Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval Checklist | Documents Needed for FHA, VA & USDA Loans

🏡 How to Get Approved for a Kentucky Mortgage Loan (2025 Guide)

Author: Joel Lobb, Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS 57916 | EVO Mortgage NMLS 1738461
Serving: Louisville • Lexington • Bowling Green • Owensboro • Northern Kentucky
Equal Housing Lender

✅ Step-by-Step: Getting Approved for a Mortgage in Kentucky

Getting approved for a Kentucky mortgage loan starts with one thing — having your paperwork ready.
Lenders use four key factors to determine your approval:

1. Income & Employment Stability
2. Assets & Down Payment Verification
3. Credit History & Score
4. Appraisal / Collateral Review

This guide is designed for FHA, VA, USDA, KHC, and Conventional loans and helps Kentucky homebuyers and refinancers prepare efficiently.

📋 Documents Required for All Kentucky Mortgage Applicants

• W-2 forms for the past 2 years
• Recent pay stubs covering 30 days of income
• Bank statements for checking/savings accounts (all pages, last 60–90 days)
• Asset statements for 401(k), IRA, or investment accounts
• Driver’s license and Social Security card
• Two-year residence history (landlord or mortgage company contact info)
• Purchase contract (if under contract)
• Earnest-money check copy or proof of cleared funds
• Employment history covering 24 months, including any gaps
• Funds for credit report & appraisal fees
• Proof of funds used for down payment and closing costs

Pro Tip: Keep every page — even the blank ones. Kentucky lenders must review complete statements for compliance.

🧾 If You’re Self-Employed or a 1099 Contractor

• Personal federal tax returns (all pages and schedules) — last 2 years
• Business returns for any entity where you own ≥ 25%
• Year-to-date profit & loss statement and balance sheet
• 1099 forms if applicable

🎖️ FHA, VA & USDA Loan-Specific Requirements in Kentucky

FHA Loans

• Copy of driver’s license + Social Security card
• Minimum 580 credit score for 3.5% down (10% down below 580)
• 2-year job history + consistent income documentation

VA Loans

• Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
• DD-214 (discharge paperwork)
• Nearest living relative information (required by VA)
• No down payment + no monthly PMI if qualified

USDA Rural Housing Loans

• Property must be eligible by county (use USDA map)
• Household income limits apply — varies by county and household size
• Zero down payment available if approved under USDA guidelines

💡 Common Mistakes That Delay Kentucky Loan Approvals

• Missing bank pages or statements
• Large unverified deposits without documentation
• Credit disputes or recent late payments
• Job changes without updated VOE (Verification of Employment)
• Unfiled tax returns or IRS payment plans not verified

🧠 Work With a Local Kentucky Mortgage Expert

Most loan delays come from incomplete files. Working with a local lender who understands Kentucky underwriting standards — FHA, VA, USDA, and KHC — can save weeks.

📞 Call or Text Joel Lobb at 502-905-3708
📧 Email: Kentuckyloan@gmail.com
🌐 Visit: www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com

📍 Local Kentucky Loan Programs

• KHC $12,500 Down Payment Assistance
• Zero-Down USDA Loans for eligible counties
• VA Loans for qualified veterans and surviving spouses
• FHA Loans for credit scores 580+
• Conventional Loans with as little as 3% down

🎥 Watch: How to Get Approved for a Kentucky Mortgage Loan

Watch this short 10-minute walkthrough where Joel Lobb breaks down how Kentucky homebuyers can get pre-approved faster, what lenders look for, and how to avoid common mistakes.

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🎬 Subscribe to Joel Lobb on YouTube for Kentucky mortgage tips, FHA/VA/USDA updates, and credit-improvement strategies.
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❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What’s the minimum credit score to get approved for a Kentucky mortgage?

FHA = 580 (3.5% down); VA & USDA typically 620+; Conventional 620+; KHC may allow lower with compensating factors.

