as 1% of the loan balance. |
| NON-REIMBURSED EMPLOYEE EXPENSES | If the borrower claims any non-reimbursed employee expenses (IRS Form 2106 or 1040 Schedule A), the borrowers monthly income should be reduced by the annualized monthly average. |
| BUSINESS DEBT IN BORROWER’S NAME | When the account in question does not have a history of delinquency, the debt may be excluded with satisfactory evidence the obligation was paid out of company funds (such as 12 months cancelled company checks). If the account in question has a history of delinquency, the full debt obligation must be included in the borrower’s debt ratio. |
| FINANCED PROPERTIES | Additional financed properties are generally not permitted as borrower may not own any other suitable housing at time of closing. |
| DEBTS WITH <6 REMAINING PAYMENTS | The total debt ratio should include revolving debt regardless of when the debt will be retired. Installment loans will only be considered if the debt will be retired in more than six months. However, if the monthly payment on the debt is substantial, the payment will also be included in long term debt. The GUS system will automatically exclude debt that is eligible to be excluded. If not excluded by GUS the debt must be included in the debt ratio. |
| “PAYING DOWN” ACCOUNTS | Not permitted. Settlement offers will not be considered as proof of balance |
| SETTLEMENT OFFERS | Are acceptable on accounts that will be paid in full at closing as long as the offer is in writing from the creditor reporting on the credit report. |
| PAST DUE ACCOUNTS (NOT A COLLECTION OR CHARGE OFF) | Recent derogatory credit >1×30 within the previous 12 months is not permitted unless approved by GUS. All past due accounts must be current at time of closing. |
| COLLECTIONS/ CHARGE OFFS |
GUS Approved:
Manual Underwrite:
Any unpaid Collections/Charge offs will require a satisfactory letter of explanation from the borrower. |
| OUTSTANDING FEDERALLY INSURED OR GUARANTEED DEBT | Borrower(s) must have an acceptable existing repayment plan (minimum of 12 months), and/or be required to pay account in full prior to, or at closing. Borrower must also be cleared through CAIVRS. |
| JUDGMENTS/LIENS |
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| BANKRUPTCY (ALL) | 3 years seasoning required from Discharge or Dismissal date. |
| FORECLOSURE | 3 years seasoning required. |
| DEED-IN-LIEU OF FORECLOSURE | 3 years seasoning required. |
| SHORT SALES | 3 years seasoning required. |
| COMPENSATING FACTORS | Some compensating factors include:
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| MULTIPLE RISK LAYERING | Multiple risk layering is not allowed on manually underwritten loans:
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Kentucky Rural Housing Service (RHS) program Mortgage
Program Descriptions RHS Fixed Rate 2 6/15/2011
The loan must meet the minimum FICO requirement listed in the following grids: Loans must be manually underwritten. Second Homes and Investment properties are not eligible. LTV/CLTV/HCLTV/FICO Primary Residence –
Min Fico 640 Ranges FICO Type Units *LTV CLTV HCLTV Salaried Self-Employed Purchase & Rate/Term Refinance 1 103.5% 100% NA 640 640 1 101% 100% NA 640 640
* Purchase: Maximum LTV is 103.5% of appraised value when guarantee fee is financed. Refinance: Maximum LTV is 101% of appraised value when guarantee fee is financed. Rate & Term refinancing is available on current RHS loans only.
Calculation of the Guarantee Fee: The Guarantee Fee may be calculated in two ways depending on whether the fee will be financed. Transaction Type Guarantee Fee Not Financed Guarantee Fee Financed Purchase Transactions Multiply the loan amount by 3.50% and round to the nearest cent. Example: $100,000 x .035 = $3,500. The fee is calculated as follows: 1. Divide the base loan amount by .965 and round to the nearest cent. 2. Multiply that number by .035 (3.50%) and round to the nearest cent. Example: $100,000 ÷ .965 = $103,626.943005 (rounded to $103,626.94). $103,626.94 x .035 = $3,626.9429 (rounded to $3,626.94). Rate and Term Refinances Multiply the loan amount by 1.00%. Example: $100,000 x .01 = $1,000. Follow steps 1 and 2 above, substituting 99 for .965 and .01 for .035. Example: $100,000 ÷ .99 = $101,010.10. $101,010.10 x .01 = $1,010.10.
