KENTUCKY FHA LOANS VS CONVENTIONAL FINANCING IN KENTUCKY

KENTUCKY FHA LOANS VS CONVENTIONAL FINANCING IN KENTUCKY



Conventional Mortgages.


Banks consider their interests first and protect them by not lending to people they considers poor risks. What constitutes a "poor risk" varies from lender to lender, but the general gist would be anyone whose credit score is 619 or less. Other attributes, such as income level, length of time in current dwelling, and previous loan history all factor into a private lender's decision. As always, the more anyone does notneed the money, the higher the degree of likelihood the bank will lend to that person.


Kentucky FHA Loans


Mortgages that come from the Federal Housing Administration are easier to get than private mortgages, but they will usually have a higher interest rate over the long haul than private mortgages. The FHA has its root during Franklin Roosevelt's administration during the Great Depression. Thousands upon thousands of Americans had either lost their homes in the debacle or were about to lose them. Shorn of their credit rating and nearly penniless, they had no hope of qualifying for loans even if the banks were in a position to lend, which many were not.

The FHA oversaw the lending of money to these desperate people and insured the debts, which contributed to the overall consumer confidence, the lack of which had contributed to the economic devastation of the Great Depression. In the modern era, the practice of the FHA is to oversee the lending money to people who have at least a 500 credit score. 

If the person's credit score is from 500-579, then the person must put 10 percent down. If the person's credit score is from 580-619, then the person must put down 5 percent. This is in contrast to standard mortgage loans where the person is allowed, in certain circumstances, to put down as little as 3 percent.


The Mortgage Insurance Difference on for FHA and Conventional Loans in Kentucky

There are three key differences:


Standard mortgages require you to have personal mortgage insurance, or PMI, if the homeowner has less than 20 percent equity in the home.

Standard mortgages require only PMI. FHA loans require borrowers to have two kinds of insurance: the up front mortgage insurance premium, or UFMIP, and the mortgage insurance premium, or MIP.

The cost of PMI is tied to a borrowers credit score whereas FHA insurance is not.


While FHA insurance remains the same cost regardless of a borrower's debt-to-income ratio, it is the more expensive of the two options. Still, the less expensive standard PMI is unavailable to borrowers whose credit is lower than 620. Also, PMI ismore expensive when a borrower's credit is between 620 and 680. A borrower is allowed to cancel PMI before the expiration of the term, too, whereas an FHA borrower is not allowed to do so.

In both standard and FHA loans, the insurance in question protects the lender more than the borrower. Basically, it's there to make sure the lender gets paid in the case of a default. Remember, even though the FHA is a government program, the money comes from private lenders. The FHA insurance makes it more palatable for those lenders to lend to people without good credit because it protects them from loss.


The Final Word


When borrowing money for a mortgage, the borrower should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each kind of mortgage before proceeding. Of course, with solid credit, good income, and a good payment history, it probably wouldn't be necessary to take out an FHA loan, but every case is different, and borrowers should consider all options before "signing on the dotted line."

Conventional vs. FHA vs. VA loans

	CONVENTIONAL LOANS	FHA LOANS	VA LOANS
Minimum Credit Score	620	500 with 10% down; 580 with 3.5% down	No minimum score
Loan Limits	$548,250 to $822,375 for conforming loans	$356,362 to $822,375 for single-family homes	No loan limits
Down payment Minimum	3%	3.5%	No down payment required
Extra Fees	PMI required with down payment of less than 20%	Upfront mortgage insurance of 1.75% and ongoing fee of 0.45% to 1.05%	Upfront funding fee of 1.4% to 3.6%

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Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer

Individual NMLS ID #57916

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.

10602 Timberwood Circle 

Louisville, KY 40223

Company NMLS ID #1364

click here for directions to our office

Text/call:      502-905-3708

fax:            502-327-9119
email:          kentuckyloan@gmail.com

https://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/

4 Things Every Borrower Needs to Get Approved for a Mortgage or Home Loan In Kentucky

There are 4 basic things that a borrower needs to show a lender in order to get approved for a mortgage loan in Kentucky for 2021. Each category has so many what ifs and sub plots that each box can read as it’s own novel. 

In other words, each category has so many variables that can affect what it takes to get approved, but without further adieu here are the four categories in no particular order as each without any of these items, you're pretty much dead in the water:

1. Income

You need income. You need to be able to afford the home. But what is acceptable income? Let’s just say that there are two ratios mortgage underwriters look at to qualify you for mortgage payment:

First Ratio – The first ratio, top ratio or housing ratio. Basically that means out of all the gross monthly income you make, that no more that X percent of it can go to your housing payment. The housing payment consists of Principle, Interest, Taxes and Insurance. 

Whether you escrow or not every one of these items are factored into your ratio. There are a lot of exceptions to how high you can go, but let’s just say that if your ratio is 33% or less, generally, across the board, you’re safe.

