Tag: bad credit

5 Bad Credit Mortgage Options in Kentucky for Homebuyers


5 Bad Credit Mortgage Options in Kentucky for Homebuyers

By Joel Lobb, Senior Loan Officer | NMLS #57916 | Louisville, KY


Bad Credit Mortgage Options in Kentucky | FHA, VA, USDA, and More

Discover 5 bad credit mortgage solutions in Kentucky. Learn about FHA, VA, USDA, Non-QM loans, and KHC Down Payment Assistance with Joel Lobb, Mortgage Loan Officer.


Can You Get a Mortgage with Bad Credit in Kentucky?

Absolutely. As a mortgage broker who has helped over 1,300 Kentucky families achieve homeownership, I can assure you that bad credit doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker. With the right loan program and personalized guidance, you can buy a home even with less-than-perfect credit.

Several government-backed and alternative loan programs are designed specifically for buyers facing credit challenges. Let’s dive into the top 5 options available in Kentucky today.


1. FHA Loan – Credit Scores from 500+

Best For: First-time homebuyers and low-credit borrowers

Key Features:

  • Minimum Credit Score: 500 (requires 10% down) or 580+ (requires 3.5% down)
  • Loan Type: HUD-backed
  • Down Payment: 3.5% for scores 580+, 10% for 500-579
  • Benefits: Flexible credit standards, low down payments
  • Considerations: Mortgage insurance premium (MIP) required

Other Requirements:

  • No bankruptcies in the past 2 years
  • No foreclosures in the past 3 years
  • Stable 2-year work history
  • 1-3 months’ reserves recommended

Bonus: Down payment assistance programs may be available for scores 580+

FHA loans are a great option if you’ve overcome past credit issues but have stable income and rental history.


2. VA Loan – For Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members

Best For: Veterans, active-duty personnel, and eligible surviving spouses

Key Features:

  • Minimum Credit Score: No VA-mandated minimum; most lenders prefer 620+
  • Down Payment: 0%
  • Loan Type: VA-backed
  • Benefits: No PMI, competitive rates, flexible DTI ratios

Other Requirements:

  • Must meet VA residual income requirements
  • Requires a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
  • 2 years stable employment history
  • No bankruptcies or foreclosures within the past 2 years
  • Termite inspection required

As a veteran myself, I’ve closed over 300 VA loans across Kentucky. You’ve earned these benefits — let’s use them.

3. USDA Loan – Rural Housing with 100% Financing

Best For: Low- to moderate-income buyers in rural areas

Key Features:

  • Minimum Credit Score: 620-640 (varies by lender)
  • Down Payment: 0%
  • Loan Type: USDA-backed
  • Benefits: No money down, competitive rates, flexible underwriting

Other Requirements:

  • Income limits apply ($112,450 for 1-4 household members; $148,450 for 5+)
  • 3 years removed from bankruptcy/foreclosure
  • Primary residence only
  • Upfront mortgage insurance (1%) and monthly (0.35%) for life of loan

USDA loans are perfect for buyers in eligible Kentucky counties seeking affordable paths to homeownership.

[View USDA Eligible Areas and Income Limits Here]


4. Non-Qualified Mortgage (Non-QM)

Best For: Self-employed, investors, recent credit events

Key Features:

  • Flexible Income Documentation: Use bank statements, rental income (DSCR), or asset depletion
  • Waiting Period: As little as 1 year after bankruptcy or foreclosure
  • Down Payment: 10%-20% typically required
  • Benefits: Alternative income accepted, flexible underwriting
  • Considerations: Higher rates, not government-backed

If you’re a 1099 contractor, truck driver, gig worker, or recovering from a bankruptcy, Non-QM loans open new doors.

5. Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) Down Payment Assistance (DAP)

Best For: Buyers needing help with down payment or closing costs

Key Features:

  • Loan Amount: Up to $10,000 assistance
  • Credit Score: Minimum 620 (FHA/VA/USDA); higher for conventional
  • Interest: 0% loan
  • Forgiveness: Potential after set time period

Other Requirements:

  • Primary residence only
  • Income and purchase price limits apply
  • Homebuyer education course completion
  • No recent bankruptcy or foreclosure

Combine KHC DAP with FHA, VA, or USDA loans for an even stronger path to affordable homeownership in Kentucky.

Who These Programs Help

  • First-time homebuyers
  • Low- to moderate-income families
  • Borrowers with prior collections or credit dings
  • Self-employed or gig workers
  • Veterans and rural buyers

What’s Next?

Don’t guess which loan fits you best. Let’s build a personalized mortgage plan based on your unique credit profile, income, and homeownership goals.

