I am a Kentucky based USDA Mortgage Lender that has originated over 200 KY Rural Housing Mortgage Loans in Kentucky, Put my expert advice to use. Kentucky Rural Development RHS loans give KY Rural Homebuyers a zero down mortgage loan with a low 30 year fixed rate loan. A Local Kentucky Rural Housing Mortgage Lender offering same day free approvals and credit report. This website is not affiliated with USDA or any other government agency. NMLS#57916 Equal Housing Lender Text or call today 502-905-3708 with your mortgage questions about USDA Rural Housing Loans in Kentucky. Free Pre-Approvals on most applications within the same day. Kentuckyloan@gmail.com
A borrower who has no verifiable employment for 6 months or longer is deemed to have a gap in employment.
Any gaps in employment must be analyzed in order to make a final determination of stable and dependable income. An employment gap does not automatically render an applicant ineligible. Applicants with job gaps due to maternity leave, medical leave, relocation, etc. are considered to have employment continuity. Applicants returning to the workforce after leaving a previous job to care for a child/family member, complete education, etc. will require a 12 month employment history.
A Kentucky USDA home loan is a zero-dollar-down mortgage option provided by USDA’s Department of Rural Development.
This government-backed loan program comes in two types: direct loan, which is reserved for lower-income households and issued by USDA, and the guaranteed loan, which is reserved for low- to moderate-income families. The guaranteed loan is funded by private lenders, and USDA guarantees a portion of the loan against default.
The KY USDA home loan program is generally more beneficial to rural families than a conventional lending program, particularly for first-time homebuyers with lower- to median-level incomes.
Some of the benefits of Kentucky Rural Housing USDA loans include: • zero down payment • competitive interest rates • lower-than-average monthly mortgage insurance • relaxed credit requirements versus conventional loans
• no loan limits
How do I determine eligibility for a Kentucky Rural Housing USDA loan? To be eligible for a USDA home loan, borrowers must meet the program’s basic eligibility requirements. These requirements are relaxed compared to other mortgage options and are in place to ensure borrowers can make their monthly mortgage payments.
Here are a few of the basic Kentucky RHS USDA eligibility requirements:
• Income. Applicants must not have annual adjusted income greater than 115% of the median household income for the area. Check your county’s USDA income limit. This called compliance income.
• Credit. Applicants must have a minimum credit score of 581 to qualify for USDA’s guaranteed underwriting credit requirements. However, most lenders will want a 620 or preferably to get an Automated Approval 640 is the magic number in most cases. With regards to bankruptcy, 3 years is usually the date needed to lapse since your discharge.
• Employment. Applicants must have proof of two years of stable income and employment.
: Income: They will take your gross monthly income and develop two ratios for you: The front end ratio, which is called your housing ratio, and then the back-end ratio or total debt ratio is the house payment plus the total monthly payments listed on the credit report. If you pay child support, this is included in the qualifying ratios but utility bills, car insurance, cell phone bills, water bills etc, is not included. Typically 28% is used for the housing ratio, and
Student Loans: They are pretty tough on student loans and qualifying with your current student loan debts. They will make us use 1% of your outstanding balance on student loans, so sometimes this will cause the loan to get denied because your debt to income ratio is too high. If they are in an Income-Based repayment plan they will still make us use the 1% balance so keep this in mind. For example, let’s say you owe $35k in outstanding student loans, and your IBR plan calls for a $50 monthly payment. RHS will make us use $350, not the $50 IBR payment so you can see where this will cause issue on higher debt to income ratios on some loans.**********updated guidelines September 2019*****easier to qualify now.
If you are a Kentucky USDA Mortgage applicant who has student loan calculations will be changed to the following Fixed Payment Loans:
A permanent amortized, fixed payment may be used when it can be documented that the payment is fixed, the interest rate is fixed, and the repayment term is fixed.
Non-Fixed Payment Loans (i.e. deferred, income based, graduated, adjustable, etc.): The payment should be calculated as the greater of 0.5% of the loan balance or the actual payment reflected on the credit report. No additional documentation is required.
• Property location. Homes must be located within a rural area, as defined by USDA. Rural areas are any that have a population less than 35,000 depending on the area’s designation. Use this tool from USDA to determine if a specific address is eligible.
• Physical property. Homes must be the borrower’s primary residence, have direct access to a street, and have adequate utilities and water and wastewater disposal, among other things No working fams allowed or properties that income producing livestock or crops.
For those with lower incomes, a USDA direct loan provides greater opportunities for lending, as its credit and income requirements are more lax than the guaranteed loan option.
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/
— 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 USDA Mortgage holders should look to Streamline Refinance for Customers wanting to lower their payments and reduce their mortgage insurance
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Existing Loan Current loan may be a section 502 Guaranteed or Direct loan.
