Showing posts with label Kentucky VA Loans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kentucky VA Loans. Show all posts

Why Might You Consider A Kentucky VA Loan Over A Kentucky Conventional Mortgage?

 


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/


NMLS 57916  | Company NMLS #1364/MB73346135166/MBR1574
Get Approved Now Click Here

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).


How to Qualify for a Kentucky FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional Home Loan

 There’s no universal minimum credit score needed for a mortgage, but a better credit score will give you more options. 

If you’re trying to get a mortgage, your credit score matters. Mortgage lenders use credit scores — as well as other information — to assess your likelihood of repaying a loan on time.

Because credit scores are so important, lenders set minimum scores you must have in order to qualify for a mortgage with them. Minimum credit score varies by lender and mortgage type, but generally, a higher score means better loan terms for you.

Let’s look at which loan types are best for different credit scores.

How to qualify for a mortgage

The type of mortgage you’re applying for determines the minimum requirements you’ll have to meet for your down payment, credit score, and debt-to-income ratio.

Find out what type of loan you might qualify for or what aspects of your finances you’ll need to improve to get a better shot at qualifying for a mortgage.

Loan TypeMin. Down PaymentMin. Credit ScoreMax DTIProperty Type
Conventional3%62045%Primary, secondary, investment
VA0%nonenonePrimary
FHA3.5%50050%Primary
USDA0%none41%Primary

Keep in mind: The minimum down payment, minimum credit score, and maximum DTI shown in the table apply to mortgages used to purchase a primary residence. While you can use a conventional loan or a jumbo loan to purchase a home for another purpose, you might need a larger down payment, a higher credit score, more cash reserves, or all three.

Credit score needed to buy a house

Mortgage lending is risky, and lenders want a way to quantify that risk. They use your three-digit credit score to gauge the risk of loaning you money since your credit score helps predict your likelihood of paying back a loan on time. Lenders also consider other data, such as your income, employment, debts and assets to decide whether to offer you a loan.

Different lenders and loan types have different borrower requirements, loan terms and minimum credit scores. Here are the requirements for some of the most common types of mortgages.

Conventional loan

Minimum credit score: 620

A conventional loan is a mortgage that isn’t backed by a federal agency. Most mortgage lenders offer conventional loans, and many lenders sell these loans to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac — two government-sponsored enterprises. Conventional loans can have either fixed or adjustable rates, and terms ranging from 10 to 30 years.

You can get a conventional loan with a down payment as low as 3% of the home’s purchase price, so this type of loan makes sense if you don’t have enough for a traditional down payment. However, if your down payment is less than 20%, you’re required to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI), which is an insurance policy designed to protect the lender if you stop making payments. You can ask your servicer to cancel PMI once the principal balance of your mortgage falls below 80% of the original value of your home.

FHA loan

Minimum credit score (10% down): 500

Minimum credit score (3.5% down): 580

FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), a part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The FHA incentivizes lenders to make mortgage loans available to borrowers who might not otherwise qualify by guaranteeing the federal government will repay the mortgage if the borrower stops making payments. This makes an FHA loan a good option if you have a lower credit score.

FHA loans come in 15- or 30-year terms with fixed interest rates. Unlike conventional mortgages, which only require PMI for borrowers with less than 20% down, all FHA borrowers must pay an up-front mortgage insurance premium (MIP) and an annual MIP, as long as the loan is outstanding.

VA loan

Minimum credit score: N/A

VA loans are mortgages backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA guarantees loans made by VA-approved lenders to qualifying veterans or service members of the U.S. armed forces, or their spouses. This type of loan is a great option for veterans and their spouses, especially if they don’t have the best credit and don’t have enough for a down payment.

VA loans are fixed-rate mortgages with 10-, 15-, 20- or 30-year terms.

Most VA loans don’t require a down payment or monthly mortgage insurance premiums. However, they do require a one-time VA funding fee, that ranges from 1.4% to 3.6% of the loan amount.

USDA loan

Minimum credit score: N/A

The U.S. Department of Agriculture guarantees loans for borrowers interested in buying homes in certain rural areas. USDA loans don’t require a minimum down payment, but you have to meet the USDA’s income eligibility limits, which vary by location.

All USDA mortgages have fixed interest rates and 30-year repayment terms.

USDA-approved lenders must pay an up-front guarantee fee of up to 3.5% of the purchase price to the USDA. That fee can be passed on to borrowers and financed into the home loan. If the home you want to buy is within an eligible rural area (defined by the USDA) and you meet the other requirements, this could be a great loan option for you.

What else do mortgage lenders consider?