Second Ratio- The second ratio, bottom ratio or debt ratio includes the housing payment, but also adds all of the monthly debts that the borrower has. So, it includes housing payment as well as every other debt that a borrower may have. 

This would include, Auto loans, credit cards, student loans, personal loans, child support, alimony….basically any consistent outgoing debt that you’re paying on. Again, if you’re paying less than 45% of your gross monthly income to all of the debts, plus your proposed housing payment, then……generally, you’re safe. You can go a lot higher in this area, but there are a lot of caveats when increasing your back ratio.

What qualifies as income? 

Basically, it’s income that has at least a proven, two year history of being received and pretty high assurances that the income is likely to continue for at least three years. What’s not acceptable? Unverifiable cash income, short term income and income that’s not likely to continue like unemployment income, student loan aid, VA education benefits, or short term disability are not allowed for a mortgage loan.

2. Assets

What the mortgage underwriter is looking for here is how much can you put down and secondly, how much will you have in reserves after the loan is made to help offset any financial emergencies in the future.

Do you have enough assets to put the money forth to qualify for the down payment that the particular program asks for. The only 100% financing or no money down loans still available in Kentucky for home buyers are available through USDA, VA, and KHC or Kentucky Housing Loans. Most other home buyers that don't qualify for the no money down home loans mentioned above, will turn to the FHA program. 

FHA loans currently requires a 3.5% down payment and Fannie Mae or Conventional loans require a 3% to 5% down payment. The more you put down, the better your rate and terms usually and your chances of qualifying.

Kentucky Home buyers that have access to putting down at least 5% or more, will usually turn to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage programs so they can get better pricing when it comes to mortgage insurance.

These assets need to be validated through bank accounts, 401k or retirements account and sometimes gifts from relatives or employer.. Can you borrower the down payment? Sometimes.

 Generally if you’re borrowing a secured loan against a secured asset you can use that. But rarely can cash be used as an asset. 

FHA will allow for gifts from relatives for down payments with little as 3.5% down but Fannie Mae will require a 20% down payment when a gift is being used for the down payment on the home.

The down payment scenarios listed above are for Kentucky Primary Residences only. There are stricter down payment requirements for investment homes made in Kentucky.

3. Credit

620 is the bottom score (again with few exceptions) that lenders will permit. Below a 620, then you have to look at doing a FHA loan or VA loan if you are a veteran. Even at 620, people consider you a higher risk that other folks and are going to penalize you or your borrower with a more expensive loan. 720 is when you really start to get in the “as a lender we love you” credit score. 740 is even better.

 Watch your credit scores carefully. You have three credit scores and the lender will take your middle score. For example lets say you have a 590 on Transunion, 679 on Experian, and a 618 on Equifax. Then your middle qualifying credit score will be 618 credits score.

If you absolutely cannot get your credit scores up to 620, then FHA will be a good option for you. FHA states that if your fico credit score is 580 or above they will allow for a 3.5% down payment, and if below 580, you will need 10% down payment.

There are a lot of mortgage lenders that will not go below 620, so keep that in mind when you are shopping for a mortgage lender, because they create credit overlays.

Kentucky FHA Mortgage Loans currently requires 3 years removal from a foreclosure or short sale and 2 years on a bankruptcy with good re established credit.

Kentucky Fannie Mae Mortgage Loans currently requires 4 years removal from a bankruptcy, and 7 years on a foreclosure.

Kentucky VA Mortgage Loans currently requires 2 years removal from a bankruptcy or foreclosure with good reestablished credit.

Kentucky USDA loans require 3 years removal from bankruptcy and foreclosure with good re established credit.

4. Appraisal

Generally, there’s nothing you can do to affect this. Bottom line here is…..”is the value of the house at least the value of what you’re paying for it?” If not, then not good things start to happen. Generally you’ll find less issues with values on purchase transactions, because, in theory, the realtor has done an accurate job of valuing the house prior to taking the listing. The big issue comes in refinancing. In purchase transactions, the value is determined as the


Lower of the value or the contract price!!!


That means that if you buy a $1,000,000 home for $100,000, the value is established at $100,000. Conversely, if you buy a $200,000 home and the value comes in at $180,000 during the appraisal, then the value is established at $180,000. Big issues….Talk to your loan officer.



For each one of these boxes, there are over 1,000 things that can effect if a borrower has reached the threshold to complete that box. Soo…..talk to a great loan officer. There are so many loan officers that don’t know what they’re doing. But, conversely, there’s a lot of great ones as well. Your loan is so important! Get a great lender so that you know, for sure, that the loan you want, can be closed on!