New Interest Rate The new interest rate must meet the following requirements: 1) Fixed, and 2) The interest rate may not exceed the existing rate (that described in RD
440.1)Maximum Interest Rate The maximum interest rate is based on the 90 day FNMA 30 year A/A Remittance rate as of the lock date + 100 basis points and rounded up to the next1/4%. The rates are found on the Fannie Mae website: http://www.efanniemae.com/sf/refmaterials/hrny/index.jsp
Net Tangible Benefit The new principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI) must have at least a $50 reduction compared to the existing PITI. The reduction ($50) must be
independent of any change in the annual fee, which is included in the calculation.
Term The new term must be 30 years only.
Adding/Removing Borrowers Borrowers may be added, but not removed (unless deceased) from the current loan.
Maximum Mortgage Amount The mortgage amount may include the principal balance plus a portion or the full amount of the applicable upfront guarantee fee, accrued interest, funds to establish tax and insurance escrow, and eligible loan closing costs (discount points not permitted see below)
COLLATERAL Appraisal No Appraisal required. A new appraisal is only required for direct loan borrowers that received a subsidy.
Eligible Collateral All dwellings must provide decent, safe, and sanitary at a modest cost (a dwelling with a purchase price not exceeding the FHA Single Family mortgage
limit for its county is considered modest), Owner Occupied Only. 1 Unit, PUD’s, Condos, Ineligible Collateral Mobile homes, single-wide manufactured homes, co-ops, Condo Hotels, State approved medical marijuana producing properties, income producing farms, ranches, mixed use, commercial properties, leaseholds, properties with sink holes, properties served by cisterns, properties serviced by hauled water,
properties with a wastewater stabilization pond/lagoon (aka sewage lagoon), properties with individual water purification systems required to make the
water safe for human consumption (does not include systems installed to improve the taste or softness of the water).
CREDIT CAIVRS and Exclusionary List CAIVR clearance must be obtained for all borrowers on the transaction. GSA/LDP/SAM clearance is required for all parties of the transaction within 30 days of USDA’s Conditional Commitment date.
Bankruptcy Chapter 7 and 13 must be discharged. The borrower(s) may not currently be in bankruptcy. Judgments/Liens All outstanding judgments and liens must be paid. Foreclosure / Deed-in-lieu Subject property may not have an active foreclosure.
Credit Report A tri-merge mortgage only rating for subject property with credit scores will be used. Not required. Mortgage History 0x30 in the previous 12 months. Must have evidence of payment history over the previous 12 months. No exceptions. A mortgage-only credit report or
servicing verification (FiServ) is acceptable
INCOME/ASSETS
Income Documentation Income for all household members is required to determine if household income is under the USDA moderate income area limit. Income documentation is not used to calculate qualifying ratios. Annual Income Limits Annual income is the basis for determining adjusted income. Annual income includes the total gross income of the borrower, co-borrower, and any otheradult (age 18 and up) household members, any amount anticipated to be received from a source outside of the family during the 12-month period, and all
amounts derived during the 12-month period from assets to which any member of the family has access.
If a cost of living allowance or a proposed
increase in income has been estimated to be in effect prior to the first month’s mortgage payment due date, this amount must be included as income. For
annual income, count only the first $480 of earned income from adult full time students who are not the borrower, co-borrower, or spouse.
Rental income is included regardless of duration. Include total rental real estate income reported on most recent IRS form 1040 Schedule E for previous 12
months.
If no schedule E, cancelled checks, money order receipts, bank statements, or other documents may be used to support rent amounts received
The USDA has announced effective October 1, 2016:
Reduction in the Upfront Guarantee Fee: the upfront guarantee fee for purchase and refinance transactions will decrease from 2.75% of the loan amount to 1.00% of the loan amount.
Reduction in the Annual Fee: The 0.50% annual fee will also decrease to 0.35%.
The new fee structure must be used for loans submitted in GUS on or after, Thursday, September 1, 2016.
Contact your Account Executive for more information on the fee changes or our USDA Streamline Assist Program.
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). 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.
RHS Condos
In order for a condo to be eligible for an RHS loan, it must appear on the FHA, VA, or FNMA approval list. Please see the Condos Guideline for more information.
Income Producing Properties and Outbuildings
Minimal income production from property is allowable within reason (e.g. gardening) as long as the property remains predominantly residential in nature
Outbuildings are permitted as long as they are no longer in commercial use. Interior photographs of all outbuildings will be required to determine usage
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). I lend in the following states: Kentucky
Kentucky USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Lending Program is geared to assist low to moderate income families realize home ownership. Below are some important highlights:
Debt Ratios–29/41% on manual underwrites – max to 45% Debt to Income ratios with GUS Approve/Eligible Finding.
