PHYSICIAN LOANS VS CONVENTIONAL LOANS: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
- David Parsons
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
QUICK ANSWER
Physician loans and conventional loans serve different needs. Physician loans offer 0-5% down with no PMI and flexible student loan treatment. This can be ideal for early-career doctors with high debt but strong income potential. Conventional loans require 3-20% down, charge PMI under 20% equity, but offer lower interest rates for borrowers with clean debt-to-income ratios. Choose physician loans if you're carrying student debt and want to buy soon; choose conventional loans if you have 20%+ down saved and minimal debt.
INTRODUCTION
The Two-Path Decision for Doctor Homebuyers
You're a physician ready to buy a home. You've researched mortgage options, and two programs keep appearing: physician loans and conventional loans. Each has distinct advantages, and choosing the wrong one could cost you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage.
This guide breaks down the key differences between physician loans vs conventional mortgages, helping you determine which program aligns with your financial situation, career stage, and homeownership goals.
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON: PHYSICIAN LOANS VS CONVENTIONAL LOANS
DOWN PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Physician Loans: 0-5% Down Without PMI
The signature advantage of physician loans is the ability to purchase with minimal down payment (often 0-5%) without paying private mortgage insurance (PMI).
Example:
$500,000 home purchase
5% down = $25,000
Loan amount = $475,000
No PMI
Monthly payment: ~$3,100 (principal, interest, taxes, insurance)
Why This Matters:
Eliminating PMI saves $150-$400/month, allowing you to preserve cash for student loan payments, furnishing, or investments.
Conventional Loans: 3-20% Down (PMI Required Under 20%)
Conventional mortgages allow down payments as low as 3%, but require PMI if you put down less than 20%.
Example:
$500,000 home purchase
5% down = $25,000
Loan amount = $475,000
PMI = ~$250/month
Monthly payment: ~$3,350 (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, PMI)
PMI Removal:
Once you reach 20% equity (through payments or appreciation), you can request PMI removal. This typically takes 5-7 years with a 5% down payment.
Winner: Physician Loans (for borrowers with <20% down)
If you're putting down less than 20%, physician loans save you thousands annually by eliminating PMI. For a deeper breakdown of physician loan terms, see our Complete Guide.
INTEREST RATES
Physician Loans: Slightly Higher Rates
Physician loans typically carry interest rates 0.125% to 0.5% higher than conventional loans. This premium reflects the risk lenders assume by waiving PMI and accepting low down payments.
Example Rate:
Conventional: 6.5%
Physician Loan: 6.75%
On a $475,000 loan:
Conventional monthly payment (with PMI): ~$3,350
Physician loan monthly payment (no PMI): ~$3,100
Net savings: $250/month or $3,000/year with physician loan
Conventional Loans: Lower Baseline Rates
Conventional loans offer the lowest interest rates available—especially for borrowers with:
• 20%+ down payment
• Credit scores 740+
• Low debt-to-income ratios
• Strong employment history
Example:
$500,000 home purchase
20% down = $100,000
Loan amount = $400,000
Rate: 6.25%
No PMI
Monthly payment: ~$2,450
Winner: Depends on Down Payment and Loan Term
• Physician loans win for <20% down (PMI savings outweigh higher rates in years 1-7)
• Conventional loans win for 20%+ down (lower rates, no PMI)
STUDENT LOAN TREATMENT
Physician Loans: Favorable DTI Calculations
Physician loans recognize that medical professionals carry significant student debt but have low default risk. Lenders treat student loans favorably:
Deferred Loans:
• Excluded entirely from DTI, or counted at $0/month
Income-Driven Repayment:
• Use actual monthly payment (often $0-$300), not 1% of total balance
Example:
$300,000 in student loans, deferred
Physician loan DTI: $0/month student debt
Conventional loan DTI: $3,000/month student debt
This difference can be the deciding factor in loan approval.
