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 views of my employer. Not all products or services mentioned on this site may fit all people
You can refinance your existing USDA Rural Housing Loan. See details below:
Can you refinance a Rural Housing Loan? The short answer is yes. See below for qualifying criteria
KENTUCKY USDA LOAN GUARANTEED RURAL HOUSING REFINANCE FEATURES
Loan must be secured by the same property as the original loan. The original loan must be Guaranteed Rural Housing (GRH) or USDA Section 502 Direct only. The Program may not be used to refinance FHA, VA, or other government or conventional mortgages.
Term of the new loan will be 30 years.
Interest rate of the new loan cannot exceed the interest rate of the loan being refinanced. However, the interest rate of the new loan does not have to meet the interest rate requirements established in RD Instruction 1980-D, §1980.320 Interest rate.
Property must be owned and occupied by the borrowers as their principal residence.
The guarantee fee is 1.00% of the total principal obligation of the new loan.
The 1.00% guarantee fee may be always financed into any GRH refinancing transaction. As usual, borrowers may finance other closing costs and fees up to 100% of the current appraised value. However, it is possible for the loan-to-value (LTV) of the new loan to reach 101% if the 1% guarantee fee is financed. Loans may exceed 100% LTV only to the extent that the excess represents a financed guarantee fee of no more than 1.00%.
Total household income cannot exceed the moderate level for the area as established in RD Instruction 1980-D, Exhibit C.
GRH refinance loans are permitted for properties in areas that have been determined to be non-rural since the existing loan was made.
Applicants are not eligible to receive “cash out” from the refinancing transaction. However, applicants may receive reimbursement from loan proceeds at settlement for their personal funds advanced for eligible loan purposes that are part of the refinance transaction, such as an appraisal fee or credit report fee. At loan closing, a nominal amount of “cash out” to the applicants (beyond reimbursement of these “prepaid” items) may occasionally result due to final escrow and interest calculations. This amount, if any, must be applied to a principal reduction of the new loan.
Subordinate financing such as home equity seconds and down payment assistance “silent” seconds cannot be included in the new loan amount. Any existing secondary financing must be subordinate to the new first lien.
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 escrow account.
Unpaid fees, such as late fees due the current servicer, are not eligible to be included in the new loan amount.
eligible areas on USDA Rural Development’s web-site at:
For commitments issues on or after October 1, 2016:
USDA charges the lender, who can pass the charge to the borrower, a one-time up-front cost, which is known as a Guarantee Fee. The Guarantee Fee can be financed in addition to the maximum base loan amount. The Guarantee Fee is calculated as follows as of October 1, 2016:
PURCHASE TRANSACTION CALCULATION:
1.00% of the TOTAL loan amount for commitments issued on or after 10/1/16.
Calculation: Base loan amount divided by .99 = Total loan amount (round down to nearest dollar). Total loan is then multiplied by 1.00% to get the amount of the guarantee fee.
1.00% of the TOTAL loan amount for commitments issued on or after 10/1/16.
Calculation: Base loan amount divided by .99 = Total loan amount (round down to nearest dollar). Total loan is then multiplied by 1.00% to get the amount of the guarantee fee.
ANNUAL FEE:
All loan transactions will include an annual fee of .35%
REPAYMENT RATIOS REFINANCE
FOR BOTH GUARANTEED LOAN TO GUARANTEED LOAN AND DIRECT LOAN TO GUARANTEED LOAN:
USDA – GUS Approved
USDA – Manual Underwrite – Must meet USDA guideline maximum debt ratios of 29 & 41%–No Exceptions Allowed.
TERM OF NEW LOAN
FOR BOTH GUARANTEED LOAN TO GUARANTEED LOAN AND DIRECT LOAN TO GUARANTEED LOAN:
TERM OF THE NEW LOAN WILL BE A 30 YEAR FULLY AMORTIZED FIXED RATE MORTGAGE ONLY.
INTEREST RATE
Interest rate of the new loan must be a fixed rate.
The interest rate must be lower than the existing loan to be refinanced.
Funded buy down accounts are not permitted.
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Total adjusted income for the household cannot exceed the moderate level for the area as established in HB-1-3555.
LOAN SECURITY
Loan security must include the same property as the original loan.
The security property must be owned and occupied by the applicants as their principal residence.
RURAL / NONRURAL AREAS
SFHGLP refinance loans are permissible for properties in areas that have been determined to be non-rural since the existing loan was made.
PROPERTY VALUATION
The value of the new mortgage loan request must be supported by a new appraisal. The loan amount cannot exceed the present market value plus the one-time 2 percent guarantee fee. The new loan amount can include closing costs or lender fees if supported by market value.
INSPECTIONS
The lender must confirm the property meets or continues to meet the current requirements of HUD Handbook 4150.2 and 4905.1.
No further inspections or repairs required by Rural Development.
Lender may require inspections or repairs. Expenses related to inspections or repairs may not be financed.
NET TANGIBLE BENEFIT
Every refinance
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 views of my employer. Not all products or services mentioned on this site may fit all people
*Upfront guarantee fee will change from 2.75% to 1.0% Annual fee will change from 0.50% to 0.35%
Kentucky USDA Loans are not just for small farm communities, but rather they can help many lower-income individuals or households purchase homes in many small cities, towns and townships!
Good News for Kentucky First Time Home Buyers Using the USDA Rural Housing Loan Program!
Kentucky RHS USDA Mortgage Insurance Changes Below and Important Dates to Keep in Mind that could affect your loan closing and approval!
On October 1, 2016, both the upfront guarantee fee and annual fee for purchase and refinance loans will decrease. We are reducing the upfront guarantee fee from 2.75% to 1%, and the annual fee from .5% to .35%. The Guaranteed Underwriting System (GUS) will be updated on August 31, 2016, to allow lenders to select and underwrite using either the FY16 or FY17 fee schedule.
Due to the large volume of loan applications received daily, as well as current turn times, Kentucky will begin accepting applications using the new FY17 fee schedule on September 27, 2016
Applications using the new FY17 fee schedule submitted before September 27, 2016 will not be processed before October 1, 2016.
September 27, 2016 will be the last day Kentucky will accept applications using the existing FY16 fee schedule. This will ensure all of these submissions are reviewed by the Agency prior to October 1.
Most are familiar with USDA Rural Housing Loan Program being a great no money down program available and it is not just for Kentucky first time buyers.
But starting with commitments on October 1, the funding fee that is financed is going from 2.75% to only 1%! On a $100,000 loan, a buyer saves about $1750! In addition, the annual fee (like PMI) reduces from .5% to .35% which lowers the monthly payment by $15 a month on an $100,000 loan amount.
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.
Kentucky USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Lending Program is geared to assist low to moderate income families realize home ownership. Below are some important highlights:
USDA/Rural Development. The Annual Guarantee Fee is set to INCREASE October 1.
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 $90k for a family of four and up to $119k 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.
Student Loan Payments –
Effective immediately for all RHS loans, 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.
Kentucky USDA Mortgage Lender for Rural Housing Loans 