Medical professionals often face a frustrating contradiction: high earning potential, but heavy student loan debt, a short work history, and little saved for a down payment. The UWM Doctor Loan program was built for that exact situation. If you are a physician, dentist, nurse, physician assistant or another eligible healthcare worker buying in New Hampshire, Massachusetts & Maine, this program is worth understanding before you choose a loan from the loan programs I offer.
What the UWM Doctor Loan offers
The UWM Doctor Loan is a specialized mortgage for eligible medical and healthcare professionals. It is offered through UWM's wholesale broker partners, which means you work with a local mortgage broker, like me, who submits the loan to UWM on your behalf. The program is built around the financial reality of early and mid-career medical professionals: high future income, significant student debt, and sometimes limited liquid savings.
- Low or no down payment options, which can preserve cash for relocation, board exams, practice startup or family needs.
- No monthly mortgage insurance, even when the down payment is below 20%.
- Flexible treatment of student loan debt, so large medical school loans do not automatically disqualify you or force you into a much smaller approval amount.
- Expanded eligibility beyond physicians and dentists to include nurses, physician assistants and other qualifying healthcare roles.
Who qualifies for UWM's medical professional loan
Exact eligibility can change as UWM updates its guidelines, so the safest approach is to confirm your specific title and employment status against the current program criteria. The general requirements include:
- At least one qualifying borrower must hold an eligible professional designation.
- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
- Doctor of Dental Science or Surgery (DDS)
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
- Doctor of Ophthalmology (MD or DO)
- Doctor of Psychiatry (MD or DO)
- Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD)
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA with DNAP or DNP)
- Medical residents, fellows or interns with one of the above degrees (for example, MD Resident, DO Fellow, etc.)
- 680+ FICO credit score requirement.
- Minimum LTV 90.01 to maximum 100%, meaning the program is designed for borrowers who need to finance most or all of the purchase price.
- No mortgage insurance required, even at the maximum LTV.
- Up to 50% DTI on qualifying fixed-rate loans.
- Max DTI 45% on ARMs, 15-year term, or if the LTV is greater than 95%.
- Primary residence only.
- Loan amounts to $2M.
- Non-occupant co-borrower income limit: non-occupant co-borrowers contributing income must provide less than or equal to 50% of the total qualifying income.
New graduates with a signed employment contract can often qualify before their first paycheck, which is a major advantage over standard programs that require a longer income history.
How it compares to other financing
The table below shows how the UWM Doctor Loan stacks up against conventional, FHA and VA options on the features that matter most to medical professionals.
| Feature | UWM Doctor Loan | Conventional | FHA | VA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Down payment | Low or $0 for eligible borrowers | As low as 3% | 3.5% minimum | $0 for eligible veterans |
| Monthly mortgage insurance | None | Required below 20% down | Required, often for life of loan | None |
| Student loan treatment | Flexible | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Who it serves | Eligible medical and healthcare professionals | Most buyers | Most buyers | Eligible veterans |
The biggest differentiator is how student loans are treated. On a conventional or FHA file, deferred or income-driven student loan payments may still be counted against you in a way that reduces your buying power. The Doctor Loan program uses a more flexible approach, which can make the difference between a denied file and an approved one. For eligible veterans, VA loans remain a strong alternative with zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance. For everyone else, the Doctor Loan removes the PMI burden and can allow a smaller down payment than conventional or FHA financing.
Buying in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine
Each state has quirks that matter when you structure a medical professional loan. In New Hampshire, property taxes vary widely by town, and because taxes are escrowed into the payment, a high-tax community can reduce the price you qualify for even with strong income. If you are unsure how much home you can afford, start with how much house you can afford in NH, MA and ME. In Massachusetts, higher purchase prices, especially closer to Boston, make the no mortgage insurance feature especially valuable. In Maine, rural properties and well or septic systems are common, so the property type and appraisal need extra attention.
If you are relocating for a residency, fellowship or new practice, getting pre-approved early helps you shop with confidence. Our areas we serve page lists the communities I work in most across all three states.
Is a jumbo amount needed
In higher priced Massachusetts markets, the loan amount can exceed conforming limits, which means a jumbo structure may be required. UWM offers expanded Doctor Loan options with additional guidelines and pricing flexibility for these situations. If you are buying in a high-cost county, tell your loan officer early so the correct product and pricing are used from the start.
When the UWM Doctor Loan makes sense
- You have strong expected earnings but limited cash for a 10% to 20% down payment.
- Your monthly budget is tight because of student loan payments, and avoiding mortgage insurance helps you qualify for more home.
- You are moving for a new position and want to buy before you have two years of pay history at the new employer.
- You want to compare a no-PMI medical professional loan against conventional, FHA and VA options side by side.
What to watch out for
Like any specialized program, the UWM Doctor Loan has specific eligibility and documentation requirements. Employment contracts, state licenses and role verification may be requested. Rates and terms vary by credit score, loan amount, down payment and market conditions, so a quote should be based on your actual file rather than a headline rate.
Also remember that removing mortgage insurance does not remove the need for homeowners insurance, property taxes or HOA dues. Use the mortgage calculator to estimate the full payment, then compare it to your comfort level, not just the maximum you can be approved for. If you are a first-time buyer, ask whether the Doctor Loan can be paired with state or local down payment assistance.
If you are a medical professional buying in NH, MA & ME, I can run the UWM Doctor Loan numbers against conventional, FHA and VA options so you see the real monthly and cash-to-close difference. Reach out or call 603-212-7944 and I will put together a comparison for your situation.