How we help
Built around your shifts and your next contract.
Starting a new job? Your offer letter may count
You may not need a paystub from the new job before you apply. For conventional loans, Fannie Mae's guidelines allow an offer or contract to count, with conditions. One option, for buying a one-unit home you'll live in and qualifying on fixed base pay, requires cash reserves and a start date no earlier than 30 days before the note date (the date you sign the loan) and no later than 90 days after it. That can help new graduates, residents and anyone changing hospitals. Lenders can be stricter, so tell us early.
Shift pay, read the way the underwriter will
Differentials, call pay, per diem and travel contracts are paid in many different ways. We don't have one rule to quote, and we won't invent one. Bring your stubs and contracts. We'll go through them and tell you how we think the underwriter will see each line, and what history they may want. The underwriter is the person at the lender who decides whether your income qualifies.
Weekends, by appointment
Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday by appointment. Tell us your schedule, and we'll book around it.
A team that knows the hospital
Colleen spoke at the groundbreaking for Loma Linda's new children's hospital, and the hospital has cared for someone in our family. We're grateful to the people who work there.
Your loan options
More than one way to buy.
There's no single right loan for medical professionals. We look at your income, savings and plans, compare these side by side, and tell you plainly which fits, including when it's not CalHFA.
FHA
Insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), with more flexible credit rules. HUD says FHA isn't only for first-time buyers, and the down payment can be a gift from family or an employer.
Read our guideConventional
Most follow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines. Options like HomeReady and Home Possible are for buyers with lower incomes, with limits set by area, and some options are for first-time buyers.
Read our guideVA
For eligible service members, veterans and surviving spouses, whatever job you do now. VA says its guaranty, in most cases, lets you buy with no down payment.
Read our guidePhysician loan
New American Funding's Learning Center says these loans are generally for doctors, dentists and pharmacists, and veterinarians may qualify. They may allow a low down payment and may skip private mortgage insurance, and the home must be your primary residence.
Read New American Funding's explainerEach loan has its own eligibility rules. Subject to credit approval and underwriting.
Down payment help
If you need down payment help: CalHFA.
CalHFA, California's housing finance agency, offers first-time buyer loans and down payment help through approved lenders like New American Funding. Colleen Olivas is a CalHFA Preferred Loan Officer, and we'll tell you plainly whether you qualify.
- $210,000 CalHFA's income limit for its first mortgages and MyHome (2026) in San Bernardino County. Source: CalHFA income limits, effective 06/30/2026. All counties
- 3 yearsIf no one on the loan has owned and lived in a home in the past 3 years, you may count as a first-time buyer
These programs are loans, not gifts. Funds are limited and rules can change, so we confirm what's open before you plan. Subject to eligibility and program availability.
Your team
You have a team of loan officers who work with medical professionals.
Call the office and we'll match you with the right person, or pick someone you'd like to talk to.
Free, and yours to keep
Read at your own pace, between shifts.
Free guide · PDF · California editionThe Homebuyer's Guide
Pre-approval, CalHFA, GSFA and the other down payment programs, in plain words. Read it at your own pace.
Download the free guide
Free checklist · PDF · one pageWhat to have ready
The documents to gather when you're ready to apply, so we can start your pre-approval without waiting on paperwork.
Download the checklist More programs worth asking about
Questions we hear
I'm a new graduate or resident with a signed contract. Can I buy before my first paycheck?
Possibly. Under Fannie Mae's employment offer rule, an offer or contract may count. One option, for buying a one-unit home you'll live in and qualifying on fixed base pay, requires reserves (savings left after closing), and the job must start no earlier than 30 days before to no later than 90 days after the note date, which is the date you sign the loan. Another option requires the lender to have your first paystub before it delivers the loan. Your lender may have extra rules. Send us your contract and we'll tell you which option fits.
I took time off between jobs. Is that a problem?
It can be. Fannie Mae says that when your work history includes different employers, there can be no gap in employment greater than one month in the most recent 12 months, unless the work counts as seasonal income. Lenders may want a short explanation for any gap. Call us before you apply and we'll go over your timeline.
Does per diem or travel nurse income count?
We can't point to a confirmed rule for per diem, travel contracts or housing stipends, so we won't guess. What we can do is look at your contracts, stubs and tax returns, and tell you how we expect the underwriter to see them. Steady history helps. Fannie Mae's variable-income guidance requires at least a 12-month history when hours or hourly rates change.
What about overtime or shift differentials?
For conventional loans, Fannie Mae recommends two years of overtime history, and may consider 12 months or more acceptable when positive factors offset it.
Is there a special loan for health care workers?
For doctors, dentists and pharmacists, yes: we offer a physician loan (see "Your loan options" above). For other health care jobs there isn't one national loan, and CalHFA's programs list has none for health care workers. FHA, conventional, VA, CalHFA and GSFA are all open to qualifying buyers whatever their job, and we'll compare them side by side for you.
We also thank
Disclosures
We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any law enforcement, fire, military, health care or school agency. VA home loans are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; we are not affiliated with or endorsed by VA. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by HUD, FHA, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Programs have eligibility rules, funds are limited, and terms can change without notice. Not all applicants will qualify. This is not a commitment to lend.
