Skip to content

Real estate for doctors · San Diego

The real estate agent who has run a clinic for 18 years.

I help doctors buy homes in San Diego, from a first purchase on a signed contract to space for a practice. After 25 years around physicians, I already know how your contract, your schedule and your student loans shape the search.

01Why doctors call me

Twenty-five years around doctors. Now on your side of the closing table.

years running a clinic
18 years running a clinic
years working with doctors
25 years working with doctors
hospital boards served
2 hospital boards served
English and Spanish
EN·ES English and Spanish

02Who I work with

03How physician loans work

Buy on your contract, not your bank balance.

Get the full breakdown in the playbook
0–10% down
Many programs allow little or no down payment for qualifying doctors.
No PMI
Most skip private mortgage insurance, even under 20% down.
Student loans counted differently
Some lenders use your income-driven payment or set deferred loans aside.
Qualify on a signed contract
Many lenders accept your employment contract before your start date.

General information only. This is not a loan offer, tax advice or legal advice. Loan programs, rates and eligibility vary by lender and borrower. Verify terms with a licensed lender. Consult a licensed attorney or CPA for legal and tax questions.

04How it works

  1. Talk

    A 30-minute call about your start date, budget and where you'll work.

  2. Pre-approval

    I introduce you to lenders who do physician loans. You choose one.

  3. Find the home

    We tour, compare and write offers around your schedule. Video tours work too.

  4. Close

    Inspections, appraisal, escrow and keys. I keep every date on track.

05Where doctors buy

Five areas I'm asked about most.

Representative photos.

06Two free guides

Plain-language guides, written for doctors.

Get the guide

No spam. Your information is never sold.

I'm buying from Mexico

30-second watch

What I learned about doctors and houses

Two hospital boards and 18 years running a clinic taught me this: doctors are brilliant at medicine, but nobody teaches you how to buy a house, and being short on time makes you rush.

The fix is simple. Before you tour a single home, set three things: your max commute, your max monthly payment and your must-haves. Then only see homes that pass all three.

Get the free guide
Mike Barajas, real estate agent for doctors in San Diego

07About Mike

I've worked with doctors for 25 years and have run a clinic for 18. I've served on two hospital boards, so I know how contracts, call schedules and practice finances really work. Now I use that to help doctors buy homes in San Diego.

Read my story

08Questions

Common questions

See all questions →

Can a resident buy a house before starting a job?

Often, yes: many physician loan programs let you qualify with a signed employment contract and close before your start date, within a window each lender sets.

Do physician loans require a down payment?

Many physician loans allow 0% to 10% down for qualifying doctors; the exact amount depends on the lender, the loan size and your finances.

Does a physician loan have PMI?

Most physician loans do not charge private mortgage insurance, even when you put down less than 20%.

Can a Mexican doctor buy a home in San Diego?

Yes, you don't need US citizenship or residency to own property in California, but financing for buyers without US credit history works differently, so talk to a lender who works with foreign nationals early.

Can a nurse practitioner or PA use a doctor loan?

Some lenders offer physician-style loans to nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists or veterinarians, but eligibility varies widely, so ask each lender directly.

09Next step

Let's talk.

Thirty minutes is enough to map your loan options, target neighborhoods and next steps.

Text Mike