Secondary financing may be used if it is approved by RHS and is offered by city or county agencies. SECONDARY FINANCING
Refinance transactions must comply with the following requirements: REFINANCE REQUIREMENTS • The interest rate cannot exceed the interest rate of the existing loan. • The loan security must include the same property as the original loan. The security property must be owner-occupied as the borrower’s primary residence. • Maximum loan amount cannot exceed the balance of the loan being refinanced, plus the guarantee fee and reasonable and customary closing costs (including funds necessary to establish a new tax and insurance escrow account). Subordinate financing, such as home equity lines of credit and down payment assistance “silent” seconds, cannot be included in the new loan amount. Unpaid fees, such as late fees due the servicer, cannot be included in the new loan amount. • Any existing secondary financing must be subordinate to the first lien. • Cash-out is not allowed. • HUD-1 cannot reflect cash back to the borrower except for items prepared by the borrower outside of closing.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The rural Housing Service (RHS) program provides very-low-, low- and moderate-income rural resident with better access to affordable housing finance options with little or no down payment or out-of-pocket costs.
Borrowers may obtain a loan to purchase a new or existing home that is located in a designated rural area. A rural community generally has a population of 10,000 or less; however, a community with a population of 20,000 or less can be considered “rural” if it is located outside a metropolitan statistical area (MSA).
To be eligible for RHS assistance, borrowers must lack sufficient resources (for example, borrower is unable to secure the necessary down payment which is generally 20%, to obtain conventional financing without RHS guarantee assistance). Guidelines for the program follow.
AVAILABLE PRODUCTS AND TERMS
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30 year fixed rate
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Purchase
• Rate term refinance (only allowed when refinancing a current Rural Housing Guaranteed loan.)
OCCUPANCY
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Owner occupied only
ELIGIBLE BORROWERS
Borrowers are subject to the following eligibility requirements:
• Borrowers may have only one residence. Borrowers may be the current owner of a structurally sound, functionally adequate house, as long as it is sold prior to or concurrently with the purchase of the new home.
• Borrowers must lack sufficient resources (for example, borrower is unable to secure the necessary down payment which is generally 20%, to obtain conventional financing without RHS guarantee assistance).
• Borrowers must have a valid Social Security Number.
• Borrower may be a permanent or non-permanent resident alien. Refer to the Underwriting Guide for details.
• Title must be in individual names only.
• All borrowers must be screened using CAIVRS (Credit Alert Interactive Voice Response System) to determine if an applicant is delinquent on a federal loan.
INELIGIBLE BORROWERS
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Non-occupant co-borrowers
Prepayment Penalty Option is not available.
MIN/MAX LOAN AMOUNT
The LTV is based on the appraised value. Minimum 80.01% LTV is required on all purchase transactions. The minimum loan amount is $30,000. Loan limits are dictated by the applicant’s income with respect to program eligibility and loan repayment ability. The maximum loan amount is 100% of the conforming loan limit or 103.5% when the Guarantee Fee is financed.
Program Descriptions RHS Fixed Rate
2 6/15/2011
LTV/CLTV/HCLTV/FICO
| The loan must meet the minimum FICO requirement listed in the following grids: Loans must be manually underwritten. Second Homes and Investment properties are not eligible.Primary Residence – Min Fico 640 | ||||||||||||
| Ranges | FICO | |||||||||||
| Type | Units | *LTV | CLTV | HCLTV | Salaried | Self-Employed | ||||||
| Purchase & Rate/Term Refinance | 1 | 103.5% | 100% | NA | 640 | 640 | ||||||
| 1 | 101% | 100% | NA | 640 | 640 | |||||||
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25 Questions and Answers
1 What is the guarantee?
USDA Rural Development provides the full faith and assurance of the U.S Government
that any financial loss resulting from servicing the loan will be reimbursed in full up to
an amount not exceeding 90% of the original loan amount. All loss up to an amount not
exceeding 35% of the original loan is fully reimbursed. Losses exceeding 35% are 85%
reimbursed.
2 What is the advantage to the customer?
100 percent financing, fixed interest rate, low monthly mi fee (.50bps) and upfront mi fee of 2% and no restrictions on size or design are just a few of the advantages.
3 What are the eligibility requirements?
Have adequate and dependable income (up to 115 percent of adjusted area median
income), have acceptable credit, do not own a dwelling in the local commuting area, US
Citizen or permanent resident, have the ability to personally occupy the home on a
permanent basis, and do not have funds for a 20% down payment loan plus closing and
moving expenses.