Popular Kentucky Home Loan Programs below:

Conventional Loan

• At least 3%-5% down

• Closing costs will vary on which rate you choose and the lender. Typically the higher the rate, the lesser closing costs due to the lender giving you a lender credit back at closing for over par pricing. Also, called a no-closing costs option. You have to weigh the pros and cons to see if it makes sense to forgo the lower rate and lower monthly payment for the higher rate and less closing costs.

Fico scores needed start at 620, but most conventional lenders will want a higher score to qualify for the 3-5% minimum down payment requirements Most buyers using this loan have high credit scores (over 720) and at least 5% down.

The rates are a little higher compared to FHA, VA, or USDA loan but the mortgage insurance is not for life of loan and can be rolled off when you reach 80% equity position in home.

Conventional loans require 4-7 years removed from Bankruptcy and foreclosure.

The national conforming loan limit for 2021 is $548,250. FHA’s 2021 minimum national loan limit “floor” of $356,362 is set at 65 percent of the national conforming loan limit. This “floor” applies to those areas where 115 percent of the median home price is less than the “floor” limit.

Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Program

If you meet income eligibility requirements and are looking to settle in a rural area, you might qualify for the KY USDA Rural Housing program. The program guarantees qualifying loans, reducing lenders’ risk and encouraging them to offer buyers 100% loans. That means Kentucky home buyers don’t have to put any money down, and even the “upfront fee” (a closing cost for this type of loan) can be rolled into the financing.

Fico scores usually wanted for this program center around 620 range, with most lenders wanting a 640 score so they can obtain an automated approval through GUS. GUS stands for the Guaranteed Underwriting system, and it will dictate your max loan pre-approval based on your income, credit scores, debt to income ratio and assets.

They also allow for a manual underwrite, which states that the max house payment ratios are set at 29% and 41% respectively of your income.

They loan requires no down payment, and the current mortgage insurance is 1% upfront, called a funding fee, and .35% annually for the monthly mi payment. Since they recently reduced their mi requirements, USDA is one of the best options out there for home buyers looking to buy in an rural area.

A rural area typically will be any area outside the major cities of Louisville, Lexington, Paducah, Bowling Green, Richmond, Frankfort, and parts of Northern Kentucky .

There is a map link below to see the qualifying areas.

There is also a max household income limits with most cutoff starting at $90,200  for a family of four, and up to $119,000  for a family of five or more. Some Northern Kentucky Counties can allow for higher incomes. 

USDA requires 3 years removed from bankruptcy and foreclosure.

There is no max USDA loan limit.

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Kentucky FHA Loan

FHA loans are good for home buyers with lower credit scores and no much down, or with down payment assistance grants. FHA will allow for grants, gifts, for their 3.5% minimum investment and will go down to a 580 credit score.

The current mortgage insurance requirements are kind of steep when compared to USDA, VA , but the rates are usually good so it can counteracts the high mi premiums.

As I tell borrowers, you will not have the loan for 30 years, so don’t worry too much about the mi premiums.

The mi premiums are for life of loan like USDA.

FHA requires 2 years removed from bankruptcy and 3 years removed from foreclosure.

The national conforming loan limit for 2021 is $548,250. FHA’s 2021 minimum national loan limit “floor” of $356,362 is set at 65 percent of the national conforming loan limit. This “floor” applies to those areas where 115 percent of the median home price is less than the “floor” limit.

Kentucky VA Loan

VA loans are for veterans and active duty military personnel. The loan requires no down payment and no monthly mi premiums, saving you on the monthly payment. It does have an funding fee like USDA, but it is higher starting at 2.3% for first time use, and 3.6% for second time use. The funding fee is financed into the loan, so it is not something you have to pay upfront out of pocket.

VA loans can be made anywhere, unlike the USDA restrictions, and there is no income household limit.

Most VA lenders I work with will want a 620 credit score even though on paper, VA says they don't have a minimum credit score.

VA requires 2 years removed from bankruptcy or foreclosure.

VA Loan Limits for 2021 in Kentucky. 

As announced previously by VA in Circular 26-19-30 (which provides interim guidance on implementing "The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019") the conforming loan limit cap on guarantees was removed for Veterans with full entitlement. For Veterans who have previously used entitlement and the entitlement has not been restored, the maximum amount of guaranty entitlement available to the Veteran (for a loan above $144,000) is 25 percent of the conforming loan limit reduced by the amount of entitlement previously used (not restored) by the Veteran. The new guaranty requirements apply for loans closed on or after January 1, 2020.

As a reminder, Veterans are able to use their VA Home Loan Guaranty benefit regardless of loan amount, but in order to purchase homes with loan amounts above the conforming loan limits, Veterans with partial entitlement may be required to make a down payment on amounts in excess of the conforming loan limit. Regardless of full or partial entitlement, the VA guaranty plus any required down payment must total 25% of the loan amount.

Kentucky Down Payment Assistance

This type of loan is administered by KHC in the state of Kentucky. They typically have $4500 to $6000 down payment assistance year around, that is in the form of a second mortgage that you pay back over 10 years at a interest rate of 1% or 5.5% depending on your income in the household.