📞 Call or Text: (502) 905-3708
📧 Email: kentuckyloan@gmail.com
🌐 Website: www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com

Joel Lobb — Mortgage Loan Officer
911 Barret Ave., Louisville, KY 40204
Evo Mortgage | Company NMLS# 1738461 | Personal NMLS# 57916


#BadCreditMortgage #KentuckyHomeLoans #FirstTimeHomebuyerKY #FHAloanKY #VALoanKY #USDALoanKY #KHC #MortgageHelpKY

Can you get A Kentucky USDA Loan after  bankruptcy, foreclosure, or short sale?


Getting Approved for a Kentucky USDA Loan after bankruptcy, foreclosure, or short sale. 
Getting Approved for a Kentucky USDA Loan after bankruptcy, foreclosure, or short sale.


The Kentucky USDA Rural Loan program requires a minimum of three years from the date of a bankruptcy, foreclosure, or short sale to the borrower being eligible for a USDA Loan.  

For both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies the borrower must allow three years from the discharge date prior to submitting a new loan request.

 If the bankruptcy included a property, whether a primary residence or investment property, the earliest a new loan can be obtained is based on USDA Loan short sale and foreclosure guidelines.

When the borrower experienced either a short sale, foreclosure, or surrenders the property through the bankruptcy process, there will be a three year waiting period between the date of property transfer from the borrower to a new entity, and the date the new loan application can be processed.  

The most conservative stance by a Kentucky USDA Loan Underwriter for defining the date of the negative occurrence is the legal recorded transfer date, which is the date the property has been transferred out of the borrowers name and either back to the bank that holds the mortgage note or a subsequent home buyer. From this date the borrower will not be eligible for a USDA Loan for a period of time no less than three years.

However, one of my investors will allow a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge date to be considered the date of foreclosure, provided the borrower didn’t re-affirm the mortgage liability.  This differs from when the property transfer date is recorded at the County Clerks Office. This is especially helpful in circumstances where the home owner legally removed their ownership rights to a property, through a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but the mortgage lien holder was slow to transfer the mortgage back into the name of the bank or sell the property.

If the foreclosed property was secured by a government backed mortgage loan such as a FHA or VA Loan, the property transfer date is no longer considered relevant.  The date that now becomes important is the date when the mortgage lender that held the mortgage note received compensation for their mortgage insurance claim through either The Department of Housing and Urban Development for a FHA Loan or The Veterans Administration for a VA Loan.  

The date of the mortgage insurance claim is identified through a CAIVRS search, which is required on all Kentucky Rural Housing  USDA Loans.

If you have yet to apply for your Kentucky USDA Loan pre-qualification request, you can do so online by clicking here. If you have any Kentukcy USDA Loan or other loan specific questions please, email me at kentuckyloan@gmail.com or text/call 502-905-3708

USDA Rural Housing Lender for Kentucky

Foreclosure and Bankruptcy Guidelines for Kentucky Rural Housing Loans

 Foreclosure within 3 years:

 Including pre-foreclosure activity, such as a pre-foreclosure sale or short sale

in the previous 3 years (refer to Attachment 10-B for additional guidance);

 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;

 Late mortgage payments if any mortgage trade line during the most recent 12

months shows 1 or more late payments of greater than 30 days

Collections Accounts for Rural Housing Loans in Kentucky

.

In an effort to minimize future risk of open collections left unpaid, the lender will

consider the following during the capacity analysis of the loan request, regardless of the

method utilized to underwrite:

1) Determine if the total outstanding balance of all collections accounts of all

applicants is equal to or greater than $2,000. Unless excluded by state law,

collection accounts of a non-purchasing spouse in a community property state are

included in the cumulative balance of all collections.

2) Remove all medical collections and all types of charge off accounts from the total

balance. Medical collections and charge off accounts must be clearly identifiable

on the credit report.

3) If the remaining outstanding balance of collection accounts are equal to or greater

than $2,000, any of the following actions will apply:

a. Payment in full of all collection accounts at or prior to closing.

b. Payment arrangements are made with each creditor for each collection

account remaining outstanding. A letter from the creditor or evidence on

the credit report is required to validate the payment arrangements. The

agreed upon monthly payment for each outstanding collection account

will be included in the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio.

c. In the absence of a payment arrangement, the lender will utilize in the

debt-to-income ratio a calculated monthly payment. For each collection
utilize 5% of the outstanding balance to represent the monthly payment.


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Joel Lobb
Senior Loan Officer
(NMLS#57916
text or call my phone: (502) 905-3708
email me at kentuckyloan@gmail.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 approval, nor 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). USDA Mortgage loans only offered in Kentucky.

All loans and lines are subject to credit approval, verification, and collateral evaluation and are originated by lender. Products and interest rates are subject to change without notice. Manufactured and mobile homes are not eligible as collateral.