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 →

Kentucky Mortgage Loan Programs | FHA, VA, USDA & Conventional Guide

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Understanding the Four Main Mortgage Loan Programs in Kentucky When buying a home in Kentucky, your mortgage will typically fall under one of four major loan programs: FHA, VA, USDA, or Conventional (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac) . Each program offers unique benefits depending on your credit, income, military status, and location. Below is a streamlined breakdown to help you determine the best fit for your situation. Conventional Loan Minimum down payment: 3%–5% Minimum credit score: 620 (680+ for best pricing) Mortgage insurance can be removed at 80% equity Best for: buyers with strong credit & stable income Bankruptcy wait: 4–7 years Foreclosure wait: 7 years Closing costs can be lender-paid (higher rate) Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Loan 100% financing (0% down) Credit score: 640+ for automated GUS approval Mortgage insurance: .35% monthly, 1% upfront Manual underwriting ratio caps: 29% / 41% Property must be U...
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 →

Louisville Kentucky VA Home Loan Mortgage Lender: How to Get Approved for a Kentucky VA Home Mortgag...

Louisville Kentucky VA Home Loan Mortgage Lender: How to Get Approved for a Kentucky VA Home Mortgag...: Basic Understanding of a Kentucky VA Mortgage Loan Approval Process. The VA makes a guarantee to the lending institution (the insurance)-for...


Basic Understanding of a Kentucky VA Mortgage Loan Approval Process.

The VA makes a guarantee to the lending institution (the

insurance)-for 25% of the loan amount (from a lenders

perspective the effective LTV is 75%).

Because the risk to the bank is reduced, the bank can provide

more affordable loans to the Veteran:

• Eliminating the need for a down payment (100% Mortgage)

• Provides the Veterans favorable interest rates

• Eliminating Mortgage Insurance (NO PMI)

Crushing the Myths of the VA Loan

• VA Mortgage Benefits do not expire.

• You can use your VA benefits as many times as you wish.

• You can have more than 1 at a time. (See occupancy rules)

• There is no limit to the size of a VA loan. (There is a county

loan limit, but veterans can purchase above the county loan

limit with a 25% down payment)

• Credit and risk is reviewed differently by each bank

and lender.

• Even with a foreclosure or short sale, the veteran may still be

able to buy a house with a VA loan. (See burnt entitlement,

veteran might have reduced buying power, but can still

use the VA loan). The VA understands that bad things can

happen to good people.

• VA Appraisals are significantly different than they use to be.


What military documents would I need
to have in order to get a VA mortgage?

I don’t know if I still have my documents from when I

served. How can I retrieve them?

There are three websites that should be able to help you, they are:

vetrecs.archives.gov

archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

ebenefits.va.gov

*If you have difficulty retrieving information from any of these sites,

the local recruiting office for your branch would be able to assist.

I have my discharge paperwork, but would like help

obtaining my Certificate of Eligibility

Contact your lender.

I served, but it was a very long time ago. Do my VA
benefits for a mortgage expire?

No, VA Home Loan benefits never expire. You can use your

VA benefit as long as you’re alive.

I used my VA mortgage along time ago to buy a
home. That means I can’t use it again, right?

The VA Mortgage can be used several times over. If the previous

home was sold, your entitlement should be fully reinstated.

What is the minimum credit score to obtain
a VA mortgage?

The VA does not have a minimum credit score, but lenders will

have their own internal overlay. If your score is greater than 580,

you are likely a candidate for the VA mortgage.


Can I use the VA loan to buy a condo?

You can, with the same terms as buying a detached single family

residence. However, we do have to see if the condo association

is VA approved. Check this website:

vip.vba.va.gov/portal/VBAH/VBAHome/condopudsearch

I relocated here and have a home in my hometown. I

kept the home and it has a VA mortgage on it now.

Can I get another VA mortgage?

You can get another VA Mortgage. Mortgage

will calculate your remaining entitlement to compute your

maximum loan amount with no money down and/or what

you would have to put down if you exceed the remaining

entitlement.

Can I build a home with a VA Home Loan?

Yes, but there are several clauses that may make this difficult

to accomplish. Many veterans use their VA Home Loan

Certificate of Eligibility to negotiate in good faith a private home

construction loan and then refinance the completed home using

VA Home Loans.

I heard the VA Mortgage was more expensive than
other mortgage types. Is that true?

There is a mandatory funding fee on all VA mortgages (unless

the borrowing veteran is receiving a VA related disability, then

the funding fee is waived). The funding fee is built over and

above the loan amount and the fees are as below.



It's Military May, and that means Permanent Change of Station (PCS) season for military families is upon us. However, some brokers will miss out on opportunities to help more Veterans due to a few commonly held misconceptions regarding Kentucky VA loans.