Your credit score isn’t the only factor lenders consider when reviewing your loan application. Here are some of the other factors lenders use when deciding whether to give you a mortgage.

  • Debt-to-income ratio — Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is the amount of debt payments you make each month (including your mortgage payments) relative to your gross monthly income. For example, if your mortgage payments, car loan and credit card payments add up to $1,800 per month and you have a $6,000 monthly income, your debt-to-income ratio would be $1,800/$6,000, or 30%. Most conventional mortgages require a DTI ratio no greater than 36%. However, you may be approved with a DTI up to 45% if you meet other requirements.
  • Employment history — When you apply for a mortgage, lenders will ask for proof of employment — typically two years’ worth of W-2s and tax returns, as well as your two most recent pay stubs. Lenders prefer to work with people who have stable employment and consistent income.
  • Down payment — Putting money down to buy a home gives you immediate equity in the home and helps to ensure the lender recoups their loss if you stop making payments and they need to foreclose on the home. Most loans — other than VA and USDA loans — require a down payment of at least 3%, although a higher down payment could help you qualify for a lower interest rate or make up for other less-than-ideal aspects of your mortgage application.
  • The home’s value and condition — Lenders want to ensure the home collateralizing the loan is in good condition and worth what you’re paying for it. Typically, they’ll require an appraisal to determine the home’s value and may also require a home inspection to ensure there aren’t any unknown issues with the property.

How is your credit score calculated?

Most talk of credit scores makes it sound as if you have only one score. In fact, you have several credit scores, and they may be used by different lenders and for different purposes.

The three national credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — collect information from banks, credit unions, lenders and public records to formulate your credit score. The most common and well-known scoring model is the FICO Score, which is based on the following five factors:

  • Payment history (35%) — A history of late payments will drag your score down, as will negative information from bankruptcies, foreclosures, repossessions or accounts referred to collections.
  • How much you owe (30%) — Your credit utilization ratio is the amount of revolving credit you’re using compared to your total available credit. For example, if you have one credit card with a $2,000 balance and a $4,000 credit limit, your credit utilization ratio is 50%. Credit scoring models view using a larger percentage of your available credit as risky behavior, so high balances and maxed-out credit cards will negatively impact your score.
  • Length of credit history (15%) — This factor considers the age of your oldest account, newest account and the average age of all your credit accounts. In general, the longer you’ve been using credit responsibly, the higher your score will be.
  • Types of accounts (10%) — Credit scoring models favor people who use a mix of credit cards, installment loans, mortgages and other types of credit.
  • Recent credit history (10%) — Lenders view applying for and opening several new credit accounts within a short period as a sign of financial trouble and it’ll negatively impact your score.

Ready to shop around for a mortgage?







Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer

Individual NMLS ID #57916


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



Text/call: 502-905-3708

email: kentuckyloan@gmail.com

https://kentuckyloan.blogspot.com/

Manufactured Home Requirements for Kentucky FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional Mortgage Loans

 

KENTUCKY MORTGAGE OPTIONS FOR MANUFACTURED HOMES

 

 Kentucky Mobile home Manufactured Homes including: Kentucky Conventional, Kentucky FHA, Kentucky VA and Kentucky USDA home loan programs.  


Kentucky Conventional Loans

  • Up to 95 LTV on purchases
  • 97 LTV Rate and Term REFI options for with an existing Fannie Mae loan through MH Advantage (see product snapshot for more info)
  • Purchase and rate and term options available for single wide, double wide and larger
  • Cash-out options available for double-wide and larger
  • Second home options available for double-wide and larger
  • Down to 580 FICO

Kentucky FHA Loans

  • Up to 96.5 LTV on purchases and 97.75 LTV on Rate and Term REFIs
  • Cash-out REFI options up to 80 LTV
  • Purchase, cash-out and Rate and Term REFI options available for single wide, double wide and larger
  • Down to 550 FICO
  • Manual underwrite options available
  • Manufactured homes are now available on FHA 203(k) products!

Kentucky VA Loans

  • Up to 100 LTV on purchases and Rate and Term REFIs
  • Up to 105 LTV for streamlined IRRRLs
  • Cash-out REFI options up to 90 LTV
  • Cash-out REFI options up to 80 LTV
  • Down to 550 FICO
  • Manual underwrite options available

Kentucky USDA Loans

  • Up to 100 LTV on purchases and Rate and Term REFIs
  • Purchase and Rate and Term REFI options available for single wide, double wide and larger
  • Down to 580 FICO
  • Manual underwrite options available




Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer

Individual NMLS ID #57916


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/

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 approvalnor 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).