Sometimes they will come to market with other down payment assistance and lower market rates to benefit lower income households with not a lot of money for down payment.

KHC offers FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional loans with their minimum credit scores being set at 620 for all programs.

The conventional loan requirements at KHC requires 660 credit score.

The max debt to income ratios are set at 40% an 50% respectively.

Kentucky First Time Home Buyer Common Questions and Answers:

∘ What kind of credit score do I need to qualify for different first time home buyer loans in Kentucky?


Answer. Most lenders will wants a middle credit score of 620 to 640 for KY First Time Home Buyers looking to go no money down. The two most used no money down home loans in Kentucky being USDA Rural Housing and KHC with their down payment assistance will want a 620 to 640 middle score on their programs.


If you have access to 3.5% down payment, you can go FHA and secure a 30 year fixed rate mortgage with some lenders with a 580 credit score. Even though FHA on paper says they will go down to 500 credit score with at least 10% down payment, you will find it hard to get the loan approved because lenders will create overlays to protect their interest and maintain a good standing with FHA and HUD.


Another popular no money down loan is VA. Most VA lenders will want a 620 middle credit score but like FHA, VA on paper says they will go down to a 500 score, but good luck finding a lender for that scenario.


A lot of times if your scores are in the high 500’s or low 600’s range, we can do a rapid rescore and get your scores improved within 30 days.

∘ Does it costs anything to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan?

Answer: Most lenders will not charge you a fee to get pre-approved, but some lenders may want you to pay for the credit report fee upfront. Typically costs for a tri-merge credit report for a single borrower runs about $50 or less. Maybe higher if more borrowers are included on the loan application.


∘ How long does it take to get approved for a mortgage loan in Kentucky?


Answer: Typically if you have all your income and asset documents together and submit to the lender, they typically can get you a pre-approval through the Automated Underwriting Systems within 24 hours. They will review credit, income and assets and run it through the different AUS (Automated Underwriting Systems) for the template for your loan pre-approval. Fannie Mae uses DU, or Desktop Underwriting, FHA and VA also use DU, and USDA uses a automated system called GUS. GUS stands for the Guaranteed Underwriting System.


If you get an Automated Approval, loan officers will use this for your pre-approval. If you have a bad credit history, high debt to income ratios, or lack of down payment, the AUS will sometimes refer the loan to a manual underwrite, which could result in a longer turn time for your loan pre-approval answer

∘ Are there any special programs in Kentucky that help with down payment or no money down loans for KY First Time Home Buyers?

Answer: There are some programs available to KY First Time Home Buyers that offer zero down financing: KHC, USDA, VA, Fannie Mae Home Possible and HomePath, HUD $100 down and City Grants are all available to Kentucky First Time Home buyers if you qualify for them. Ask your loan officer about these programs


∘ When can I lock in my interest rate to protect it from going up when I buy my first home?

Answer: You typically can lock in your mortgage rate and protect it from going up once you have a home picked-out and under contract. You can usually lock in your mortgage rate for free for 90 days, and if you need more time, you can extend the lock in rate for a fee to the lender in case the home buying process is taking a longer time. The longer the term you lock the rate in the future, the higher the costs because the lender is taking a risk on rates in the future.


Interest rates are kinda like gas prices, they change daily, and the general trend is that they have been going up since the Presidential election in November 2016.

∘ How much money do I need to pay to close the loan?

Answer: Depending on which loan program you choose, the outlay to close the loan can vary. Typically you will need to budget for the following to buy a home: Good faith deposit, usually less than $500 which holds the home for you while you close the loan. You get this back at closing; Appraisal fee is required to be paid to lender before closing. Typical costs run around $400-$450 for an appraisal fee; home inspection fees. Even though the lender’s programs don’t require a home inspection, a lot of buyers do get one done. The costs for a home inspection runs around $300-$400. Lastly, termite report. They are very cheap, usually $50 or less, and VA requires one on their loan programs. FHA, KHC, USDA, Fannie Mae does not require a termite report, but most borrowers get one done.


There are also lender costs for title insurance, title exam, closing fee, and underwriting fees that will be incurred at closing too. You can negotiated the seller to pay for these fees in the contract, or sometimes the lender can pay for this with a lender credit. The lender has to issue a breakdown of the fees you will incur on your loan pre-approval.


How long is my pre-approval good for on a Kentucky Mortgage Loan?


Answer: Most lenders will honor your loan pre-approval for 60 days. After that, they will have to re-run your credit report and ask for updated pay stubs, bank statements, to make sure your credit quality and income and assets has not changed from the initial loan pre-approval.


How much money do I have to make to qualify for a mortgage loan in Kentucky?


