Arizona Veterinarian Mortgage — DVM + VMD Eligible
By Mike Certo, Cornerstone First Mortgage · NMLS #260555 ·
The most important fact for Arizona veterinarians
Most national physician loan programs don't accept veterinarians. Bank of America, BMO Harris, Truist, KeyBank/Laurel Road, Bank of America Doctor Loan — none of these include DVM or VMD on their eligibility lists.
The Redwood Sequoia Medical Professionals Program does accept veterinarians. Mike originates this program through Cornerstone First Mortgage.
So if you're an Arizona veterinarian researching physician loans nationally and finding yourself excluded from program after program — this is the program that includes you.
The 60-second answer for Arizona veterinarians
If you're a veterinarian in Arizona with a DVM or VMD degree:
- $0 down up to $1.5M (680+ FICO) or $2M (720+ FICO)
- No PMI / no mortgage insurance At any LTV
- Veterinary school IBR/PAYE actual payment counts Vs conventional's 1% of balance
- DTI up to 50%
- Same loan terms as MDs, DOs, dentists — no veterinary discount, no extra restrictions
This is rare. Most lenders exclude DVMs from physician loan programs. The fact that Redwood Sequoia includes you (and Wintrust also does) means real options exist.
Why veterinarians are typically excluded — and why Redwood Sequoia accepts you
The historical reason: veterinarian income tends to be lower than human-medicine specialties ($85K-$160K typical small-animal vet vs $250K+ for MD specialties). Some physician loan programs draw their eligibility lines based on income tier rather than degree.
Redwood Sequoia takes a different view: default rates among DVMs are among the lowest of any professional segment (extremely low foreclosure rates), employment stability is high (licensed veterinarians have abundant employment options), and the income trajectory is steady even if absolute income is lower than human medicine.
So the program eligibility is degree-based, not income-tier-based. Your DVM or VMD qualifies you regardless of your specific income level (subject to standard DTI qualifying).
Eligible veterinary degrees
The Redwood Sequoia program accepts:
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) — most US veterinary schools
- Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (VMD) — University of Pennsylvania specifically uses this Latin-format designation
Functionally identical — different schools use different naming conventions; both are veterinary licenses.
Common Arizona veterinarian buyer profiles
Small animal vet at corporate practice (Banfield, BluePearl, VCA)
A typical AZ corporate-practice vet: - 2-7 years post-veterinary school - $95K-$140K income (varies by practice + region) - $200K-$400K vet school loans on IBR - Wants $400K-$650K home in Phoenix metro or Tucson
Physician loan math: 100% LTV with no PMI; IBR student loan payment ($200-$400/mo) counts vs $2K-$4K phantom payment under conventional. Often the difference between qualifying and not.
Specialty vet (surgery, dermatology, oncology, internal medicine)
A typical AZ specialty vet: - 4-7 additional years post-DVM residency + sometimes board certification - Higher income ($150K-$300K) - Practice ownership or partner trajectory - Wants $700K-$1.5M home
Physician loan math: Strong qualifying; 100% LTV up to program max; no PMI savings substantial.
Practice owner / partner
Established vets: - 7+ years in practice - Partner or solo owner - Income variable but substantial ($200K-$450K) - May coordinate practice acquisition + home purchase
New DVM grad (just licensed)
- 0-1 year post-vet school
- $250K-$400K loans
- $85K-$120K starting salary
- Wants first home
Physician loan math: 100% LTV with future-attending income approach (if signed contract for higher attending role like specialty residency completion → attending position). Standard physician loan if currently in associate role.
Arizona veterinary school pipeline
Midwestern University — College of Veterinary Medicine (Glendale)
Arizona's primary veterinary school — DVM program founded 2014, graduates ~140 DVMs per year. Many stay in Arizona for first associate positions.
University of Arizona (no vet school but pre-vet pipeline)
UA produces pre-vet undergrads who go to other states for DVM training (typically Colorado State, UC Davis, Washington State) and often return to AZ.
Combined, ~150-200+ new DVMs per year enter the AZ market, plus established vets relocating from other states.
AZ major veterinary employers
Corporate / chain
- Banfield Pet Hospital — owned by Mars; substantial AZ footprint inside PetSmart locations
- BluePearl — specialty emergency veterinary practice; AZ locations in Phoenix metro
- VCA Animal Hospitals — large national chain; AZ presence
- AmeriVet Veterinary Partners — corporate-acquired independent practices
- National Veterinary Associates (NVA) — similar
- PetVet Care Centers — similar
- Mars Veterinary Health portfolio (BluePearl, Banfield, VCA, others)
Specialty / referral
- Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson
- Arizona Veterinary Oncology
- VetSpecialists Arizona (multiple specialty groups)
Equine
- Arizona Equine Medical & Surgical Centre (Gilbert)
- Pioneer Equine Hospital (Casa Grande)
- Various others
Public sector / agricultural / wildlife
- USDA APHIS — AZ field offices
- Arizona Department of Agriculture
- Arizona Game & Fish
- Various zoological positions (Phoenix Zoo, Reid Park Zoo Tucson)
Academic
- Midwestern University CVM — teaching faculty
- UA School of Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences — research-track
Frequently asked questions
My income is $115K — is that enough to qualify?
Likely yes for reasonably-priced AZ homes. At $115K income, a 50% DTI cap on a 0% down physician loan supports roughly a $500K-$650K home purchase depending on other debts. Run the calculator with your specifics. {#faq-income-qualifying}
What if my income just started (new DVM grad in first job)?
Most physician loan programs require 30-90 days of employment with the new role before closing. New attendings/grads with signed contracts qualify under future-income provisions. {#faq-new-grad}
Can I include my spouse's non-vet income for qualifying?
Yes — your spouse's income counts as standard co-borrower income; you (the DVM) qualify the loan under the physician loan program. {#faq-spouse-non-vet}
What about equine veterinarians (DVM, often called "horse vets")?
Same DVM eligibility — the species you treat doesn't affect physician loan eligibility. Equine vets in AZ (Gilbert, Casa Grande, Wickenburg, Sonoita) qualify under the same program. {#faq-equine}
Can I buy a veterinary practice with a physician loan?
No — physician loan is primary residence only. Practice acquisition requires a separate commercial loan (Live Oak Bank, US Bank, BoA Practice Solutions, Provide all do veterinary practice loans). Mike coordinates with practice loan officers. {#faq-buy-practice}
What if I'm a vet tech (CVT) or veterinary nurse?
Vet techs and veterinary nurses are not on the Redwood Sequoia eligibility list (program is doctoral-degree only). Conventional, FHA, or specialty programs apply. {#faq-vet-tech}
What about veterinary residents (specialty residency post-DVM)?
Veterinary residents (specialty residency post-DVM, e.g., surgery residency, internal medicine residency) qualify the same way human-medicine residents do — using future-attending income from signed post-residency contract. {#faq-vet-resident}
Talk to Mike about your veterinarian scenario
Free 30-minute call. Bring your situation — DVM year, current role (associate, partner, owner, residency), AZ target neighborhood, student loan status.
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(480) 296-6513 · Mike Certo, NMLS #260555 · Cornerstone First Mortgage NMLS #173855
Sources
- Redwood Residential Acquisition Corporation — Sequoia Medical Professionals Program Eligibility Guide v1.1
- Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine
Mike Certo NMLS #260555 · Cornerstone First Mortgage NMLS #173855 · Equal Housing Lender. Educational content, not a loan commitment. Loans subject to buyer and property qualification.