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)

Image
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 USDA Rural Development Loans for 2023 Upfront Mortgage Insurance and Annual Fee Changes for Conditional Commitments

KENTUCKY USDA RURAL HOUSING CONDITIONAL COMMITMENT FOR 2023 

With the start of Fiscal Year 2023 (FY) soon approaching, please take a few minutes to review the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) Conditional Commitment process. We hope you find this information helpful.


FY 2023 will begin October 1, 2022 and ends at the close of business September 30, 2023.


Fee Structures:


An upfront guarantee fee of 1.00 percent and an annual fee of .35 percent will apply to both purchase and refinance transactions for Kentucky USDA Rural Development Loans for 2023


Issuance of :


At the beginning of each fiscal year, funding for the guaranteed loan program is not available for a short period of time – approximately two weeks. USDA anticipates this brief lapse in funding to continue for FY 2023. During the temporary lapse in funding, Rural Development - Rural Housing Service (RHS) will issue Conditional Commitments (Form RD 3555-18/18E) “subject to the availability of commitment authority” for purchase and refinance transactions. The issued Conditional Commitment will include the following:


"Funds are not presently available for this Conditional Commitment. The Rural Development-Rural Housing Service (RHS) obligation under this Conditional Commitment is contingent upon the availability of an appropriation from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of RHS for any payment on this Conditional Commitment may arise until funds are made available to RHS for this Conditional Commitment and until the Lender receives notice of such availability, to be confirmed in writing by RHS.  More specifically, this Conditional Commitment is subject to RHS receiving sufficient funds (in the Program Funds Control System for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program for the Type of Assistance and State of application submission) to fund this and all prior eligible outstanding applications in their entirety in the time and date order received. When such funds become available, RHS will notify the lender, and the guarantee process will continue subject to all applicable Agency regulations and conditions set forth in this Conditional Commitment. RHS will not reserve loan funds for applications in process during this timeframe. Lenders may close the loan as scheduled. The lender will assume all risk of loss for the loan until RHS obligates funds and the Loan Note Guarantee is subsequently issued. When the lender requests the Loan Note Guarantee, the lender must certify to the Agency, using the process provided in this commitment, that there have been no adverse changes to the borrower's financial condition since the date the Conditional Commitment was issued by the Agency. The lender will submit the appropriate guarantee fee at the time they request the Loan Note Guarantee. The loan will be subject to an annual fee of 0.35 percent over the average scheduled unpaid principal balance of the loan. The Agency will not be able to issue the Loan Note Guarantee until these conditions are met and funding is obligated."


The application processing workflow is as follows:


Rural Development will continue to accept complete guaranteed loan applications for purchase and refinance loan transactions from approved lenders;

Rural Development will process, approve, and issue Conditional Commitments for those applications that are eligible “subject to the availability of commitment authority”;

Lenders may close loans as scheduled;

When funds become available, Rural Development will utilize the Electronic Customer File (ECF) system to advance the file to “Obligate Application” for Conditional Commitments that were issued for loans subject to the availability of commitment authority;

Once loans are obligated, Rural Development may process lender’s Loan Note Guarantee requests when the loan closing is verified, and all conditions of the Conditional Commitment are satisfied;

Lenders assume all loss default risk for the loan until Rural Development is able to obligate the loan and issue the Loan Note Guarantee.  

Thank you for your participation in the USDA Single Family Housing Guaranteed Program. We look forward to serving you in FY 2023!


Questions regarding this announcement may be directed to sfhgld.program@usda.gov or (833) 314-0168.


Thank you for your support of the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program! 

Popular posts from this blog

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

Kentucky's Welcome Home Grant

Using a Pastor / Minister’s housing Clergy Income for A Mortgage Loan Approval