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Homebuyers planning to put down roots in the Bluegrass State have many housing options to consider. Kentucky offers almost 2 million housing units and has a homeownership rate around 67%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey.

Kentucky’s median housing value is $148,100, well below the national median value of $229,700. As with most states, Kentucky has areas with higher housing prices, but there are also parts of the state that offer lower housing prices.

U.S. News conducted an in-depth review of leading direct mortgage lenders. Research was based on program availability and customer satisfaction ratings. Because each consumer has different needs, the top finishers in several key areas were chosen.

What Are the Mortgage Rates in Kentucky?

The average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate conforming mortgage in Kentucky is 3.56%.

Home interest rates range from 2.88% to 4.75% in Kentucky.

What Are Today’s Mortgage Rates?

Locking in a low mortgage rate today can save you thousands over the life of your loan. Compare your mortgage rate offers with national average trends.







Loan Types

This Week’s Rate

Last Week’s Rate

30-Year Fixed Rate 3.50% 3.51%
15-Year Fixed Rate 2.83% 2.83%
30-Year Fixed Jumbo Rate 3.58% 3.60%
5/1 ARM Rate 3.19% 3.20%
5/1 ARM Jumbo Rate 3.02% 3.00%

*Rates as of June 8, 2020.

U.S. News’ Best Kentucky Mortgage Lenders

Methodology: U.S. News conducted an in-depth review of leading direct mortgage lenders in Kentucky. Research was based on program availability, customer satisfaction ratings and qualification requirements. Because each consumer has different needs, the top finishers in several key areas were chosen.

Best lender for up to 100% of the appraised value of the home.

A major financial institution serving homeowners nationwide, Bank of America has good customer satisfaction ratings. The bank has an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and a J.D. Power rating of four, which is better than most.

Highlights:

  • Mortgage types offered: Conventional, VA, FHA, refinance, home equity
  • Minimum FICO score: 620
  • Maximum loan-to-value ratio: 100%
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 55%
  • Loan amounts: Up to $5,000,000
  • Total closing costs: Varies
  • J.D. Power overall satisfaction rating: Four out of five

Best Features

  • Bank of America has a wide variety of mortgage products.

  • The lender offers annual percentage rate or closing cost discounts for qualifying Bank of America and Merrill Lynch clients.

  • Home equity lines of credit have no annual, balance transfer or cash advance fees or closing costs.

See full profile

Best feature: first-time homebuyer program.

After several years in business as two separate entities – Caliber Funding and Vericrest Financial – Caliber Home Loans premiered in 2013. As of 2018, Caliber Home Loans serving portfolio is at $150 billion.

Highlights
Mortgage types offered: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, ARM, Refinancing (conventional), Refinancing (FHA), Refinancing (VA), First-time homebuyer program
• Minimum FICO score: 580
• Max DTI: 50%
• Origination fee: Not disclosed
• J.D. Power satisfaction rating: Three out of five

Best Features

  • A first-time homebuyer program called HomeOne. It only requires a 3% down payment and borrowers may qualify with a minimum 620 credit score.

  • Government-insured loans including Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Affairs, and United States Department of Agriculture programs are available.

See full profile

Best lender for adjustable-rate mortgages.

Chase Bank is a major financial institution with several mortgage options, including adjustable-rate mortgages. Borrowers can choose from 5/1, 7/1 and 10/1 ARMs.

Highlights:

  • Mortgage types offered: Conventional, jumbo, ARM, VA, FHA
  • Minimum FICO credit score: 620
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 50%
  • J.D. Power satisfaction rating: Three out of five

Best Features

  • Down payments as low as 3% are accepted.

  • Fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages are available.

See full profile

Best feature: low down payment loan options.

Fifth Third Bank serves 10 states, with products such as conventional mortgages, as well as Federal Housing Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs loans. The lender has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Highlights:

  • Mortgage types offered: conventional, FHA, VA, ARM, home equity loans
  • Minimum FICO score: not disclosed
  • Maximum loan-to-value ratio: not disclosed
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: not disclosed
  • Loan amounts: up to $3 million
  • Total closing costs: not disclosed
  • J.D. Power overall satisfaction rating: 3 out of 5

Best Features

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    Income and profession-based loan programs.

  • Down payment assistance program available.

See full profile

Best lender for loans for up to $3 million.

Guild Mortgage serves homebuyers nationwide with multiple mortgage options. Mortgage shoppers can choose from conventional or agency loans with this lender, which has an A+ BBB rating and a four out of five J.D. Power satisfaction rating.

Highlights:

  • Mortgage types offered: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, ARM, Home equity loans, Refinancing (conventional), Refinancing (FHA), Refinancing (VA), Refinancing (USDA), First-time homebuyer program, Jumbo, renovation, expanded (non-qm)
  • Minimum FICO credit score: 620
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 50%
  • J.D. Power satisfaction rating: Four out of five

Best Features

  • Good customer service ratings.