Answer: The general rule for most FHA, VA, KHC, USDA and Fannie MAe loans is that we run your loan application through the Automated Underwriting systems, and it will tell us your max loan qualifying ratios.


There are two ratios that matter when you qualify for a mortgage loan. The front-end ratio, is the new house payment divided by your gross monthly income. The back-end ratio, is the new house payment added to your current monthly bills on the credit report, to include child support obligations and 401k loans.

Car insurance, cell phone bills, utilities bills does not factor into your qualifying rations.

If the loan gets a refer on the initial desktop underwriting findings, then most programs will default to a front end ratio of 31% and a back-end ratio of 43% for most government agency loans that get a refer. You then take the lowest payment to qualify based on the front-end and back-end ratio.

So for example, let’s say you make $3000 a month and you have $400 in monthly bills you pay on the credit report. What would be your maximum qualifying house payment for a new loan?

Take the $3000 x .43%= $1290 maximum back-end ratio house payment. So take the $1290-$400= $890 max house payment you qualify for on the back-end ratio.

Then take the $3000 x .31%=$930 maximum qualifying house payment on front-end ratio.

So now you know! The max house payment you would qualify would be the $890, because it is the lowest payment of the two ratios.

10 mortgage facts will give you an advantage when shopping for a home loan in KY!

1. Mortgage Rates Change


Just like the stock market, mortgage rates change throughout the day. Mortgage rates you see today may not be available tomorrow. If you are in the market for a mortgage loan, be sure to check the current rates being offered by lenders. If you have already done your research and have found your dream home consider locking in your rate as soon as possible.



2. Different Lenders Charge Different Fees


Don’t expect every lender to charge the same fees for a mortgage loan. Every lender structures their fees differently, which is why it is important to shop with at least 3 lenders to compare. Next time you apply for a mortgage loan pay attention to the rates, points being charged and closing costs.



3. Lenders Can Sell Your Loan to Another Bank


Many borrowers have experience getting a mortgage loan with a certain lender only to find out that the loan has been sold to another bank. This occurs because lenders need to free up their liabilities in order to make room to give out more loans. This does not affect your mortgage whatsoever, but it’s important to pay close attention to your mortgage statement and any correspondence you receive in the mail to make sure you do not make payments to the wrong bank.



4. Your Middle Credit Score Matters



When you apply for a mortgage loan, the lender will pull your credit scores from three credit bureaus (Transunion, Equifax and Experian) to help them determined if you are credit worthy. Your middle score of the three is what lenders will use for loan qualification. However, the underwriter will review all three scores as part of the loan underwriting process. If you pull your own credit score through a website online, the credit scores displayed to you may be different than what lenders use because they use different reporting systems.



5. You Can Refinance Your Home Loan Anytime



You can refinance your mortgage anytime, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Think about why you want to refinance. Is because you want to lower your monthly payments, to change the type of loan you are in or to take cash out from your equity? Whatever the reason is, make sure that it makes financial sense.


6. You Can Get a Mortgage Loan After a Foreclosure


Many homeowners have experienced a foreclosure after the recent mortgage crisis. There is good news for these borrowers because they can get a mortgage loan after foreclosure. There are waiting periods involved, for example, to apply for an FHA loan you must wait three years after foreclosure to apply. If you want to get a conventional loan the waiting period is seven years from foreclosure. For those seeking a VA loan, the waiting period is two-years.


There are exceptions to the waiting periods, but you have to show the lender that your foreclosure was caused by an event outside your control, such as losing your job or being seriously ill.


8. Good Credit Allows you to Get Better Mortgage Rates



Good credit scores mean a better rate in any type of loan, especially a mortgage loan. Your credit heavily impacts the type mortgage loan you will qualify for. To maintain a good credit report, make sure you monitored it closely. One of the advantages to good credit is that more banks will want to compete for your business, therefore giving you leverage to negotiate the closing costs.



9. Know Your Annual Percentage Rate (APR)


Knowing your APR will allow you see the true cost of your loan. While the interest rate shows the annual cost of your loan, the APR includes other fees such as origination points, admin fees, loan processing fees, underwriting fees, documentation fees, private mortgage insurance and escrow fees.


There may be more or less fees included in the ARP from what we mentioned. To be sure what fees are included in the APR, ask your lender to give you a breakdown of the closing costs included.


10. You Can Always Reduce Closing Costs


One way to reduce closing costs is to have the sellers contribute towards the closing costs when purchasing your home. This can be negotiated between the buyer and the sellers in the purchase contract. The amount the seller can contribute will depend on the type of loan. Another way to save on closing costs is to have the lender give you a credit to cover out of pocket loan costs.

What income can be used for a Mortgage Loan Approval in Kentucky?

Income is one of the most important variables a lender will examine because it is used to repay the loan. Income is reviewed for the type of work, length of employment, educational training required, and opportunity for advancement. An underwriter will look at the source of income and the likelihood of its continuance to arrive at a gross monthly figure.



