Home financing in Johnson County.

Home financing — most commonly a mortgage — is a loan you use to purchase a home. You borrow money from a lender, buy the property, and repay the loan over time (usually 15 or 30 years) with interest. The home itself serves as collateral, which means the lender can reclaim it if you stop making payments.

There are several types of home loans available in Johnson County:

• **Conventional loans** — offered by banks and credit unions, typically requiring a credit score of 620 or higher and a down payment of 3–20%.

• **FHA loans** — backed by the Federal Housing Administration, with lower down payment requirements (as low as 3.5%) and more flexible credit standards. A useful entry point, not the only option.

• **USDA loans** — available in certain rural or semi-rural areas. Parts of far western Johnson County may qualify.

• **ITIN loans** — mortgages available to people who do not have a Social Security number but do have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Several local lenders in Johnson County offer these.

• **First-time homebuyer programs** — offered through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) and local lenders, these can include down payment assistance and reduced interest rates.

Understanding which loan type fits your situation is the first step. A local housing counselor — not a salesperson — is the best person to help you figure that out.

Johnson County is one of the most economically active counties in Kansas. It is part of the Kansas City metro area, with a large base of self-employed contractors, small business owners, healthcare workers, and immigrant families — many of whom are homebuyers.

**Income and employment:** Lenders generally want to see stable, documented income.

If you are a W-2 employee, this is straightforward.

If you are self-employed or a solo contractor, lenders will usually look at two years of tax returns and bank statements to verify income. Some local lenders offer bank-statement loans for self-employed borrowers who cannot easily show traditional income documentation.

**Credit history:** A score of 580 or higher opens FHA loan options. Conventional loans typically start around 620. If you have no credit score — or a thin credit file — some community lenders and CDFIs will accept alternative credit history, such as rent payments, utility bills, and remittance records.

**Immigration status:** You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to buy a home in Kansas. ITIN holders and visa holders can qualify for mortgages through specific lenders in the Johnson County area. Kansas law does not restrict homeownership based on immigration status.

**Income limits for assistance programs:** Down payment assistance programs through KHRC typically have income limits tied to area median income (AMI). Johnson County's AMI is relatively high, so many working families in the county are still within qualifying ranges. Always ask a housing counselor to run the numbers for your specific situation.

**Down payment:** Many buyers worry about the down payment. Johnson County has several assistance programs — some as grants, some as forgivable second loans — that can significantly reduce what you need to bring to closing.

Every lender has slightly different requirements, but here is a solid starting list to begin gathering:

**Identity and residency:**

- Government-issued photo ID (passport, consular ID / matrícula consular, or driver's license)

- ITIN or Social Security number

- Visa documentation if applicable

**Income and employment:**

- Last 2 years of federal tax returns (all pages)

- Last 2–3 months of pay stubs (if W-2 employed)

- Last 2 years of W-2s or 1099s

- If self-employed: profit & loss statement, business bank statements (12–24 months), business license

- Last 2–3 months of personal bank statements

**Assets:**

- Documentation of your down payment source (savings, gift letter, etc.)

- Retirement or investment account statements if applicable

**Credit and debts:**

- Lenders will pull your credit report, but it helps to know your score in advance

- A list of your current debts (car loans, student loans, credit cards)

**Property:**

- Signed purchase contract (once you are under contract)

- Homeowners insurance quote

If you do not have all of these, do not wait to reach out to a local housing counselor. They can help you identify what you need and how to get it — before you even apply for a loan.