Louisville Kentucky VA Home Loan Mortgage Lender: Louisville Kentucky Mortgage Lender VA Home Loans

Louisville Kentucky VA Home Loan Mortgage Lender: Louisville Kentucky Mortgage Lender VA Home Loans: What are the eligibility requirements for a VA Loan in Kentucky? Veterans Affairs loan guidelines use two methods of income qualification i...


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KENTUCKY VA MORTGAGE LOAN INFORMATION

 COMMON KENTUCKY VA LOAN MYTHS FOR KENTUCKY VETERANS

  1. VA loans are difficult to qualify for.
  2. All VA loans require a down payment.
  3. VA loans require private mortgage insurance (PMI).
  4. You can't refinance a VA loan.
  5. You can only have one VA loan.
  6. You can use a VA loan once.
  7. VA loans are not assumable.
  8. You can't buy land with a VA loan.
  9. You can't build a house with a VA loan.
  10. VA loans only apply to the home purchase itself.

Is it hard to qualify for a VA loan?

Myth #1: Kentucky VA loans are difficult to qualify for.

Fact: VA loans have fewer credit restrictions compared to conventional loans. These reduced restrictions, like a higher debt-to-income (DTI) ratio and more leniency regarding credit scores, mean it can be easier to qualify. VA has no minimum credit score but lenders will have overlays with most being 620 and some going down to 580, with a few going all the way down to 500 but it is very difficult to get approved at this level --- though each individual case and lender will vary.

Do VA loans require a down payment?

Myth #2: All Kentucky VA loans require a down payment.

Fact: While conventional loans generally require down payment options that can reach up to 20%, no such thing is required with a VA home loan at or under the local conforming limit. Down payments are still an option, of course, but they are not a requirement.

The VA allows you to purchase jumbo loans, but the down payment depends on your entitlement:

  • Full entitlement - 100% LTV (loan-to-value) maximum
  • Partial entitlement - Maximum loan must be calculated using 25% guarantee of 1 unit county loan limit. Max LTV is lesser of max allowed or LTV required to meet 25% guaranty

Do VA loans have PMI?

Myth #3: VA loans require private mortgage insurance (PMI).

Fact: Private mortgage insurance is not required for VA loans. PMI typically adds 0.2%-0.9% of expenses to your monthly mortgage payments when you put less than 20% down. That’s a big additional expense you don’t have to worry about when you get a VA loan. Remember, VA loans do come with a funding fee.

Can you refinance a VA loan?

Myth #4: You can’t refinance a Kentucky VA loan.

Fact: Thanks to VA streamline and cash-out loan programs, VA loans are actually easier to refinance than conventional mortgages. The streamline version lowers the mortgage rate of an already existing VA loan, usually for less than the current principal and interest. This means it doesn't require a credit check or appraisal. The cash-out option involves a credit check and appraisal, since the home’s value represents the maximum loan amount and the new loan will be larger than the existing loan.

How many VA loans can you have?

Myth #5: You can only have one Kentucky VA loan.

Fact: There is no limit to the number of VA loans you can have. While it is possible to have multiple VA loans at once, this depends on VA loan entitlement. VA loan entitlement refers to the amount that the VA will pay your lender if you default on your loan. There is a limit on your VA entitlement. It can be split across multiple loans but the limit remains the same. For full entitlement, the VA covers:

  • Up to $36,000 for loans < $144,000
  • Up to 25% for loans > $144,000

If, however, you’ve used a portion of your entitlement in one loan that you’re still actively paying off (or defaulted on), the amount of entitlement you have on any new loan is reduced. This means that you may need to put money down yourself instead of having the usual benefit of a zero down payment for VA loans. To learn about VA loan limits and entitlement, visit us here.

How many times can you use a VA loan?

Myth #6: You can only use a Kentucky VA loan once.

Fact: There is no limit on the number of times you can use the VA loan benefit. You can use the benefit an unlimited number of times throughout your life, as long as you still qualify. To qualify, you need to meet certain requirements, which you’ll already be aware of if you’ve taken out a VA loan in the past. For those who haven’t taken out a VA loan prior, you can learn how to qualify here.

Are VA loans assumable?

Myth #7: Kentucky VA loans are not assumable.

