Whether you’re buying your first home, using down payment assistance, or rebuilding credit — there’s a program that fits. Compare them side by side before you commit.
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By Joel Lobb, Mortgage Loan Officer · NMLS #57916 · Updated September 12, 2026 The difference between a Kentucky home inspection and a Kentucky appraisal is their purpose: an inspection evaluates the home's condition, while an appraisal estimates its market value for the mortgage process. One does not replace the other. A homebuyer's two questions: What needs attention, and what is the property worth? Buying in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, or elsewhere in Kentucky? Before paying for inspections and appraisal services, understand who orders each report, what it covers, and how the results may affect your purchase. In this guide Comparison Inspection checklist Appraisal process Costs and timing Video FAQs Kentucky home inspection vs. appraisal: the difference HOME INSPECTION Condition What needs attention? Roof · Foundation · Plumbing Electrical · Heating and cooling Usually arranged by: the buyer Result: an inspection report Next step: review repairs and f...
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Getting a Kentucky Mortgage in 3 Simple Steps
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01
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Hi, I’m Joel Lobb — a Kentucky dad who’s spent 20+ years helping families across all 120 counties buy their first home. When you call, you get me — not a phone tree. Questions on a Saturday morning? I answer.
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Good Neighbor Next Door Program offered thru HUD officer next door program in Louisville Kentucky HUD Homes for $100 Down
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-
The
Good Neighbor Next Door Program offers HUD owned single family (one-unit)
homes to eligible participants at a 50% discount. Law enforcement officers,
teachers, firefighters and other emergency medical technicians who meet all
other requirements of the program are all eligible to participate in this
program.
Program Summary
•
Borrower
is a full-time law enforcement officer, teacher or firefighter/emergency
medical technician
•
A
50 percent discount from the list price is provided in the form of a
forgivable second lien
•
The
second mortgage is a mortgage and note payable to and provided by HUD in the
amount of the difference between the list price of the home and discounted
selling price
-
The
term of the note is 36 months from the date of owner-occupancy
-
Refinance
restrictions may apply
•
One-unit
residential properties
•
Borrower
cannot own any other residential property within 12 months of the offer date
•
None
of the borrowers could have ever utilized this program in the past
•
The
following must be detailed on the purchase contract with HUD
-
50%
discount
-
$100.00
downpayment required
-
Borrower
may finance closing costs
Qualifications
1. You must be able to qualify for an FHA mortgage.
Good Neighbor Next Door Qualifications
Teachers, Counselors, and Administrators
State certified to teach any grades pre-K through 12
Teach in a private school in the area where the home is located
Teach in the public school district where the home is located
You or your spouse have not had your name on a real estate deed for the past 12 months
You can get a letter of mortgage prequalification or proof of funds before the submitting an intent to purchase
You can provide a refundable earnest money check for 1% of the home’s listed price. It needs to been in the form of a cashier’s check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of HUD.
You intend to teach for at least one more year
Firefighter/Emergency Medical TechniciansYou may participate in the Good Neighbor Next Door program as a Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician if you are employed full-time as a firefighter or emergency medical technician by a fire department or emergency medical services responder unit of the federal government, a state, unit of general local government, or an Indian tribal government serving the area where the home is located.
You or your spouse have not had your name on a real estate deed for the past 12 months
You can get a letter of mortgage prequalification or proof of funds before the submitting an intent to purchase
You can provide a refundable earnest money check for 1% of the home’s listed price. It needs to been in the form of a cashier’s check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of HUD.
Law EnforcementYou may participate in the Good Neighbor Next Door program as a law enforcement officer if you are employed full-time by a law enforcement agency of the federal government, a state, a unit of general local government, or an Indian tribal government; and, in carrying out such full-time employment, you are sworn to uphold, and make arrests for violations of, federal, state, tribal, county, township, or municipal laws.
You or your spouse have not had your name on a real estate deed for the past 12 months
You can get a letter of mortgage prequalification or proof of funds before the submitting an intent to purchase
You can provide a refundable earnest money check for 1% of the home’s listed price. It needs to been in the form of a cashier’s check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of HUD.
Is the Good Neighbor Next Door a legitimate program? Yes, this a United States Department of Housing and Urban Development program that has been created for the benefit of civil servants when purchasing a designated HUD home. If you want verification you can visit HUD’s website. The program has been created for teachers, firefighters, police officers, and EMT’s.
What does it mean that these houses are 50% off? HUD has their homes appraised based on their current condition. The homes are discounted from this appraised price.
What is a HUD home? HUD acquires properties from insured lenders who have foreclosed FHA loans.
Are HUD homes bad homes? Just because it’s a HUD home doesn’t mean it’s a bad home. The only reason it’s a HUD homes is because it has gone through foreclosure.
Do all HUD homes qualify for the Good Neighbor Next Door program? No. Only the homes that are designated by HUD are eligible.
How often do Good Neighbor Next Door homes become available? Every day homes are listed some where in the country. Sign-up on the notification list so that you will be notified when a home becomes available in your community.
How long do these homes stay on the market? These homes are only listed for a seven day period. If they don’t sell through the Good Neighbor Next Door program then they will go to the general HUD list at full list price.
Do I have to live in the Good Neighbor Next Door home that I purchase for a certain length of time? To receive the full 50% discount you agree to live in the home for three years.
What if I move out of the house before three years? You will still receive a discount, but it will be prorated according to how long you live in the house.
If I own the house, how can HUD enforce how long I own the home? HUD will require that you sign a silent second mortgage in the amount of the discount. There is no monthly payment or interest on the second mortgage. HUD uses the second to track your homeownership. If you sell your home before the three-year anniversary date then a prorated portion of the second mortgage will be due at closing. This second mortgage will automatically drop off after three years.
