Every Kentucky Loan Type. One Local Expert.
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.

🏠 FHA Loan

The go-to for first-time buyers and 580+ credit. Low down payment and flexible guidelines.

3.5% down · 580+ creditLearn More →

🎖 VA Loan

Zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance for veterans and active-duty service members.

$0 down · VA eligibleLearn More →

🌾 USDA Loan

100% financing for eligible rural and suburban Kentucky buyers within income limits.

$0 down · USDA areasLearn More →

🏛 KHC Assistance

Kentucky Housing down payment assistance for first-time and repeat buyers.

Up to $12,500 assistanceLearn More →

📈 Conventional

Best long-term value for stronger credit. PMI cancels at 20% equity, unlike FHA.

3% down · 620+ creditLearn More →

💰 Zero Down Options

Every route to buying with nothing down in Kentucky — VA, USDA, and KHC combos.

$0 down programsLearn More →

🌟 First-Time Buyers

All Kentucky first-time homebuyer programs compared in plain English.

Programs & grantsLearn More →

📊 Credit Scores

What score you actually need for each loan type in 2026 — and how to raise yours.

By loan programLearn More →

Kentucky Home Inspection vs. Appraisal: Key Differences

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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...
Getting a Kentucky Mortgage in 3 Simple Steps
No confusing paperwork trails. No surprise fees. A clear path from first call to keys in hand.
01

💬 Get Pre-Qualified

Free application review with same-day answers. We look at your credit, income, and goals — no cost, no obligation, no pressure.

02

📋 Compare Your Options

FHA vs. Conventional vs. USDA vs. KHC — run side by side with your actual numbers so you see the real payment before you commit.

03

🏠 Close & Get Your Keys

Guided from contract to closing — appraisal, title, and underwriting coordinated so you always know what happens next.

Watch: Kentucky Mortgage Guides
Straight answers from my YouTube channel — no jargon, no sales pitch.
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Joel Lobb and family - Kentucky mortgage loan officer
Kentucky Local. Not a Call Center.

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.

1,300+ Kentucky families have trusted me with their mortgage — from Louisville to Lexington to the smallest towns in the state. Free application reviews, same-day pre-approvals, and honest answers about what you actually qualify for.

See What You Qualify For →

Kentucky mortgages, down payment assistance and first time home buyer grants

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Kentucky mortgages, down payment assistance and first time home buyer grants

Buying a Home - Kentucky mortgages, down payment assistance and first time home buyer grants for buying Kentucky real estate.

Research the available mortgages and home loan programs for buying Kentucky real estate.
Bookmark this page for your home buying reference and email this page to the next person you know who will be buying Kentucky real estate. 


Kentucky mortgages, down payment assistance and first time home buyer grants




Government grants for buying a home

Here are some links for government grants for buying a home in Kentucky.
The Kentucky Housing Corporation offers: http://www.kyhousing.org/
               Homeownership Programs http://www.kyhousing.org/programs/
            Counseling Resources http://www.kyhousing.org/programs/counseling/
Habitat for Humanity - Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families http://www.habitat.org/local/
Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati - serves Kentucky residents by offering various home buying programs including Welcome Home grants. For more information, you may call 1-888-345-2246 http://www.fhlbcin.com/05_WelHomPro.asp
Kentucky Area Development Districts (ADDs) - provide housing services to support Kentucky residents 
http://www.bgadd.org/index1.html
Kentucky Association for Community Action) - helps to fund housing programs for low-income residentshttp://www.kaca.org/Programs_Services/Housing_Programs/housing_programs.htm
Federal Appalachian Housing Enterprise (FAHE) - provides housing assistance in rural, low-income, Appalachian communities 
http://www.fahe.org/
Housing Partnership, Inc. - provides affordable housing services for residents of Jefferson County http://www.housingpartnershipinc.org/
New Directions Housing Corporation - provides affordable housing assistance and services to resident of Jefferson County and Southern Indiana 
http://www.ndhc.org/index.html
HUD Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) - Kentucky contacts - HUD provides grant money to communities and those funds may be used to assist homebuyers
HUD HOME Program - Kentucky contacts - HUD provides grant money to communities designated as participating jurisdictions for assisting homebuyers, rental assistance, and other housing initiatives
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Kentucky mortgages, down payment assistance and first time home buyer grants



Down payment assistance 

Below are down payment assistance programs that may be used to buy a home in Kentucky.
Nehemiah - down payment assistance program for buying a home with no money down.
HART - down payment assistance program allows you to buy a home with no money down.
Neighborhood gold - this is another down payment assistance program that allows you to buy a home with no money down.
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Bad credit loans for buying a home or refinancing.

There are many mortgage lenders who specialized in bad credit loans for buying a home in Kentucky or refinancing. Use the link below to complete a form from our partner LendingTree and receive offers from lenders who maybe able assist you.
Bad Credit Mortgage Loans - these types of mortgages are for those individuals  with the following types of issues:
  • bankruptcy in the last 2 years
  • foreclosure in the last 3 years
  • low credit scores below 620
(not sure what your credit score is, get a Free Credit Report)
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Mortgages and Home Loans

These website can assist your with obtaining mortgages for buying a home in Kentucky.
FHA loans - government insured mortgages that allow you to buy a home with only 3% down payment.
VA loans - if you are a veteran, you may buy a home with no money down.
Conventional Loans - any mortgage loan that requires 5% down payment and is less than $417,000 for a single family home.
Jumbo Loans - any mortgages where the loan amount is higher than $417,000 for a single family home.
Mortgages - this site has information regarding fannie mae and freddie mac conventional loans.
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Kentucky mortgages, down payment assistance and first time home buyer grants


Mortgage Calculator

Use this mortgage calculator to calculate the monthly mortgage payment based on the required loan amount, current mortgage rates, and loan term of various types of mortgages you research on this page.
Following are instructions to calculate a mortgage for buying a home:
  1. Subtract your estimated down payment from the price of the home you wish to buy and enter the value in "Loan Amount" (Remember that if the down payment is less than 20% of the sale price you will have the added expense of Mortgage Insurance which is not figured into this calculation.)
  2. Estimate Annual Property Tax and Homeowners Insurance and enter these values.
  3. Each time you change a value hit "Calculate Now" to see what the effect is. 
Put Inputs Here
Years:
Interest:
Loan Amount:
Annual Tax:
Annual Insurance:
Results
Monthly Principle + Interest
Monthly Tax
Monthly Insurance
Total Payment


Kentucky mortgages, down payment assistance and first time home buyer grants



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