Key Terms
- Jumbo loans offer Kentuckians higher limits than the limits on conventional loans.
- The jumbo loan lenders we found in our research often do not require a big down payment.
- You would need several conventional loans to get the purchasing power of a single jumbo loan.
Kentucky is a place of natural beauty, featuring vibrant cities like Louisville, rich forests and farm lands, rolling hills, stunning mountains, and lovely rivers. The state also played a key role in developing that quintessentially American art form, bluegrass. That’s why citizens of Kentucky are proud to call it The Bluegrass State.
While Kentucky may be lovely, affording a home in the Bluegrass State is getting more and more complicated. According to the Kentucky Association of Realtors, the average sales price for a home in Kentucky is $221,000. While this is below conventional limits, Kentuckians looking to buy a new or modern single-family home could push past those limits. For this reason, many people in Kentucky are turning to jumbo loans.
For the most recent year, the HDMA data places Kentucky 30th in the country in terms of mortgage origination activity, with a total of $1.3 billion in jumbo mortgages originated. It seems many citizens of the Bluegrass State are turning to these loans for easier financing of home purchases.
What is the jumbo loan limit in Kentucky?
The jumbo loan limit in Kentucky is $726,200 for all counties in the state. Any loan that exceeds $726,200 is a jumbo loan in the state of Kentucky. Any loan that is less than $726,200 is a conforming loan in the state of Kentucky.
What are conforming loan limits?
Conforming loan limits are set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the government agency which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two home mortgage companies that buy most of the home loans made in the U.S. from mortgage lenders and resell them to private investors.
Kentucky Jumbo Loan Limits (September 2023)
Kentucky county-by-county jumbo loan, conforming loan and FHA loan limits.
| Kentucky County | Kentucky Jumbo loan (1-unit) | Kentucky Conforming loan limit (1-unit) | Kentucky FHA loan limit (1-unit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adair | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Allen | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Anderson | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Ballard | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Barren | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Bath | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Bell | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Boone | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Bourbon | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Boyd | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Boyle | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Bracken | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Breathitt | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Breckinridge | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Bullitt | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Butler | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Caldwell | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Calloway | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Campbell | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Carlisle | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Carroll | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Carter | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Casey | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Christian | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Clark | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Clay | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Clinton | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Crittenden | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Cumberland | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Daviess | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Edmonson | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Elliott | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Estill | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Fayette | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Fleming | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Floyd | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Franklin | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Fulton | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Gallatin | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Garrard | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Grant | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Graves | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Grayson | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Green | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Greenup | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Hancock | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Hardin | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Harlan | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Harrison | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Hart | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Henderson | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Henry | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Hickman | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Hopkins | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Jackson | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Jefferson | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Jessamine | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Johnson | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Kenton | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Knott | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Knox | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Larue | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Laurel | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Lawrence | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Lee | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Leslie | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Letcher | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Lewis | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Lincoln | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Livingston | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Logan | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Lyon | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Mccracken | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Mccreary | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Mclean | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Madison | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Magoffin | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Marion | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Marshall | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Martin | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Mason | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Meade | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Menifee | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Mercer | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Metcalfe | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Monroe | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Montgomery | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Morgan | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Muhlenberg | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Nelson | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Nicholas | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Ohio | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Oldham | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Owen | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Owsley | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Pendleton | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Perry | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Pike | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Powell | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Pulaski | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Robertson | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Rockcastle | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Rowan | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Russell | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Scott | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Shelby | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Simpson | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Spencer | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Taylor | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Todd | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Trigg | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Trimble | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Union | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Warren | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Washington | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Wayne | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Webster | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Whitley | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Wolfe | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
| Woodford | $726,200+ | $726,200 | $420,680 |
4 Top Kentucky jumbo loan lenders
If you’re ready to learn more about the best jumbo mortgage lenders in Kentucky, here are the top options we’ve found through our research.
1. Flagstar Bank
Flagstar Bank has a jumbo product in all 50 states, making it a popular choice among many people looking for higher mortgage amounts. If you’re considering a jumbo mortgage, you’ll want to compare Flagstar’s rates as part of your analysis.
