🩺White Coat, Zero Down

Mortgage Minute
Written By Jennifer Patel

🏥 What Is the Medical Professional Loan?

This is a specialized primary residence program created specifically for licensed medical professionals. It allows eligible borrowers to purchase or rate-and-term refinance with 90.01%–100% financing, loan amounts up to $2,000,000, and no mortgage insurance in high-LTV scenarios.

Here are a few guidelines:

  • Fixed options: 15, 20, 25, 30-year

  • Hybrid ARM options available

  • 1-unit primary residence only

  • Maximum 45% DTI for ARMs and 15-year fixed

  • Minimum LTV: 90.01%

That 90.01% threshold isn’t random — it’s intentional. This program is designed specifically for high-leverage borrowers who prefer to preserve liquidity rather than make a large down payment.

👩‍⚕️ Who Is Eligible?

At least one borrower must hold one of the following professional designations:

  • MD or DO

  • DDS or DMD

  • PharmD

  • DVM or VMD

  • DPM

  • CRNA

  • Medical residents or fellows with one of the above degrees

An active employment contract (or verification of acceptance) in the medical field is required, and the medical professional must contribute at least 50% of qualifying income.

🔍 What Makes This Different?

Traditional conventional loans focus heavily on income history, standard student loan calculations, and require mortgage insurance above 80% loan-to-value. They treat physicians the same as any other borrower.

This program takes a different approach.

Instead of requiring a large down payment, it is built around high LTV (90.01%–100%) financing. Mortgage insurance is not required — even at 100% financing. Risk is managed through borrower profile, professional designation, and pricing structure rather than MI.

It also allows qualification based on a signed employment contract, which is especially helpful for:

  • Residents transitioning to attending roles

  • Medical professionals relocating for new employment

  • Borrowers who haven’t yet received their first paycheck

In short, it’s structured for trajectory, not just history.

🏦 How Does This Compare to Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac?

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do offer strong conventional programs, and they can absolutely work for medical professionals — especially those putting 10–20% down.

However, agency loans require mortgage insurance above 80% LTV and follow standard student loan and income documentation guidelines. They are not profession-specific.

While agencies may allow employment contracts in certain situations, they do not offer:

  • 100% financing up to $2M

  • Built-in no-MI structure at high LTV

  • A framework designed specifically around medical career paths

Agency loans treat doctors as high-income borrowers.
This program treats them as medical professionals with unique financial timing.

Sometimes conventional is the better fit. But when liquidity, relocation, or student debt structure matter, this medical program can be a powerful strategic option.

🏡 Two Real-Life Examples

🧑‍⚕️ Example 1: The New Attending

A physician finishing residency has a signed contract starting in 60 days and substantial student loan debt but limited savings.

With this program:

  • She qualifies using her employment contract.

  • She puts 0% down.

  • She avoids mortgage insurance.

  • She keeps cash available for relocation and reserves.

That’s flexibility at a critical career transition.

🏡 Example 2: The Established CRNA

A CRNA earning strong income wants to purchase a $1.3M home but prefers to keep investment capital intact.

With high-LTV financing:

  • No mortgage insurance.

  • No need to liquidate long-term investments.

  • Strategic preservation of liquidity.

For high-income professionals, sometimes it’s not about what you can put down — it’s about what makes financial sense.

🧠 Final Thoughts

The Medical Professional Loan is intentionally structured around high leverage (90.01%–100% LTV), no mortgage insurance, and contract-based qualification. It recognizes that medical professionals often need flexibility at the beginning — or pivot points — of their careers.

It’s not the right fit for everyone, but for the right borrower, it can be a smart wealth-building strategy.

If you or someone you know has questions or think they will qualify please let me know.

Jennifer Patel
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