Lender Reviews
Best Physician Mortgage in Louisiana
Dr. Home Finance
TLDR
Louisiana offers fewer physician mortgage options than many states, making program strength and lender experience especially important for doctors navigating home purchases.
Physician mortgage loans through First Horizon provide flexibility with high loan-to-value options, no PMI, condo eligibility, and the ability to close before starting employment.
Working with experienced physician mortgage lenders ensures contract details—especially RVU-based income—are reviewed early, helping prevent delays and underwriting issues.
A portfolio-based approach allows for strategic structuring around loan size, timing, and liquidity, giving physicians more control in a market with limited options.
Connect with a physician mortgage specialist at First Horizon Bank to get started
Why Stuart Clamp at First Horizon Has Been a Long-Standing Option for Doctors
Louisiana has never been an overcrowded state for physician mortgage programs.
In many larger states, doctors can shop between multiple banks advertising physician loans. In Louisiana, the options have historically been more limited — especially for physicians needing flexibility around RVU contracts, higher loan amounts, or buying before starting employment.
When choices are thinner, program strength matters.
At DHF, we value lending professionals who have consistently supported physicians in states where not every bank offers a true doctor-focused solution. Stuart Clamp at First Horizon has been one of those steady options in Louisiana for years.
A Program That Has Quietly Stood Out
First Horizon currently offers several physician mortgage options, but the most popular program includes:
100% financing up to $1.5 million | No PMI |
95% financing up to $2 million | 90% financing up to $2.5 million |
Minimum credit score of 680 | Very low reserve requirements |
No restrictions on time out of residency | Condos allowed |
Can close up to 6 months before start date | Eligible: MD, DO, DPM, OMS |
In Louisiana, that level of flexibility has made a difference.
Many programs in the state cap out lower, require heavier reserves, or restrict physicians based on how long they’ve been out of training. First Horizon’s structure has allowed physicians more than 10 years removed from residency to still qualify — something that has helped doctors who were turned down elsewhere.
That flexibility is a meaningful advantage in a state with fewer competing physician programs.
Why Contract Structure Matters in Louisiana
Louisiana hospital systems frequently lean on productivity-based compensation models.
Stuart addresses this directly:
“Some potential employers will present an RVU-driven contract with no guaranteed salary or hours. This is too hard for a bank to determine what your monthly income would be. Getting a contract that clearly confirms what your minimum income would be before earn-through is key.”
Because productivity-heavy contracts are common in Louisiana, early contract review is critical.
Rather than issuing surface-level pre-approvals, Stuart reviews employment agreements upfront. That diligence has helped many physicians avoid mid-process disruptions.
Strength Where Others Have Fallen Short
One of the reasons this program has stood out in Louisiana is its flexibility.
Stuart notes that First Horizon has recently helped several physicians who were declined elsewhere — often due to stricter residency timelines or higher loan amount limitations.
The ability to offer:
100% financing up to $1.5 million
Higher loan ceilings at 95% and 90% tiers
Condo eligibility
Minimal reserve requirements
No PMI
has positioned the program strongly compared to many competitors operating in Louisiana.
In markets like New Orleans and Baton Rouge — where pricing can vary widely — that higher loan ceiling becomes especially relevant.
Portfolio Lending in a Limited Market
First Horizon operates with portfolio lending. Loans are held internally rather than immediately sold into the secondary market.
That allows flexibility in structuring physician files — particularly when navigating:
Future-dated employment contracts
Larger loan amounts
High loan-to-value scenarios
Relationship banking opportunities
But portfolio flexibility only works when paired with experience.
Stuart brings more than 20 years of physician-focused lending to that framework. He understands Louisiana compensation structures and how to align underwriting with them.
That pairing of program strength and experience is something DHF values.
Guardrails Still Matter
Even with strong financing options available, discipline remains key.
Stuart emphasizes sustainability:
“When purchasing your first home, it is important to keep your housing expense no more than 30% of your combined household gross income. This allows flexibility in your budget as your career and family grow.”
Louisiana’s housing costs can fluctuate due to insurance and parish-level tax structures. Maintaining flexibility in your budget protects against surprises.
Why This Program Continues to Matter in Louisiana
In a state where physician mortgage programs are not abundant, long-standing consistency becomes meaningful.
The combination of:
High loan-to-value flexibility
Competitive jumbo tiers
Condo eligibility
Minimal reserve requirements
No PMI
Six-month pre-start closings
has made First Horizon’s physician mortgage one of the stronger options available in Louisiana for years.
For physicians relocating to New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Shreveport, or coastal communities, having access to a flexible portfolio program with experienced oversight can simplify a complex transition.
And in Louisiana — where alternatives are fewer — that matters.