My name has been on a deed in the past year, do I still qualify? No, neither your name nor your spouse’s name can have been listed on any real estate deed in the United States in the past year.
Are there any other benefits associated with the Good Neighbor Next Door program? Yes. If you get an FHA loan HUD will allow you to finance in all of your closing costs, move-in for only a $100 down payment, and finance certain home repairs.
How do I submit a bid? You can enter on this website. A qualified broker will call you and give you access to the home, assist you with locating a lender, and monitor inspections & the closing process. We will work with that broker to make sure the closing process goes smoothly.
Who pays the real estate broker? For the Good Neighbor Next Door program, HUD requires that the buyer pay the real estate commission. If you get an FHA loan HUD will allow you to roll the commission into your mortgage. On each property that’s listed on this website there is an approximate mortgage payment. This payment includes the financed commission.
Can I bid higher or lower than the list price? No. In this program HUD will only allow you to submit “an intent to purchase” for full list price. This list price will be discounted by 50% at closing. Everyone who bids will have identical bids.
If there is more than one person bidding on a home, how does HUD determine who wins the house? A computer will randomly decide who wins.
Can you bid on more than one home? You can purchase only one home, but to increase your chances of winning one of the houses you can submit bids on different houses. HUD limits people to only one Good Neighbor Next Door home in their lifetime.
How much earnest money is required? HUD requires that you give your broker a cashier’s check or money order for 1% of the home’s list price. On a $100,000 home your earnest money will be $1,000. HUD has a minimum earnest money requirement of $500 and a maximum $2,000.
I thought the down payment was only $100, what’s this 1% of list price? The 1% earnest money is refundable at closing or if you are not selected as the winner of a home. If you are selected as the winner of a Good Neighbor Next Door home and if you want to finance in all of your closing costs with only a $100 down payment, then you could receive back a check at closing. This check will be your earnest money minus the $100 down payment.
What if there are significant repairs required on a home and I don’t have the cash to fix it? You are able to get a specific type of FHA loan (203K) that will allow you to finance up to $35,000 worth of home repairs into your mortgage.
Can I use a Good Neighbor Next Door homes as an investment? Yes, but only if you occupy the home and don’t own any other real estate. After three years you can sell the home, realize any increases in value, and pay off the discounted mortgage that you have. Since this is your principal residence you can claim a capital gains exemption and not be taxed on gains. Consult your CPA for details.
What if my employment changes before the three years is up? After you close your discount will not be in jeopardy.
What do I do next? What is the process? 1. Fill out the ”Entry Form” and we will contact you. Everyone is required to have a letter of prequalification or proof of funds before submitting an “intent to purchase.” You may use any lender that offers FHA financing. If you would like us to help you through the process fill out this questionnaire and we will have a lender get in contact with you. Often, people can get a letter of prequalification within hours of contacting one of the lenders we recommend. 2. View the home. If you don’t have time to view the home you may still have the opportunity to submit your name in the lottery and if selected inspect the home then. 3. Get either a cashier’s check or money order for 1% of the home’s listed price. 4. Decide on one or more homes to submit your intent to purchase.
How to Get Approved for a Mortgage Loan in Kentucky Thank you for visiting. I hope you find this website both informative and empowering as you explore your Kentucky mortgage options. My goal is simple: help you understand what mortgage underwriters actually review, help you avoid preventable approval issues, and help you choose the right loan program for your situation. I specialize in assisting Kentucky first-time homebuyers with FHA, VA, USDA Rural Housing, KHC down payment assistance , and Fannie Mae conventional mortgage loans . I proudly serve all 120 counties in Kentucky. FHA Loans in Kentucky VA Loans in Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Loans in Kentucky Fannie Mae Conventional Loans KHC Down Payment Assistance Programs With over 20 years of lending experience, I've had the privilege of helping more than 1,300 Kentucky families buy a home or refinance their current mortgage. Whether you are a first-time buyer, a veteran, a USDA buyer, a credit-challenged ...
Kentucky Welcome Home Grant 2026 Update: Program Closed and Out of Funds May 2026 update for Kentucky homebuyers: the 2026 Welcome Home Grant is now closed for new reservations. This does not mean you cannot buy a home. It means you need to pivot quickly to other Kentucky mortgage and down payment assistance options. May 2026 Update Welcome Home Grant Closed KHC DAP Still Available USDA, VA, FHA Options Important Update: The 2026 Welcome Home Grant Is Closed The 2026 Welcome Home Grant through FHLB Cincinnati is now closed and out of funds for new reservations . If your lender did not reserve the money before the program closed, you should not build your home purchase plan around receiving this grant for 2026. The hard truth: this grant was popular, limited, and first-come, first-served. Once the available funds were reserved, the program closed. Good News: Kentucky Buyers Still Have Options ...
Using a Pastor / Minister’s housing allowance to qualify for a mortgage Member of the Clergy Income for A Mortgage Loan Approval Where a borrower is a member of the clergy, all of the following will be required to document income: 1) Most recent year full tax return, 2) Most recent pay stubs, 3) W-2s, 4) Contract from the church to determine benefits. The IRS looks at the housing allowance portion of a pastor’s income as an exclusion from income. Therefore the housing allowance is not reported on the personal tax returns as taxable income. Even though it is not reported on the tax returns, a pastor’s housing allowance can be used in qualifying for a mortgage loan to purchase or refinance a home. As long as we can document the receipt of the housing income through a signed letter from the church/employer stating the actual breakdown of the pay and by providing copies of the checks received, we should be able to count the housing allowance as incom...