Salary and Hourly Wages - Calculated on a gross monthly basis, prior to income tax deductions.


Part-time and Second Job Income - Not usually considered unless it is in place for 12 to 24 straight months. Lenders view part-time income as a strong compensating factor.


Commission, Bonus and Overtime Income - Can only be used if received for two previous years. Further, an employer must verify that it is likely to continue. A 24-month average figure is used.


Retirement and Social Security Income - Must continue for at least three years into the future to be considered. If it is tax free, it can be grossed up to an equivalent gross monthly figure. Multiply the net amount by 1.20%.


Alimony and Child Support Income - Must be received for the 12 previous months and continue for the next 36 months. Lenders will require a divorce decree and a court printout to verify on-time payments.



Self Employment Income - Lenders are very careful in reviewing self-employed borrowers. Two years minimum ownership is necessary because two years is considered a representative sample. Lenders use a 2-year average monthly income figure from the Adjusted Gross Income on the tax returns. A lender may also add back additional income for depreciation and one-time capital expenses. Self-employed borrowers often have difficulty qualifying for a mortgage due to large expense write offs. A good solution to this challenge used to be the No Income Verification Loan, but there are very few of these available any more given the tightened lending standards in the current economy. NIV loan programs can be studied in the Mortgage Program section of the library.

Real Customer Testimonials

We just moved here the first of January in 2017 from Ohio to the Louisville, KY area and we found Joel's website online. He was quick to respond to us and got back the same day on our loan approval. He was very knowledgeable about the local market and kept us up-to date throughout the loan process and was a pleasure to meet at closing. Would recommend his services.



Angela Forsythe

"We were searching online for mortgage companies in Louisville, Ky locally to deal with and found Joel's website, and it was a godsend. He was great to work with, and delivered on everything he said he would do. I ended up referring my co-worker at UPS, and she was very pleased with his service and rates too. Would definitely vouch for him." September 2016


Monica Leinhardt


"We contacted Joel back in July 2011 to refinance our Mortgage and he was great to work with. We contacted several lenders locally and online, and most where taking almost 60 days to close a refinance, Joel got it done in 23 days start to finish, I would definitely recommend him. He got us 3.75% with just $900 in closing costs on our FHA Streamline loan.


Kayle Griffin


“Joel is one of the best Mortgage Brokers I have ever worked with in my sixteen years in the real estate and mortgage business.” May 25, 2010


Tim Beck

“Joel has always worked very hard to keep his word and to work out seasonable solutions to difficult problems. He is truly an expert in FHA and other type loans.” September 1, 2010


Nancy Nalley

“I have worked with Joel since 1998. He is a great loan professional.” I refer most of my Louisville, Kentucky area home buyers to him and he always take special care of them. August 23, 2012


Jon ClarK

“Joel Lobb is a real professional in the lending industry, with many years of experience, he is the one to go to for any mortgage lending needs.” August 22, 2011


RICHARD VOLZ , Residential Sales , Remax Foursquare Realty

“When looking to purchase our new home in 2006, I had the pleasure of meeting Joel Lobb. Not only was he personable and easy to reach, he was extremely knowledgeable in his field and made sure to find us the best rate and a top notch mortgage company. We were able to complete the process in less than 3 weeks with his expertise. I find Joel to have the utmost high integrity and I recommend him to anyone who say's they are need of mortgage assistance. He is also fantastic and keeping everyone up to date on the latest in the housing industry through his twitter posts. He provided great results for our family and we still communicate to this day!” August 21, 2010

Stacie Drake

"We first use Joel on our new home purchase in 2007 in St Matthews, Kentucky area and he was great to work with. We have since refinanced our home with him in 2010 when rates got really low and he has always delivered on what he says. I could not imagine using anyone else."


Melody Glasscock March 2014


Absolutely Amazing!! I emailed Joel after I had just got a denial from a bank and just thought i would try to get some advice on what my next steps would be to get a house. I honestly didn't expect to even get a reply because my credit is not great. That was about a week and a half ago. I just signed a contract on a house last night. ONLY because of Joel Lobb. He even worked with us throughout the weekend, which shocked me. Best decision I have ever made. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WORKING WITH US THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PROCESS.

Cee Bellisle August 2018

Contacted him about buying a home and he was great to work with. I was moving to Louisville Ky to take a new job and he walked me through the entire process. He explained to me all the different options for FHA, VA, USDA mortgage loans and credit score requirements versus Fannie Mae. Since I was a first time home buyer I needed alot of help and guidance. I would definitely recommend him. Fast to respond and available to answer questions that I or my realtor had after hours.

