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 to Get Approved for a Mortgage Loan in Kentucky (2026 Guide)

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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 ...
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.
▶ More videos on my YouTube channel →
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 FHA Loan and Repairs- Do you know that appraiser required repairs may be financed into an Kentucky FHA loan?



Do you know that appraiser required repairs may be financed into an KY FHA loan?

Costs of repairs can be added to the sales price before calculating the mortgage amount if:

• The repairs are required by the Appraiser to meet HUD’s MPR;
• The repairs are paid for by the Borrower; and
• The sales contract or addendum identifies the Borrower as the party responsible for payment and
completion of the repairs. Up to the maximum allowable amount. Seller can pay for additional repairs.
The maximum amount of repair costs that may be added to the sales price is the lesser of:

• The amount by which the value of the Property exceeds the sales price;
• The Appraiser’s estimate of repairs; or
• The amount of the contractor’s bid.

See FHA Handbook 4000.1. II.A.2.a https://www.allregs.com/tpl/Main.aspx

Example 1:

$105,000 Value
$100,000 Sales Price
$5,000 Appraiser Required Repairs
$105,000 Max Cost of Acquisition (Value)
X 96.50
$101,325 Base Loan Amount
+ $1,773.19 UFMIP
$103,098 Total Loan Amount
Borrower would pay up to $2,500 in contingency and funds are returned when repairs have been completed
and inspected. (See Escrow Limits below)

Example 2:

$105,000 Value
$100,000 Sales Price
$10,000 Appraiser Required Repairs
$105,000 Max Cost of Acquisition (Value)
X 96.50
$101,325 Base Loan Amount
+ $1,773.19 UFMIP
$103,098 Total Loan Amount

Borrower would pay the $5,000 in repairs that cannot be included into the loan amount. Borrower would also pay up to $5,000 (50% of 10,000 required repairs) in contingency and funds are returned when repairs have been completed and inspected .

The sales price of the property is $100,000 and the appraised value is $105,000. If the appraiser requires repairs in the amount of $10,000, $5,000 can be added to the sales price before calculating the mortgage amount. This is because the value came in at $105,000. The remaining $5,000 required repairs can be paid at closing by buyer or seller.

Escrow Holdbacks: Escrow holdbacks are used to facilitate loan closings for properties that are ready for occupancy but that require minimal completion or repair. The buyer or seller is required to establish a cash  escrow to ensure the completion of the required repairs. The proceeds of the cash escrow are held in an escrow account




Limits: Non HUD REO Transactions

• Existing Construction - Repair Items: Minimum amount to complete the escrow will be 150% (1.5
times) of the estimated cost to complete or cure per appraisal plus final inspection fee. Contingency
cannot be added in the costs of acquisition.

FHA HUD REO Purchases

• $10,000 for FHA HUD REO Purchases (not including 10% contingency) , total escrow amount must not exceed $11,000 including the 10% contingency




Documents Required: Minor Repair Items

• Purchase agreement must indicate who is responsible to provide the funds required for repair escrow. If funds are to be provided by the borrower(s), verification of sufficient funds from acceptable sources is required.
• The appraisal page 2 must indicate "subject to the following repairs or alterations on the basis of a
hypothetical condition that the repairs or alterations have been completed."
• The appraiser/appraisal must provide a list of items that are subject to repair and an estimated cost to cure. If the appraiser indicates the cost of such items cannot be estimated, a licensed/certified
contractor bid is required for estimate of repair costs.
Repairs and Improvements: Repairs and improvements, or any portion paid by the borrower that cannot be financed into the mortgage are part of the borrower's total cash requirements
Source of Funds: If escrow funds are being supplied by the buyer/borrower, source of funds must be verified and must meet eligible source of funds guidelines and requirements for the loan program. AUS must be run with the correct escrow holdback amount established and entered so that asset verification requirements are accurate


Image result for fha repair escrow






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