# Physician Home Loans in Phoenix & Scottsdale: 0% Down Guide By Virginia Fargo (@virginiafargo) · Published 2026-09-23 Canonical: https://voce.com/@virginiafargo/phoenix-physician-home-loans-scottsdale-down-guide-exc9um --- **Yes. Eligible doctors and medical professionals buying a home in Phoenix or Scottsdale, Arizona may qualify for a physician mortgage with up to 100% financing, no monthly private mortgage insurance (PMI), and loan amounts up to $2 million.** Physician home loans are designed around financial situations that are common among medical professionals: high student loan balances, limited savings after medical school or residency, relocation for a new position, or having a signed employment contract but not yet receiving a paycheck. If you're a doctor or medical professional buying a home in **Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley or elsewhere in Maricopa County**, a physician mortgage may give you another option besides making a large conventional down payment. ## What Is a Physician Mortgage Loan? A physician mortgage, sometimes called a **doctor loan or medical professional mortgage**, is a home loan designed specifically for qualifying medical professionals. Eligible borrowers may receive benefits that aren't typically available with traditional mortgage financing, including: - Up to **100% financing** - Loan amounts up to **$2 million** - **No monthly PMI** - Minimum **680 FICO** - Ability to qualify with an eligible **future employment offer letter** - Certain **deferred student loans may be excluded from DTI** - Gift funds and eligible retirement assets may help satisfy reserve requirements _All financing is subject to complete underwriting approval and applicable program requirements._ ## Can Doctors Buy a Home With 0% Down in Phoenix or Scottsdale? **Yes, eligible medical professionals may qualify for up to 100% financing on a primary residence in Phoenix, Scottsdale and surrounding Arizona communities.** This can be especially valuable for doctors who have substantial income or future earning potential but don't want to drain their savings to make a large down payment. Remember that **0% down doesn't necessarily mean $0 due at closing**. Closing costs, prepaid taxes, homeowners insurance and other expenses may still be required unless they're covered through an allowable credit or other eligible source. _All financing is subject to complete underwriting approval and applicable program requirements._ ## What Would 100% Physician Financing Look Like on a $1 Million Scottsdale Home? 100%Financing available for homes up to $1MVirginia Fargo, Empire Home Loans If you are looking at a **$1,000,000 purchase price** in Scottsdale, a physician loan could allow for a **$0 down payment**, resulting in a $1,000,000 loan amount (100% LTV) with **no monthly PMI**. The borrower would still need to qualify based on credit, income, employment, assets, debt-to-income ratio and all applicable underwriting requirements. Closing costs and prepaid expenses may also be required. This is one reason physicians shouldn't automatically assume they need $100,000 or $200,000 saved for a down payment before looking at Scottsdale homes. ## Who Is Eligible for a Physician Home Loan? At least one borrower must hold an eligible medical degree. Eligible medical professionals can include: - **MD** — Doctor of Medicine - **DO** — Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine - **DDS** — Doctor of Dental Surgery - **DMD** — Doctor of Dental Medicine - **PharmD** — Doctor of Pharmacy - **VMD or DVM** — Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - **DPM** — Doctor of Podiatric Medicine - Certain **CRNAs with a DNP or DNAP** _Eligibility doesn't automatically mean loan approval. Your complete financial and employment profile must still satisfy underwriting requirements._ ## I'm Relocating to Work at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Can I Buy Before I Start My Job? **Potentially, yes.** An eligible physician may be able to qualify using a **fully executed employment offer letter before beginning the new position**. For eligible W-2 medical professionals, the employment start date may be as far as **150 days after the Note date**, subject to program requirements. For eligible 1099 or contract medical professionals, the permitted timeframe is generally shorter, with employment beginning within **60 days of the Note date**. This can be particularly useful for doctors relocating to the Valley for employment with organizations such as **Mayo Clinic, HonorHealth, Banner Health or other Phoenix-area medical providers**. Instead of waiting until you've started your new job and accumulated pay stubs, you may be able to explore homeownership before your employment begins. ## Can Medical School Student Loans Be Excluded From My DTI? **Qualifying deferred student loans may be excluded from the debt-to-income ratio under this physician mortgage program.