7 Best Physician Mortgage Loans in South Carolina


Physician mortgage loans in South Carolina are available to medical doctors, dentists and other professionals depending on the specific loan program of the lender.

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Mary Kate Raffetto

I’m an associate at a firm in Houston and used JD Mortgage thanks to your advice! The experience was great—they were super fast and responsive.” —Mary Kate Raffetto Beck Redden LLP

Clint Cowan

For a JD Mortgage, I had good luck with IBERIABank. [They] made this process very smooth.” —Clint Cowan Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann

Key Terms

  • A South Carolina physician mortgage loan comes with high loan limits and options for up to 100% financing.
  • Student loan payments typically receive favorable treatment with a doctor loan, making it easier to qualify for a mortgage.
  • Physician mortgages don’t require private mortgage insurance (PMI) even with a 0% down payment.

With about 60 miles of beachfront resorts in the Grand Strand and the historically charming Coastal Charleston, South Carolina brings with it a lot of character. This state has some of the best beaches in the country, beautiful open farmlands, and it also happens to be the golf capital of the country with numerous courses in cities like Myrtle Beach. It certainly has a lot to offer to its residents, including some 12,000+ doctors

The South Carolina Realtors Association lists the median home price in the state at $326,000, which is over 20% higher than the same time last. There is no doubt that home values are on the rise here and that’s not even taking into account the price increases in the urban areas that are desirable to most medical doctors.

For doctors and physicians thinking about buying or refinancing a home here, doing so with the South Carolina doctor loan program may help make it a bit easier to do so. For qualified professionals, this loan program allows buyers to purchase or refinance with a low down payment or, in some cases, none at all.

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Pros/Cons of South Carolina physician mortgage loans

Are there both pros and cons that come with entering into a South Carolina physician loan? Of course. Anyone doing their due diligence will want to look at both sides, as well. 

Pros associated with South Carolina physician mortgage products:

  1. You can enjoy higher limits on these loans when compared to conventional loans or FHA loans
  2. You do not have to take out Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
  3. Your student debt will receive special consideration by these lenders
  4. You can receive 100 percent financing in some cases

Cons associated with South Carolina physician mortgages:

  1. Higher limits can cause you to buy more house than you can afford
  2. You may have to pay a higher interest rate

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7 Top South Carolina 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.

Nicole Smith
Loan Officer
Get Quotes Send Text Send Text Message

Online

usually responds within 30 minutes

Eligible degrees & accreditations:

Medical doctor (MD); Dentist (DMD, DDS); Chiropractor (DO); Podiatrist (DPM), Fellows, Residents

TD Bank

(CT, DE, DC, FL, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, VT, VA)

$500M+ Closed Loans

TD Bank is one of our top professional mortgage lenders, represented by rock star loan officers such as Nicole Smith.

Eligible professionals must be within 10 years of graduating residency/fellowship to be eligible for this program. The program has flexibility with student loan calculations, sometimes counting $0 payments. You can close a TD Bank loan prior to starting new employment as long as you have an employment contract in hand. Reserve requirements funds can be gifted or be in retirement accounts. [ Read Review ]

Eligible degrees & accreditations:

Medical doctor (MD); Dentist (DMD, DDS); Chiropractor (DO); Podiatrist (DPM), Fellows, Residents

Down payment Financing
0% up to $750 thousand
5% up to $1.25 million
10% $1.25+ million
  • Minimum credit score: 720
  • Maximum loan: Exceptions made
  • Residents / fellows accepted without prejudice: Yes
  • Construction loans available: Yes
  • Debt ratio allowed: 43%
  • Rate options: ARM and Fixed
Match Banks Text Us Send Text Message

Online

usually responds within 30 minutes

Eligible degrees & accreditations:

Medical doctor (MD/DO), Dentist (DMD/DDS), Podiatrist (DPM)

Keybank

(All 50 States)

$10M+ Closed Loans

Keybank is a major national bank based in Ohio with a competitive doctor mortgage program. They also lend across a large part of the United States.

The Keybank doctor mortgage program does not require you to be a minimum or maximum number of years out of medical school to qualify. They also offer large mortgage options if needed and part of your down payment can be supplied in money that you've received as a gift. [ Read Review ]

Eligible degrees & accreditations:

Medical doctor (MD/DO), Dentist (DMD/DDS), Podiatrist (DPM)

Down payment Financing
0% up to $1 million
5% up to $1.5 million
15% above $2 million
  • Minimum credit score: 700
  • Maximum loan: Contact to discuss
  • Residents / fellows accepted: Yes
  • Construction loans available: Yes
  • Income history: Not required
  • Rate options: Fixed and ARMs
Match Banks Text Us Send Text Message

Online

usually responds within 30 minutes

Eligible degrees & accreditations:

Medical doctor (MD/DO), Dentist (DMD/DDS), Veterinarians (DVM)

Alerus

(AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY)

$10M+ Closed Loans

Alerus is a national bank but one that you might not know. They are headquartered in North Dakota but provide mortgage across the country.

