Why Kentucky Mortgage Loans Are Denied

When applying for a Kentucky mortgage loan, several factors play a crucial role in the approval and denial process. 

Understanding why Kentucky mortgage loans may not get approved due to credit score, bankruptcy, income ratio, work history, and foreclosure is essential for prospective homebuyers. 

Credit Score of 620 or below:

A credit score reflects an individual's creditworthiness. Lenders use this score to assess the risk of lending money. A lower credit score, typically below 620, can raise concerns for lenders. It may indicate past financial challenges, missed payments, or high levels of debt. To improve mortgage approval chances, borrowers should aim for a higher credit score by paying bills on time, reducing debt, and fixing any errors on their credit report.

Bankruptcy less than 2 years or foreclosure less than 3 years:


Bankruptcy can significantly impact mortgage approval. Depending on the type of bankruptcy (Chapter 7 or Chapter 13) and how long ago it occurred, lenders may view it as a red flag. 

Bankruptcies stay on credit reports for 10 years, affecting credit scores and indicating financial instability. Lenders may require a waiting period after bankruptcy before considering a mortgage application.

 
Chapter 7

If you have filed a Chapter 7  Bankruptcy, the mortgage waiting periods begin after the discharge date:

Fannie Mae (conventional) loan – 4 years from discharge date
FHA loan – 2 years from discharge date
VA loan – 2 years from discharge date
USDA loan – 3 years from discharge date

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

On the other hand, if you have filed a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, the mortgage waiting periods are shorter:

Fannie Mae (conventional) loan – 2 years from discharge date, and also 4 years from the dismissal date.
FHA loan – 1 year from the payout period. However, you also need court permission, and proof of satisfactory bankruptcy payment and performance.
VA loan – 1 year from the payout period. Also, court permission, and proof of satisfactory bankruptcy payment and performance.
USDA loan – 1 year of the payout must elapse and payment performance must be satisfactory. In addition, you need court permission to borrow again.

After Short Sale/Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure

The mortgage waiting periods after a short sale begin after the completion date:Fannie Mae (conventional) loan – 4 years
FHA loan – 3 years
VA loan – 2 years
USDA loan – 3 years



Debt to Income Ratio over 50% 

Lenders assess income ratios to determine if borrowers can afford mortgage payments. The debt-to-income ratio (DTI) compares monthly debt payments to gross monthly income. A high DTI suggests financial strain and may lead to loan denial. Lenders typically prefer a DTI below 50% for conventional loans. Increasing income or reducing debt can help improve this ratio and enhance loan approval chances.


Work History less than 2 years with job gaps: 

2 year Stable employment and consistent income are vital for mortgage approval. Lenders evaluate work history to ensure borrowers have a reliable source of income to repay the loan. Job changes, gaps in employment, or irregular income can raise concerns. Ideally, borrowers should demonstrate a steady work history with consistent or increasing income over time.











Joel Lobb Mortgage Loan Officer

Text/call: 502-905-3708

email: kentuckyloan@gmail.com


http://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/








The view and opinions stated on this website belong solely to the authors, and are intended for informational purposes only. The posted information does not guarantee approval, nor does it comprise full underwriting guidelines. This does not represent being part of a government agency. The views expressed on this post are mine and do not necessarily reflect the view of my employer. Not all products or services mentioned on this site may fit all people.
NMLS ID# 57916, (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

The reasons you will get turn down for a mortgage loan in Kentucky

Top 10 Reasons Mortgage Loans Are Denied in Kentucky (FHA, VA, USDA & Fannie Mae)

There are several reasons why people in Kentucky might get turned down for a mortgage loan. These reasons can be broadly categorized into issues with the borrower or the property:

Borrower-related reasons:

• Credit score: Low credit scores (generally below 620) are a major factor in loan denials. Having a history of late payments, delinquencies, or collections can negatively impact your score.
• Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): This ratio compares your monthly debt payments to your gross income. A high DTI (generally above 50%) indicates you have a lot of debt compared to your income, making it harder to afford a mortgage payment.
• Employment history: Lenders prefer borrowers with stable employment and income. Recent job changes, gaps in employment, or insufficient income documentation can raise concerns.
• Down payment: A smaller down payment increases the loan amount and loan-to-value ratio (LTV), making the loan riskier for lenders. In Kentucky, FHA loans require a minimum 3.5% down payment, while conventional loans typically require 20%.
• Insufficient assets: While not always a disqualifier, having limited savings or assets can weaken your application by reducing your financial cushion.

Property-related reasons:

• Appraisal value: If the appraised value of the property is lower than the purchase price, it creates a high LTV, making the loan riskier for lenders.
• Property condition: Major repairs or structural issues with the property could require significant investment before closing, which lenders may not be comfortable with.
• Location: Properties in floodplains or other high-risk areas may be ineligible for certain loan types or require additional insurance.

Here are some resources that can help:

• Reasons loan denied in Kentucky https://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/2010/10/get-approved-for-mortgage-or-home-loan.html

Joel Lobb  Mortgage Loan Officer

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle
Louisville, KY 40223
Company NMLS ID #1364

Text/call: 502-905-3708
fax: 502-327-9119
email: kentuckyloan@gmail.com

http://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/

New USDA Loan Rules Could Limit Your Home Buying Power in Kentucky

How much income do I need qualify for Kentucky Home Loan?

Kentucky Lender's Criteria: Debt-to-Income Ratios

The Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio is a critical factor in determining whether you qualify for a mortgage along with credit, work history and assets. It measures how much of your gross monthly income is used to cover your monthly debt obligations.