ZERO down payment – 100% LTV ok
Income Eligibility Limits do apply. Usually to $75k for a family of four and up to $98k for a household family of five or more.
Lender Credit from the interest rate may be used to pay closing costs.
Gifts ok! Usually not needed for USDA loans because 100% Financing offered. Gift funds cannot be used for reserves to get a GUS approval.
Applicants with > 20% of the sales price in assets (exclude retirement accounts) are not eligible for USDA financing.
Clear CAIVRS required – CAIVRS is a Federal Government-wide data base of information regarding individuals where an insurance claim or guarantee loss was paid.
2 tradelines with > 12 months of repayment history – installment or revolving and trade lines may be open, closed or paid in full by applicant.
Student Loan Payments – important recent change to Kentucky Mortgage RHS USDA Loans. The change no longer allows for student loan payments that are IBR (Income Based Repayment), graduated, adjustable, interest only and deferred. USDA now requires a payment equal to 1% of the balance reflected on the applicant’s credit report.
Kentucky Rural Development USDA Changes Coming soon below:
Kentucky USDA Streamlined-Assist refinances – similar to an FHA Kentucky Streamline…details coming soon!
Upfront Fee and the Annual Premiums will be reducing in the Fall of 2016 for a new Kentucky Rural Housing Mortgage Loans!
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.
Kentucky USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing LoansDid you know that Kentucky home buyers can still get a mortgage with no money down, even with less than perfect credit? The Kentucky Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan Program offers these options in a wide range of areas, including many suburbs outside the major metro areas of Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Paducah, Hopkinsville, and Northern Kentucky cities of Florence, Covington and Newport.This loan program is offered through the Kentucky Rural Housing Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and designed to assist low and moderate-income residents by providing better access to affordable housing finance options including little or no out-of-pocket costs in eligible areas.
Available to low- and moderate-income borrowers whose adjusted income is equal to or less than 115% of the area median income
Owner-occupied single family non-farm residences, approved condos and PUDs
New construction properties are eligible
Home buyers can finance up to 100% of the market appraised value, including all recurring and non-recurring closing costs, in some circumstances Loan amounts as high as $417,000 in the continental U.S. Higher in Alaska and Hawaii.
No foreclosures in last 3 years. Can be a previous homeowner
No bankruptcies in last 3 years for A chapter 7. Chapter 13 are usually okay with 12 months history.
Credit scores as low as 620 No asset or reserve requirements. Gift funds are allowed
One borrower must have 3 tradelines that have existed for 12 months. If this requirement cannot be met, an accept decision must be downgraded to a refer and treated as a manual underwrite.
VERIFICATION OF RENT:
Scores 680 and above OR GUS accept = No VOR required.
Scores 679 and below = VOR required.
COLLECTIONS:
Determine if the total outstanding balance of all collections accounts and charge offs of all applicants is equal to or greater than $2,000. Unless excluded by state law, collection accounts and charge offs of a non-purchasing spouse in a community property state are included in the cumulative balance of all collections and charge offs.
Remove all medical collections and medical charge off accounts from the total balance. Medical collections and medical charge off accounts must be clearly identifiable on the credit report.
If the remaining outstanding balance of collection accounts and charge offs are equal to or greater than $2,000, any of the following actions will apply:
Payment in full of all collection accounts and charge offs at or prior to closing.
Payment arrangements are made with each creditor for each collection account and charge offs 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 and charge off will be included in the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio.
In the absence of a payment arrangement, the lender will utilize in the debt-to-income ratio a calculated monthly payment. For each collection and charge off utilize 5% of the outstanding balance to represent the monthly payment.
Kentucky Rural Housing USDA Important Announcement
USDA Home Loans : 100% Financing Kentucky USDA Rural Development Housing Zero Down Kentucky USDA Mortgage Loans Kentucky Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program
We have been advised by Kentucky Rural Housing USDA that they WILL ACCEPT NO LOAN APPLICATIONS FROM THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON NOVEMBER 21, 2014 THROUGH THE START OF BUSINESS DECEMBER 1 2014.
Many USDA offices currently have a significant backlog of cases to review and they will be unable to process applications under two regulations simultaneously. For these reasons the agency determined that this was the most appropriate way to address the upcoming changes and reduce the backlog.
Another recent announcement from USDA identified that they have seen a large increase in applications with missing information. This slows the file review process considerably. USDA has advised lenders that all incomplete files will be returned to the lender.
Criteria for USDA loan approvals state that if you have been discharged from a Chapter 7 bankruptcy for three years or more, you are eligible to apply for an USDA mortgage. If you are in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy and have made all court approved payments on time and as agreed for at least one year, you are also eligible to make an Kentucky USDA loan application.
