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Louisville Kentucky Mortgage Lender for FHA, VA, KHC, USDA and Rural Housing Kentucky Mortgages: Can I get a Gift for A Down payment on a Kentucky ...
Kentucky First Time Home Buyer Loan Options


Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer - Expert on Kentucky Mortgage Loans
Website: www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com
Address: 911 Barret Ave., Louisville, KY 40204
Evo Mortgage
Company NMLS# 1738461
Personal NMLS# 57916
For assistance with Kentucky mortgage loans, reach out via email, call, or text Joel Lobb directly.
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First-Time Home Buyers Welcome
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11 Things Borrowers Donβt Know About USDA Loans in Kentucky
If youβre exploring home-ownership options in Kentucky, you will be surprised to learn about the unique benefits of USDA loans. Many refer to USDA loans as a hidden gem in the mortgage world. They offer an incredible pathway to home-ownership, especially for those interested in rural areas. Letβs uncover the top 11 things you need to know about USDA loans and how they work in Kentucky.
1. Most Areas in Kentucky Qualify
While USDA loans are specifically for rural areas, the definition of "rural" can surprise you. In Kentucky, many areas with populations under 35,000 are eligible, which accounts for a significant part of the state. From small towns to suburban outskirts, you may find your dream home qualifies for a USDA loan.
Check USDA property eligibility here.
Looking for a vacation home or rental property? USDA loans are designed strictly for primary residences. You must intend to live in the property full-time to qualify.
2. USDA Loans Are Only for Primary Residences
Looking for a vacation home or rental property? USDA loans are designed strictly for primary residences. You must intend to live in the property full-time to qualify. No rental homes or second homes or AIR BNB
3. Eligible Property Types Are Diverse
Think USDA loans are just for large farms or ranches? Think again. These loans cover a variety of property types, including:
- New construction homes
- Existing single-family homes
- Manufactured or modular homes
- Condos and townhouses
This flexibility makes USDA loans a great option for many Kentucky homebuyers.
4. Income Limits Apply
USDA loans aim to help moderate- to low-income households, meaning you can earn too much to qualify. In Kentucky, your household income must not exceed 115% of the area median income. However, allowable deductions, such as childcare expenses, can help adjust your income for eligibility.
Contact a USDA loan specialist to discuss your income eligibility.
5. There Are Two Types of USDA Loans
USDA loans come in two varieties:
- USDA Direct Loan: These loans are meant for very low-income households. They come directly from the USDA and feature longer terms, up to 38 years. They also have lower interest rates.
- USDA Guaranteed Loan: Offered through approved lenders, these loans are backed by the USDA and are available to moderate-income borrowers. A least credit score of 620-640 is typically required.
6. You Can Qualify Even After Bankruptcy or Foreclosure
Financial setbacks like bankruptcy or foreclosure donβt disqualify you from USDA loans forever. Borrowers can qualify:
- After Chapter 7 bankruptcy: Three years from the discharge date.
- After Chapter 13 bankruptcy: After 12 months of on-time payments.
- After foreclosure: Typically, a three-year waiting period applies.
7. USDA Loans Offer Affordable Mortgage Insurance
Unlike conventional loans, USDA mortgage insurance is much more affordable:
- Upfront fee: 1% of the loan amount (can be financed into the loan).
- Annual fee: 0.35% of the loan balance.
For example, on a $300,000 loan, your monthly mortgage insurance (MI) cost with a USDA loan is just $87.50. This is significantly lower than traditional private mortgage insurance (PMI) for conventional loans, where monthly premiums can range from 0.45% to 1% of the loan amount, particularly for borrowers with lower credit scores.
Similarly, FHA loans also come with higher MI premiums, which are determined by loan-to-value (LTV) ratios. Unlike conventional loans, USDA loans provide the same MI premiums for all borrowers, regardless of credit score or LTV ratio, offering more consistency and affordability.
8. Flexible Credit Guidelines
The USDA does not set a strict minimum credit score. However, lenders often require at least a 640 score. This score is needed to qualify for automated approval through the USDA's Guaranteed Underwriting System (GUS). Borrowers with lower scores may still qualify through manual underwriting.
9. You Can Use a Co-Borrower
If you need help meeting income or credit requirements, you can add a co-borrower. However, the co-borrower must live in the home with you and meet the same eligibility criteria. No co-signers or nonoccupant co-borrowers are allowed.
