For physicians who are looking to buy a home in Alabama, the process can be particularly challenging due to their unique financial circumstances.
According to Zillow, the median home value in Alabama is approximately $223,246 as of July 2023.
With extensive education and student loan debt, many doctors face financial hurdles that can make it difficult to secure a traditional mortgage. This is where physician mortgage loans come in. Physician mortgages allow doctors favorable terms and little to no money down.
How Do Alabama Physician Mortgages Work?
Physician loans, also referred to as doctor mortgages, are tailor-made for medical professionals, acknowledging their unique financial circumstances. These specialized loans offer advantageous terms like minimal or zero down payments, exemption from private mortgage insurance, and flexible debt-to-income ratios. What sets these loans apart is their consideration of a doctor's potential future income as a decisive factor for eligibility, rather than solely relying on their current income and debt situation. This approach recognizes that medical practitioners often possess significant earning potential but may currently grapple with substantial student loan debt, impacting their financial standing.
By factoring in these elements, physician loans aim to render homeownership more attainable for doctors who might otherwise struggle to qualify for conventional mortgages. For physicians looking to buy a home in Alabama, these loans present an opportunity to turn their dreams of homeownership into a reality.
Best Doctor Mortgage Loans in Alabama
Buying a home can be a daunting task, especially for physicians who have just completed their residency and are burdened with student loan debt. Physician mortgage loans have emerged as a popular option for medical professionals who are looking to purchase a home.
Doctor mortgages offer favorable terms, such as low or no down payments, no private mortgage insurance, and flexible debt-to-income ratios, making homeownership more accessible to physicians in Alabama.
Here are the best physician mortgage loans available to medical professionals in Alabama.
BCU *
Terms:
Variety of portfolio products available.
Student loans may be excluded from your debt ratio.
Up to 100% financing – no mortgage insurance required.
Home equity, bridge loans, and construction loans also available.
Disclaimer:
Federally insured by NCUA. We Do Business in Accordance with the Federal Fair
Housing Law and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act
Hancock Whitney Bank *
At Hancock Whitney, we are a very highly trusted financial institution serving the Gulf Coast for over a century, and we are committed to helping medical professionals achieve homeownership with exclusive mortgage solutions designed to meet your unique needs. Exclusive discounted rates with a banking relationship can be offered as part of our physician loan. We do also offer other creative financial solutions, and we do have other very attractive loan programs with some of the most aggressive pricing in the south. Whether you are beginning your medical career or are an established professional, our specialized mortgage solutions provide a seamless, stress-free path to homeownership. Experience the difference of working with a bank that understands and supports physicians.
Terms:
100% financing up to $1 million—no down payment required
No Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)—keep your costs lower
Available to Medical Doctors (MD, DO, DPM, OMS)
Flexible loan options: 15-year fixed rate or 5-, 7-, and 10-year adjustable-rate mortgages on 30 year terms
Available for primary residences
Minimum credit score of 680
No first-time homebuyer requirement
Close up to six months before employment begins—perfect for residency transitions
Deferred student loans (at least 12 months) excluded from debt calculation
Additional rate discounts if you open up a banking relationship with Hancock Whitney Bank
Eligible Professions:
MD, DO, Resident, Fellows, DPM, OMS
Strengths:
Minimum credit score of 680
No First Time Homebuyer requirement
1099 income-based contracts can be used as a form of income for the program
Close up to 6 months before you begin employment
Student loans deferred at least 12 months will not be included in your debt calculation
Aggressively priced loans with additional banking relationships
Our home loan for Medical Professionals or Physicians was designed to help those in the medical profession achieve their dreams of homeownership. At Novus Home Mortgage, we are committed to finding the right mortgage for our customers, including those who are committed to save lives. We understand your unique needs. You might have accumulated debt to become a healthcare professional, but we are here to help you! Our offering will help you buy a home early in your career, and sometimes even before you start your new job!
We are a nationwide portfolio and correspondent lender with in-house underwriting providing quicker closings.
We offer services for:
Purchase
Refinance
Construction
For:
Primary residence
Second Home/Vacation Home
Investment (LTR)
Short Term Rental (STR)
Multi-family and Mixed-use properties up to 8 units
Other products offered:
Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac – Conventional, and High Balance
Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)
VA – No Loan Limit, No DTI Limit
Jumbo – as low as 10% down
FHA
USDA
ITIN – as low as 10.01% down
Construction loans – Conventional & FHA (min 5% down), VA (min 0% down), Jumbo (min 20% down)
DPA for qualified borrowers
Non-QM – DSCR (LTR & STR), Business and Personal Bank Statement, 1099, Asset Depletion, etc
It’s attention to the “details” that sets apart the finest Loan Officers. Please reach out 24×7. My team and I are here to understand your mortgage and financial needs and find the best financing solution for you.