Separating fact from fiction can make all the difference this season for your business. Here are a few myths around Kentucky VA loans:

Myth: Kentucky VA Loans Are Credit Risks

Reality: Kentucky Veterans and military members tend to have higher credit scores and savings.

Myth: The Seller Pays the Closing Costs

Reality: In a well-structured Kentucky  VA loan, the benefits include no down payment and ideally no closing costs to the seller.

Myth: There Is a Maximum VA Loan Amount  

Reality: There has never been a maximum Kentucky  VA loan amount, though it's often confused with maximum VA loan guarantee.

Myth: VA Loans Are Complicated With Many Restrictions

Reality: The expertise of our Kentucky VA lending team makes the process simple so you can focus on your borrower.



Basic Understanding of a Kentucky VA Mortgage Loan Approval Process. The VA makes a guarantee to the lending institution (the  insurance)-for 25% of the loan amount (from a lenders  perspective the effective LTV is 75%).  Because the risk to the bank is reduced, the bank can provide  more affordable loans to the Veteran:  • Eliminating the need for a down payment (100% Mortgage)  • Provides the Veterans favorable interest rates  • Eliminating Mortgage Insurance (NO PMI)  Crushing the Myths of the VA Loan • VA Mortgage Benefits do not expire.  • You can use your VA benefits as many times as you wish.  • You can have more than 1 at a time. (See occupancy rules)  • There is no limit to the size of a VA loan. (There is a county  loan limit, but veterans can purchase above the county loan  limit with a 25% down payment)  • Credit and risk is reviewed differently by each bank  and lender.  • Even with a foreclosure or short sale, the veteran may still be  able to buy a house with a VA loan. (See burnt entitlement,  veteran might have reduced buying power, but can still  use the VA loan). The VA understands that bad things can  happen to good people.  • VA Appraisals are significantly different than they use to be.    What military documents would I need to have in order to get a VA mortgage? I don’t know if I still have my documents from when I  served. How can I retrieve them? There are three websites that should be able to help you, they are:  vetrecs.archives.gov  archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/  ebenefits.va.gov  *If you have difficulty retrieving information from any of these sites,  the local recruiting office for your branch would be able to assist.  I have my discharge paperwork, but would like help  obtaining my Certificate of Eligibility  Contact your lender.  I served, but it was a very long time ago. Do my VA benefits for a mortgage expire? No, VA Home Loan benefits never expire. You can use your  VA benefit as long as you’re alive.  I used my VA mortgage along time ago to buy a home. That means I can’t use it again, right? The VA Mortgage can be used several times over. If the previous  home was sold, your entitlement should be fully reinstated.  What is the minimum credit score to obtain a VA mortgage? The VA does not have a minimum credit score, but lenders will  have their own internal overlay. If your score is greater than 580,  you are likely a candidate for the VA mortgage.    Can I use the VA loan to buy a condo? You can, with the same terms as buying a detached single family  residence. However, we do have to see if the condo association  is VA approved. Check this website:  vip.vba.va.gov/portal/VBAH/VBAHome/condopudsearch  I relocated here and have a home in my hometown. I  kept the home and it has a VA mortgage on it now.  Can I get another VA mortgage? You can get another VA Mortgage. Mortgage  will calculate your remaining entitlement to compute your  maximum loan amount with no money down and/or what  you would have to put down if you exceed the remaining  entitlement.  Can I build a home with a VA Home Loan? Yes, but there are several clauses that may make this difficult  to accomplish. Many veterans use their VA Home Loan  Certificate of Eligibility to negotiate in good faith a private home  construction loan and then refinance the completed home using  VA Home Loans.  I heard the VA Mortgage was more expensive than other mortgage types. Is that true? There is a mandatory funding fee on all VA mortgages (unless  the borrowing veteran is receiving a VA related disability, then  the funding fee is waived). The funding fee is built over and  above the loan amount and the fees are as below.      It's Military May, and that means Permanent Change of Station (PCS) season for military families is upon us. However, some brokers will miss out on opportunities to help more Veterans due to a few commonly held misconceptions regarding Kentucky VA loans.  Separating fact from fiction can make all the difference this season for your business. Here are a few myths around Kentucky VA loans:  Myth: Kentucky VA Loans Are Credit Risks  Reality: Kentucky Veterans and military members tend to have higher credit scores and savings.  Myth: The Seller Pays the Closing Costs  Reality: In a well-structured Kentucky  VA loan, the benefits include no down payment and ideally no closing costs to the seller.  Myth: There Is a Maximum VA Loan Amount    Reality: There has never been a maximum Kentucky  VA loan amount, though it's often confused with maximum VA loan guarantee.  Myth: VA Loans Are Complicated With Many Restrictions  Reality: The expertise of our Kentucky VA lending team makes the process simple so you can focus on your borrower.


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