- Annual Qualifying Income – The requirement for calculations to be included on the Income Calculation worksheet have been removed and should now be included on Attachment 9-B, the underwriter transmittal summary, FNMA form 1008/Freddie form 1077, or equivalent
- 4506-T – The requirement for asset statements to be reviewed to ensure borrowers have no additional income sources has been removed.
- Repayment Income – MCC income must now be included in repayment income.
- Boarder Income – USDA now considers a boarder as a household member and a boarder’s income must now be included in annual income calculation. Rent paid by boarders that is reported on tax returns must also be included in annual income.
- Capital Gains – USDA removed requirement from Repayment Income to provide evidence showing borrowers own additional property or assets that may be sold if additional income is needed to support the mortgage obligation
- Commission – The borrower must now show one year history in same or similar line of work to include commission in repayment income.
- Fellowship, Stipend, Scholarship – Scholarship award letters must now provide date of termination and USDA will no longer presume benefits with no expiration date will continue. USDA also added guidelines for GI Bill income and stated it cannot be included in annual or repayment income.
- MCC – This income must now be included in repayment income, but no history is required. A copy of the W-4 from employer is required to verify borrower is taking tax credit on monthly basis. Note: MCC’s are ineligible with FWL as qualifying income.
- Unreimbursed Business Income – only taxable income is allowed to be included in repayment income
- Section 8 – USDA removed requirement for section 8 income to be deducted from the monthly PITI to determine DTI if it is paid directly to the loan servicer when included in the repayment income.
- Self Employed Income – Federal tax returns must now be reviewed to determine gross income for annual calculations. Removed requirement to deduct business loss before entering as repayment income into GUS or on loan application. Clarified documentation requirements as most recent 2 years of federal tax returns / transcripts & YTD P&L may be audited or unaudited
- Social Security Income – clarified documentation options and will allow social security benefit statement or form SSA-1099/1042S to source
- Temporary Leave – The history requirements for repayment income has been changed and now income must be received by loan closing.
- Cash on Hand – The underwriter must review the reasonableness of accumulation based upon income stream, spending habits, etc. and cash on hand can no longer be included in reserves
- Gift Funds – Clarification provided on how gift funds must be sourced when gift funds have been deposited into borrower’s account, not deposited into borrower’s account, or if funds are being wired directly to the settlement agent.
- Large Deposits – USDA no longer addresses lump sum additions.
Tag: ky usda income limits
What is a Kentucky USDA Rural home loan?
What is a Kentucky USDA Rural home loan?
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.
Is a Kentucky USDA loan more beneficial than a Kentucky conventional loan?
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.
Kentucky Counties | Cincinnati (OH, KY, IN FMR) | Household income of 4 or less: | Household income of 5 or more: |
Shelby | $86,450 | $114,100 | |
All Other Areas | $86,700 | $114,150 |
• 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.**********
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Effective immediately for all Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Mortgage Loans.
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.
Senior Loan Officer
Kentucky USDA Rural Development Loans

Frequently Asked Questions
Are only first-time homebuyers eligible?
No, you do not have to be a first time home buyer. The USDA Loan program has no restrictions that prevent previous homeowners from using the program.
What is the maximum amount that I can borrow?
There isn’t a limit to the amount a homeowner can borrow
How much are the closing costs for a USDA mortgage?
Closing costs vary from lender to lender and state to state. The charges from the USDA are a Guarantee fee of 1% of the loan amount. Additionally, there is a monthly mortgage insurance factor of .35% of the principal balance.
Can closing costs be financed into a USDA Loan?
Yes! The USDA home loan has the ability to finance closing costs up to the appraised value or to get a 6% seller contribution to closing costs from sellers on the contract.
What are USDA eligibility requirements?
USDA requires that the borrower demonstrates a reasonable ability and willingness to repay the mortgage loan. USDA lenders will view your credit history, income, and assets to verify your ability to repay the mortgage.
What is the USDA’s minimum credit requirement?
The USDA has no minimum score required; however, most lenders require a minimum credit score of 640 or sometimes 620 to obtain financing. Exceptions can be made and you should talk to a loan specialist about this.
Can you qualify for a USDA loan if your credit score is below 640?
Many lenders do require a 640 minimum Fico score to be eligible for a USDA home loan, however, exceptions can be made. It is important to note that the derogatory credit is temporary in nature, beyond the applicant’s control, and the circumstances that caused the adverse credit are no longer a factor.
What does the USDA require for employment eligibility?
You must have established employment to be eligible for a USDA Loan. Almost all lenders will require a minimum of two years of steady employment or schooling prior to your current employment if less than 2 years. If you are self-employed, you are eligible but will be required to provide two years of federal tax returns to verify your income.
Do USDA home loans have PMI?
USDA mortgages do have a guarantee fee and monthly PMI. The rate for the mortgage insurance is .35% of the outstanding principal balance and the current guarantee fee is 1% of loan amount. For example, if you borrowed a full $150,000 from your lender, the guarantee fee would be $1,500, which you can finance into your mortgage. The monthly PMI would be about 44.00 dollars a month on a 151,500 loan amount. (which includes the guarantee fee of 1%)
Can I get a USDA Mortgage after bankruptcy?
Yes, the USDA Loan Program requires the bankruptcy to be discharged for at least 3 years for a CH 7 and at least 12 months of on time payments on a CH 13. You can be in a CH 13 currently as long as 12 months of on-time payments have been made and verified.
How soon can you qualify for a mortgage after foreclosure?
VA Loans: 2 years after foreclosure
USDA Loans: 3 years after foreclosure (Exceptions are possible!)
FHA Loans: 3 years after foreclosure
Conventional Loans (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac): 7 years after foreclosure
Can I use a USDA Loan on investment property or Second Home?
No, the USDA Rural Housing Program is for primary residences only. Furthermore, any property that is income producing (farms, multi-family, over 30 acres, etc.) cannot qualify for the 502 Guaranteed Rural Home Loan.
Can a USDA loan finance a condominium?
Yes, you can use a USDA loan to finance a condo; however, there are requirements that will need to be met.
Does a USDA home loan finance modular or manufactured homes?
Modular and manufactured homes can be considered a USDA eligible property, but additional appraisal requirements will apply. Most lenders do not offer Section 502 USDA loans on manufactured homes; however, they do finance modular homes. The difference between a modular and manufactured is how and where the home is constructed. A manufactured home is already fully built and put on a foundation and modular homes are built in pieces, and then taken to the site to be constructed.
How fast can you close a USDA loan?
USDA loans have a 2 prong process. The loan is first approved by the lender and then sent to the local USDA field office to be insured. Depending on the turn-times at the local USDA office, closing can be as fast as 20 days or up to 60 days.
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Senior Loan Officer
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/
New Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Income Guidelines for 2017
Maximum age for an RHS appraisal has been extended from 120 days to 150 days.
- Accessory Dwelling units are now addressed in RHS guidelines. They may be allowed based on the appraiser’s evaluation that they represent the highest and best use of the property and are not a separate single family dwelling unit.
- Additional clarification on site requirements was added to help in the underwriter’s determination as to when outbuildings and/or excess land should be considered income-producing.
4. Last two months bank statements for all accounts
Let me know your questions.
Senior Loan Officer
Text/call 502-905-3708
kentuckyloan@gmail.com