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Every Kentucky Loan Type. One Local Expert.
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.

3.5% down · 580+ creditLearn More →

🎖 VA Loan

Zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance for veterans and active-duty service members.

$0 down · VA eligibleLearn More →

🌾 USDA Loan

100% financing for eligible rural and suburban Kentucky buyers within income limits.

$0 down · USDA areasLearn More →

🏛 KHC Assistance

Kentucky Housing down payment assistance for first-time and repeat buyers.

Up to $12,500 assistanceLearn More →

📈 Conventional

Best long-term value for stronger credit. PMI cancels at 20% equity, unlike FHA.

3% down · 620+ creditLearn More →

💰 Zero Down Options

Every route to buying with nothing down in Kentucky — VA, USDA, and KHC combos.

$0 down programsLearn More →

🌟 First-Time Buyers

All Kentucky first-time homebuyer programs compared in plain English.

Programs & grantsLearn More →

📊 Credit Scores

What score you actually need for each loan type in 2026 — and how to raise yours.

By loan programLearn More →
Free Kentucky Homebuyer Tools
Run your own numbers before you call. Each tool uses 2026 FHA, VA, USDA, KHC and Conventional guidelines.

📈 Credit Score Simulator

See how paying down cards or fixing errors could move your score, and which loan programs it unlocks.

What-if score plannerOpen the tool →

💵 Qualifying Income

Find out what income a lender will count: hourly pay, overtime, self-employment and benefits.

Income calculatorOpen the tool →

⚖️ Debt-to-Income (DTI)

Check your DTI against FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional limits, including student loan rules.

DTI calculatorOpen the tool →

🏡 KHC Assistance Payment

See your monthly payment with the $12,500 KHC down payment loan and how much cash you still need at closing.

KHC DAP calculatorOpen the tool →

Kentucky Homeowners: Draft White House Order Could Make Refinancing Cheaper

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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...
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.
▶ More videos on my YouTube channel →
Joel Lobb and family - Kentucky mortgage loan officer
Kentucky Local. Not a Call Center.

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.

See What You Qualify For →

Down payment assistance to buy a home in Kentucky!

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  There are various types of down payment assistance to buy a home in Kentucky with little or no money down! Here are a few: Kentucky FHA loans - federal loan through the Federal Housing Authority-Credit scores low as 620 and gifts can be used or down payment assistance from government agency to meet the 3.5% down payment investment. No income limits but max loan currently is $356,000 in Kentucky for 2021 Kentucky USDA loans - zero down mortgages for rural and suburban homeowners-640 credit score needed currently for most loans and has income limits and property location restrictions Kentucky VA loans - if military service or active duty, can buy a home with zero down with a 620 minimum credit score. No income restrictions and can buy a house anywhere as long as VA appraisal supports the purchase price. No max loan limits but must meet residual income requirements and Eligibility based off Certification of Eligibly Entitlement. Amount. Kentucky Housing Down Payment Assistance o...

Mortgage Insurance in Kentucky (2026): FHA MIP, PMI, USDA and VA Fees Explained

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Updated November 2026 · Reviewed by Joel Lobb , Senior Loan Officer, NMLS #57916, EVO Mortgage Mortgage insurance protects the lender, not you, when you put less than 20% down. On a $200,000 Kentucky home it typically adds about $58 a month on USDA, about $80 on a 5%-down Conventional loan, and about $88 on FHA. VA loans have no monthly mortgage insurance at all. Conventional PMI can be removed once you reach 20% equity; FHA MIP usually stays unless you refinance. Mortgage insurance by loan program Program Upfront Monthly / annual How long it lasts FHA 1.75% of the loan (usually financed) 0.55% a year on most 30-year loans with under 5% down; 0.50% with 5% or more down Life of the loan with under 10% down; 11 years with 10% or more down Conventional (PMI) None on standard monthly PMI Roughly 0.2%–1.5% a year, based on credit score and down payment Removable at 80% loan-to-value on request; drops automatically at 78% USDA 1% guarantee fee (usually financed) 0.35% a year Life of...

About FICO® Scores

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  About FICO ®  Scores What is a credit score? A credit score is a number that summarizes your credit risk to lenders, or the likelihood that you’ll pay the lender back the amount you borrowed plus interest. The score is based on a snapshot of your credit report(s) at one of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax ® , Experian ® , and TransUnion ® —at a particular point in time, and helps lenders evaluate your credit risk. Your credit score can influence the credit that’s available to you and the terms, such as interest rate, that lenders offer you. What is a credit bureau? A credit bureau, also known as a consumer reporting agency, collects and stores individual credit information and provides it to creditors so they can make decisions on granting loans and other credit activities. Typical clients include banks, mortgage lenders, and credit card issuers. The three largest credit bureaus in the U.S. are Equifax ® , Experian ® , and TransUnion ® . What are FICO ®  Scores? F...

PMI Mortgage insurance for Kentucky Mortgage Loans

Frequently Asked Questions about MI What is private mortgage insurance? Private mortgage insurance provides a significant layer of protection to lenders, helping them reduce — and sometimes eliminate — foreclosure losses on low-down-payment loans. As a result, private MI helps families buy homes with minimal cash out of pocket, making the American dream of homeownership attainable sooner than otherwise possible. What's the difference between private MI and FHA insurance? Private MI is the private sector alternative to Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance, which is a government program backed by taxpayers. Private MI typically may be cancelled sooner than FHA. Are private mortgage insurance and mortgage life insurance the same thing? No. Mortgage life insurance pays off a mortgage if the homeowner dies or becomes disabled. Are Private MI and Homeowners Insurance the same thing? No. Homeowners' insurance protects homeowners from loss due to ...