Anderson Johnson April, 2018


We moved from Michigan to Northern Kentucky area and we were really impressed. We got a USDA loan no money down and closed in less than 3.5 weeks. We shopped around online with other lenders but Joel was always first to respond and his rates were just a little better than other lenders. He kept us informed through the process along with our realtor and there was absolutely no surprises like we heard from other co-workers and friends that they experienced in their loan process. We have already referred another co-worker to Joel . He's AWESOME


Betty Parsons


Wow, what a great loan officer. I was referred to him by our agent and he was great to work with. We used him for a USDA no money down loan in Shelby County and we were really impressed. We were afraid we could not buy a home since we did not have money saved for a down payment, but Joe l was able to get us a zero down loan and we even got our appraisal fee and good faith deposit back at closing. We actually got money back at closing!!! I Can't think him enough. Our family moved from our apartment in the south end of town to get our own home with 5 acres for our kids and 2 dogs, at a payment that is equal to our rent payment also. .Thanks Again Joel. May god bless you

Patty Locker


We contacted Joel about buying a house on our move from Ohio for my husband's job transfer with Ford. We put a lot of trust in him since we were new to the area and first time home buyers in the Louisville KY market, and he always delivered on what he said. It took us a while to find a home due to the lack of homes, but once we got one, he was always quick to respond our questions via text or email ,and kept us informed through the process. We got to meet him at the closing and he was super nice and even got us a closing gift for our home which we didn't expect at all. Super nice guy 😀!!! I would definitely recommend him for a local Home loan in the Louisville area.

Pam Dolby

I got a VA loan with Joel and he was great. He is an ex-army guy so he could relate to my past experiences of being a veteran and moving around the country a lot. I had some credit issues that required a little extra work but Joel was able to find A VA lender to approve my situation as far as having past bad credit problems and a lower credit score. We closed yesterday on our home here in Louisville and we could not be happier. We finally have a home of our own thanks to Joel . I would definitely recommend him for a mortgage loan. Great experience and closed 8 days before expected close date so we were able to move in early.

John Sanger

I contacted Joel about the $10,000 KY Housing Grant last month and we were able to get it and I just closed on my home. He was great to work with and if you are a first time home buyer here in Louisville, I would definitely contact him. I met him at his office and he was very nice and knowledgeable and kept me informed through the process. No surprises either so I was very happy. I am new homeowner thanks to Joel .

Chelsea Martin


Mortgage Video Below with a Summary of First Time Home Buyer Programs in Kentucky



                                                                     👇

Mortgage Application Checklist of Documents Needed below  👇

W-2 forms (previous 2 years)
Paycheck stubs (last 30 days - most current)
Employer name and address (2 year history including any gaps)
Bank accounts statement (recent 2 months – all pages
Statements for 401(k)s, stocks and other investments (most recent)
federal tax returns (previous 2 years)
Residency history (2 year history)
Photo identification for applicant and co-applicant (valid Driver’s License







Joel Lobb (NMLS#57916)

Senior Loan Officer

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle Suite 3
Louisville, KY 40223

Company ID #1364 | MB73346

Text/call 502-905-3708

kentuckyloan@gmail.com


If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation, or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for a loan, please contact us at 502-905-3708.


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/

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Kentucky FHA Loans and Conventional Mortgage Loans

What is the difference between Kentucky FHA Loans and Conventional Mortgage Loans?

 You know that two of the most popular mortgage options available are FHA and Conventional, but you no doubt have some clients who need help understanding each loan type’s finer details and benefits. 

 Here’s a quick, simple three-bullet comparison that you can provide for your clients: 

 Low down payments: 

Both options feature low down payment options (eligible borrowers can put down as little as 3.5% for FHA and 3% for Conventional), but it can be easier to qualify for an FHA loan, as lower credits scores are accepted and there are less restrictive debt-to-income ratio requirements. 

Residence type: 

You can only use an FHA loan on a primary residence;  a Conventional mortgage can be used for primary homes, vacation homes, or investment properties.

 Mortgage insurance: 

Mortgage insurance is required on all FHA loans, regardless of down payment size. You can avoid paying private mortgage insurance on a Conventional loan if you have a 20% down payment. But if you don’t, PMI drops after you reach 22% of your home’s equity.

Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer

Individual NMLS ID #57916

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.

10602 Timberwood Circle 

Louisville, KY 40223

Company NMLS ID #1364

click here for directions to our office

Text/call:      502-905-3708

fax:            502-327-9119
email:          kentuckyloan@gmail.com

https://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/

Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Mortgage Lender: Kentucky First Time Home Buyer Programs For Home M...

Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Mortgage Lender: Kentucky First Time Home Buyer Programs For Home M...: Kentucky First Time Home Buyer Programs For Home Mortgage Loans: Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Streamline Refinance G... :  How does a Kentuck...

Joel Lobb (NMLS#57916)
Senior  Loan Officer

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.

10602 Timberwood Circle Suite 3

Louisville, KY 40223

Company ID #1364 | MB73346

Text/call 502-905-3708

kentuckyloan@gmail.com

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation, or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for a loan, please contact us at 502-905-3708.

