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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 →
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 Mortgage Forbearance Guidelines

Kentucky First Time Home Buyer Programs For Home Mortgage Loans: Kentucky Mortgage Forbearance Guidelines for Fanni...


Conventional Mortgage Loans by Fannie Mae



Mortgage credit history for any mortgage which the borrower is obligated as borrower, co-borrower, or co-signer may be
considered acceptable if it meets one of the following:
 The borrower has made all payments due on time, prior to subject loan Note date, even though the loan was in
forbearance, or
 The borrower has not made one or more payments due, and the late payments or forbearance has been resolved
per one of these acceptable resolution plans:
Resolution Plans* Eligibility Requirements
Reinstatement ▪ Any missed payments must be made

▪ Funds to reinstate after application must be documented from eligible source
▪ Funds from the current transaction may not be used to reinstate mortgage
Repayment Plan ▪ Must have made 3 timely** payments under the repayment plan, or

▪ Repayment plan has been completed
▪ Funds from the current transaction may satisfy the existing mortgage in full
Payment Deferral ▪ Must have made 3 timely** payments after executing the deferral agreement
▪ Funds from the current transaction may satisfy the existing mortgage in full

Modification ▪ Must have made 3 timely** payments under trial modification

▪ Funds from the current transaction may satisfy the existing mortgage in full
Any Other Loss Mitigation Option ▪ Must have completed successfully or made a minimum of 3 timely payments
▪ Funds from the current transaction may satisfy the existing mortgage in full
*If loan was in forbearance, provide documentation from servicer showing the exit from forbearance into one of the
acceptable resolution plans.
** Payments cannot be made in advance to meet the 3 required payments.
 For purposes of determining acceptable mortgage payment history, missed payments under a COVID-19 forbearance
are not considered late payments.
 The above guidance does not apply to Freddie Mac Enhanced Refinance or Fannie Mae High LTV Refinance
transactions.





VA ELIGIBILITY


 Borrowers must provide a Letter of Explanation (LOE) stating the circumstances behind the forbearance.
Documentation will be required to verify the items listed in the LOE have been resolved.
 If the forbearance was on a non-subject property, the forbearance must be resolved, and new payment (if
applicable) must be included in the DTI.
 A Veteran who was granted a forbearance and continues to make payments as agreed under the terms of original
note is not considered delinquent or late and will be treated as if not in forbearance status, provided that the
forbearance plan is terminated prior to closing.


Cash-Out Refinances


 Refinance of mortgages that are in a current forbearance status, where mortgage payments are not being made,
including mortgages under the CARES Act forbearance protection program, are not eligible. The forbearance plan
must be completed/terminated prior to closing.
 Borrower in forbearance with missed payments- Borrower must have made 6 consecutive months’ timely payments
post-forbearance, regardless of method of resolution of the forbearance.
 Missed payments due to COVID-19 forbearance cannot count toward seasoning. Borrower must have made six
consecutive monthly payments prior to the CARES Act forbearance or six consecutive payments will be required post
forbearance. In addition, loans that have been modified must meet seasoning requirements based on the modified
note first payment date. The new note date must be on or after the later of: The date that is 210 days after the date
on which the first modified monthly payment was due on the mortgage being refinanced, and the date on which 6
modified payments have been made on the mortgage being refinanced.

IRRRL Refinances

 Borrowers must be current at time of application (any skipped payments under a COVID-19 forbearance have since
been made).
 Borrower in forbearance with no missed payments- standard underwriting applies.
 Borrower in forbearance with missed payments- Borrower must have made 6 consecutive months’ timely payments
post-forbearance.
 Loans must still meet loan seasoning, fee recoupment, discount points, and net tangible benefit requirements.
 Missed payments due to COVID-19 forbearance cannot count toward seasoning. Borrower must have made six
consecutive monthly payments prior to the CARES Act forbearance or will need to make six consecutive payments
post forbearance. In addition, loans that have been modified must meet seasoning requirements based on the
modified note first payment date. The new note date must be on or after the later of: The date that is 210 days after
the date on which the first modified monthly payment was due on the mortgage being refinanced, and the date on
which 6 modified payments have been made on the mortgage being refinanced.