10. No Prepayment Penalties
USDA loans offer freedom when it comes to paying off your mortgage early. Whether you sell, refinance, or make extra payments, there are no penalties or fees for early repayment.
11. USDA Loan Refinancing Rules
You can only refinance a USDA loan if you currently have an existing USDA loan. Itβs not possible to refinance a conventional or FHA loan into a USDA loan.
Why Choose a USDA Loan in Kentucky?
With zero down payment requirements, affordable mortgage insurance, and flexible credit standards, USDA loans make homeownership achievable for many Kentuckians. Plus, the expansive eligibility map includes much of the state, giving you more opportunities to find your perfect home.
Start exploring your USDA loan options today with a trusted Kentucky USDA lender.
Check your eligibility and get prequalified now.

The USDA Rural Housing Loan Program, also known as an RHS loan, offers an affordable path to homeownership. It requires zero down payment. This government-backed mortgage program is ideal for low-to-moderate-income families in Kentucky. These families want to purchase a primary residence in eligible rural areas.
In this guide, weβll walk you through everything you need to know about qualifying for a USDA loan in Kentucky. We will cover the types of loans available, income limits, credit score requirements, and how to apply.



Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer - Expert on Kentucky Mortgage Loans
Website: www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com
Address: 911 Barret Ave., Louisville, KY 40204
Evo Mortgage
Company NMLS# 1738461
Personal NMLS# 57916
For assistance with Kentucky mortgage loans, reach out via email, call, or text Joel Lobb directly.
Posted by Joel Lobb, Mortgage Broker FHA, VA, KHC, USDA
Labels: first time buyer kentucky usda, Kentucky 502 Direct Rural Housing USDA Loan Program, Kentucky Rural Housing and USDA Loans, rhs loans ky, USDA's Rural Development Mortgage Program
Location: 10602 Timberwood Cir #3, Louisville, KY
How to get a USDA Rural Housing Loan in Kentucky?
How to Qualify for a USDA Rural Housing Loan in Kentucky
Are you looking to buy a home in rural Kentucky with no down payment? A USDA rural housing loan could be your path to homeownership. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about qualifying for USDA mortgage loans in Kentucky. It includes information on income limits, credit requirements, and the application process.
In this article, I will walk you through everything you need to know about qualifying for a USDA loan in Kentucky, the types of loans available, income limits, credit score requirements, and how to apply.
Kentucky RHS USDA loans are a government-backed mortgage program that sponsors zero down payment mortgages for people who are under a certain income threshold (usually $112k to $148k for a household family in Kentucky) and not access to a down payment on their home. Does not have to be first time home buyer and can own another home possibly if current home does not pass the feasibility test for household as far as size and fit for current family--i.e outgrow the home.
The Department of Agriculture offers these loans at interest rates below the average mortgage. Although offered through the USDA, this program is not directed at farmers. It is a low-income housing program designed to help non-urban consumers buy houses who otherwise might not qualify for a loan or afford a mortgage. As a result the requirements to qualify for a USDA loan tend to be different, and typically less stringent, than for a traditional bank loan.
Types of USDA Loans in Kentucky.
There are three types of USDA housing loans available in Kentucky:
Kentucky USDA Direct Loan
These loans are issued directly by the Department of Agriculture and not by a lender. You will deal directly with the local USDA office that represents your location. They're are several USDA offices in Kentucky that service different parts for the Direct USDA loan. This makes them similar to the housing loans offered by the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs. While direct loans typically offer the best interest rates, sometimes below 1% depending on the applicant and area, they are also highly income-restricted and take months to close usually. This program is geared toward low- and very low-income households. You cannot get a direct loan without demonstrating that you can't afford any other available terms.
This is sometimes otherwise known as a Section 502 Loan, referring to the code section which created the program.
These loans are issued by banks, mortgage companies, mortgage brokers, credit unions and State Housing Agencies by private lenders but backed by the Department of Agriculture. (This means that the USDA will pay the lender back in the event that you default on the mortgage.) As a result, lenders will issue mortgages to people with lower credit scores than they would otherwise and will do so on more favorable terms. Typically USDA will insure the lender up to 90% of the homes loss so lenders can make the loan with very good protections. For example, if a home was originated a $100k loan amount, and was foreclosed upon for non-payment, then the lender will get up to $90k protection on the losses attributed to the losses incurred by the USDA lender.
