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 →

How Much House Can I Afford in Kentucky? 2026 DTI Limits by Loan Program

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By Joel Lobb, Kentucky Mortgage Loan Officer · NMLS #57916 · Updated September 24, 2026 Short answer: Kentucky lenders decide how much you qualify for using your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) . Your new house payment usually needs to stay near 29–31% of your gross monthly income , and your house payment plus all other debts can reach 41–50% depending on the loan program. A household earning $75,000 with $450 a month in debts typically qualifies for about $219,000 (USDA) to $303,000 (conventional) at today's rates. Your loan program sets the DTI limit, and the DTI limit sets your price range. "How much house can I afford?" is the first question almost every Kentucky homebuyer asks me, and online calculators rarely agree. That is because each loan program (FHA, VA, USDA, KHC, and conventional) uses different debt ratio limits, mortgage insurance, and down payments. This guide shows you exactly how lenders run the numbers, gives you a calculator built on Kentucky a...
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 →

New Kentucky FHA Mortgage insurance Chart for 2015 with Changes effective Jan 26, 2015

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New FHA MIP Chart for Kentucky FHA loans for refinances and purchase loans effective January 26,2015





Loan Purpose
Up-Front MI Premium
Endorsement Date of Current 
FHA-insured Mortgage
Purchase, Rate/Term Non-Streamline Refinance, Cash Out Refinance
1.75%
N/A
Streamline Refinance
1.75%
Endorsed on or after 06/01/2009
Streamline Refinance
0.01%
Endorsed prior to 06/01/2009

For Loan Terms > 15 years
Loan Purpose
Base Loan Amount
LTV
Case Number Assigned on or After01/26/2015
Case Number Assigned6/03/2013–01/25/2015
Purchase, Rate/Term, Cash-Out, or Streamline Refinance Endorsed on or after 06/01/2009
<=$625,500
<=95%
.80
1.30
<=$625,500
>95%
.85
1.35
> $625,500
<=95%
1.00
1.50
> $625,500
>95%
1.05
1.50
FHA Streamline endorsed prior to 06/01/2009
All Loan Amounts
All LTVs
0.55

For Loan Terms <=15 Years
Loan Purpose
Base Loan Amount
LTV
Case Number Assigned 
on and after 6/03/2013
Purchase, Rate/Term, Cash-Out, or Streamline Refinance Endorsed on or after 06/01/2009
<=$625,500
<=90%
0.45
<=$625,500
>90%
0.70
> $625,500
<=90%
0.70
> $625,500
>90%
0.95
FHA Streamline endorsed prior to 06/01/2009








The length of time on which you'll pay mortgage insurance premiums on your FHA loan is as follows:
Mortgage Term
Loan to Value Ratio
Length of Mortgage Premium
15 years or shorter
Up to 90%
11 years
15 years or shorter
Greater than 90%
Full loan term
Greater than 15 years
Up to 90%
11 years
Greater than 15 years
Greater than 90%
Full loan term
Source: HUD.gov.



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