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 Much House Can I Afford in Kentucky? 2026 DTI Limits by Loan Program

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By Joel Lobb, Kentucky Mortgage Loan Officer · NMLS #57916 · Updated September 24, 2026 Short answer: Kentucky lenders decide how much you qualify for using your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) . Your new house payment usually needs to stay near 29–31% of your gross monthly income , and your house payment plus all other debts can reach 41–50% depending on the loan program. A household earning $75,000 with $450 a month in debts typically qualifies for about $219,000 (USDA) to $303,000 (conventional) at today's rates. Your loan program sets the DTI limit, and the DTI limit sets your price range. "How much house can I afford?" is the first question almost every Kentucky homebuyer asks me, and online calculators rarely agree. That is because each loan program (FHA, VA, USDA, KHC, and conventional) uses different debt ratio limits, mortgage insurance, and down payments. This guide shows you exactly how lenders run the numbers, gives you a calculator built on Kentucky a...
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
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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 →

FHA GIFT OF EQUITY FOR KENTUCKY MORTGAGE LOANS

  Gift of Equity For a Kentucky Home Mortgage Loan for FHA 


The gift of equity guidance doesn't address paying off debt so it will be up to the DE underwriter to make the decision, but keep in mind that this may be considered an inducement to purchase since there is no exception listed for family members.

What seller contributions are considered inducements to purchase?

Inducements to Purchase are treated the same way for both TOTAL and Manual underwriting.  Inducements to Purchase refer to certain expenses paid by the seller and/or another Interested Party on behalf of the Borrower and result in a dollar-for-dollar reduction to the Adjusted Value of the property before applying the appropriate Loan-to-Value (LTV) percentage.  These inducements include, but are not limited to:
•     contributions exceeding 6 percent of the Purchase Price;
•     contributions exceeding the origination fees, other closing costs, prepaid items and discount points;
•     decorating allowances;
•     repair allowances;
•     excess rent credit;
•     moving costs;
•     paying off consumer debt;
•     Personal Property;
•     sales commission on the Borrower’s present residence; and
•     below-market rent, except for Borrowers who meet the Identity-of-Interest exception for Family Members.  

(1)    Personal Property
Replacement of existing Personal Property items listed below are not considered an inducement to purchase, provided the replacement is made prior to settlement and no cash allowance is given to the Borrower. The inclusion of the items below in the sales agreement is also not considered an inducement to purchase if inclusion of the item is customary for the area:
•     range
•     refrigerator
•     dishwasher
•     washer
•     dryer
•     carpeting
•     window treatment
•     other items determined appropriate by the Homeownership Center (HOC) 

(2)     Sales Commission 
An inducement to purchase exists when the seller and/or Interested Party agrees to pay any portion of the Borrower’s sales commission on the sale of the Borrower’s present residence.  An inducement to purchase also exists when a Borrower is not paying a real estate commission on the sale of their present residence, and the same real estate broker or agent is involved in both transactions, and the seller is paying a real estate commission on the property being purchased by the Borrower that exceeds what is typical for the area. 

(3)     Rent Below Fair Market 
Rent may be an inducement to purchase when the sales agreement reveals that the Borrower has been living in the property rent-free or has an agreement to occupy the property at a rental amount considerably below fair market rent.  Rent below fair market is not considered an inducement to purchase when a builder fails to deliver a property at an agreed-upon time, and permits the Borrower to occupy an existing or other unit for less than market rent until construction is complete.  



FHA GIFT OF EQUITY FOR KENTUCKY MORTGAGE LOANS

Give us a try or let us compare your options on your next mortgage transaction. Call/text at 502-905-3708. Free Mortgage Pre-Qualifications same day on most applications.

Email me at kentuckyloan@gmail.com with your questions

I specialize in Kentucky FHA, VA ,USDA, KHC, Conventional and Jumbo mortgage loans. I am based out of Louisville Kentucky. For the first time buyer with little money down, we offer Kentucky Housing or KHC loans with down payment assistance.

This website is not an government agency, and does
not officially represent the HUD, VA, USDA or FHA or any other government agency.

NMLS# 57916 http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/

Joel Lobb Senior Loan Officer

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle Suite 3
Louisville, KY 40223

phone: (502) 905-3708
Fax: (502) 327-9119
kentuckyloan@gmail.com

Company ID #1364 | MB73346E
EQUAL HOUSING LENDER
http://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/

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