Can I get approved if I’m self-employed?

Yes, with two years of filed returns showing consistent income and proof of business stability.

How long does approval take?

Pre-approval within 24 hours once documents are received; full loan approval in about 30 days depending on property type and program.

What’s the fastest way to get approved?

Submit all documents at once, avoid new credit inquiries, and respond quickly to lender requests.

© 2025 Joel Lobb | EVO Mortgage
NMLS ID 57916 | NMLS Company ID 1738461
Equal Housing Lender | This is not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to credit approval and property eligibility.

The Mortgage Process to Close a Mortgage Loan in Kentucky

Start your Application – Your Personal Mortgage Advisor will

collect your documents for income and asset validations along with 2 year work history, pull your credit and go over the report and submit your loan for a mortgage pre-approval letter. Usually can be done less than 1 day as long as you have all income and assets documents (paystubs last 30 days, 2 years taxes, 2 years w-2's, 2 year work history, copies of last two months bank statements and most recent quarterly statement for retirement accounts. 

Home Search – Your Realtor will show you the homes you qualify

for and keep you up-to-date with new listings

Making an offer – Your realtor will write up a purchase contract.

You will need to put down a small deposit, then negotiations

begin.

Contract Negotiations and Contract to Sale – Your Realtor will

negotiate with listing agent and seller. Once the contract is fully

executed your attorney will review the contract.

Scheduling A Home Inspection – This is when you find out if

there is any issues with your home. You and your realtor can be

there.

Acknowledgement of Loan Application – At this point you will

sign your mortgage application and submit any additional documents

requested like paystubs, w-2's, bank statements, updated income and assets 

Appraisal of Property – Your loan officer will schedule with the

appraisal management company to determine the property’s

value.

Title search on Property to verify liens and ownership record and legal description of deed done by closing attorney or title company 

Underwriting – Your loan goes for official review, approval, and

the loan is committed to. The underwriter will review all documents to include appraisal, title work, income and assets documents, credit report, and issue a conditional approval.

Closing Disclosure – Your closing disclosure will come out 3 days

prior to your closing settlement date, which will need to be

signed.

Schedule your Closing Date – Your closing and title work will

be scheduled with your settlement agent

Items for Closing – You will need your certified check.

Closing/Settlement – All mortgage Documents will be signed.

Both your settlement agent and Personal Mortgage Advisor will

review with you.

Moving Time – You receive your keys, enjoy your new home!

Kentucky Mortgage Loan Application Checklist

Kentucky Mortgage Loan Application Checklist

ALL BORROWERS WILL NEED TO BRING:

 Copy of driver’s license(s) for applicant and co-applicant
 Copies of W-2’s for the last two years
 Copies of paycheck stubs for the previous 30 days (or most current)
 Checking and Savings account statements  for the previous two months
 Quarterly or semi-annual statements for all checking, savings, IRA’s, CD’s, money market funds,
stocks, 401K, profit sharing, etc.


SELF-EMPLOYED BORROWERS WILL ALSO NEED TO BRING:

 Copies of most recent 2 years tax returns (with all schedules including k-I’s if applicable)
 Copies of current profit & loss statement, and balance sheet
 Copies of corporate/partnership tax returns for most recent 2 year period if owning 25% or
more of company – copies of W-2’s and/or 1099 forms
FHA BORROWERS ALSO NEED TO BRING:
 Copies of security card and driver’s license for each applicant and co-applicants
VA BORROWERS ALSO NEED TO BRING:
 Original Certificate of Eligibility and copy DD214 Discharge Paper
 Name and address of nearest living relative

Joel Lobb (NMLS#57916)Senior  Loan Officer
502-905-3708 cell
502-813-2795 fax
jlobb@keyfinllc.com

Key Financial Mortgage Co. (NMLS #1800)*
107 South Hurstbourne Parkway*
Louisville, KY 40222*

http://mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com 

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