Like a direct loan, the guaranteed loan program has income requirements. It is less stringent than direct lending, however. This program targets low income households. This is by far the most popular USDA loan made in Kentucky with over 4000 Kentucky Guaranteed Mortgage loans made annually in Kentucky.
In both cases the government's involvement means that borrowers pay little, if anything, in the form of a down payment.
Kentucky Housing Grants
In addition to its mortgage program the Department of Agriculture also issues loans and grants to rural residents for home upgrades and repair. As with the direct lending program, the USDA provides these grants to low- and very low-income households. The homeowner must use them to "repair, improve or modernize" the home or "remove health and safety hazards" and must occupy the house; in other words, you cannot get a USDA grant to improve a rental property.
The USDA provides a fact sheet explaining in greater detail what a repair loan is and how to get one.
β’ A pro rata share of real estate taxes that is due and payable on the property at the time of loan closing. Funds can be allowed for the establishment of escrow accounts for real estate taxes and/or hazard and flood insurance premiums.
β’ Essential household equipment such as wall-to-wall carpeting, ovens, ranges, refrigerators, washers, dryers, heating and cooling equipment as long as the equipment is conveyed with the dwelling.
Homeowners can check with the agency to find a full list of legitimate expenses, which can include property improvements as well as certain utilities and appliances.
Who Can Get a USDA Loan in Kentucky?
Applicants for a Kentucky Rural Housing USDA loan must meet several criteria.
β’ You must fall within the program's income limits, typically 115% of the median income for your region or less. The direct loan program requires a considerably lower income threshold than the guaranteed loan program does. As with all federal programs, income thresholds vary by community, household size and household composition.
A good first step before applying is to enter your personal information to see if you qualify for a USDA loan's income limits.>>>>>>> here http://kentuckyruralhousingusdaloan.blogspot.com/p/guaranteed-housing-income-limits.html
β’ You must not use the loan for a commercial purpose or farming income from crops, livestock, and other income producing uses. The borrower has to personally occupy the home as permanent resident with no rental intentions for the home.
β’ You must be a U.S. citizen, national or qualified alien and must be legally able to take on debt
β’ You must purchase the home in a qualifying rural area. This program does not apply to cities, and the federal government runs no similar program to subsidize urban home ownership. You can search the USDA's map to find qualifying areas. here >>>>>>>>> http://kentuckyruralhousingusdaloan.blogspot.com/2018/02/usda-eligibility-map-usda-home-loan.html
β’ You must demonstrate the ability to pay this mortgage. While the criteria for a USDA loan is considerably lighter than with a bank, the agency still requires certain financial metrics. The mortgage payments plus the monthly payments on the credit report cannot exceed 45% of the borrower's gross monthly income.
β’ You must show your credit score. For a guaranteed loan most banks will require a credit score of at least 620 middle credit score from fico. , since this is the cutoff for the USDA's automatic approval underwriting process called GUS, anything below 640 will get referred to a person at USDA for a manual underwriter. However, this is not a minimum requirement and some banks may choose to proceed anyway.
The direct loan program also requires a score of at least 640 for automatic approval. Again, if you have a lower score or no credit history you may still qualify depending on specific circumstances and if you can show a history of on-time bill payment through paperwork such as rent and utilities.
USDA Direct Loan Specific Requirements
In addition to the above, the direct loan program adds the following requirements.
β’ You must not currently have "decent, safe and sanitary housing."
β’ You must have been unable to find a loan from other sources on terms that you could reasonably meet.
β’ You must buy a home that is 2,000 square feet or less with a market value no greater than the area's loan limit


Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer - Expert on Kentucky Mortgage Loans
Website: www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com
Address: 911 Barret Ave., Louisville, KY 40204
Evo Mortgage
Company NMLS# 1738461
Personal NMLS# 57916
For assistance with Kentucky mortgage loans, reach out via email, call, or text Joel Lobb directly.
The USDA Rural Housing Loan Program, also known as an RHS loan, provides an affordable path to homeownership with zero down payment. This government-backed mortgage program is ideal for low-to-moderate-income families in Kentucky who want to purchase a primary residence in eligible rural areas.
In this guide, weβll walk you through everything you need to know about qualifying for a USDA loan in Kentucky, the types of loans available, income limits, credit score requirements, and how to apply.