7 Best Physician Mortgage Loans in New Jersey

Known to most as “The Garden State,” New Jersey rests at the heart of the Eastern Seabord and is home to Atlantic City as well as a number of professional sports teams. It shares a border with Pennsylvania, New York, the Atlantic Ocean, and Delaware Bay, making it a great location for professionals, including some 27,000 working doctors. 

For many, including professionals such as doctors, owning a home in New Jersey may seem out of reach. Data from the New Jersey Realtors shows the average sales price for single-family homes is $490,000.

If you are a doctor or a dentist thinking about investing in a home in the state, the New Jersey physician mortgage loan program may help you do so affordably. The loan allows qualified professionals to potentially buy a home without a large down payment. Sometimes, that down payment is even eliminated.

What to consider with physician mortgage loans in New Jersey

When making any major financial decision, you always want to consider each and every point involved. Doctor loans bring with them a wide range of benefits, not the least of which are:

• High loan limits and no PMI
• Little to no money down required, in most scenarios
• Favorable consideration of student debt

Doctors may also like the fact that they can sometimes get approval off of a contract or offer letter alone, allowing them to buy as many as 90 days before they actually start a job. 

This, however, does come with a few complexities. For example, taking on a doctor mortgage may also mean taking on a higher interest rate. You will also want to confirm with your lender whether or not they will need you to open an account with their bank; they sometimes require this, since they want to establish a long-term relationship with you. 

Reviewing all mortgage lenders as a new medical school graduate or recent finisher of a residency program can help healthcare professionals find the right fit for your needs. Each lender might have different closing costs, monthly payments, credit score requirements, and rules about refinancing, so it pays to do your research. If you can find a good fit however, this can make the home buying process easier with a reasonable mortgage payment to help you secure that perfect place you spotted on the NMLS. You might work with a regional or a national bank, but looking over all the options helps you decide if a doctor home loan is right for you.

7 Top New Jersey physician home loan lenders

Some lenders only offer physician mortgage loans to attending physicians, while other programs can lend to those still in residency or fellowship.

Citizens Bank

Citizens Bank is one of the largest banks in the United States. I bet you didn’t know that it’s headquartered in the smallest state: Rhode Island. With over $160 billion in assets, it’s no surprise that Citizens offers a full range of financial products, including a physician loan.

We contacted a loan officer at Citizens Bank to learn more about their doctor mortgage loan program specifically. Here are details you won’t find anywhere else:

• 5% down up to $850,000
• 10% down up to $1,000,000
• Practicing licensed medical doctors (MD and DO), dentists (DDS and DMD), residents and research physicians are eligible
• Licensed residents, fellows and interns can borrow a maximum of $600,00 (or $400,000 if unlicensed)
• No more than 10 years out of residency
• Self-employed professionals are eligible with a two-year history of self-employment income
• New medical professional graduates who are under contract for residency within 60 days of closing and have not yet obtained a license are eligible
• No private mortgage insurance
• 40% max debt-to-income ratio
• Student loan debt that’s deferred for more than 12 months from the date of closing can be excluded from DTI calculations
• Construction-to-permanent loans available with a maximum of 89% financing
• Fixed rate or adjustable-rate mortgage options
• Interest-only option on certain adjustable-rate mortgage options (max financing at 89%)

When you’re ready to connect with a loan officer experienced in doctor mortgages, use our form to quickly match with eligible loan programs based on your specific circumstances.

Fulton Bank

Fulton Bank  is a subsidiary of Fulton Bank, a financial institution that traces its roots back to 1882. The bank and mortgage company offer a full suite of financial products, including an attractive physician loan program.

We contacted Fulton Bank to get more details about the doctor mortgage specifically and we think you’re going to like a lot of the terms. Here are the important details:

• 0% down up to $1,000,000
• 5% down up to $1,500,000
• 10% down up to $2,000,000
• 30 and 15 year fixed rate options as well as adjustable rate options (5/1, 7/1, 10/1, and 15/1)
• No mortgage insurance
• Up to 6% seller paid closing costs and prepaids are allowed
• Gift funds from immediately family members allowed
• Student loans deferred for 12 months or longer are not included in the credit approval process
• You can close on a house up to 90 days prior to start of new employment with an employment contract
• Physicians, Pharmacists, Dentists and Veterinarians are eligible for the program

When you’re ready to connect with a loan officer experienced in doctor mortgages, use our form to quickly match with eligible loan programs based on your specific circumstances.

Huntington Bank

Huntington Bank is the 26th largest bank in the United States. Operating primarily out of the Midwest, their mortgage group can service a large part of the country. Huntington has a competitive physician loan product with no money down financing options.

We contacted a loan officer at Huntington Bank to gather information about the doctor mortgage and here’s what we heard back:

• 0% down payment up to $1 million
• 5% down payment up to $1.25 million
• 10% down payment up to $2 million
• Maximum financing up to $2 million
• Eligible degrees are: MD, DO, DDS, DVM or DMD
• Residents are eligible
• Minimum credit score is 700
• 2 months reserves required (6 months for jumbo loans) – reserves can be held in bank or investment accounts
• Gift funds for down payment are OK
• 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages
• ARMs available in 7/6, 10/6 or 15/6 terms
• Can close on the strength of a new employment contract without paystubs
• No private mortgage insurance
• No prepayment penalty

When you’re ready to connect with a loan officer experienced in doctor mortgages, use our form to quickly match with eligible loan programs based on your specific circumstances.

Will a New Jersey physician mortgage loan work for me?

At this point, you may be asking if a New Jersey physician mortgage loan will work for you. Chances are it will if you answer yes to the following questions:

• Are you satisfied with your current job and do you plan to stay in this job?
• Are you satisfied with the part of Jersey you live in?
• Are you happy to pay a higher rate to receive the doctor-friendly benefits of a physician loan?

Entering into a financial arrangement like this is all about making sure it works in the long term. If you said ‘yes’ to the above, consider a physician mortgage— it can make buying a home much easier for high-earning professionals like you. 

Examples of doctors who take out physician loans in New Jersey

The following are some examples of the doctors in New Jersey who are taking advantage of physician loans:

Doctor whose student debt is affecting the DTI ratio

Mandy is in the middle of her residency at a Jersey City clinic. Her income is decent, but her pile of student debt is seriously affecting her DTI ratio. She is a long ways away from getting into the ‘looking good’ category under 35 percent. She’s found an unbelievable opportunity on a local home that will help her get out of the outrageous rent she is now paying. Fortunately, a local lender is offering physician loans that give special consideration to student debt. She’s been pre-approved and is ready to make an offer on the home. 

Doctor who wants to maximize leverage in a competitive housing market

Buying a house in New Jersey that will work for his family means Jamal has to spend a bit more. As an orthopedist, his income will support that, and he’s more than willing to make the commitment, but conventional loan limits are holding him back. A physician loan with limits that far exceed conventional mortgage limits gives him more leverage in the marketplace, allowing him to make offers that are a better fit for his family. 

Looking for a physician loan in a different state?

If you’re looking to explore the best physician loans in other states, click on your state below.