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.
The White House is reportedly considering a draft executive order titled "Decreasing Housing Costs for the American People," first obtained by Scotsman Guide and also reported by HousingWire . As of this writing it has not been signed , and the final details could change. Here is what the current draft includes and why Kentucky borrowers should keep an eye on it. What the Draft Proposes Reducing or eliminating certain loan-level pricing fees on eligible refinances Waiving appraisals and some documentation on qualifying refinances that lower your payment Expanding title insurance waivers to reduce closing costs Directing the VA and USDA to pursue lower rates for eligible borrowers Requiring servicers to notify you when you may qualify to remove mortgage insurance Who in Kentucky Could Benefit Homeowners who bought or refinanced at higher rates over the past few years Veterans and military families, including those near Fort Knox and Fort Campbell Rural home...
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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.
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.
Which Home Loan Is Right for You in Kentucky? | Joel Lobb, Mortgage Broker
🏡 Which Home Loan Is Right for You in Kentucky?
When it comes to buying a home in Kentucky—whether you're in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, or a rural community—choosing the right mortgage loan can make or break your homeownership journey. With so many loan options available, it’s crucial to understand the differences between FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional loan programs.
✅ Conventional Loans
Best for: Borrowers with excellent credit and stable income Minimum Credit Score: 620 (680+ preferred)
Competitive interest rates for strong-credit borrowers
3%–20% down payment options
Available for primary, secondary, and investment properties
No income or location restrictions
✅ FHA Loans
Best for: First-time homebuyers or those with less-than-perfect credit Minimum Credit Score: 580 with 3.5% down (500 with 10% down)
Flexible credit and income guidelines
Low down payment (3.5%)
Higher allowable debt-to-income ratios
Seller concessions up to 6% allowed
✅ USDA Rural Housing Loans
Best for: Low-to-moderate income buyers in eligible rural or suburban Kentucky areas Minimum Credit Score: 640 (for GUS approval)
100% financing (zero down)
No monthly PMI
Low interest rates and fees
Income and location eligibility required
✅ VA Loans
Best for: Veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible spouses Minimum Credit Score: 580–620 (varies by lender)
100% financing with no down payment
No monthly mortgage insurance (PMI)
Flexible credit and DTI requirements
Must provide a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
📊 Home Loan Comparison Chart
Loan Type
Credit Flexibility
Down Payment
Income Limits
Geographic Restrictions
FHA
✔ More forgiving
3.5%
❌ None
❌ None
VA
✔ Flexible
0%
❌ None
❌ None
USDA
⚠ Moderate
0%
✔ Yes
✔ Yes
Conventional
❌ Stricter
3%–20%
❌ None
❌ None
💬 Ready to Buy a Home in Kentucky?
Whether you're a first-time buyer, a veteran, or relocating to rural Kentucky, choosing the right loan starts with the right guidance. I’m Joel Lobb, a mortgage broker with over 20 years of experience helping Kentucky families navigate their path to homeownership.
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 ...
Kentucky Welcome Home Grant 2026 Update: Program Closed and Out of Funds May 2026 update for Kentucky homebuyers: the 2026 Welcome Home Grant is now closed for new reservations. This does not mean you cannot buy a home. It means you need to pivot quickly to other Kentucky mortgage and down payment assistance options. May 2026 Update Welcome Home Grant Closed KHC DAP Still Available USDA, VA, FHA Options Important Update: The 2026 Welcome Home Grant Is Closed The 2026 Welcome Home Grant through FHLB Cincinnati is now closed and out of funds for new reservations . If your lender did not reserve the money before the program closed, you should not build your home purchase plan around receiving this grant for 2026. The hard truth: this grant was popular, limited, and first-come, first-served. Once the available funds were reserved, the program closed. Good News: Kentucky Buyers Still Have Options ...
If you are trying to figure out whether you earn too much to use a Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) loan, this page has the current numbers. Below are KHC's income limits by county, the maximum purchase price, the down payment assistance amounts, and the credit and debt-to-income rules that go with them — updated for 2026. The short answer KHC uses two different income-limit charts . Under the Secondary Market programs, most Kentucky counties allow up to $147,350 in qualifying income, rising to $195,650 in the Northern Kentucky counties. Under the lower Mortgage Revenue Bond (MRB) programs, most counties cap household income near $101,040 for a 1–2 person household and $117,880 for 3 or more. The maximum purchase price for either is $566,354 . $566,354 Max purchase price $12,500 Max down payment help 620 Min score (FHA/VA/RHS) 660 Min score (conventional) What Kentucky Housing Corporation Is — and Why the Income Limit Matters ...
