Attorney mortgage programs let lawyers buy homes with as little as 0-5% down, flexible student loan debt calculations and jumbo loan amounts up to $2-3 million. These professional mortgages recognize that attorneys have high earning potential despite significant law school debt. Most programs require bar admission and either current employment or a signed offer letter.
Why Attorneys Qualify for Special Mortgage Programs
Lenders created professional mortgage programs because traditional underwriting doesn’t account for career trajectory. A first-year associate earning $215,000 with $200,000 in student loans looks risky on paper—but lenders know that income will grow substantially.
Attorney advantages lenders recognize:
- High starting salaries ($100K-$225K depending on market)
- Strong income growth trajectory
- Low unemployment rates (under 2%)
- Professional licensing requirements
- Graduate degree credential
Attorney Mortgage Program Benefits
Reduced Down Payments
| Program Type | Down Payment | PMI Required |
|---|---|---|
| Standard conventional | 3-20% | Yes, if under 20% |
| Attorney mortgage | 0-5% | Often waived |
| Physician loan | 0-5% | Waived |
Many attorney programs waive PMI entirely, saving $200-500/month on high-value loans.
Student Loan Flexibility
Standard DTI calculations count your full student loan payment. Attorney programs often use:
- Income-based repayment amount (not standard 10-year)
- 0.5% of balance instead of actual payment
- Exclusion of loans in deferral
On $200,000 in law school debt, this can reduce your calculated monthly obligations from $2,300 to $1,000—dramatically improving your DTI ratio.
Higher Loan Amounts
Attorney mortgages often extend to $2-3 million without jumbo loan requirements, meaning:
- Lower down payment requirements
- More flexible underwriting
- Competitive rates
Who Qualifies for Attorney Mortgages
Basic requirements:
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree
- Active bar admission (or pending within 90 days)
- Employment verification or signed offer letter
- Minimum credit score of 700 (some programs 680)
Employment situations that qualify:
- Law firm associate or partner
- In-house counsel
- Government attorney
- Judicial clerk (with post-clerkship offer)
- Solo practitioner with 2+ years history
First-year associates can often qualify before starting work with a signed offer letter.
Finding Attorney Mortgage Lenders
Not all lenders offer professional mortgage programs. Your options:
National lenders with attorney programs:
- Bank of America (Preferred Rewards)
- SunTrust (now Truist)
- Fifth Third Bank
- Various credit unions
Specialized professional lenders: For attorneys specifically, Lawyer Home Loan focuses exclusively on mortgage solutions for legal professionals, offering programs tailored to the unique financial situations attorneys face—including high student debt, signing bonuses and partnership buy-ins.
What to compare:
- Down payment requirements
- PMI policy
- Student loan calculation method
- Maximum loan amount
- Rate competitiveness
Attorney Mortgage vs Physician Loan
Both are professional mortgages, but with slight differences:
| Factor | Attorney Mortgage | Physician Loan |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment | 0-10% | 0-5% |
| PMI waiver | Often | Usually |
| Student debt treatment | Flexible | Very flexible |
| Loan limits | $2-3M | $2-3M |
| Availability | Less common | Widely available |
Physician loans are more standardized because the medical profession has more predictable income paths. Attorney programs vary more by lender.
How to Apply
Step 1: Gather documentation
- Bar admission certificate
- Employment offer letter or verification
- Law school transcripts (some lenders)
- Student loan statements
- Standard mortgage documents (tax returns, bank statements)
Step 2: Get pre-approved Contact 2-3 lenders offering attorney programs. Compare:
- Interest rates
- Down payment requirements
- How they calculate student loan payments
- Closing cost credits
Step 3: Lock your rate Once you find a property, lock quickly. Attorney programs typically offer standard rate lock periods (30-60 days).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all attorneys qualify for special mortgage programs?
Most do, but requirements vary. You typically need an active bar license and verifiable legal employment. Solo practitioners may need 2+ years of tax returns showing stable income.
Can I use an attorney mortgage for investment property?
No. Professional mortgage programs are for primary residences only. For investment properties, you’ll need conventional or portfolio loans.
What if I’m transitioning between legal jobs?
Most lenders want either current employment or a signed offer letter. If you’re between positions, you may need to wait until you have documentation of your next role.
Do attorney mortgages have higher interest rates?
Rates are typically competitive with conventional loans. Some lenders offer slightly lower rates to attract professional borrowers. Always compare multiple offers.
Sarah Mitchell
Licensed Mortgage Broker, 15+ Years Experience
Our team of mortgage experts provides accurate, up-to-date information to help you make informed decisions about your home financing.
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