Conventional Loans: Strict DTI Rules
Conventional mortgages follow rigid guidelines for student loan debt:
Deferred Loans:
• Lenders calculate 1% of total balance as monthly debt
Income-Driven Repayment:
• Lenders may use 1% of balance instead of actual payment
Example:
$300,000 in student loans, $150/month income-driven payment
Conventional DTI calculation: $3,000/month (1% of $300,000)
This inflated debt figure often disqualifies doctors despite their strong income.
Winner: Physician Loans (by a landslide)
If you carry six-figure student debt, physician loans are often your only path to qualification.
LOAN LIMITS
Physician Loans: High Limits for High-Cost Markets
Physician loan programs offer limits of $1 million to $2 million or more—accommodating expensive coastal markets like California, New York, and Florida.
Example:
San Francisco home purchase: $1,200,000
5% down = $60,000
Loan amount = $1,140,000
Physician loan: ✅ Approved (within program limits)
Conventional Loans: Conforming Limits ($806,500 in 2025)
Conventional loans follow Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac conforming limits:
• $766,550 in most counties (2024)
• Higher limits in designated high-cost areas (up to $1,149,825)
Above these limits, you need a jumbo loan—which requires:
• 10-20% down
• Higher credit scores (720+)
• Lower DTI ratios
• Significant cash reserves
Winner: Physician Loans (for high-cost markets)
If you're buying in an expensive area, physician loans provide higher limits with more flexible terms.
CREDIT SCORE REQUIREMENTS
Physician Loans: 700+ Minimum
Most physician loan programs require credit scores of 700+, though some lenders accept 680. Rates improve significantly at 720+.
Conventional Loans: 620+ Minimum
Conventional mortgages accept credit scores as low as 620, though:
• Rates are higher for scores under 740
• Down payment requirements increase for scores under 680
Winner: Conventional Loans (more accessible to lower scores)
If your credit score is 620-699, conventional loans may be your only option.
EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME VERIFICATION
Physician Loans: Contract-Based Approval for Residents
Physician loans allow residents and fellows to qualify based on signed employment contracts—even if they won't start their attending position for 60-120 days.
Example:
Medical resident earning $65,000/year
Signed attending contract: $250,000/year starting July 1
Physician loan approval: Based on $250,000 contract salary
Conventional Loans: Two Years of W-2 Income Required
Conventional mortgages require two years of employment history at your current income level. A signed contract doesn't count—you must show actual paystubs and tax returns.
Residents cannot qualify for conventional loans using future attending income.
Winner: Physician Loans (essential for residents/fellows)
If you're a resident or fellow, conventional loans simply won't work until you've been earning attending-level income for 2+ years.
PROFESSION-SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY
Physician Loans: MD/DO/DDS/DVM Only
Physician loans are exclusive to medical professionals:
• Medical doctors (MD)
• Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO)
• Dentists (DDS/DMD)
• Veterinarians (DVM)
• Pharmacists (PharmD) - select lenders
Conventional Loans: Open to All Borrowers
Anyone can apply for a conventional mortgage, regardless of profession.
Winner: Conventional Loans (universal access)
If you're not a medical professional, conventional loans are your standard mortgage path.
WHO SHOULD CHOOSE PHYSICIAN LOANS?
Physician Loans Are Best For:
✅ Early-career doctors (residents, fellows, first 5 years of practice)
✅ Physicians with six-figure student loan debt
✅ Borrowers with <10% down payment saved
✅ Residents/fellows with signed attending contracts
✅ Buyers in high-cost markets needing $1M+ loans
✅ Doctors who want to preserve cash for other financial goals
Real-World Example:
Dr. Sarah, 32, finishing cardiology fellowship
Student loans: $320,000
Savings: $30,000
Signed contract: $280,000/year, starts in 90 days
Conventional loan: ❌ Denied (DTI too high with student loans)
Physician loan: ✅ Approved for $650,000 home with 5% down
WHO SHOULD CHOOSE CONVENTIONAL LOANS?
