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7 Best Physician Mortgage Loans in New York

Key Takeaways:

  • Physician mortgage loans in New York can help doctors and dentists buy a home with no money down.
  • You can avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI) with a physician mortgage loan.
  • This exclusive loan program comes with benefits, like relaxed debt-to-income (DTI) and employment requirements.

Whether you’re looking to live near the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple or maybe a less crowded location in Upstate, New York has diverse communities to choose from. But depending on the region, you might need to pay more than a pretty penny to get into the home of your dreams.

According to the New York State Association of Realtors, the median sales price for homes across the state was $379,950 in January 2023. The New York real estate market has cooled off slightly compared to peak pandemic prices.

Although physicians and dentists generally have robust salaries, they also tend to carry six-figure student debt balances. They also face normal home buying hurdles, like saving up for a large down payment and strict employment requirements.

Fortunately, if you’re one of these high-earning professionals, you can tap into an exclusive program that can make the path to homeownership more accessible.

New York Doctor Mortgage Lenders0% Down Loan LimitWho Can QualifyUnique Features
Berkshire Bank$1 millionMD, DO, DDS, DMD, DPMOffers 2 different ARM products
Citizens BankMin 5% downMD, DO, DDS, DMDNo 0 down options
First Horizon Bank$1.5 millionMD, DO, DPM, OMSNeed at least 670 credit score
KeyBank$1 millionMD, DO, DMD, DPMCan be used for second home
Northwest Bank$950,000MD, DO, DDS, DMD, DPMNorthwest US focus
TD Bank$1 millionMD, DO, DDS, DMD, DPM, OMSRequires a DTI of 43%
US BankMin 5% downMD, DODentists not eligible

Top 7 New York physician mortgage lenders

We’ve put together the top doctor loans in New York to help you compare financing options for primary residences or refinancing your current home loan. However, depending on the lender, second homes might also be eligible for financing.

You can use the form below to get matched with lenders or keep reading for information about each New York mortgage loan program.

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What mortgage product do you need?

Step 1: Job
Step 2: Home
Step 3: Your Info

Your Occupation

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Home Price Range

Preferred Down Payment

Stage You're At in the Home Buying Process

When Do You Want a Mortgage Approval?

How Many Banks Would You Like Quotes From?

Any Bankruptcies or Short Sales?

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Full Name

Email

Phone Number

State Where You Plan to Purchase

Metro Area Where You Plan to Purchase

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1. Berkshire Bank

Berkshire Bank* was founded in 1846 and has grown into the largest regional bank. It offers several mortgage products including a physician mortgage loan for those looking to purchase a home or refinance an existing mortgage. Berkshire Bank also offers home equity loans and lines of credit.

The physician mortgage loan from Berkshire Bank is designed specifically for medical professionals in the US. Eligible homebuyers include physician, dentist, and veterinarian residents (or fellows currently employed in residency of fellowship), practicing physicians (MD, DPM, or DO), practicing dentists (DDS, DMD), oral surgeons, and practicing veterinarians. Practicing doctors must be out of residency/internship/fellowship for less than 10 years. Non-practicing doctors, such as those in academia or research, are not eligible.

Berkshire Bank also offers home equity loans and lines of credit. Eligible properties include single family, condominiums, planned urban development, and non-warrantable condominiums. Private Mortgage insurance is not required and the maximum DTI ratio is 45%.

Financing options include:

  • 0% down for up to $1 million
  • 5% down for up to $1.25 million
  • 10% down for up to $2 million

Berkshire has 30-year fixed and 15-year fixed options, as well as 7/6 and 5/6 ARM products.

Reserves are required and the range is 2-6 months of your monthly mortgage payment.

1099 Independent Contractor work for less than 12 months is allowed.

Projected income is acceptable for qualifying purposes when a borrower is scheduled to start a new job within 90 days of the loan closing.

Contact: Stephen Morrison

*Mortgage products are provided by Berkshire Bank: Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Berkshire Bank is a Massachusetts chartered bank. All applications must be submitted in writing. All lending products are subject to credit and property approval. Products are not available in all states. Certain conditions and restrictions apply. Refinancing to reduce total monthly payments may lengthen repayment term or increase total interest expense compared with your current situation. Berkshire Bank NMLS 506896. Equal Housing Lender.

2. Citizens Bank

The doctor loan mortgage program with Citizens Bank makes it easier for physicians and dentists to buy a home by providing up to 95% financing with no PMI.

Financing options include:

  • 5% down for up to $850,000
  • 11% down for up to $1 million
  • 15% down for up to $1.5 million

Eligible degree designations include MD, DO, DDS and DMD. However, you must’ve completed residency within the last 10 years or be a current resident, fellow or intern.

3. First Horizon Bank

Physician mortgages from First Horizon Bank are available to anyone with an MD, DO, OMS and DPM degree. It's an excellent option whether you've just started your career or have many years of experience under your belt. There are no age requirements, and you can close 90 days prior to the start of a new employment contract.

Financing options include:

  • 0% down for up to $1.5 million
  • 5% down for up to $2 million
  • 10% down for up to $2.5 million

Credit scores as low as 670 can qualify, which is one of the lowest credit score requirements we've seen.

They also offer H-1B visa non-citizens loans and 100% financing.

4. KeyBank

Medical doctors and dentists are eligible for KeyBank's medical professional mortgage loan. This program can be used to purchase or refinance a primary residence or second home.

