Physician Mortgage Lenders in

California

Physician Mortgages in California: A Doctor's Research Guide

California is where a physician mortgage can matter most. With median home prices among the highest in the country, a conventional 20% down payment can mean $300,000 or more on a single home — cash most early-career doctors don't have liquid. Physician programs are built to solve exactly this: high financing with little or no money down, no PMI, and underwriting that understands student debt and a late start to saving.

Dr. Home Finance is not a lender. We're a research and matching service that connects doctors and medical professionals with banks that have built mortgage programs specifically for physicians. The rates, limits, and terms below come from those lenders — not from us — and are subject to each lender's approval.

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What makes a physician mortgage different

Physician programs (“doctor loans”) are designed around the financial shape of a medical career. Compared with a conventional loan, the banks in our network commonly offer:

• Low or no down payment, with some lenders financing up to 100% (varies by lender and degree)

• No private mortgage insurance (PMI), even with less than 20% down

• Student‑loan‑friendly underwriting, often using income‑based payments rather than the full balance

• Qualifying on a signed employment contract, before your first paycheck

Exact figures differ by lender — compare the banks that serve California.

What's different about buying in California

• Jumbo is the norm, not the exception. In much of the state, physician buyers need loan amounts above conforming limits. Many physician programs extend into jumbo financing — ask each lender about its high-balance limits.

• The down-payment savings are largest here. Avoiding 20% down on a $1M–$2M home frees up six figures of cash — the single biggest reason California doctors use these programs.

• High state income tax. Unlike Texas or Florida, California's income tax reduces take-home pay, so budgeting the total monthly payment matters — use a mortgage calculator.

• Property taxes under Prop 13. Your tax is based largely on the purchase price, so a higher-priced home means a higher tax bill even at a modest rate.

• Major medical employers. Doctors at UCSF, Stanford Health Care, UCLA Health, Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, UC San Diego Health, Scripps, and Sutter are exactly who these programs serve — across the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, and Sacramento.

Who qualifies in California

Most physician programs are open to MD, DO, DDS/DMD, and DPM — and some extend to DVM and other advanced degrees — at the resident, fellow, and attending stages. Eligibility and terms vary by lender. Learn how physician loans work and which degrees qualify.

How Dr. Home Finance helps California doctors

We give you the research to understand your options and match you with a banker whose physician program fits your situation — at no cost and no obligation. You can also contact a banker directly. We never lend and never steer you to a specific rate; we help you compare and connect. Start your match →

California physician mortgage FAQ

Do doctors get better mortgage rates in California?
Not automatically. The advantage is usually in the terms — no PMI, low or no down payment, and student‑debt‑friendly underwriting — plus access to jumbo financing. Rates vary by lender and profile, which is why comparing matters.

How do physician mortgage loans work?
A bank with a physician program lets eligible doctors finance a home with little or no money down and without PMI, often qualifying you on a signed contract and income‑based student‑loan payments — including on the higher (jumbo) loan amounts common in California.

Are physician loans 0% down in California?
Some lenders offer up to 100% financing for eligible physicians; others ask for a small down payment, especially on jumbo loans. It depends on the lender, your degree, and the loan amount.

Who qualifies for a physician mortgage in California?
Generally MD, DO, DDS/DMD, and DPM physicians — residents, fellows, and attendings — with some lenders including additional degrees. Each lender sets its own rules.

Can California residents and fellows buy before they start work?
Often, yes — many programs let you close using a signed employment contract shortly before your start date. Common for doctors relocating to California for residency or a new position.

Compare California physician‑mortgage lenders and get matched →

Reviewed by Jessica Hegge, Partner at Dr. Home Finance. Dr. Home Finance is a research and matching service, not a lender or broker; all loan terms are provided by third‑party lenders and subject to their approval. Equal Housing Opportunity.