Conventional Loans Are Best For:
✅ Physicians with 20%+ down payment saved
✅ Borrowers with minimal or manageable debt
✅ Doctors planning to stay in the home 10+ years (lower rates compound savings)
✅ Established income with 2+ years at current position
✅ Credit scores 740+ (qualify for best rates)
✅ Non-medical professionals
Real-World Example:
Dr. John, 45, orthopedic surgeon
Student loans: Paid off
Savings: $180,000 (20% down on $900,000 home)
Income: $450,000/year, stable 10-year employment
Conventional loan: ✅ Approved at 6.25% rate, no PMI
Physician loan: Not necessary (no student debt, 20% down available)
CAN YOU REFINANCE FROM A PHYSICIAN LOAN TO CONVENTIONAL?
Yes—And Many Doctors Do
A common strategy:
1. Use a physician loan to buy your home with low down payment
2. Build 20% equity over 3-5 years (through payments and appreciation)
3. Refinance into a conventional loan with a lower interest rate
This approach maximizes flexibility early in your career, then reduces long-term costs once you're financially established.
MONTH-BY-MONTH COST COMPARISON
Let's compare real numbers over 5 years:
Scenario:
$500,000 home purchase
5% down payment ($25,000)
$475,000 loan amount
**Physician Loan:**
Interest rate: 6.75%
Monthly payment: $3,100 (no PMI)
Total paid in 5 years: $186,000
**Conventional Loan:**
Interest rate: 6.5%
Monthly payment: $3,350 (includes $250/month PMI)
Total paid in 5 years: $201,000
**Savings with Physician Loan: $15,000 over 5 years**
THE VERDICT: WHICH LOAN IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Choose a Physician Loan if:
• You have <20% down saved
• You carry significant student loan debt
• You're a resident/fellow with a signed contract
• You want to buy a home soon (not in 5+ years)
• You plan to stay in the home 5-10 years, then potentially refinance
Choose a Conventional Loan if:
• You have 20%+ down payment available
• Your student loans are paid off or minimal
• You've been earning attending-level income for 2+ years
• You qualify for excellent rates (credit 740+, low DTI)
• You're planning to stay in the home 15+ years
GETTING ACCESS TO PHYSICIAN LOAN PROGRAMS
Working With a Mortgage Broker:
The most efficient way to compare physician loans versus conventional mortgages is by working with a broker who has access to both.
Why This Matters:
- Compare physician loan programs from multiple lenders side-by-side
- Also compare against conventional mortgage options
- Get expert guidance on which option maximizes your financial benefit
- Access wholesale rates on both physician and conventional programs
Road to Home Solutions:
Works with LoanFactory's wholesale network, giving you access to:
- Multiple physician loan programs
- Conventional mortgage options
- FHA and other specialized programs
- Expert analysis of which option saves you the most money
California Medical Professionals:
Road to Home Solutions originates your loan directly, comparing all available options to find your best fit.
Out-of-State Medical Professionals:
Road to Home Solutions coordinates with licensed LoanFactory agents in your state for the same comprehensive comparison and service.
Want to see actual numbers comparing physician loans vs conventional for your scenario?
CONTACT ROAD TO HOME SOLUTIONS
Amy Parsons
Dual-Licensed Mortgage Loan Officer & Real Estate Broker
Phone: (800) 591-9489
Email: amy@roadtohomesolutions.com
Loan Officer: LoanFactory, NMLS #693001
Real Estate Broker: Lionheart Pride, CalDRE #01489819
Amy Parsons specializes in physician loans through LoanFactory's wholesale network, giving you access to multiple lender programs for comparison. California borrowers: Amy handles your loan directly from application to closing. Out-of-state borrowers: Amy works with licensed LoanFactory agents in your state to provide the same specialized service and program access nationwide.
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