For Most Kentucky Mortgage loans ,the  debt to income ratio is centered around the front end ratio and back end ratio. The front end ratio will vary according to the different types of loans, and I will show them below.  The backend ratio, which measures the new house payment along with your current monthly payments on the credit report along with any court ordered payments like child support, DTI limit is typically 45 to 50%

From a Kentucky Mortgage lender's perspective, your ability to purchase a home depends largely on the following factors:

Front-End Ratio

The front-end ratio is the percentage of your yearly gross income dedicated toward paying your mortgage each month. Your mortgage payment consists of four components: principal, interest, taxes and insurance (often collectively referred to as PITI) A good rule of thumb is that PITI should not exceed 31% of your gross income. If you make $100,000 a year, then your max house payment to include escrows for home insurance, mortgage insurance, property taxes would be $2583.00

Back-End Ratio

The back-end ratio, also known as the debt-to-income ratio, calculates the percentage of your gross income required to cover your debts. Debts include your mortgage, credit-card payments, child support and other loan payments. Most lenders recommend that your debt-to-income ratio does not exceed 45% of your gross income. To calculate your maximum monthly debt based on this ratio, multiply your gross income by 0..45 and divide by 12. For example, if you earn $100,000 per year, your maximum monthly debt expenses should not exceed $3,750 with new mortgage payment. Utility bills, car insurance, cell phone bills, insurance payments does not factor into this ratio. Only bills listed on credit report and 401k loan and child support payment




If you are looking to purchase your first home, you have probably been doing your research about properties in your area, where you might be able to obtain a loan and how to qualify for it. A key term you may recognize from all that research is "debt-to-income ratio," which refers to the figure you get when you add up all your monthly debt payments and then divide that number by your monthly income. In laymen's terms, the debt-to-income ratio gives potential mortgage lenders an idea of how much your expenses are each month in comparison to how much you actually earn.


Depending on where you are in the home-buying process, you may have a good idea of where your credit score lands. As important as a strong credit score is, however, a favorable debt-to-income ratio is arguably of equal importance, and it may be just as closely scrutinized by any potential mortgage lender.

Front-end ratios vs. back-end ratios

When you try and obtain a loan, expect possible lenders to review two types of debt-to-income ratio. The front-end ratio, or "housing" ratio, gives them an idea of what percentage of your monthly income would have to go toward home-related expenses, such as the mortgage, associated taxes and any additional fees, such as homeowner's association expenditures, that may apply.


The back-end ratio, on the other hand, takes a more cumulative approach and compares your monthly income to all your expenses, from the housing-related ones to school tuition, child support, car payments and any other financial obligations you may have.

The ideal debt-to-income ratio

The exact percentage your lender will look for will likely vary based on factors such as your credit score, how much you have in your savings account and how much you have to put down for your down payment. Most standard lenders, however, prefer to see something in the ballpark of 28 percent for a front-end ratio. For a back-end ratio, they will likely look for a percentage that does not exceed 36 percent. Federal Housing Authority lenders typically look for a front-end ratio of about 31 percent and a back-end ratio that does not exceed 43 percent.

DTI Calculator for Kentucky Mortgage Loans

Wondering how much house you can afford in Kentucky? Use our simple DTI (Debt-to-Income) ratio calculator to estimate your maximum monthly mortgage payment based on FHA, USDA, VA, KHC, and Conventional loan program guidelines. This is especially helpful for first-time homebuyers in Kentucky applying for zero-down USDA loans, FHA loans, or KHC Down Payment Assistance.

DTI Max House Payment Calculator

Gross Monthly Income ($): Total Monthly Debt Payments ($): Front-End DTI (%) Back-End DTI (%)

At EVO Mortgage, we help clients across Kentucky understand how to qualify based on DTI ratios, credit scores, and loan program rules. Contact Joel Lobb or call/text 502-905-3708 to get pre-approved today!

Lower a high ratio

Simply put, the most effective way to lower a high debt-to-income ratio and therefore make yourself more appealing to lenders is to pay off some of your debt. If you have a cosigner who may be willing to help you out with a loan, that could serve as an additional method of getting around a high ratio.

To calculate the debt-to-income (DTI) ratio for the scenario you provided, you'll need to figure out both the front-end and back-end DTI ratios.

1. Front-end DTI ratio: This ratio only includes the mortgage payment (including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) divided by your gross monthly income.




2. Back-end DTI ratio: This ratio includes all monthly debts (mortgage, credit cards, auto loans, student loans, etc.) divided by your gross monthly income.

   
   

(DTI) ratio requirements for different types of mortgage loans in Kentucky, including FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, and Kentucky Housing loans

Here’s a breakdown showing how much house payment a borrower making $5,000 gross per month with $1,000 in monthly debts can qualify for across various loan programs in Kentucky, based on standard DTI guidelines. The table displays both front-end and back-end limits and illustrates which payment amount would be the true qualifying cap under each program. Let me know if you want to add taxes, insurance, or MI estimates next.

1 -  Email - kentuckyloan@gmail.com 

2.   Call/Text - 502-905-3708

Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer - Expert on Kentucky Mortgage Loans

 Website: www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com
 Address: 911 Barret Ave., Louisville, KY 40204

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Evo Mortgage
Company NMLS# 1738461
Personal NMLS# 57916

For assistance with Kentucky mortgage loans, reach out via email, call, or text Joel Lobb directly.

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