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/

What is Mortgage Insurance for a Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval?

What is Mortgage Insurance?

If you can’t pay your mortgage, mortgage insurance protects your lender from financial loss. It doesn’t provide any coverage for your home; it only protects your mortgage lender. If you put less than 20% down on a home purchase, the lender considers your mortgage to have a higher risk. Therefore, mortgage insurance protects their investment if you stop making loan payments.

When Are You Required to Have Mortgage Insurance?

Different mortgage types and lenders have varying mortgage insurance requirements. While some may require mortgage insurance as a monthly payment, others may require an upfront fee or a combination of both.

Conventional Loan Mortgage Insurance Requirements

If you have a conventional loan through a private lender and put less than 20% down, a lender can require you to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI). While some lenders require the borrower to pay for the mortgage insurance, other lenders offer lender-paid mortgage insurance. In other words, instead of directly paying for the mortgage insurance, the lender increases the interest rate to account for the additional risk of the loan.

There are several ways you can pay for your PMI if it’s a requirement:

Pay the entire amount in full

Make monthly payments

Or combine the two options

Most borrowers choose to make monthly payments.

You’ll continue paying for PMI until your mortgage balance reaches 80% or less of the home’s value and you have made timely payments. At this point, you should request the removal of PMI. Some lenders will automatically remove PMI when your loan balance reaches 78% of the original value of the home.

It’s important to point out that it’s your responsibility to keep track of the loan balance and payments. So when you reach a sufficient amount of equity, it’s up to you to request a cancellation of PMI. If you don’t, you could end up paying more premiums than you need to.

Some conventional lenders don’t require PMI, even if you put less than 20% down. So before applying for a mortgage, ask the lender about the PMI requirements.

FHA Mortgage Insurance Requirements

Suppose you choose a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan. In that case, you’re required to have mortgage insurance and pay it as an upfront mortgage insurance premium (UPMIP) and an annual mortgage insurance (MIP) regardless of your down payment amount.

Similarly, if you choose a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loan, you pay mortgage insurance in the form of a guaranteed fee and an annual upfront fee.

With an FHA loan, there are some circumstances where you can’t cancel your mortgage insurance when you reach 20% equity. MIP will remain in your loan indefinitely if you put less than 10% down. On the other hand, MIP can be removed after 11 years if your down payment is over 10%.

How to Get Mortgage Insurance

Your lender will select your mortgage insurance from a private company if you have a conventional loan. The payment is included in the monthly payment to your lender. Other lenders increase your interest rate to account for the mortgage insurance payment.

Unlike conventional loans, FHA loans require an upfront mortgage insurance payment as part of your closing costs. But like conventional loans, the other portion of your mortgage insurance is added to your monthly payment. Both payments are paid to the FHA.

Mortgage Insurance Cost

Depending on factors like your loan type, credit history and down payment, mortgage insurance costs can vary. But you can expect to pay between $30 and $70 per month for every $100,000 you borrowed, according to Freddie Mac.

With a USDA loan, you can expect your annual mortgage insurance rate to be 0.35% with a 1% upfront payment. FHA loan annual mortgage insurance rates currently vary between 0.8% and 1.05%, with a 1.75% upfront fee.

Suppose you buy a $300,000 home with a 3.5% down payment, for example. This means you must borrow $289,500. If you have a 30-year term with a 2.71% interest rate, you’ll pay an extra $114.54 (0.85%) in MIP with a UFMIP of $5,066.25.

How to Avoid Mortgage Insurance

If possible, you can avoid mortgage insurance since it covers your lender, not you. To avoid paying this additional expense, here are a few options.

Put down 20% or more. If you can put more than 20% down on a conventional loan, you probably avoid paying for PMI.

Take out a piggyback loan. With this type of loan, you can put 10% down and get another loan to cover the other 10% of the down payment.

Apply for a VA loan. If you qualify, you could buy a home with a VA loan, which doesn’t come with mortgage insurance requirements.

Compare lenders. Before you decide on a home, compare loan options and offers from various lenders; some may not require mortgage insurance. Review all costs involved to find the most suitable option for your needs.

If you do end up purchasing a home with mortgage insurance, make sure to keep track of the equity built in your home. This way, once your loan is less than 80% of the home’s value, you can either refinance or request a cancellation of your mortgage insurance if your lender allows.

I can answer your questions and usually get you pre-approved the same day.

Call or Text me at 502-905-3708 with your mortgage questions.
Email Kentuckyloan@gmail.com

 

 

Joel Lobb (NMLS#57916)
Senior  Loan Officer

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.

10602 Timberwood Circle Suite 3

Louisville, KY 40223

Company ID #1364 | MB73346

Text/call 502-905-3708
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). I lend in the following states: Kentucky

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