Kentucky Mortgage Rates and Home Loan Options
Kentucky First-Time Homebuyer Expert
Every Kentucky loan program, reviewed by one licensed local broker. Free application review, same-day answers.
Loan Programs — Tap One To Explore
Joel Lobb NMLS #57916 · EVO Mortgage · Louisville, KY Company NMLS #1738461
★★★★★ 90+ Five-Star Google Reviews · Same-day pre-approvals · 1,300+ Kentucky families helped · All 120 counties
The go-to for first-time buyers and 580+ credit. Low down payment and flexible guidelines.
3.5% down · 580+ creditLearn More →Zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance for veterans and active-duty service members.
$0 down · VA eligibleLearn More →100% financing for eligible rural and suburban Kentucky buyers within income limits.
$0 down · USDA areasLearn More →Kentucky Housing down payment assistance for first-time and repeat buyers.
Up to $12,500 assistanceLearn More →Best long-term value for stronger credit. PMI cancels at 20% equity, unlike FHA.
3% down · 620+ creditLearn More →Every route to buying with nothing down in Kentucky — VA, USDA, and KHC combos.
$0 down programsLearn More →All Kentucky first-time homebuyer programs compared in plain English.
Programs & grantsLearn More →What score you actually need for each loan type in 2026 — and how to raise yours.
By loan programLearn More →
Free application review with same-day answers. We look at your credit, income, and goals — no cost, no obligation, no pressure.
FHA vs. Conventional vs. USDA vs. KHC — run side by side with your actual numbers so you see the real payment before you commit.
Guided from contract to closing — appraisal, title, and underwriting coordinated so you always know what happens next.

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 →FICO® scores are the cornerstone of mortgage approvals, but not all FICO scores are created equal. If you're buying a home in Kentucky—especially using government-backed loans like FHA, VA, or USDA—it's crucial to understand which versions lenders actually use to qualify you.
When you check your credit score on apps like Credit Karma or your bank, you're likely seeing a version that lenders don’t use for mortgages. These are typically FICO 8 or VantageScore 3.0. Mortgage lenders, on the other hand, use older FICO score versions designed specifically for risk evaluation in home lending.
Here's what most Kentucky mortgage lenders look at:
These are often referred to collectively as the “classic FICO models” and are used for:
Credit Karma uses VantageScore 3.0, which isn't used in mortgage underwriting. It may show a score that's 20–40 points higher (or lower) than what your lender sees. That’s why getting a lender-pulled tri-merge report is essential before house hunting.
Ready to check your real mortgage credit scores? Get started with a free pre-qualification from Joel Lobb (NMLS #57916) at EVO Mortgage.
๐ Call or Text: (502) 905-3708
๐ง Email: kentuckyloan@gmail.com
๐ Website: www.kentuckyfirsttimehomebuyer.com