
Kentucky First Time Home Buyer Mortgage Loans and Programs for the First Time Buyer. Rural Housing USDA Loans, 100% Financing KHC Down payment assistance grants FHA Loans and VA home loans with zero down. Kentucky First-time home buyers call or email today for your same day free mortgage pre-approval.KY FHA, VA, RHS, Fast closings!- Honest, Friendly local advice.” NMLS# 57916 NMLS 1738461 Equal Housing Lender Text/Call me at 502-905-3708 Kentuckyloan@gmail.com
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- KENTUCKY FIRST TIME HOME BUYER REQUIREMENTS MORTGAGE LOAN APPROVAL?
- KENTUCKY FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS MORTGAGE REQUIREMENTS
- Kentucky First-Time Home Buyer Programs of 2024
- Accessibility Statement
- Kentucky Mortgage Loan Documents Needed for Approval.
- Kentucky HUD $100 Down FHA Loan Program with List of Houses for Sale
- Do's and Don't of Getting A Mortgage Approved and Closed in Kentucky?
- Home
Louisville Kentucky Mortgage Lender for FHA, VA, KHC, USDA and Rural Housing Kentucky Mortgages: Child Support & Mortgage Approval Complete Guide f...
Hard vs. Soft
Credit Inquiries
Quick Reference Guide
🟢 Soft Pull
- No credit score impact
- Pre-qualification only
- Not visible to lenders
- No authorization needed
🔵 Hard Pull
- Required for approval
- Minor impact (under 5 pts)
- Visible for 2 years
- Multiple = 1 (30-45 days)
🔴 What Is a Hard Inquiry?
Used for Official Loan Applications
- 📋 Requires your authorization
- 👀 Visible to other lenders
- 📉 Drops score 3-5 points temporarily
- ⏰ Stays on report for 2 years
- ✅ Required for mortgage pre-approval
🟢 What Is a Soft Inquiry?
Used for Pre-Qualification & Exploration
- ✨ Zero impact on credit score
- 🔒 Not visible to other lenders
- 📱 No formal application needed
- 💡 Perfect for exploring options
- 🎯 See what you can afford first
Credit Score Impact
Soft Inquiry
Points Lost
No Impact!
Hard Inquiry
Points Lost
Temporary & Minor
Pro Tip for Rate Shopping
Multiple mortgage hard inquiries within 30-45 days count as ONE INQUIRY for credit scoring purposes.
Shop around without fear!
Best Practices: 6-12 Months Before Buying
Avoid New Credit
No new car loans, credit cards, or retail financing
Pay Down Debt
Reduce credit card balances below 30% of limits
Stay Current
Make all payments on time, every time
Get Soft Pull Pre-Qual
Check where you stand with ZERO score impact
Ready to Get Started?
🏡 Get a Soft Pull Pre-Qualification
See what you can afford with ZERO impact to your credit score
Joel Lobb | 20+ Years Experience | 1,300+ Kentucky Families Helped
How to Buy Your First Home in Kentucky with Zero Money Down: Complete 2025 Guide
How to Buy Your First Home in Kentucky with Zero Money Down
The Complete 2025 Guide to No Money Down Mortgages in Kentucky
By Joel Lobb |Joel Lobb, Kentucky Mortgage Broker FHA, VA, KHC, USDA Mortgage Loans | Updated August 2025
Get Pre-Approved TodayIntroduction: The Kentucky Dream of Homeownership
For many Kentucky residents, the dream of homeownership feels just out of reach because of down payment requirements. With the state’s median home price at $224,303 in 2025, a traditional 20% down payment would mean saving nearly $45,000 in cash.
Fortunately, Kentucky offers some of the nation’s most generous no money down mortgage programs, including USDA, VA, FHA with assistance, and Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) loans. This guide explains how you can purchase your first Kentucky home with little to no upfront cash.
Kentucky's Top Zero Down Payment Programs
Program | Down Payment | Credit Score | Income Limits | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
USDA Rural Development | 0% | 580+ | Yes | Rural only |
VA Loans | 0% | No minimum score but 620 preferred | No | Statewide |
FHA + KHC DAP | 0% with assistance | 580–620+ | Yes | Statewide |
5% grant toward Purchase Price | 0% with assistance | 600–640+ | No | Statewide |
Program Snapshots
USDA Loans
- 100% financing
- Available in 95% of Kentucky
- No mortgage insurance
VA Loans
- 0% down payment for veterans & active duty
- No PMI ever
- Lowest interest rates
FHA with Assistance
- Down payment covered by KHC or lender DPA
- Flexible credit scores (580+ for some DPA and 620+ score for KHC $10 Dap loan )
- Great for first-time buyers
Important Note
“No money down” doesn’t always mean zero at closing. You may still need money for closing costs (2–5%). The good news: seller concessions, grants, or KHC programs can often cover those too—meaning true zero out-of-pocket homeownership is possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really buy a home in Kentucky with no money down?
Yes. USDA and VA loans allow 100% financing. FHA loans can reach zero down when paired with Kentucky Housing’s Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP).
Do I need perfect credit?
No. USDA typically requires 580+, FHA allows 580+ with 3.5% down payment and 500 credit score with 10% down payment, and VA has no minimum score requirement but most lenders want a 620 or above.
What if I don’t have closing cost money?
You can use seller concessions, grants, or lender credits to cover closing costs. Many of my clients purchase with $0 at closing.
Ready to Get Started?
Your Kentucky dream home is closer than you think. I’ll guide you step-by-step, help you choose the right program, and work to get you approved quickly.
Call Joel at (502) 905-3708 Email Me for Pre-Approval