FHA ELIGIBILITY


*NOTE: FHA Guidance is permanent, not temporary, and applies where a Forbearance Plan was granted due to COVID-19, Presidentially Declared major
disaster or other hardship. This new guidance has been included in the updated 4000.1 Handbook.
Payment
History
Documentation

When any mortgage reflects payments under a Modification or Forbearance Plan within 12 months prior to case number
assignment, obtain:
 Copy of Modification or Forbearance Plan* and
 Evidence the payment amount and the date of payments during the agreement
* A copy of Forbearance Plan due to the COVID-19 National Emergency is not required. Must be able to determine the reason for
forbearance.


Borrowers that are or were in Forbearance


Maximum base loan amount for a Streamline of an owner-occupied primary residence and HUD-approved second home is
the lesser of:
 The outstanding principal balance of the existing mortgage (including suspended payments from forbearance) as of
the month prior to mortgage disbursement; plus:
o Interest due on the existing mortgage
o Late charges and escrow shortages
o MIP due on existing mortgage; or
 The original principal balance of the existing mortgage (including financed UFMIP)
 Less any refund of UFMIP

New FHA Insured Mortgage Eligibility


 Any active forbearance plan must be terminated.
 Borrowers granted forbearance but who continued to make all payments as agreed under the terms of original Note
are not considered delinquent. No additional payment seasoning post forbearance required.
 Borrowers granted forbearance but who did not continue to make payments require additional mortgage payment
seasoning post-forbearance that document satisfactory, consecutive monthly payments. See chart below for details:
Transaction Additional Requirements
Purchase Must make three consecutive payments* post-forbearance or

▪ If home sold prior to making three payments, must be manually underwritten

Cash-Out Refinance Must make 12 consecutive payments* post-forbearance

GNMA Seasoning: Loans that have been modified must meet seasoning
requirements based on the modified note first payment date.



No Cash Out Refinance Must make three consecutive payments* post-forbearance (six payments if

mortgage was modified after forbearance)

Simple Refinance Must make three consecutive payments* post-forbearance
*NOTE: The consecutive payments must be documented on the credit report and read by AUS to follow AUS approval.
Streamline Refinance  Missed payments under forbearance do not count toward mortgage

seasoning requirements
 If mortgage modified after forbearance, six payments under
modification required.
Non-Credit Qualifying
 At time of case number assignment, borrower has made three post
forbearance payments.
Credit Qualifying
 At time of case number assignment, borrower is still in mortgage
payment forbearance or has made less than three monthly payments,
and
 Has made all mortgage payments due within the month due for the six
months prior to forbearance
***ALL Streamlines: GNMA Seasoning: Loans that have been modified must
meet seasoning requirements based on the modified note first payment date.

References FHA Mortgagee Letter 2020-30:


USDA ELIGIBILITY




 For each open mortgage, confirm the forbearance status and payment history.
 Borrowers who have a current mortgage that was placed in COVID-19 forbearance, but continued to make all
payments as scheduled, are not subject to additional seasoning.
 Purchases: Borrowers who missed any payments as allowed under the forbearance plan must have resumed
repayment of their mortgage loan for a period of at least 3 months prior to applying for a new loan.
 Refinances: the loan must have closed at least 12 months prior to the request to refinance, borrower must have
resumed making payments for a period of at least 3 months and have a total 180-day period of satisfactory
payments, excluding the time the loan was in forbearance.




LOANS MADE TO BORROWERS POST-FORBEARANCE


The guidance herein is based on Agency and Investor eligibility. The below is a summary and not all-inclusive of Agency announcements. For full

Agency guidance see the Resources section under each program section below.


IN ALL CASES THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS APPLY:


 BORROWER MAY NOT BE IN FORBEARANCE ON THE SUBJECT PROPERTY MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER NON-SUBJECT PROPERTY
MORTGAGES AT THE TIME OF LOAN CLOSING.
 Explanation from Borrower(s) for forbearance reason and how any hardship has been overcome is required. If borrower faced hardship,
documentation supporting resolution is required. (e.g. borrower was furloughed for a time and is now back to work and employer
documentation supports).
 Payment history required for most recent 12-months to see payment made dates to determine if borrower skipped any payments.
 Documentation from servicer that forbearance has ended.
 Asset sourcing to document funds for any lump-sum payments made to reinstate/bring mortgage current- 2 months consecutive
statements required.
 If borrower entered into modification/work out plan rather than reinstating the forbearance, a copy of plan must be obtained. See
applicable Agency guidance for eligibility in this case.


Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer
Individual NMLS ID #57916

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.

Text/call:      502-905-3708
fax:            502-327-9119
email:
          kentuckyloan@gmail.com

 


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