0% down up to $1 MM loan amount
5% down up to $1.75 MM loan amount
10.01% down up to $2.5 MM loan amount
Min 720 FICO to qualify for above min down payment
Can go as low as 680 FICO – with higher down payment
Owner occupied Primary Residence
1-2 unit residential property – Single Family, Townhome, PUD, Condo, Duplex
Non-Warrantable Condos are covered – min 10.01% down
Modular Homes
Rental income can be used to meet DTI requirement
50% Max DTI
No MI
No Prepayment Penalty
Eligible Professions:
MD, DO, DDS, DMD, Resident, Fellows, DVM, DPM
Strengths:
We say YES!
Yes to 1099 income without 2 yr history (conditions apply)
Yes to using future income to qualify – don’t have to wait to be within 90 days of start of new job (additional reserve requirements will apply)
Yes to all covered professionals – No limit on the number of years out of residency/fellowship
Yes to US residents including work Visa holders – Permanent Residents Aliens, H-1B, J-1, TN NAFTA and others
Yes to acreage (normal for the area)
Yes to you owning multiple properties (additional reserve requirements will apply)
Yes to significant other and/or family to be co-borrower/co-signer to help you qualify, even if they will not occupy the property
Yes to gift funds from family members
Yes to DPA funds if you qualify (hint hint residents!!!)
Yes to Bridge loan if you have equity in the current house and need to access it to purchase new home
Yes to a Construction loan to build your dream home
Subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions may apply. VA is subject to VA eligibility requirement. Property insurance is required for all loans secured by property.
Novus Home Mortgage is a division of Ixonia Bank, NMLS #423065 | All Rights Reserved | novushomemortgage.com
Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender
Genisys Credit Union *
Genisys Credit Union Offers a Custom Tailored Physician Mortgages with loan amounts up to $5,000,000. Common sense approach based on demonstrating (ATR) ability to repay. We offer the lowest rates with highest LTV in the industry to qualified Physicians. We are full service financial institution offering all services from deposit to car loan. Our Specialty is high end Mortgages.
Terms:
0% down to $1,500,000, 10% down to $2,000,000, 15% Down to $2,500,000, 20% to $4,000,000+ No Adjustments for Condos or New Construction Loans
5/6 ARM
7/6 ARM
10/6 ARM
10 Year Fixed
15 Year Fixed
20 Year Fixed
30 Year Fixed
Common sense approach to underwriting.
Ability to offer bridge financing when trying to sell a current home and buying a new one.
Genisys Credit Union offers Physician Construction Loans under the same terms as purchase.
No reserves required on most products.
GREAT RATES
Federally insured by NCUA We Do Business in Accordance With the Federal Fair Housing Law and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act
Alliant Credit Union ∅
Alliant Credit Union has created an industry leading Medical Professional Loan Program available in all states except Maryland.
Terms:
No PMI. Closing available 90 days before employment starts. Minimum FICO score of 700 to qualify. Maximum debt to income ratio 45%. Medical Professionals may borrow 100% up to $1,250,000, 95% financing up to $1,500,000, and 90% financing up to $2,000,000. Most lenders require that you have completed training within the last 10 years, Alliant Credit Union has no such limit.
Student Loan Debt omitted in qualifying ratios if deferred at least 12 months
Ability to use income based repayment schedule if not deferred for 12 months
No limit on time elapsed since the completion of training
Financing available for single family, condos, and two family owner occupied residences
Warrantable and non-warrantable condos allowed
Available to US Citizens, Permanent Resident Aliens, Non Permanent Resident Aliens, and Foreign Nationals
For other professionals we have Our First Time Homebuyers program with up to 100% financing available with no PMI.
Second Home Financing available up to 90% financing.
Construction Financing available up to 90% financing (AZ, CO, IL, IN, MI, NC, SC, and WI)
Please contact the Mortgage Loan Officer listed above covering the state in which you are purchasing.
Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change. The 5/6, 7/6 and 10/6 ARMs offer a fixed rate for the initial period of the loan and adjust to a 6 month ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust bi-annually based on the 30 day average Secured Overnight Funding Rate (SOFR), plus a margin of 2.75 percentage points with a 5% life time cap.
Rates can vary based on risk factors which include but are not limited to LTV, credit score, and debt to income ratio.
Mortgages available in all states except Maryland. Loan approval, interest rate, and downpayment required based on creditworthiness, amount financed, and ability to repay. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change and are subject to credit and collateral approval.
Rates can vary based on risk factors which include but are not limited to LTV, credit score, and debt to income ratio.
Liberty Federal Credit Union ∀
Liberty Federal Credit Union is a member-owned financial institution focused on returning value through innovative products and services. Liberty has been recognized on a state level by Forbes as one of Indiana’s best financial institutions. In recent years, the credit union has also received acclaim on a national level, including being named the nation’s Best Credit Union for Checking by Investopedia in 2021 and appearing on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Banks in 2022.
