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

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.

debt to income ratios for Kentucky mortgage loan approval


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


How much do I need to make to qualify for a mortgage loan.



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 - πŸ“… Email - kentuckyloan@gmail.com 
2.  πŸ“ž Call/Text - 502-905-3708

Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer - Expert on Kentucky Mortgage Loans


🌐 Websitewww.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com
🏒 Address911 Barret Ave., Louisville, KY 40204


Evo Mortgage
Company NMLS# 1738461
Personal NMLS# 57916

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


Kentucky Local Home Loan Lender Services

✅ First-Time Home Buyers Welcome
✅ FHA, Rural Housing (USDA), VA, and Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) Loans
✅ Conventional Loan Options Available
✅ Fast Local Decision-Making
✅ Experienced Guidance Through the Home Buying Process





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How to Get a Kentucky FHA Mortgage Loan with a 500 Credit Score

 

FHA Mortgage Loan in Kentucky with 500 Credit Score | Joel Lobb

FHA Mortgage Loan in Kentucky with 500 Credit Score

🏑 How to Get a Kentucky FHA Mortgage Loan with a 500 Credit Score

By Joel Lobb | Senior Loan Officer, EVO Mortgage (NMLS #57916)

Are you a first-time homebuyer in Kentucky with a credit score around 500? Don’t worry—you’re not out of options. With an FHA loan, you may still qualify to buy a home—even if you’ve faced credit challenges in the past.

Can You Really Get a Mortgage with a 500 Credit Score in Kentucky?

Yes, you can. FHA loans are government-backed mortgages designed to help borrowers with lower credit scores and limited savings for a down payment. While many lenders prefer scores above 580, some—like us at EVO Mortgage—will work with credit scores as low as 500, depending on your financial picture.

Learn the difference between FHA vs. VA loans in Kentucky

Kentucky FHA Loan Requirements for a 500 Credit Score

RequirementDetails
Minimum Credit Score500+ (10% down) / 580+ (3.5% down)
Down Payment10% for 500–579 credit scores
Income VerificationTwo years of steady employment or verifiable income
Debt-to-Income RatioGenerally 43% or less, but exceptions allowed with strong compensating factors
Loan Type30-year fixed FHA mortgage
Property TypePrimary residence (must meet FHA appraisal standards)

What Are the Benefits of FHA Loans in Kentucky?

  • Low credit score approval (as low as 500)
  • Flexible underwriting guidelines
  • Smaller down payment required
  • Can be combined with KHC Down Payment Assistance
  • Easier to qualify after bankruptcy or past delinquencies

How to qualify for an FHA loan after bankruptcy

Why Work with Joel Lobb at EVO Mortgage?

  • Over 20 years of helping Kentucky families get mortgage approval
  • Specializing in first-time homebuyers and bad credit borrowers
  • Free credit evaluations & pre-approvals
  • Same-day loan approvals in many cases
  • Local knowledge of Kentucky FHA, VA, USDA, and KHC loan programs

How to Improve Your Credit Score Before Applying

If your score is below 580, you may need to put down 10%. Want to save more and qualify for a 3.5% down payment instead?

Click here to learn how to improve your credit score for a mortgage

Ready to See If You Qualify?

Tap below to get started with a free, no-obligation mortgage pre-approval:

FHA Loan Info – Tap to Apply
πŸ“§ kentuckyloan@gmail.com | πŸ“ž 502-905-3708
www.nmls.consumeraccess.org | NMLS #1734641
Equal Housing Lender | EVO Mortgage

Final Thoughts

Getting a mortgage in Kentucky with a 500 credit score is possible—with the right loan officer, the right lender, and the right guidance. Whether you’ve been turned down before or you're just getting started, you deserve a second chance. FHA loans were designed with you in mind.

Let’s turn your homeownership dream into a reality—starting today.

How to get approved for a Kentucky Mortgage Loan with Bad Credit

There are several mortgage loans programs for Kentucky Homebuyers that may have had experienced bad credit in the past. 




Below is a summary of programs that borrowers can use to get approved for a mortgage loan with bad credit..
 FHA loans in Kentucky, FHA will go down to a 500 minimum credit score with at least 10% down payment or 10% equity on a refinance. 
If your scores is over 580, then you could use a FHA loan in Kentucky to with just 3.5% down payment or refinance with that much equity. 
If it turns out that you have a 620 credit score or higher, you can look at doing an Conventional loan with just 3 to 5% down payment. Typically on conventional loans if your score is below 660, you would need 5% down payment.
If you happen to be a Veteran and qualify for a Kentucky VA loan,  you could possibly get approved for a VA loan with no minimum credit score. 
In reality, it is very difficult to get for a VA loan with a score below 560 to 580 range, with most VA lenders requiring a 620 credit score. 
If you are looking to purchase a home in a rural area, you can look at doing a Kentucky USDA loan because they have no minimum credit score but most lenders will want a 620 to 640 credit score. 

Kentucky FHA Loan are your best bet you have a lower fico score or credit score.


FHA loans are good for home buyers with lower credit scores and no much down, or with down payment assistance grants. FHA will allow for grants, gifts, for their 3.5% minimum investment and will go down to a 580 credit score. You can go down to a 500 credit score potentially with a 10% down payment. 

There are several mortgage loans programs for Kentucky Homebuyers that may have had experienced bad credit in the past.


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1 - πŸ“… Email - kentuckyloan@gmail.com
 
2.  πŸ“ž Call/Text - 502-905-3708

Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer - Expert on Kentucky Mortgage Loans


🌐 Websitewww.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com
🏒 Address: 911 Barret Ave., Louisville, KY 40204


Evo Mortgage
Company NMLS# 1738461
Personal NMLS# 57916

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


How to Qualify For A Kentucky Mortgage Loan

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Disputes on Credit Report and Kentucky Mortgage

 Got Dispute Comments on Your Credit Report? 

If you've disputed any accounts in the past, chances are your credit report still has dispute comments listed. That might seem harmless—but if you're applying for a mortgage, those comments could delay or even block your loan approval.

 Here’s what you can do:

  1. Call each credit bureau (numbers on the graphic).

  2. Ask to remove any dispute comments.

  3. Verify they’re gone by pulling a fresh consumer credit report.

  4. Follow up within 72 hours to confirm it’s been done.

Pro Tip: Do this before your lender pulls your credit. It could save time, stress, and keep your home loan on track.

If you’re not sure where to start, drop a comment or shoot me a message. I’m here to help walk you through the process!


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Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Mortgage Qualifying Guidelines