** This is a significant distinction for some medical professionals. A doctor may have strong income and excellent long-term earning potential while simultaneously carrying a substantial medical-school loan balance. Under many mortgage programs, student loan obligations can affect the borrower's debt-to-income ratio and purchasing power. This physician mortgage provides different treatment for certain deferred student loans, subject to program requirements. ## What Credit Score Do I Need for a Physician Mortgage in Arizona? The minimum credit score for this physician mortgage program is **680 FICO**. The program also generally requires at least a **24-month credit history with a qualifying tradeline**. A 680 score doesn't guarantee approval. Credit history, income, employment, assets, debts, loan amount and property eligibility are all considered during underwriting. ## Can a Physician Mortgage Really Have No PMI With 0% Down? **Yes. Eligible borrowers can receive up to 100% financing without monthly private mortgage insurance.** This is one of the primary differences between this physician mortgage and many low-down-payment conventional mortgage options. Private mortgage insurance can add another expense to a monthly housing payment when a conventional borrower puts less than 20% down. With this physician mortgage, eligible borrowers don't have that monthly PMI expense—even with qualifying 100% financing. ## How Much Can a Physician Borrow? This physician mortgage provides financing up to **$2 million**, subject to loan-to-value limits and underwriting requirements. Maximum debt-to-income ratios depend upon the financing structure. For financing between **90.01% and 95% LTV**, the maximum DTI may be as high as **50%**. For financing above **95% LTV**, maximum DTI is generally **45%**. Certain ARM and 15-year fixed-rate transactions also have a 45% maximum DTI. Rather than trying to calculate your qualification from a DTI percentage alone, I recommend having your complete financial profile reviewed. ## Do I Need Cash Reserves? It depends on the loan amount and LTV. For financing at **95% LTV or below**, loans up to $1.5 million may require **no reserves**, while loans above $1.5 million through $2 million may require **3 months of reserves**. For financing **above 95% LTV**, loans up to $1.5 million generally require **3 months of reserves**, while loans above $1.5 million through $2 million generally require **6 months of reserves**. Gift funds and 100% of eligible retirement accounts may be considered toward reserve requirements, subject to program guidelines. ## What Types of Homes Can Doctors Purchase? Eligible properties can include: - One-unit single-family residences - Warrantable condominiums - Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) - Modular homes - Eligible properties with up to 40 acres The property must satisfy applicable program and underwriting requirements. ## Can I Use a Physician Loan to Buy a Scottsdale Condo? **Potentially, yes. Warrantable condominiums are eligible under this physician mortgage program.** The individual borrower must qualify, and the condominium itself must meet applicable eligibility requirements. If you're considering a Scottsdale or Phoenix condo, I recommend reviewing the condominium project early in the process rather than waiting until you're deep into escrow. ## Are Physician Loans Only for First-Time Homebuyers? **No. You don't have to be a first-time homebuyer to use a physician mortgage.** Both newer and established eligible medical professionals may qualify. The better question is whether a physician mortgage provides an advantage for your particular financial situation compared with conventional or other available financing. ## Is a Physician Mortgage Better Than a Conventional Loan? Neither option is automatically better. A physician mortgage may be particularly attractive when you want to preserve cash, have qualifying deferred student loans, are beginning a new medical position, or want to avoid monthly PMI with a small or zero down payment. Conventional financing may be more attractive in other situations. I believe physicians should **compare both options** rather than assuming that a physician mortgage is automatically the best loan simply because they're a doctor. The right comparison should consider the interest rate, APR, down payment, closing costs, monthly payment, mortgage insurance, cash remaining after closing and long-term financial objectives. ## When Should I Get Pre-Approved? **Before you begin seriously touring homes.** This is especially important if you're relocating to **Scottsdale or Phoenix** and will be using a future employment contract to qualify. Getting your financing reviewed early can help establish: - Whether your medical degree is eligible - Whether your employment offer meets program requirements - How your student loans will be treated - Your potential maximum purchase price - How much cash you may need at closing - Whether 100%, 95% or another financing structure makes sense - Which properties fit the loan requirements It also gives your Arizona real estate agent a clearer price range when beginning the home search. #### Let's Review Your Options Before You Decide on a Down Payment Send over your profession, target price, credit score, and start date — or just book a no-pressure call to talk it through. [Book My Free Call](/@virginiafargo)