Liberty Federal Credit Union excels in providing value through better loan options for borrowers. For instance, the credit union offers an uncommonly wide variety of mortgage options to ensure the best fit for its members. According to the American Credit Union Mortgage Association, Liberty FCU was the Midwest’s top credit union in 2021 total first mortgage originations.
Terms:
Program features:
No Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
100% financing up to $970,800 loan amounts
95% financing for $970,801 to $1,500,000 loan amounts
90% financing for $1,500,001 to $2,000,000 loan amounts
Purchases and rate/term refinances are eligible
Low credit score requirement of 680, plus free in-house credit repair
We are committed to offering your lowest rate. If you find a lower rate, we’ll match it.1
Receive a gift card worth up to $500 on closing! 2 Plus, pair your mortgage with your Liberty FCU checking account and debit card to receive a 1/8% APR interest rate discount. 3
Whether you just began your residency or you are an established physician, Liberty FCU is dedicated to helping you secure the home of your dreams.
This program is available to residents, fellows, new, and established physicians alike. 4 We will gladly work with you and your busy schedule. Pre-qualification can be done easily online or through email.
Loans are subject to credit review and approval. Closing costs may apply. Liberty FCU mortgage lending product availability may vary based on property location. A sample principal and interest payment on a (7)-year $500,000 adjustable-rate loan amount with a 3.500% interest rate (3.575% APR) is $6,719.93. Taxes and insurance are not included; therefore, the actual payment obligation will be greater. Actual interest rate may vary based on credit history. Additional rates and programs available. Visit us online for current rate information. Contact a Liberty FCU mortgage loan officer for more details.
1 Rate Match Guarantee available for new purchases and refinanced first mortgage loans of primary residences with conventional conforming financing. Certain product exclusions may apply. Loan Estimate from competing lender must be dated and received within three calendar days prior to locking your interest rate at Liberty FCU. The terms of the competing loan must be identical to Liberty FCU’s loan. If the loan does not close within the commitment period, the rate match may be voided. This offer is subject to credit approval and may change or terminate without notice. Offer is not applicable to government loans, including FHA, USDA, and VA financing. Not valid in combination with 1/8% rate discount. Product offerings may vary by state or region.
2 Gift card offer is available on financing of purchase or construction loans for primary residences only. Purchase or construction loan amounts up to $149,999 will receive a $250 gift card. Purchase or construction loan amounts of $150,000 or greater will receive a $500 gift card. Not valid in combination with any other offer.
3 Discount available on conventional conforming financing of purchases for primary residences only. Offer available for new primary mortgage loans and mortgage loans already established at Liberty FCU when refinanced with at least $10,000 new money. Closing costs may apply. Liberty FCU verifies the past checking history of applicants with ChexSystems, a national consumer reporting network. Information obtained from the report could result in checking account denial. Certain product exclusions may apply.
4 Available to residents, fellowship, newly established, or established physicians with MD, DO, DDS, DMD, OD, or DP credentials. Rates listed are specific to the Physician Loan mortgage program. Standard mortgage rates may vary.
Currently we offer several physician programs. Our most popular product will allow the following:
100% financing up to a $1.5 million loan amount
No PMI
No restrictions for time out of residency
Very low reserve requirements
Minimum credit score of 680
Can close up to 6 months prior to employment start date
Eligible Professions:
MD, DO, DPM, OMS
Strengths:
Clearly a strength is our product is more flexible than most of our peers. We have been able to help several physicians who were turned down elsewhere for the product recently. Allowing physicians to be greater than 10 yrs out of residency and still qualify has been helpful to many. The opportunity to provide 100% financing up to $1.5 million, and 95% financing up to $2 million, and 90% financing up to $2.5 million has been strong compared to competitors. Condos are allowable under the product.
Choosing a Conventional vs Doctor Mortgage When Buying a Home in Alabama
If you've decided to buy a home, and you are committed to living in Alabama for more than five years, you should give serious consideration to putting 20% down and getting a conventional mortgage. The improved monthly cash flow will allow you a great deal of financial freedom and the ability to invest (and even spend). You'll save hundreds of thousands on interest over the life of the loan, all guaranteed, unlike investing a potential down payment elsewhere.
If you're going to buy a home in Alabama AND you can't or don't want to put 20% down, then a doctor mortgage loan is a reasonable option and at least as good as the other non-20%-down options.
When comparing conventional vs. doctor mortgages, physician loans do have lots of advantages, but those primarily revolve around easier underwriting requirements. A doctor mortgage can help you qualify for a loan you otherwise couldn't get.
Conventional mortgages are more difficult to qualify for, but there’s a reason for that. If you can qualify for a conventional mortgage, especially if you can make a sufficient down payment to avoid paying PMI, you’ll usually get a lower interest rate and fees. That means a lower monthly payment and a lower overall cost for your loan.
Moving from Alabama and Need a Doctor Mortgage in a Different State?
