CRNA Mortgage: Up to 100% Financing for Nurse Anesthetists

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) earn on average $202,470, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So, you’d assume their CRNA salary alone would make them great candidates for a home loan. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case due to equally large student debt balances and the additional years spent earning their degree versus saving up for a large down payment.

The good news is that some banks understand your career trajectory as a CRNA. Therefore, they have special home financing in place to address common barriers for nurse anesthetists and other healthcare professionals.

Read on to learn about how a CRNA mortgage can benefit nurse anesthetists and where to find these excluding home financing programs.

What is a CRNA mortgage loan?

A nurse anesthetist mortgage allows CRNAs to secure a mortgage with the least amount of cash possible. Often referred to as a physician mortgage or a medical professional mortgage, these home loan programs require as little as 0% to 10% down.

Unlike with a conventional loan, you won’t need to carry private mortgage insurance (PMI) as a condition of your low down payment. You also won’t be bound by conventional loan limits, which generally max out at $647,200 for most parts of the country.

Additionally, underwriting criteria for a CRNA mortgage is more lenient than a conventional mortgage. Here’s what we mean:

• In many cases, your student loan debt could be excluded entirely from your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Alternatively, a modified payment might be used, such as your actual income-driven repayment monthly payments or a percentage of your loan balance.
• CRNA mortgage programs will generally accept an employment contract as proof of income, allowing you to close on a home up to 90 days before starting your new position.
• If you happen to be a 1099 independent contractor, some banks require fewer years of tax returns.

If you’ve ever felt like your CRNA student debt was holding you back from buying a home, just know that you have options to get you into your dream home sooner.

7 Top lenders offering specialty mortgage loans to CRNAs

A CRNA mortgage offers many benefits for nurse anesthetists who plan to purchase or refinance a primary residence. But information on these programs can often be limited, especially since the CRNA degree doesn’t always qualify for physician mortgage programs.

Therefore, we’ve put together a list of lenders that specifically offer a CRNA mortgage loan to guide your search. Note that lenders are listed alphabetically and loan officer contact information is included when available.

1. Consumers Credit Union

Nurse anesthetists living in Indiana and Michigan might meet eligibility requirements for 0% down for loan amounts up to $750,000 with Consumers Credit Union. This community bank CRNA mortgage excludes all student debt from your DTI.

Additionally, it offers a low down payment investment property opportunity (10% down with no PMI) that isn’t common among physician mortgage programs.

States available: IN, MI

2. Flagstar Bank

CRNAs across the country are eligible for the physician mortgage loan with Flagstar Bank. This program offers 0% down for up to $1 million and 5% down for up to $1.5 million for qualifying borrowers. However, you must be within 10 years of starting your career as a CRNA to qualify.

Note this program is limited to adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) products at this time.

States available: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NC, ND, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

3. First Merchants Bank (formerly Level One Bank)

First Merchants Bank offers two separate mortgage programs for healthcare professionals, including a doctor home loan and a medical professional loan. As an Indiana, Michigan or Ohio CRNA, you’re eligible for 3% down for up to $350,000 with no PMI.

As of July 2022, interest rates with this lender are lower than conventional rates, especially for its adjustable-rate products.

States available: IL, IN, MI, OH

4. FNBO Mortgage (First National Bank of Omaha)

Nurse anesthetists with a minimum credit score of 720 can take advantage of the FNBO professional mortgage. This program offers 5% down for up to $750,000 or 10% down for up to $1 million.

Note FNBO offers a 30-year fixed and ARM options, as well as VA and FHA loans.

States available: CO, IA, IL, KS, MO, NE, SD, TX, WI, WY

5. Frandsen Bank & Trust

If you live in Minnesota or Wisconsin, you might benefit from a CRNA mortgage with Frandsen Bank & Trust. This program has low down payment options (0% to 10%) for up to $2 million, and student debt is excluded from DTI calculations.

States available: MN, WI

6. Premier Bank

Premier Bank works with a variety of healthcare professionals, including nurse anesthetists, to provide 0% down for up to $750,000 or 5% down for up to $1 million. If your student loans are in deferment, they’ll be excluded from your DTI.

States available: IN, MI, OH, PA, WV

7. University Federal Credit Union

University Federal Credit Union offers a medical professionals mortgage program that includes CRNAs. This program includes 0% down for up to $850,000 and 5% down for up to $1.5 million. However, you can access lower interest rates by putting down 10%.

Note this program is limited to properties located in Texas.

States available: TX

Is a CRNA mortgage loan right for you?

A nurse anesthetist mortgage can be the difference between buying a home now or waiting years to qualify for a conventional loan with a large down payment. Plus, you’ll reap other benefits, such as no PMI, higher loan limits and relaxed underwriting guidelines.

Additionally, CRNA mortgages offer competitive interest rates on a variety of fixed and adjustable-rate products. Depending on the bank and your own financial situation, you might be able to find a better interest rate right now with a CRNA mortgage than with a conventional loan.

Fill out the form below to learn about your CRNA mortgage options or further explore some of the best physician mortgage lenders across the country.