4 Can a Broker originate Guaranteed loans? Yes, however only Approved lenders may underwrite & submit loans.
5 How long does it take to get an answer?
Our goal is a 2 to 5 day turnaround. Time will be longer in some offices due to the large
number of guarantee requests received.
6 What is the maximum fixed Interest Rate and term?
Fannie Mae 90 day delivery rate plus 60 basis points rounded up to nearest quarter of
one percent Or no more than the Lender’s published VA rate for first mortgage loans
with no discount points. The term is 30 years.
7 What is the maximum loan amount? The Loan amount is limited by the market value and repayment ability.
8 What is the maximum Loan to Value? It can be up to 100% LTV plus the Agency guarantee fee.
9 What is the Guarantee Fee? The guarantee fee is 2.0 percent of the “Total” loan amount.
10 What are the qualifying ratios? PITI Ratio 29 percent, TD Ratio 41 percent.
Higher ratios may be approved with compensating factors.
11 Do we show deferred student loans in the debt ratio?
Deferred student loans should be included in the debt ratio calculations for Guaranteed
Loans regardless of the deferment period.
12 What is the minimum credit score?
Under certain criteria, credit score 640 and above no comment required.
For credit score 639 and below document circumstances were temporary in nature
beyond the applicants control and have been removed. In most cases, loans will not be
guaranteed for applicants who have a middle credit score of 580 & below.
13 What about location? The dwelling must be located in eligible rural area (See eligibility site) http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do
14 What about refinancing? Limited to existing USDA Rural Development guaranteed or direct loans.
15 Can loans include acreage?
Possibly. The acreage must not contain any income producing facilities and the value of
acreage may not exceed of the total property value.
16 Can Manufactured Homes be financed? Yes, however they must be new and sold by an approved dealer contractor. We as a lender currently don’t offer these type of loans
17 What about an in-ground swimming pool? Swimming pools are now okay with the recent changes on December 1st, 2014
18 What are the required inspections?Property must meet HUD Handbook 4905.1 & 4150.2 or similar standard. A FHA roster appraiser can verify adequacy/working order of electrical, plumbing, heating, water & waste disposal on existing dwellings.
19 Will USDA Rural Development issue a letter asking the Approved Lender to make a loan? No. This is the Approved Lender‟s loan. They underwrite the loan and decide if it meets their standards and Agency standards before submitting.
20 Is homebuyer education required? Homebuyer education is not required, however it is recommended.
21 Are seller concessions allowed? Yes. Rural Development restricts the amount of seller concessions to 6% of sales price
22 Who approves the Appraiser? The appraiser must be licensed by the State to complete appraisals.
23 Can necessary repairs be included in loan? Yes. An „as improved‟ appraisal will be needed to include cost of repairs.
24 Are alternate verifying income documents allowed
Yes. Paycheck stubs, payroll earnings statements and W-2 tax forms for previous 2 tax
years, and telephone verification of employment.
25 Who buys Guaranteed Housing Loans?
FHLB, Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, and other
The mission of Kentucky Rural Development’s Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program is to assist low to moderate income rural Kentucky homebuyers achieve their dream of homeownership!
Kentucky Rural Development partners with approved local lenders to extend 100% financing opportunities to eligible rural individuals and families for the purchase of safe and sanitary dwellings. Guaranteed loans have assisted thousands of homeowners to purchase a home with affordable interest rates and loan terms.
Changes to RHS Guarantee and Annual Fee
Effective on October 1, 2012, RHS will revise the Up-Front Guarantee Fee and Annual Fee structure as follows:
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Up-Front Guarantee Fee |
Through Sept. 30, 2012 |
Effective Oct. 1, 2012 |
| Purchase Transactions (no change) |
2% |
2% |
| Refinance Transactions |
1.5% |
2% |
|
Annual Fee |
Through Sept. 30, 2012 |
Effective Oct. 1, 2012 |
| Purchase Transactions |
.30% |
.40% |
| Refinance Transactions |
.30% |
.40% |
Loan guarantee requests submitted to RHS by September 30, 2012, in which a conditional commitment has not been issued, will be subject to the new, October 1, fee structure. Lenders are encouraged to plan for the changes because, as mentioned previously, some RHS offices are experiencing extreme backlogs in loan guarantee delivery.