What Credit Score Do You Need for a Kentucky FHA Loan in 2026?
“What credit score do I need to qualify for an FHA loan in Kentucky?” is one of the most common questions homebuyers ask. Here is the straightforward answer: the official FHA minimum credit score is 500. However, most lenders apply higher requirements in practice.
There are two sets of credit score requirements
- HUD / FHA guidelines (the baseline eligibility rules)
- Lender overlays (the lender’s added requirements)
FHA does not lend money directly
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insures the loan, but does not lend directly to borrowers. You apply with an FHA-approved lender. FHA insurance protects the lender if a borrower defaults. This is why you must meet both FHA rules and lender-specific underwriting standards.
Official FHA credit score requirements (HUD baseline)
- 580+ credit score: eligible for 3.5% down (96.5% financing)
- 500–579 credit score: eligible for 10% down (90% financing)
- Below 500: not eligible for FHA
Source reference: HUD Handbook 4000.1 (FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook). View HUD Handbook 4000.1
What most Kentucky lenders actually require
Lenders may add requirements beyond the HUD minimum (called overlays). In Kentucky, it is common to see minimums around 580, with many lenders preferring 600–620+. Along with credit score, lenders evaluate debt-to-income (DTI), income stability, assets, and payment history.
Real-world approval ranges
Most successful FHA borrowers tend to fall in the 600–799 credit score range.
Approvals can happen in the 500–599 range, but the file is usually more restrictive: higher down payment requirements, tighter underwriting, and sometimes manual underwriting.
Important note about mortgage credit scores
Mortgage lending typically uses older FICO versions (often referred to as FICO 2/4/5), not the consumer scores commonly shown on apps or credit monitoring services. Lenders generally use the middle score of the three bureaus. If there are two borrowers, the qualifying score is the lower middle score.
Bottom line
The technical FHA minimum is 500. The practical approval range with better outcomes is typically 580–620+. If you want to buy in 2026, the goal is not just “approval” — it is a clean, financeable file that closes on time.
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Internal Links to Add
- Kentucky FHA loan programs → FHA program overview page
- Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) → KHC / down payment assistance page
- free mortgage pre-approval → Application or contact page
- VA loans in Kentucky → VA loan page
- USDA Rural Housing loans → USDA loan page
- calculate your payment → Mortgage calculator tool
External Authority Links
If you want, I can review your scenario and recommend the best path (FHA, VA, USDA, KHC, or Conventional) based on your credit profile, income, and county.
Joel Lobb
Mortgage Broker – FHA, VA, USDA, KHC, Fannie Mae
EVO Mortgage
Email: kentuckyloan@gmail.com
Call/Text: 502-905-3708
Website: www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com
Equal Housing Lender
Joel Lobb NMLS #57916 | EVO Mortgage NMLS #1738461
10602 Timberwood Circle, Louisville, KY 40223
This is an advertisement. Not a commitment to lend. All programs subject to change.