Alerus has some other interesting features, including a $20,000 closing guarantee. It's a benefit paid to the seller if the loan doesn't close per the terms of the pre-approval letter. In other words, it's something you can use to make your offer look more attractive in a competitive market. [ Read Review ]

Eligible degrees & accreditations:

Medical doctor (MD/DO), Dentist (DMD/DDS), Veterinarians (DVM)

Down payment Financing
0% up to $750 thousand
5% up to $1 million
10% above $1.5 million
  • Minimum credit score: Not disclosed
  • Maximum loan: $1.5 million
  • Residents / fellows accepted: Yes
  • Construction loans available: Yes
  • Income history: Not disclosed
  • Rate options: Fixed and ARMs
Match Banks Loan OfficerSend Text Message

Online

usually responds within 30 minutes

Eligible degrees & accreditations:

Medical doctor (MD/DO); Dentist (DMD, DDS), Pharmacist (Pharm D), Attorney (JD), Veterinarian (DVM), Physician Assistant, Registered Nurse (RN/NP/CRNA), ATP Pilots, CPA

Flagstar Bank

(All 50 States)

$500M+ Closed Loans

Flagstar Bank was chartered in 1987 and holds around $23 billion in assets, making it a medium sized bank. However, they punch above their weight when it comes to mortgages.

The bank is the sixth largest bank mortgage originator nationally. They only offer ARM products when it comes to doctor mortgages but their ability to lend in all 50 states means they're a player at every closing. There is no application fee or prepayment penalties. They also offer a float down, buy down, and recast option. [ Read Review ]

Eligible degrees & accreditations:

Medical doctor (MD/DO); Dentist (DMD, DDS), Pharmacist (Pharm D), Attorney (JD), Veterinarian (DVM), Physician Assistant, Registered Nurse (RN/NP/CRNA), ATP Pilots, CPA

Down payment Financing
0% up to $1 million
5% up to $1.5 million
20% up to $2 million
  • Minimum credit score: 700
  • Maximum loan: $2,500,000
  • Residents / fellows accepted: Yes
  • Construction loans available: Yes
  • Income history: Not required
  • Rate options: ARM Only
Match Banks Loan OfficerSend Text Message

Online

usually responds within 30 minutes

Eligible degrees & accreditations:

Medical doctor (MD/DO); Oral Surgeons (OMS), Podiatrist (DPM)

First Horizon Bank

(AL, AR, CT, GA, FL, LA, MS, NC, NJ, NY, SC, TN, TX, VA)

$500M+ Closed Loans

First Horizon Bank has one of the hottest doctor mortgages available as they can lend up to $1.5 million at 0% down.

Being able to lend such a large amount at 0% down is particularly helpful in states like New Jersey, New York and Texas where home prices have risen sharply in the past decade. The only downside is that the program has strict eligibility requirements and folks like dentists and lawyers aren't eligible. [ Read Review ]

Eligible degrees & accreditations:

Medical doctor (MD/DO); Oral Surgeons (OMS), Podiatrist (DPM)

Down payment Financing
0% up to $1.5 million
5% up to $2 million
10% up to $2.5 million
  • Minimum credit score: 680
  • Maximum loan: $2.5 million
  • Residents / fellows accepted: No
  • Construction loans available: Yes
  • Income history: Not required
  • Rate options: Fixed and ARMs

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.

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.

Is a South Carolina physician mortgage loan right for you?

After reviewing all of your options when it comes to physician home loan lenders in South Carolina, you may be asking if one of these loans is right for you. A good rule of thumb is to hold off on a mortgage until you have spent at least a year or two in a job. 

You never want to be in a situation where you are unhappy in a position, but now tied to it because of your mortgage. If you know that you will love your job, you might be happy to know that you can get approved for a doctor mortgage off of an offer letter alone, streamlining the approval process. 

Run the math on the interest rate you are offered, too. Over the life of your mortgage, a higher interest rate can add up to a tidy sum. If you want to save up and try to qualify for a conventional mortgage, that may save you some money. Keep in mind, however, that doctor mortgages come with no PMI, offering you some savings in that respect. 

Examples of doctors who use physician loans in South Carolina

Doctors from all parts of South Carolina are taking out physician loans. Their reasons for doing so may sound familiar to you, and we’ve listed just a few below. 

Doctor who wants a bigger home

With a thriving family practice outside Myrtle Beach, Randy is ready to upgrade his family to a larger home. He can certainly afford one, but the limits on conventional mortgages are holding him back. A doctor mortgage features much higher limits, providing him with more leverage on a competitive housing market. He is ready to make an offer on a 5-bedroom home with plenty of acreage thanks to a physician loan. 

An anesthesiologist who doesn’t have a big enough down payment

Twenty percent down on a home in Columbia means that Tammy, an anesthesiologist, will need at least 60k on the table for down payment and closing costs. That would mean taking a big portion out of her family’s savings. A doctor mortgage offered by a local lender is extending 100 percent financing to high earners like Tammy, meaning that she can get her first home without compromising her safety net. 

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.

Find a Physician Loan Specialist

Joshua Holt

Joshua Holt is a licensed mortgage loan originator (NMLS #2306824) and founder of Biglaw Investor. His mortgage expertise lies in the areas of professional mortgage loans, particularly for lawyers, doctors and other high-income professionals. Prior to Biglaw Investor, Josh practiced private equity mergers & acquisition law for one of the largest law firms in the country.

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