KeyBank’s doctor and dentist program extends its eligibility to those who are a resident, fellow, or attending with an MD, DO, DPM, or DMD. Those who can provide a signed employment contract can close 90 days prior to his or her start date of employment.

Financing options include:

  • 0% down for up to $1 million
  • 5% down for up to $1.5 million
  • 15% down for up to $2 million

KeyBank has fixed rate options (30, 25, 20, 15, and 10 year), as well as adjustable-rate options of 10/6 ARM, 7/6 ARM, and 5/6 ARM.

5. Northwest Bank

Northwest Bank’s “Physician’s Loan Program” is available to eligible applicants with an MD, DO, DDS, DMD or DPM. With down payment requirements as low as 0% and no required private mortgage insurance (PMI), this program is worth looking into.

Fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages are available, as well as rate and term refinance options.

Financing options include:

  • 0% down for up to $950,000
  • 5% down for up to $1.25 million
  • 10% down for up to $1.5 million

Eligible degree designations include MD, DO, DDS, DMD and DPM.

6. TD Bank

The TD Bank medical professional mortgage allows doctors, dentists and fellows with less than 10 years of post-residency experience buy a home with little money down.

Financing options include:

  • 0% down for up to $1 million
  • 5% down for up to $1.5 million
  • 10.01% down for up to $2 million

Eligible degree designations include MD, DO, DPM, DDS, DMD and oral surgeons. Medical and dental residents can also qualify.

Contact: Neil Surgenor

7. U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank’s doctor loan program is available to MD and DO physicians, residents, fellows, and lawyers for loan amounts up to $2.5 million.

Financing options include:

  • 5% down for up to $1 million
  • 10% down for up to $1.5 million
  • 15% down for up to $2 million

This program doesn’t have a 0% down payment option like other programs, but this lender has a great reputation and outstanding customer service.

Related: Try our Physician Loan Calculator for monthly payments and more

How do New York physician mortgage loans work?

With traditional mortgages, you generally need to put down a 20% down payment or pay private mortgage insurance (PMI). With a physician loan, some New York medical and dental professionals have access to better down payment options without the burden of PMI.

Some physician mortgage loans do not require a down payment at all.

As an added bonus, a physician loan can often look more favorably on your upward income trajectory, student loan debt, and career stability.

Physician mortgages also usually come with far higher lending limits compared to traditional mortgages, making it easier to buy the home of your dreams after so many years of sacrifice in your career.

Key benefits of physician mortgage loans in New York

Physician mortgage loans in New York are designed to benefit medical and dental professionals who typically have a lot of student debt at the beginning of their careers. These programs recognize the trajectory of your career type, fully embracing the mantra “started from the bottom” considering you might’ve had a limited salary during your residency or fellowship.

Here are the top perks of using a physician home loan.

No down payment financing options

Many physician mortgage lenders offer up to 100% financing with no money down. Depending on the overall loan amount, a lender might require a 5% to 10% down payment to access higher amounts.

No private mortgage insurance requirement

With a conventional loan, you’ll typically need to bring 20% of the home purchase price to the table. If you don’t, you’ll likely incur PMI requirements.

When you’re dealing with large loan amounts, PMI can suck down hundreds of dollars each month. That’s money that could be used toward paying down other debt, investing in your retirement or rewarding your hard work with a needed vacation.

Relaxed debt-to-income ratio

Banks look at a borrower’s DTI calculation, along with other financial indicators like your credit score, when making lending decisions. Unfortunately, physicians and dentists often need to take on significant student debt to fund their education, causing challenges to qualify for a mortgage.

But a physician mortgage loan can help you dodge this hurdle.

Physician mortgage lenders take a more flexible approach to DTI requirements. For example, a loan officer might only consider your actual monthly payment under an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. This can dramatically impact your DTI calculation, making you a more appealing borrower.

Flexible income documentation

After going through the ups and downs of dental or medical school, many professionals feel it's time to settle down and buy a home. But that can be challenging if you’re just starting your career because conventional mortgage lenders require solid proof of income.

With a physician home loan, you can usually use a new employment contract as proof of income instead of waiting to gain a couple of years of employment history to qualify.

Considerations before moving forward with a New York physician mortgage loan

Physician mortgage loans in New York are a great way to get you into your dream home faster. You don’t have to spend years saving up for a down payment or worry about budgeting for monthly PMI payments. Plus, your student loan debt won’t stall the process.

So, why wouldn’t someone choose a physician mortgage?

You might find a more competitive interest rate with a conventional mortgage or prefer to use an alternative mortgage program, such as an FHA loan or VA loan. These mortgage programs come with their own benefits, so they’re worth exploring if you’re eligible.

There’s also a risk of getting approved for a physician home loan that overextends your budget.

Be smart by keeping your income and expenses in mind while exploring multiple mortgage offers.

Use our state breakdown to quickly locate physician mortgage loan options across the country.

Get Quotes for Your Doctor Mortgage

What mortgage product do you need?

Step 1: Job
Step 2: Home
Step 3: Your Info

Your Occupation

NEXT

Home Price Range

Preferred Down Payment

Stage You're At in the Home Buying Process

When Do You Want a Mortgage Approval?

How Many Banks Would You Like Quotes From?

Any Bankruptcies or Short Sales?

NEXT

Full Name

Email

Phone Number

State Where You Plan to Purchase

Metro Area Where You Plan to Purchase

Citizenship Status

Communication Preference

Would You Like to Add Any Additional Details?

GET MY QUOTES

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