  • A broad range of mortgage products.

  • Special mortgage programs including ones for first-time homebuyers and buyers of manufactured homes.

See full profile

Best lender for waived lender fees on future refinancing.

LoanDepot was established in 2010 and since then has financed more than $70 billion in mortgages. It offers FHA, conventional and other mortgage options. Borrowers may qualify for a loan with a FICO credit score as low as 580.

Highlights:

  • Mortgage types offered: Conventional, FHA, VA, ARM, Refinancing (conventional), Refinancing (FHA), Refinancing (VA), Home equity loans
  • Minimum FICO credit score: 500 with conditions
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 43% for FHA
  • Maximum
    combined loan-to-value ratio:
    90%
  • J.D. Power satisfaction rating: Four out of five

Best Features

  • LoanDepot mortgages have a lifetime guarantee, which means if you ever decide to refinance an existing loanDepot loan, the company will waive the lender fees and reimburse appraisal fees.

See full profile

Best lender with a closing cost assistance program.

PrimeLending is a Dallas-based mortgage lender with several mortgage loan options, including conventional loans, jumbo loans, government-backed loans and refinance loans. The lender is a subsidiary of PlainsCapital Bank.

Highlights:

  • Loan types: conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, ARM, refinancing
  • Minimum FICO Score: 600
  • Maximum loan-to-value ratio: not disclosed
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 43%
  • Total closing costs: 2% to 6% of loan amount
  • Equity required: not disclosed
  • J.D. Power Satisfaction rating: not rated

Best Features

  • Offers a wide variety of mortgage loans.

  • Provides mortgage loans nationwide.

  • Helps with closing costs.

See full profile

Best lender for good customer satisfaction ratings.

Quicken Loans is a nationwide mortgage lender with several mortgage options. Known for customer service, the lender has an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and received a rating of five (among the best) in the 2018 U.S. Primary Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study.

Highlights:

  • Mortgage types offered: ARM, FHA, VA, Refinancing (FHA), USDA, Conventional, Refinancing (conventional)
  • Minimum FICO credit score: 580 (FHA), other loans vary

  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio
    : 60%
  • J.D. Power satisfaction rating: Five out of five

Best Features

  • Complete loan process available online.

  • Wide variety of mortgage products.

  • Good customer service ratings.

See full profile

Best lender for focused service for veterans and service members.

Veterans United Home Loans is a full-service mortgage lender. Veterans United Home Loans specializes in VA loans and is the largest VA home purchase lender.

Highlights:

  • Mortgage types offered: Conventional, ARM, VA, FHA, USDA, refinance
  • Minimum FICO credit score: 620
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: Varies
  • J.D. Power satisfaction rating: Not rated

Best Features

  • Military membership not required.

See full profile

Mortgage Calculator

Is your dream home within reach? U.S. News’ mortgage calculator will show you how much house you can afford.

What Are Some Kentucky Homebuyer Programs?

Kentucky Housing Corporation offers five programs eligible Kentucky homebuyers can use to help them afford a home. They include down payment and closing cost assistance loans, federal income tax credits and low down payment options.

  • Available to: Eligible Kentucky homebuyers.
  • Income limits: Vary by county and household size (see income limits).
  • First-time homebuyers only? No. Some consumers who have bought a home before may qualify based on location.
  • Benefits: An annual federal income tax credit of up to $2,000 based on 25% of qualifying mortgage interest paid or accrued in a year, not to exceed the homeowner’s tax liability.

  • Available to: Eligible Kentucky homebuyers.
  • Income limits: Vary by county (see income limits).
  • First-time homebuyers only? No.
  • Benefits: Down payment of 3%.

  • Available to: Eligible Kentucky homebuyers.
  • Income limits: Vary by county (see income limits).
  • First-time homebuyers only? No.
  • Benefits: Down payment of 3%.

  • Available to: Kentucky Housing Corporation first-mortgage loan recipients.
  • Income limits: No.
  • First-time homebuyers only? No.
  • Benefits: Down payment and closing cost assistance loan of up to $6,000 repayable over 10 years at a 5.5% interest rate.

  • Available to: Eligible Kentucky homebuyers.
  • Income limits: Vary by county (see income limits).
  • First-time homebuyers only? No.
  • Benefits: Down payment and closing cost assistance loan of up to $6,000 repayable over 10 years at a 1% interest rate.

Find the Best Mortgage Lenders by State

Advertising Disclosure: Some of the loan offers on this site are from companies
who are advertising clients of U.S. News. Advertising considerations may impact
where offers appear on the site but do not affect any editorial decisions,
such as which loan products we write about and how we evaluate them. This site
does not include all loan companies or all loan offers available in the marketplace.

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