Fact: Federally insured and guaranteed loans are usually assumable. This includes VA loans. What does it mean if a loan is assumable? An assumable mortgage is when the lender allows you, the buyer, to take over the current mortgage that the seller has. This can save a lot of money if the interest rates are lower on the existing mortgage than they would be to take out a new mortgage. Assumable mortgages allow buyers, who otherwise wouldn’t qualify for a VA loan, to take over a VA mortgage. This means that you would get most, if not all, of the benefits that come with VA loan eligibility. In order to assume a VA mortgage, you will need to meet certain requirements, such as:

  • acceptable credit history and  credit score
  • debt-to-income ratio to meet guidelines 
  • No Bankruptcies or foreclosures in last 2 years ( Chapter 7) --Chapter 13 is possible within one year in the plan.
  • acceptable work history for last two years
  • residual income requirements
  • property passing VA standards

You will also be required to pay the VA funding fee that comes with VA loans. This equates to 0.5% of the total loan amount. This may be waived if you’re an eligible military borrower who qualifies for an exemption. Other fees may be required as well.

For sellers, if a non-military borrower assumes your mortgage, your VA entitlement won’t be restored until the loan is paid in full. You will want to request that the lender releases you from liability on the loan to avoid dips in your credit reports if the buyer defaults or makes a late payment.

Can you buy land with a VA loan?

Myth #8: You can’t buy land with a Kentucky VA loan.

Fact: The VA doesn’t authorize buyers to singularly purchase land with a VA loan. However, you can purchase land and build a home on it. This is partially because VA loans are granted with a required occupancy period — you must use the property as your primary residence for at least one year. If there is already a home on the land, this is acceptable. Another acceptable scenario is if you plan to immediately build a home on the land after purchase. This may require a purchase/construction loan.

You can also purchase land with a conventional loan or certain other types of loans. Then you can build a home on the land using a VA construction loan. Upon completion, military borrowers can refinance VA construction loans into permanent VA loans. Builders must be VA-approved.

Finally, you can purchase land and build a property using a non-VA purchase/construction loan. Then you can refinance the loan upon completion of the build into a permanent VA loan (as long as the property meets the VA’s requirements).

Can you use a VA loan to build a house?

Myth #9: You can’t build a house with a Kentucky VA loan.

Fact: VA construction loans do exist, as mentioned above, and under the right circumstances, they can be refinanced into permanent VA loans. Ask your lender about VA purchase/construction loan options.

Can you use a VA loan for home improvement?

Myth #10: Kentucky VA loans only apply to the home purchase itself.

Fact: The VA allows for increases to purchase loans for the purpose of making renovations. The VA’s Energy Efficiency Mortgage program, for instance, lets borrowers add up to $6,000 to their home loan amount to install solar heating, insulation and storm windows, among other features.

In conclusion


Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Not all applicants will be approved for financing. Receipt of application does not represent an approval for financing or interest rate guarantee does not guarantee the quality, accuracy, completeness or timelines of the information in this publication. While efforts are made to verify the information provided, the information should not be assumed to be error free. 


--

Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer
Individual NMLS ID #57916

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.

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

 


Four of the most common mortgages for Kentucky Homebuyers

 If you’ve been considering buying a new home in Kentucky , you’ve probably thought about financing!
One of the first things you should do is connect with a Kentucky mortgage lender to find out what loans you're able to qualify for.
To feel a little more prepared for that conversation, let's talk about four of the most common Kentucky mortgages for Kentucky Homebuyers

1. Kentucky FHA Loans

Great for first-time homebuyers
Low down payment and closing costs
Easier to qualify for
Credit requirement: 580+ score with 3.5% down payment or 500 score with 10% down
Down payment: 3.5% minimum on most loans. Credit overlays with most lenders now want a 620 credit score nowadays.

2. Kentucky VA Loans

For service members, veterans, and select military spouses
No mortgage insurance and low closing costs
Government guarantee
Credit requirement: 620+, even though VA does not have a minimum score most VA lenders will want a 620 credit score or higher.
Down payment: 0% down

3. Kentucky USDA Loans

Great for low-to-medium income households
Has certain income and area requirements
Lower PMI than FHA Loans
Credit requirement: 640+ usually required, but on paper, USDA has no minimum credit score most lenders will want a 640 score to get an automated GUS approval.
Down payment: 0% down

4. Kentucky Conventional Loans

Great for buyers with good credit, a steady income, and low debt to income ratio (<45% dti
More flexibility and fixed rate
Diverse options for a down payment
Credit requirement: 620+, but most approvals require a 720 credit score or higher and pmi is based on your credit score and down payment, unlike Govt mortgage insurance programs like FHA, VA, USDA everybody pays the same regardless of credit score or down payment.
Down payment: 5% down or 3% on their affordable home loan options through Home Possible or Home Affordable Program.

Kentucky USDA Loans,  Kentucky Conventional Loans,  Kentucky VA Loans, Kentucky FHA Loans


Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer
Individual NMLS ID #57916

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.

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