We reached out to a loan officer at Flagstar Bank to get details on their jumbo mortgage. Here are the highlights:
- Loan amounts up to $3 million on primary residences
- Loan amounts up to $2.5 million on second homes
- Purchase and rate/term refinance options available on primary residences and second homes
- No prepayment penalties
- First-time homebuyers permitted
- No mortgage insurance premiums
- Cash-out options available on primary residence
When you’re ready to connect with a loan officer experienced in jumbo mortgages, use our form to quickly match with jumbo loan programs based on your specific circumstances.
2. Huntington Bank
Huntington Bank is the 26th largest bank in the United States. Operating primarily out of the Midwest, their mortgage group can service a large part of the country. Huntington has a competitive jumbo loan product with no money down financing options.
We contacted a loan officer at Huntington Bank to gather information about their jumbo loan rates and here’s what we heard back:
- Loan amounts up to $2.5 million
- Purchase and refinance available
- Refinancing allows you to take up to $750,000 of equity out of your home.
- Second homes are eligible
- Multi-unit properties are eligible
When you’re ready to connect with a loan officer experienced in jumbo mortgages, use our form to quickly match with jumbo loan programs based on your specific circumstances.
3. Regions Bank
Regions Bank is headquartered in Alabama but operates in 16 states across the country and is on the Fortune 500 list. Founded in 1971, the bank offers a full range of financial products, including a jumbo loan.
We contacted Regions Bank to get additional details about the jumbo loan process. Here are some key terms and highlights:
- Fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages available
- ARM loans are normally fixed for 3-5 years and then adjust annually
- Lower down payment requirements or lower closing costs available for first-time home buyers who meet eligibility
When you’re ready to connect with a loan officer experienced in jumbo mortgages, use our form to quickly match with jumbo loan programs based on your specific circumstances.
4. Fifth Third Bank
Fifth Third Bank is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio and is one of the largest consumer banks in the country. The bank’s unique name came from a 1909 merger between Third National Bank and Fifth National Bank. The bank offers a full suite of financial products, including jumbo mortgages.
We contacted Fifth Third Bank to learn about their jumbo loan mortgage specifically. Here are the important details:
- Loans up to $3 million
- Minimum credit score is 680
- Fixed rate and variable rate loans available
- Cash reserves required
- Jumbo loans are more likely to require a downpayment of 20%, though you may be able to go as low as 10%
When you’re ready to connect with a loan officer experienced in jumbo mortgages, use our form to quickly match with jumbo loan programs based on your specific circumstances.
How jumbo loans are different from other loans in Kentucky
Jumbo loans are different from other loans in Kentucky in many ways. The main difference is that they offer such high limits. What does this mean? It means that if you are looking for a home that is over $647,200, a jumbo loan has got you covered, most likely.
Jumbo loans also differ from conventional loans in terms of their requirements. You will need good credit to get one of these mortgages. Some government-backed loans will let borrowers with scores as low as 580 take out mortgages. Finally, these loans can come with higher interest rates than those on some other mortgages.
Does a Kentucky jumbo loan make sense for you?
Qualifying for a Kentucky jumbo loan can take some time. That’s because the financial institution has to dot their i’s and cross their t’s, since they get a lot of risk exposure with these big loans.
If you are willing to do the work, however, a jumbo loan can be an easier way to finance, overall. You won’t need to take out several mortgages, for one. This can ding your credit and can be a complicated financial situation to navigate. If you have good credit and are willing to go through some due diligence with your lender, you may find that a jumbo loan turns out to be the best and easiest fit for you when it comes to financing a home.
Need a jumbo loan in a different state?
If you want to find the best jumbo loans in other states, click on your state below.
Joshua Holt is a licensed mortgage loan originator (NMLS #2306824) and founder of Biglaw Investor. His mortgage expertise lies in the areas of professional mortgage loans, particularly for lawyers, doctors and other high-income professionals. Prior to Biglaw Investor, Josh practiced private equity mergers & acquisition law for one of the largest law firms in the country.
