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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
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
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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.
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.
203k In A Box Presents "Inspecting for FHA Minimum Property Standards"
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Below are Kentucky FHA guidelines for a property that has well water and septic tanks for waste disposal . The Kentucky FHA appraiser should be able to address the distance between the well and septic for distance requirements, and comment if public sewers are available.
Well water test will be required as a closing condition. FHA mortgages loans in Kentucky require a septic inspection unless the appraiser mentions it is necessary.
(O) Water Supply Systems in Kentucky
(1) Public Water Supply System The Mortgagee must confirm that a connection is made to a public or Community Water System whenever feasible and available at a reasonable cost. If connection costs to the public or community system are not reasonable, the existing onsite systems are acceptable, provided they are functioning properly and meet the requirements of the local health department.
(2) Individual Water Supply Systems (Wells) When an Individual Water Supply System is present, the Mortgagee must ensure that the water quality meets the requirements of the health authority with jurisdiction. If there are no local (or state) water quality standards, then water quality must meet the standards set by the EPA, as presented in the National Primary Drinking Water regulations in 40 CFR §§ 141 and 142. Soil poisoning is an unacceptable method for treating termites unless the Mortgagee obtains satisfactory assurance that the treatment will not endanger the quality of the water supply. Requirements for the location of wells for FHA-insured Properties are located in 24 CFR § 200.926d (f) (3). The following tables provide the minimum distance required between wells and sources of pollution for Existing Construction:
Individual Water Supply System for Minimum Property Requirements for Existing Construction*
1
Property line/10 feet
2
Septic tank/50 feet
3
Drain field/100 feet
4
Septic tank drain field reduced to 75 feet if allowed by local authority
5
If the subject Property line is adjacent to residential Property then local well distance requirements prevail. If the subject Property is adjacent to non-residential Property or roadway, there needs to be a separation distance of at least 10 feet from the property line.
* distance requirements of local authority prevail if greater than stated above
The following provides the minimum requirements for water wells:
Water Wells Minimum Property Standards for New Construction 24 CFR § 200.926d(f)(1)
1
Lead-free piping
2
If no local chemical and bacteriological water standards, state standards apply
3
Connection of public water whenever feasible
4
Wells must deliver water flow of five gallons per minute over at least a four-hour period
Water Wells Minimum Property Requirements for Existing Construction
1
Existing wells must deliver water flow of three to five gallons per minute
2
No exposure to environmental contamination
3
Continuing supply of safe and potable water
4
Domestic hot water
5
Water quality must meet requirements of local jurisdiction or the EPA if no local standard
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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/
-- Some products and services may not be available in all states. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. The content in this marketing advertisement has not been approved, reviewed, sponsored or endorsed by any department or government agency. Rates are subject to change and are subject to borrower(s) qualification.
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...
